The past two months I've been on the road and if you noticed my updates were not so regular that is the reason.
During that time I've been planning how to get in front of more people that want to look and feel younger and better.
One suggestion I want to include is switching my M.O. and putting together an online nutrition and fitness program from start-to-finish for those who want a turnkey deal.
Another change is I will soon begin living full-time in Hawaii and will work and train only on Oahu. Travel and constant commuting have been the norm for a long time, and I look forward to being around my family and extended family. They have promised to not get too tired of me being around all the time.
Now to more important things
So who has a problem -- fit or fat people?
Fit people often obsess about eating and exercising. I know that I do and so do lots of people I know who are super-fit. Though that means not what most people might think. We spend a limited amount of time training -- actually, less is more in my opinion.
The rest of the day we are normal people who choose to behave in ways that contribute to our fitness objectives -- we want to look and feel good.
FOOS people often refer to us as "health nuts"
That is an interesting concept - that people who take care of themselves are the ones who are nuts.
So I guess that could be read as meaning fat and out-of-shape (FOOS) people are emotionally better adjusted than health nuts. Somehow I don't think that is valid. I wrote an article some time ago titled: Can't lose fat? Maybe you are crazy.
Are FOOS people happier?
Not from anything I have seen. In fact, if anything they seem tilted more toward the angry side. Not all of them, but many. And a lot of them joke about being overweight, but I don't think they enjoy being FOOS.
Talk to a person that bikes, or runs outside and they can probably tell you about fat, scowling men and women that drive aggressively when they come upon a person out for a run. It's like the drivers take it personally if you are trying to keep yourself in good shape, and they know they are, well -- not.
Age is not the cause of FOOS-ness
Used to be that high school and college kids were much more fit than today. It's almost embarrassing to see young girls with belly flab hanging over their waist bands, because it's so common they think it's normal.
The best thing about being fat and young is you can fix it relatively easily with just a little bit of discipline. Discipline is a problem all its own.
One problem is the young adult mothers tend to be fat, and so that's not a good example for the childeren. Somebody told me the less well-adjusted mothers don't want their young daughters to look better than they do, and so they wittingly or unwittingly try to keep them porked up.
Once again, adults are often more of a problem than the children.
Speaking of which
I don't know if it's done intentionally, but the TV program about the little girls getting bullied by the obese dance teacher is pretty nauseating. The teacher must be a head case, and the girls' mothers are all (I think all of them) are fat out-of-shape witches that any decent man would run away from. Good grief. Oh, and speaking of that show, is that not borderline kiddie porn? Seriously do you think that wasn't in the minds of the developers?
My female friend used to work at cable networks and she said it was disgusting how the news show set producers put so much thought into camera angles and prop placement so the anchor womens' legs filled the frame. Her issue was the skin thing was intentional. Fox News early show with the two blond women anchors is like a choreographed tease to see if one of them will slip and show the viewers if they wear panties. Come on does that set a good example for your daughter?
Join the minority so you stand out
Fitness is a better attribute than FOOS-ness if you want to be appealing to your mate. Not many folks prefer a FOOS mate. Though I guess some couples just adapt and accept as they both get older and more FOOS.
Some FOOS people say super fit people just want to get attention. A fit person can't help but call attention to themselves because it still is admirable to look good, and just being fit makes you stand out in a room due to the shortage of fit people of both genders.
I love the way a fit woman's body looks, and middle-age and older women look particularly stunning. I find fit women remarkable because the look is unmistakable and literally shouts that they believe they are worth the time and effort to take really good care of themselves. So in that respect fitness is a character trait in my opinion.
I don't admire women who don't take care of themselves and gradually allow the flab to take over. I find nothing graceful or appealing about turning into the typical mother or father -- just look around.
Want to change how you look and feel?
Anyone thinking about about losing weight and getting fit, but having trouble taking the plunge should ask themselves this -- Am I worth the time and effort to really take good care of myself? Some folks can up with all kinds of reasons to not take care of themselves. Personally I think it is unfair to yourself and your family to let yourself go, but it is up to the individual.
Fit people will usually admit they are motivated by a desire to be proud of their bodies, or to put it simply -- they want to look good. To all fit peoples' good fortune getting fit also brings a bunch of health benefits even if health isn't your primary motivation.
A sad thing is the people who come to the gym totally FOOS, and very often having an illness such as heart issues and the really big one -- Type2 Diabetes. These are desperate folk that many times have waited too long to take care of themselves so their chances are not good that they will be able to turn themselves around. Though never say never.
The big problem is that our lifestyle, good or bad, becomes normal and it can be as hard to stop abusing your body as it is to stop any addiction. And bad eating and behavior is addictive, but so is its exact opposite.
The downward spiral called growing up
Many people treat their bodies like garbage disposals. Unlike computers (garbage in, garbage out), bodies are different and garbage-in stays with us and makes us look and feel like garbage. And the longer we do it, the longer it can take to reverse the downward spiral.
There isn't a way to rationalize what eating garbage and getting fat does to a human body.
Being fat and out of shape means the person (unless they have a genuine emotional problem) is not doing anything at all to preserve themselves, which is why I often say they need to get professional help.
I believe chronic FOOS-ness can be the outcome of a person that needs to get their head right before they can get their body right. I really encourage people to get help if they can't do it on their own.
It is true that we get just one body, and when it's burned out we're finished. Some people choose to live like hogs laying around in their pens and standing up just long enough to get to the feeding trough. Realistically some folks can't help themselves. But help is available if you are willing to try.
But still apply due diligence.
Many writers and trainers want you to become dependent on them so you buy their stuff or keep them on the payroll, Some of them try to make it sound as if not being fat is a huge puzzle and only they have the real answer.
Be curious. Listen to the many experts and try their ideas that make sense to you. When something works make it part of your fitness regimen.
And always remember that your body will acclimate to whatever you throw at it, and when it acclimates your progress stalls and you need to make some changes to get your back on track.
Acclimating is more commonly known as plateauing or hitting the wall; it just means progress stops or slows.
Plateaus are normal and temporary, and usually disappear soon as you make some changes to your routine. But know that they will happen forever, it's just part of the fitness game.
Food is a tool and we should eat with objectives in mind
How and what we eat should be done with a objectives in mind, such as something you want or don't want to happen. My nutrition and training objectives are a bit involved to explain here. But if you want to see them, and see what I eat, go to my website.
Cinta anda
Remember to have an annual physical. Thomas Amshay articles are not meant to take the place of your doctor or health care team. Talk to them before starting any exercise program, diet, or supplement.
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