Sword and Shield

People always find excuses for not exercising/working out. You probably have heard, and used, many of them yourself:

"I can't do that."
"I don't have the right equipment or space."
"Go to the gym? With all those other people?"
"I'm just not motivated to start, and besides it's boring."

And my all time favorite:

"Me? Why I'm already healthy."

Yeah and that's not a 64 ounce Pepsi in your hand, its ice tea? Please, let's be honest and stop with the bullshit. We all have room for improvement with our fitnes and health. I don't care if you're Bob Harper, Tony Horton, or a Beachbody Coach ... We all can improve. And there is the keyword folks, improve. The funny thing though, is that when it comes to our diets, fitness and overall health, we can be a tad on the blind side of things. But when asked to improve our productivity at work, improve our grades in class, improve our relationship with family, it's all but a given that the effort will be there. So, why not but forth the effort with health?

For some, it's the act of exercising or working out (there is a big difference between the two). Many people who are overweight (obese) or out of shape think the physicality is extremely daunting. That's when the excuses from above come out and play. These people have already defeated themselves even before the first step has begun. Its a mental fail on their part, but it's not entirely their fault. I'm willing to bet that most, if not all, have been told repeatedly that, "they're not good enough", "you're too fat to do that", or "why try, you'll just fail" by society in some way or form. Dude, that ain't cool in my book. Now more than ever we need encourgement, acceptance and positive reinforcement for all of us walking this Earth.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we all need to wake up and realize that obesity is a real, tangible epidemic. It's not an epidemic that is exclusive to the United States, this dilemma is worldwide. It doesn't care about race, religion or sexual orientation. Obesity doesn't give a damn if you're young or old, whether you're just making waves in life or at the riding the coat tails of success - obesity will find you and kick your ass. It's everywhere, engulfing our lives with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and premature death. It's an unrelenting warrior on the battlefield who wants nothing more than to see you at 9:00AM with a 16 ounce Pepsi (diet or not, doesn't matter kiddies) and an Egg McMuffin. Yep, that's right fat and cholestrol all washed down with liquid sugar to sweeten the kill shot.

The funny (and slightly disturbing) thing is that we've forgotten about one of our greatest weapons against the enemy: decision. It's so plain, simple and overlooked yet an effective weapon when wielded correctly. Making wise choices with our health is can turn the simple decision into both sword and shield against Obesity. These decisions don't have be the type that move mountains or shatter worlds, instead they can be as minimal as choosing carrots over kettle chips. Or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. They can be as big as taking on the beast that is Insanity, P90X or any other extreme workout program. Whatever the choice be, it's your decision to bear the sword and shield to protect your future from Obesity and Unhealthy Ways.

I believe every person is worth that commitment, to pick up sword and shield to fight for and with. We need to stand our ground together, many becoming one, joining the fight against Obesity and Unhealthy Ways. This isn't a fight that can be won overnight or by a single individual. But together, if we all pick up our swords and shields, we can fight against Obesity and gain our lives back. We all can take our lives back by standing together and proclaim (raise your clenched fist here), "I WILL NOT BACK DONE! I WILL NOT GIVE UP! I WILL NOT FALL VITCIM TO UNHEALTHY HABITS! I HAVE MADE MY DECISION!!"

So I say this to you, I challenge you to pick up your sword and shield today. Start fresh, start anew and make a bold commitment to yourself against Obesity and Unheathly Ways. Build your foundation with tenacity, grit, and an indeniable will. The battle for a better tomorrow awaits us! Will you join the front lines? Make your decision, stand tall, and ready yourself for battle!

GO GET YOURS!!


#TakeOnTheWorld