2786: [Part 1] An Open Letter to People Struggling to Exercise by Roger Lawson of RogLaw Fitness on Embracing Workouts

[00:00:00] Have you ever noticed how a calm mind can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast, Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting, they can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep.

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[00:00:38] This is Optimal Health Daily, An Open Letter to People Struggling to Exercise, Part 1 by Roger Lawson of RogLawFitness.com and I'm your host and narrator, Dr. Neal.

[00:00:50] A very happy middle of the week Wednesday to you. Welcome back to Optimal Health Daily, where I read some of the best health and fitness blogs to you, usually with a little bit of commentary at the end.

[00:01:00] Now today's post is a bit on the longer side, so I'll read the first half today and then finish it up for you tomorrow.

[00:01:07] But let's talk inspiration first, shall we?

[00:01:11] Quote,

[00:01:11] If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

[00:01:15] If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[00:01:20] The Dalai Lama.

[00:01:21] For now, let's get right to it and start optimizing your life.

[00:01:29] An Open Letter to People Struggling to Exercise, Part 1 by Roger Lawson of RogLawFitness.com

[00:01:37] It's hard to ignore, isn't it?

[00:01:39] That pulling sensation from somewhere deep inside.

[00:01:42] While the origin is unknown, this isn't the first time that this feeling has crept up on you.

[00:01:47] Maybe it was the game you watched.

[00:01:50] Seeing the athletes move their bodies with a sense of purpose, all towards a single objective, triggered your own desire to step into the arena.

[00:01:58] It could have been that couple that ran past you, laughing with each other as they quickly changed from full-sized humans into tiny specks in the distance.

[00:02:06] You haven't gone on a walk in a while, and on any given day, a set of stairs can leave you more winded than you care to admit.

[00:02:13] It feels like a finger thump straight to your heart.

[00:02:16] Or perhaps it hit you as you flip through the magazine in the checkout lane.

[00:02:20] On the cover, some fit model with abs for days.

[00:02:24] Page 26.

[00:02:25] Lean legs and a butt that could stop a speeding bullet without so much as a flex.

[00:02:30] Regardless of the source, the cause is the same.

[00:02:33] Your higher self, your own personal version of Jiminy Cricket, your inner voice, mine sounds like DMX in case you were wondering,

[00:02:41] is throwing anything it can at you, trying to get you to pay attention to one thing.

[00:02:46] You're not firing on all cylinders.

[00:02:49] I've been there too.

[00:02:50] Back in the not-too-distant past, I was about as unhealthy as you could get.

[00:02:55] Outside of organized sports until I was 12, moving around just wasn't my thing.

[00:03:00] I took full advantage of every possible opportunity to lie down, sit in a chair, or lean against a conveniently placed wall.

[00:03:08] Exercise?

[00:03:09] Nope.

[00:03:09] And maybe breathe too hard.

[00:03:11] Then I'd sweat too much, which means I'd need more showers, which would cause me to run out of workout clothes,

[00:03:17] forcing me to continuously buy new ones.

[00:03:20] You can clearly see how if I kept exercising, it would only lead to my financial ruin.

[00:03:25] And eating healthy?

[00:03:26] See, french fries are technically a vegetable, and scientists have managed to cram every vitamin, mineral, and nutrient that I need to be a fully functioning human into chicken nuggets.

[00:03:36] So, I didn't need to bother with eating that green stuff.

[00:03:40] Lengthy gaming sessions that stretched from dusk till dawn were the norm.

[00:03:44] Food that I could buy and eat in five minutes or less became my main source of sustenance.

[00:03:48] At 20, after years of these kinds of shenanigans, it's no wonder that I slept horribly, was in a constant state of lethargy, and had cholesterol levels over 350.

[00:03:59] Looking to do something, pretty much anything, to turn things around, I stumbled my way into fitness, thanks to a series of random events,

[00:04:07] and it sent my life in an entirely new direction.

[00:04:11] The benefits.

[00:04:12] You'll probably live longer.

[00:04:14] Even if you don't, your quality of life will undoubtedly be better when compared to doing nothing.

[00:04:19] You'll have less fat and more muscle, all contributing to a leaner you.

[00:04:23] Clothes will fit better.

[00:04:25] You'll be more resistant to random injuries and the normal wear and tear of life.

[00:04:29] Slipping on ice in the wintertime is no longer an instant death sentence.

[00:04:33] Everyday life becomes easier because you're stronger and more prepared for the tasks.

[00:04:38] Exercise can serve as a new outlet for your aggression, sadness, or simply become a way to wrangle and process your thoughts better.

[00:04:46] Empowerment is just one workout away.

[00:04:49] You'll have more energy and an increased sense of self-confidence, not only from your appearance changing, but from the act of pursuing a goal.

[00:04:57] Less stress, sharper brain function, and an increased sense of creativity all await you.

[00:05:03] You'll be better able to modulate your energy, like a DJ doing their DJ thing.

[00:05:08] Like Jon Snow, I know nothing.

[00:05:11] You'll know your levels at all times.

[00:05:13] Whether you're giving a task your all, have a little more in the tank, or you're just coasting.

[00:05:18] And you can adjust your faders.

[00:05:20] Is that what they're called?

[00:05:21] Accordingly.

[00:05:22] Here's the rub.

[00:05:23] It takes time and consistency for all of these benefits to come to fruition.

[00:05:27] The sooner you make peace with this fact, the smoother your ride will be.

[00:05:32] I completely get the urge to want it all right now.

[00:05:35] I was there too.

[00:05:36] I was stunned when my biceps didn't explode through my Kmart t-shirt after my first curl,

[00:05:41] and my back didn't grow wide enough to block out the sun when I did my first chin-up.

[00:05:46] You mean I have to come back tomorrow and do this whole exercise thing again?

[00:05:50] Yep.

[00:05:51] To be continued.

[00:05:56] You just listened to part one of the post titled,

[00:05:59] An Open Letter to People Struggling to Exercise, by Roger Lawson of rogelawfitness.com.

[00:06:05] And I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:06:08] Dr. Neil here for my commentary.

[00:06:11] I love reading Roger's posts because I can so relate to his story.

[00:06:14] I mentioned briefly that I have a chronic disease,

[00:06:17] and I mentioned how I'm kind of paying the price for it now.

[00:06:21] Well, that's because, similar to Roger, when I was younger, I played organized sports.

[00:06:26] But then I stopped.

[00:06:27] And I didn't care about my health.

[00:06:29] And fast food was a daily occurrence.

[00:06:31] And I asked my folks if I could be an armchair athlete instead of a real athlete.

[00:06:36] But like Roger, I started down the path of fitness and eating better and sleeping better.

[00:06:43] And you know what?

[00:06:44] I felt better.

[00:06:45] And my medications went down.

[00:06:47] And then my doctor completely took me off a medication because I was doing so well.

[00:06:51] And no, I am not saying I'm perfect in any way.

[00:06:54] I still struggle with all of these things.

[00:06:56] I still struggle to take that first step out the door to go for a run.

[00:07:00] I still will find a way to check email before starting my workout in my garage.

[00:07:04] I built a small gym in my garage.

[00:07:06] And I still delay getting in there and doing the work.

[00:07:10] But that's okay.

[00:07:10] Because you know what?

[00:07:11] I do end up doing the work.

[00:07:13] And I know once I'm done, I feel so, so, so much better.

[00:07:19] All right, that does it for today.

[00:07:20] I hope you have a great rest of your Wednesday.

[00:07:22] I'll be back here for tomorrow's show where we'll finish up this post.

[00:07:26] And where your optimal life awaits.