What am I crazy? This has nothing to do with how to lose weight or get strong, or does it.

I just watched a Starbuck’s video about the new red cup debate. Apparently, they didn’t reference Christmas on the cup so there are some folks that are upset.

Besides living in a world where everyone is always offended by something, there was so much to learn from this video. At least I think so.

The priest in the video said, “maybe we are just too focused on what we don’t like, what we are against and what goes against our beliefs that we forget what’s really important and what we stand for.

Wow. Profound.

So, how does this relate to the fitness world? Easy

I would argue that most of the reasons that people do anything they do in terms of exercise and nutrition is out of fear. Now, I am not talking about fitness buffs or the gym rats but everyday normal people.

He told a story in the video about an old man on his deathbed. His friend mentioned how strong he was holding on to his life. Then doctor then said this, “is he holding on to life out of fear of death or the will to survive?”

There is a major difference. The doctor said, “ We derive no strength from fear.” That is absolutely true. If fear of death were the man’s only motive, then he probably would have died by now. His strength came from his will to live.

We can’t follow our dreams out of fear of failure.

We can’t be the person we wish to be out of fear of the perception of others.

We can’t lose the weight because we are afraid to get a disease.

We can’t be successful eating well for long if gaining weight is our fear.

We can’t exercise because we are afraid of a heart attack.

We have to change the way we think. Why?

“We derive NO strength from fear.”

Did you ever feel like you did not have the strength (mentally, emotionally or physically) to do what you wanted to do? If you are doing something out of fear of the negative consequences, you will most likely not have the strength to do it.

Fear equals failure.

Instead, we should stand for something. Believe in something. Live something.

“We say what we think, but we live what we believe.”

We need to stand for something in fitness.

We need to follow our dreams because we deserve the best for our families and ourselves.

We need to be the person we want because we are valuable.

We need to lose weight because it is responsible to take care of ourselves.

We need to exercise because we deserve to feel great.

We need to eat good because we only get one body and we should cherish it as one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

If you think this way, I promise you will have strength. I promise you will the find the ability found deep within you. I promise you will have the energy and courage to do what may scare you.

We derive strength from standing for what’s true, believing in something greater than you.

You only derive strength from your will to live and knowing what’s really best for you.

I believe in you.

Have a great weekend!