When Fitness is a Lifestyle!

February 2010 Newsletter

Stop Being a Victim... never a victim, only a volunteer

Breaking out of the role of the victim is a very difficult step for many people. 

In my practice as a trainer, I’ve heard many reasons as to why and how people fell out of shape.  In many cases it is difficult to take responsibility, but is easy to place the blame on situations in their lives: they are overweight because their spouse and kids won’t eat healthy foods, they do not have time to exercise because their job is too demanding, it’s too cold to exercise outside, etc., etc. 

If we allow ourselves to be victims, it siphons our motivation and dedication. If you have children, it teaches them that they do not have any control over their lives. Being a victim makes us the just ones and everyone else unjust.  If we allow ourselves to be victims, we constantly have justification and excuses for our failures.

So how do you get past the mindset?  The first thing to recognize that only you are responsible for your success or failure. While we do not have any control over what other people say or do to us, we do have control over our attitudes and the ability to deal with what life has to offer. Terrible things happen to people all the time. We do have the POWER to change the way we think about ourselves. 

I admire people who in the time of adversity stand up to the challenge and fight for themselves. A perfect example is when someone is stricken with a disease or illness. The best example I can think of is Lance Armstrong. Never once did I hear him whine about how he was a victim. Instead he worked his way through it and is a hero for many cancer survivors.  Here is someone who lives their life not as a victim, but as someone who understands that sometimes things happen that force us to grow and change. They look at their circumstance as a challenge and rise to the occasion.

The bottom line is nobody forces you to overeat and not exercise. Sure we all did not have a perfect childhood. We all have had bad things that have happened to us. Playing the victim will never get you anywhere in life - choose to empower your situation and never let your past keep you from a better future!

Yours in health,

Brian