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This article is going to ruffle some feathers, and that is a good thing. You need to hear the cold hard truth when it comes to your own health status or the lack thereof. In today’s society, people strive and focus on instant gratification when it comes to shopping, looking for a life partner, and especially health and fitness supplements. We want things quick and in the most painless and easy manner. A recent study conducted by Grand View Research states that the global dietary supplement market hit an estimated size of $177.50 billion in 2023 and with a projected growth of 9.1% from 2024 to 2030. It is no shocker that the supplement industry are masters of marketing and great at the art of deception.
For example, the biggest pharmaceutical medication that is mainstream today called, Ozempic (Semaglutide) is an injection medication that was initially tailored to help people who have been clinically diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. When people started utilizing this drug they experienced a major side effect that became “helpful”; it aided in the suppression of their appetite. Once this word spread, Hollywood got a hold of the medication, people started making up excuses and lying about having Type 2 Diabetes, so they started taking this medication for the sole goal of losing weight and thinking it is “health in a pill”.
You have a chance
to look internally at what you currently are doing. I bet you fall into many of these traps:
A. You eat so calculated and on point during the day, then once dinner is done, you binge all of the dessert known to man to catch up on your sugar addiction.
B. You have time to take an extra 20-30 minute walk everyday, but you choose not to because you went for a walk yesterday and you do not want to “overdue it”.
C. You simply choose to not exercise because you think you don’t have time. (I.e. kids on the bus, going to work, going to the doctor appointment, etc.)
Your fitness level is your choice. There is no reason why you cannot wake up 30min-1 hour earlier and get a walk in, simply do some bodyweight exercises or mobility, or meditate and read to set your intention for the day. Choose your hard now because later in life, you will be forced to live the hard life by taking dozens of medications per day, attending physical therapy sessions, living in pain, etc. Most people do not realize that you take a medication to OFFSET a side effect of another medication you currently take. With the amount of drugs you take and the money you give to Big Pharma, your damn body turns into a chemical factory of misfits with nowhere to go.
Can you turn the page?
No matter your age, physical or mental limitation, environment you live in, you can make a positive change in the way you live a more healthy and fulfilling life. I think most people get so complacent in the way they are living, they think this is normal and how the age cycle goes. I can tell you that is bullshit, and you should let go of that mentality before it takes a stronghold in your heart, mind, and soul of who you are.
If you feel stuck or lost in the sauce, if you are currently overweight and taking dozens of medications, and if you have a terrible relationship with food, your partner, and with yourself, then here are the biggest actions you can take RIGHT NOW if you simply do not know where to start:
- Movement- challenge yourself with going for a structured 10-20 minute walk everyday. Just one time a day for 1 week, and you will feel a rise in your attitude, how you see the day and yourself, and feel what your body has been craving.
- Exercise- focus on strength training. You want to burn body fat? Strength train. You want to get better joint mobility? Strength train. Focus on resisting your own bodyweight for 1 month, and notice the changes that happen.
- Relationship with Food- Simply become more aware of what you are consuming by keeping a journal. If you notice you do not consume much protein, increase your numbers. Colorful plates win.
- Talk- It is a strength by asking for help. Drop your ego, drop your preconceived notions, and drop what you think you know. You need help, talk to friends, family, professionals, anyone that will listen to you and be able to provide constructive feedback for actions you can make on your own.
Your Fitness Level is your Choice
Life is hard, life is about struggle, and especially life is work. Embrace the suck, get rid of your victim mentality because you are only creating more struggle and a negative feedback loop for yourself. You might of created the hole you are in, but you can sure as hell dig your way out. Find your inner strength, find an external goal, set your intention, and know it can be done. Your fitness level is indeed a microcosm of many factors that led you to make choices to go left or right, know that you have the tools and liberty to be able to take actionable steps to make your life and world around you a better and more fulfilling place.
Stefan Krause is a Certified Personal Trainer and Sports Performance Coach and the Owner and Founder of Krause Performance, LLC with almost a decade of experience working with student athletes, seniors, and everyday people striving for athletic performance, training pain free, and living a more fulfilling life.
