Are you abusing your [fitness] privilege?

It’s easy to get caught up in the routine of life and working out. 

We get in a flow, stay consistent with our habits, and proceed to “stick to the plan.”

For the majority of the time, even on the worst programs, progress will be made.

However, the richness, depth, and emotional high we initially experienced when we started this fitness journey has become stale and things start to become less fun, less rewarding. 

We begin to go through the motions and get upset when the progress doesn’t show up as quickly. It becomes more exhausting than it used to be, yet we feel like we should be more in shape. 

So what gives? 

The problem isn’t with our physical performance, that’s usually going pretty well. 

The problem is with our mindset and frame of thinking. 

As human beings we like to place things into categories, or as I like to call them, ‘buckets.’

It’s easier to remember that way and takes less energy to process. This can be a good and bad thing. 

Fitness tends to get dumped into the “physical” bucket. So progress and improvement is typically measured by physical attributes such as fat lost or weight added to the bar. 

Sure this needs to be measured to track progress towards a goal(s), but we often forget or don’t realize that fitness can offer so much more than just physical improvement.  

We get caught up in the routine and neglect all the other amazing benefits of fitness and working out. 

Benefits such as focus, resiliency, humility, motivation, perspective, the list goes on. 

But like anything in life, that lack of awareness can result in complacency and eventually resentment when the superficial, physical progress seems to have stalled.

The point of all this isn’t to point the finger, instead it’s to help bring awareness to the deeper value that fitness can provide especially when things aren’t so glamorous.

Fitness is an incredible gift and one we shouldn’t take for granted.

Right now look at your fitness journey and life, reflect on what fitness has offered you, and if you’re ready, email me back here or leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you. 

We’re on this journey together. Always rooting for ya!   

Written by: Phil Gauthier 

Phil is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

He is also an Owner and Co-Founder of the performance gear company, Element 26 (E26).

E26 prides itself on developing functional gear for the functional athlete to help you "Destroy Your PR's, Not Your Body." 

To reach Phil or any member of the Element 26 Staff, please email us at: support@element26.co and we will respond to you ASAP!