Eleven: Health, Will and The Fates

In Norse mythology, the Fates were imagined as three, white-robed female incarnations of mankind’s destiny. Through their work on the loom (thread spinning machine), all that happened in one’s life was predetermined. The rulers of our current era are the new Fates. They are Time, Resources and Action. In this segment let’s apply those principles to health and fitness. Eighty percent of American adults do not meet the government’s national physical activity recommendations for aerobic activity and muscle strengthening.

The number one excuse given for this failure to exercise is “lack of time”. “I don’t have time to exercise I am literally on the run from the time I wake until my head hits the pillow.” This is a lie. Americans watch television for five hours per day on average. We are busy, but not that busy. The close second is “I don’t know what I’m doing; I need a trainer and I can’t afford one.” This is also a lie. There are a myriad of free online and print resources aimed specifically at the beginner who needs to get started and knows nothing.

So, if the time exists as do the resources, why is there no action? The answer is a lack of will. The average person does not possess the will (or somewhat interchangeably, discipline) to perform any action outside of immediate necessity, with consistency. The average person is capable of eating, going to work, minimally managing their finances and seeking out pleasure (romantic encounters, entertainment, often more eating). Beyond that, committing to a regular pattern of activity, especially one that requires tiring and sometimes uncomfortable levels of physical effort, is beyond his/her capacity. That’s the bad news- that if you don’t exercise or eat well, you’re a lot like everyone else.

The good news is that it can be fixed. You can be fixed. Will and discipline develop from use. They are like any other muscle in that usage increases strength and efficiency. Each time you do something that requires willpower, you strengthen that power and make it easier to use again. So how does this work? First, the negative thoughts must be countered with positive actions. Every time you hear the “I don’t feel like doing this/I’ll do this later” voice in your head, you must immediately counter it by doing the thing you are procrastinating about. Right on the spot. That action develops will. Performing that action is the definition of discipline. Over time it will become easier and more thoughtless. If you believe that you can, then you most certainly will.

Do not be content to be like everyone else. Do not let your fate be predetermined. Exercise your will and make your health and well being a success of your own design.