Who am I, and what do I need?

Laying in bed last night it struck me. A concept so simple I couldn't believe that it had taken me this long to stumble upon it. Yes it's a question, but more so it's a way of life. Too many times people lose there way by getting caught up in things and ideas that simply don't apply. Are you being defined by the material things you surround yourself with, or making a legacy based on personal and spiritual achievement? I realize I'm getting a bit philosophic, but these concepts ground themselves in everyday situations. What does this mean to you? Well it could be a turning point in your life, or simply a bunch of nonsense. Who am I, and what do I need?

Do I need two cell phones? Do I need three computers? Do I need all the stuff that takes up space in my life that I rarely use? Obviously I would answer no to all these questions, but for you it may be different. A simple rule that I use is simply to ask, do I use this at least once a week? If the answer is no, then it can go. Take a look around and check for yourself. How many of these types of things are lying around your closets or cabinets? My guess would be that you may end up asking yourself, "Have I used this in a year?" A sad realization sets in that you are hoarding things unnecessarily. Is it time for a garage sale/eBay/craigslist? What are more productive things that could be done with the money from these things that lay dormant in your place? Maybe once you've cleared it all out you realize that you could actually be living in a smaller less expensive home. Severing the emotional connection you may have to all these things can be a giant first step to happiness for a lot of people. Yes I am getting a bit out of my realm, but understanding this basic concept will apply to many other situations. Lack of "stuff" leads to clarity, I promise.

Let's discuss how we can apply this idea to our health and fitness regime. Same principle applies; do I need fancy equipment workout apparel from top manufacturers to succeed? These are just more things that later turn into excuses. Often I hear people saying that they are going to get in shape, but first they need to buy new workout clothes and an elliptical machine for there home. 9 times out of 10 they never end up achieving their goals. Do they even remember the goal? Simplicity people; t-shirt, shorts or pants that allow movement, and body weight exercises will go a long way to getting you healthy. Do I use this at least once a week? You use your body every day, so let's keep and use that. How about the Pilates machine collecting dust in the corner? Lose it. The Taebo DVD's still wrapped in plastic after a month? Return them. The membership at a gym that you haven't set foot in since January? Cancel it! These are all examples of "things" that people have to make themselves feel better about not doing anything. At a base level we all have ADD, and it gets worse as you acquire more crap. Imagine your home devoid of all distractions, and think about what you would do. No TV to turn on, no internet to surf, no people magazine to flip through, just you and your thoughts. What do you do? Well you could just sit and stare at the wall, or you get up and do something productive and mentally stimulating.

Now apply this concept to your actual workout. Do you need fancy machines? Do you need to be upside down balancing a spoon on your nose? Do you need to train like a pro athlete? I highly doubt it. Basic human movements with some type of resistance that stimulates your body to become more efficient should do the trick. Trying to lose some fat for beach season? Then why are you trying to perform an iron cross? Just walking at a brisk pace would mobilize the fat in your body to be used for energy. I highly recommend a training journal as it's hard to screw it up when on paper. It's also much easier to look at it and decide what did and did not work and adjust it for next time. This goes for your diet as well. If you kitchen is stripped of all boxed, canned, processed foods it much easier to eat "clean." I recommend stripping down recipes as well. Remember that it is just fuel for your body. If you're trying to build muscle then you need protein. Trying to lose fat? Then you need to eat some fat. I would also recommend a journal for your food intake. The journal in this instance may be even more important than your training journal. Again the idea being if you're writing it down, it's hard to screw up.

Now it's time for you to ask yourself, "Who am I, and what do I need?"