Go Sell Crazy Somewhere Else...

I read a lot of blogs, and this one in particular always has an interesting post more often than not.  I don't get to them (all the blogs) as often as I should, and by the time I do, I have a lot of ground to make up.  This week I found this little gem of a read...

Its odd that this post should come around now, because I have been thinking about this very same thing and wondering how to put it into words without coming across as crass, or even holier than thou...fine line you know?

I think, by nature, first off, OCD tendancies don't occur out of nowhere.  They may be hidden for a very long time, and not rear their head till such a time as with health, fitness and food etc.,

For me, I have always had OCD to varying degrees, and honestly, in my case, as its been pointed out, I am more 'addicted' than 'obsessed'.  I have always had an addictive personality, and because of that, yes, have always traded one addiction (or obsession) for another...And yes now I realize that that is EXACTLY what I have done. 

Again.

Since October, I have been completely off the charts as to my weight and the loss of it.  Initially its because I wanted to get faster (at running).  Then it was to look better [read: skinny].  But also underneath it all it was to be able to 'control' something as it seemed as if I had no control anywhere else in my life.  The one thing I had focused on completely for a couple of years was no longer a source of frustration, constant feelings of defeat and worthlessness...I had nothing but myself to focus on and fret about for a change. 

I could control what I eat.  And how much I run.  And how much I exercise.  And how I look.  The added bonus was that even though I hadn't realized it for so long, I could control how I feel.  I had let someone dictate that for way too long.

This I believe was a turning point in my life.  And more than likely one that might have saved it, if just my sanity and overall well-being.

Now before I go any further, remember the disclaimer I made a while back...I am not writing this blog for anyone in particular other than myself, and my thoughts and opinions are exactly that.  Mine.  Also remember that in no way, shape or form, are the majority of those directed at any one person in particular, so if I offend anyone, my apologies in advance.  I think I have a lot to offer, so for those that take advice away from here, apply it and succeed thats great!  I know some of you do, and have, and will continue to do so...

The writer of the blog posts makes several statements to which I immediately responded to; and when I say responded, I mean I either took a deep breath, said "yeah!" and so on...I mean that what he had to say, at least to me, had some merit.  I know that there are some of you out there, right now, reading this, and if you know me, you might have even experienced some 'concern' about my 'obsession' with getting thinner (faster), and my over-zealous desire to do more, more, more in the way of exercise.  And I know...I know...I can see the wheels spinning already...

And I get why you might think that.  And I also get that some people will be concerned for maybe what might be ok to be concerned about, and then others, not so much.  I think there lies some 'ugh, you shouldnt be doing that, you're going to get sick, hurt, etc., when really its just a way of attempting some sort of sabotage first off, and secondly to make it seem ok that you dont think like me, or have the willpower or desire to make a better life.  Or rather, be concerned with my health and longetivy .. You should be concerned, and quite honestly, healthy, active people like myself worry more about those that aren't than you do about us!!!

As he states, we become the habits we choose and practice.  It becomes a part of life, and no longer a question on this or that?  While some may think that I am the crazy one, am I really?  I feel great, I require less sleep, I'm active, I look younger than my age (or so I'm told and I tend to agree), I'm never sick....how can any of this be bad for me?

Yet I see more and more words like "I am soooooooo tired"...."I need a nap"...."I dont have any energy"...."I am so hungover"...."OMG I ate soooooooooo much"..."My knees (or insert any other body part) hurt"..."I dont have time"...thats my all time favorite..."I need to lose weight, or exercise, but I am too full, tired, sick, hungover, dont have any energy to do so, and plus I dont have the time (but I do have time to lay around and watch 14 hours of tv, or go out and drink or sleep in cause you're hungover"....guess what...?

I worry about others who don't take their health seriously...  A little obsessivness (addiction) goes a long way...go on...try and convince me I'm wrong...

Most recently I read this and thought, wow, that is so true (and will sign off with this as well):  It's the same reason that people tell me that running is "bad for my knees" or that I'm "crazy" for running every day. I should tell them that they're crazy for drinking beer, smoking, and watching television. Drinking beer is a lot worse for you than running, right?

One thing that I find funny (but also troubling) is that making fun of people for smoking, drinking, eating gross manufactured non-food items or being overweight (especially women) is taboo, but making fun of people for dedication to fitness is widely acceptable.
If a female boss sarcastically remarks to me "Ooohhh, Mr. Big Marathon Runner, thinks he's all important because he ran eight miles today" she's likely to be greeted with a roomful of laughs. If I reply with "So, did you always have a huge gut, or did you just pack on the freshman fifteen for four straight years?" - most likely I'll be greeted with audible gasps and harsh stares for making fun of her weight.