When I was kid I was fascinated with basketball.
Being just old enough to enjoy Michael Jordan’s final championship run, I marveled at the way he dominated the game. He took something as simple as putting a ball through a hoop and turned it into an art form.
My parents surprised us with a driveway hoop not long after. I practiced my shot everyday after school, envisioning my future rise to glory as one of the game’s great artists.
Except I couldn’t put the stupid ball through the hoop.
Try as I might, instead of “swishhh” all I heard was “clank.” Or I’d hear nothing at all. After some time messing around with many different techniques, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I started getting frustrated and pushed it aside.
I’m much happier being a spectator.
I’ve talked health and fitness with a lot of folks over the years. I’ve heard stories of incredible transformation and resounding failure. But regardless of outcome, one theme seems to define every experience.
And it’s not what you think.
What is hard, anyway?
Getting in shape isn’t complicated. It’s actually quite simple.
Eat less, move more, sleep more, booze less. 8 words. Not necessarily easy, but pretty straightforward. Sure there’s nuance along the way, but these concepts will get you far.
The practice of getting in shape is what causes us problems. The consistency required, day in and day out. Choosing a fruit smoothie over a breakfast burrito. Following through with your workout when you’re tired and “just not feeling like it.”
We’re not perfect. We often miss the mark. Our cheat meals turn into cheat days. One rest day turns into three or four. And before we know it months have gone by with no real progress. We have all the intent in the world but little to show for it.
And that is damn frustrating.
Overcoming frustration
Frustration is insidious.
It’s a gateway drug to other negative emotions hell-bent on maintaining the status quo. It leads to anger, causing us to rage quit and fall back into bad habits. It leads to exasperation, depriving us of motivation and drive. It leads to depression, filling our minds with negative attitudes about the entire fitness process.
So what can we do about it?
The answer is simple in theory but difficult in practice: know what it is you want.
A surprising number of people have absolutely no clue what they want. They have no vision for what their body and mind should look like. They apply haphazard goals based what other people are doing or what they see on Instagram. But they never stop to think, “Is this what I really want?”
It’s a tough question. I’ve often struggled answering it for myself. We humans are filled with doubt, apprehension and uncertainty.
But it’s the only question that matters.
If you truly know what you want out of your fitness journey you are 60% of the way there, I promise you. You can defeat devils like frustration and anger and depression because you are confident in what lies at the end of the road. You have a vision, and you’re ready to realize it.
Now you just have to stick with it, day in and day out.
Getting In Shape Isn’t Hard, But It’s Frustrating as Hell
A great article, Scott - very inspirational. You have focused my mind on losing those few extra pounds that creep on over the years. Those 8 words will become my new mantra. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this kick in the ass.... Ive been an elite athlete my entire life as well a certified trainer (as a hobby). I'm incredibly goal drive and it reflects with everyone and everything around me... Until I'm faced with being 60...ugh I've been getting sucked into all the shit as I'm projecting as to what I want to be... Its not working. Your thoughts today kicked me in the ass and I'm so thankful. I'm fitting it tomorrow and not loosing focus or making excuses again.... Thank you