I am absolutely certain that all of us has walked through a gym for the first time and felt out of place, embarrassed, intimidated, and with every step we wished we were any place else in the Universe.
We check in and make our way to the machines or barbells or dumbbells that we had spotted — about a mile from where we were, With each step we became increasingly convinced that everybody in the gym was eyeballing us, sizing us up, and making very nasty judgments about or physical state. If we were experiencing these things we also probably had a very heavy flow of sweat pouring off our head, down our face, into our eyes and ending up on the floor in great droplets.
As we begin our training that first day, we are aware of couple of positive items: 1.) It;s hard but we are not as bad as “some others.” 2.) There are a few nearly perfect physical specimens near by and we cannot stop wishing that we could look like them. Its this second group that I would like to focus on.
When we see that “perfect” body that we long to have ourselves, we can do one of two things: First, we could conclude that we could never have a body that good so I will not try very hard or I will be “envious” and jealous and determine that we will pour it on, learn as much as possible about how “he/she” got to where they are. Then, construct a plan of action to try to catch them. Maybe even surpass them. This is the preferred response when we are confronted with somebody who is better because they paid the price and thus are better. It’s very important to be gutsy and determined to not be blown off course or out of the gym simply by an encounter.
Let me tell you a story: When I started training again in 2008, it seemed like everybody was further along than me. I wore heavy cotton sweats, T-shirts, sweat pants, and a ball cap. I told myself that I needed to wear these clothes because that’s the way I’ve always trained — in these damned hot clothes. I was determined to persevere and be a little bigger and stronger. I structured my workouts such that I was training twice per day. I continued that habit for 5 years until my new coach demanded that I stop because I could not get any bigger if I was burning up my muscles at that rate. I digress.
During those early days there was a couple of fellas that caught my eye due to their great physiques. Try as I may I just could not seem to make the type of progress they seemed to be enjoying. In short, I “Envied” them and wanted what they had. So, I redoubled my efforts with no great improvements or gains. Then one day I broke down and approached each of them individually to see what they were doing different than me to cause such magnificent growth and definition. They did not tell me anything that I didn’t already know. So, instead of allowing them to become my mentors, they became my targets. I was determined to become like them.
My “Envy” ate me alive. I ate, I lifted, I pushed myself, all the while keeping an eye on my new competitors. I measured myself, I compared myself with them in the mirrors, I ate huge quantities of food. Slowly, I seemed to be making gains that
allowed me to pull alongside them. My “Envy” was pushing me to new heights of size and strength. Unbeknownst to them, they had become another of a wide array of motivators in my arsenal. My workouts had gone from ok to superhuman.
About 2 years later, one of my competitors with whom I was very “envious” approached me to ask me, “What are you doing man? When you first came in here you were small. Now, you are huge,” (I started at the gym weighing 155 lbs and by this time I weighed 207 lbs.) “Envy” had helped to transform me by pushing me to attain what I wanted by showing those whom I “envied” that I can be like them too.
I still have tons of people around me that I “Envy” but it’s interesting that I am now the one that others “Envy,” It feels good to talk with a dozen or more friends and old competitors in the gym each time I train even if many of them were once my “Envied” counterparts.
My admonition to us all is that we allow, “Envy” to motivate us. Don’t let your current circumstances or status define you. Let things like “Envy” push us to catch the leader and pass him. Have as your goal, the total dominance of your area of contest. Dig deep to find the guts to make life be yours for the taking. Take your life by storm and don’t apologize to those who would steal your dreams or who would cause you to stop using “Envy” as a chief engine to drag you forward.
This is OUR TIME! Use every tool at your disposal to advance, catch and win. Dare the world to stop you. Step around those who would say your are too old or think that old people should not be doing such things. Grab hold of somebody that you “Envy” and place them ahead of you and GO CATCH THEM!
Here is a “toast” to “Envy” a POSITIVE motivator that can pull and propel us to victory.
Quote: “One Man With Courage, Makes A Majority!” —- Andrew Jackson
Douglas E. Graham
Six Pack and Senior 