"It's all about you, boo boo"

The best fitness advice I have received thus far was from a hobo at Lake Eola. I went for a run and was trying to switch playlists on my iPhone when a guy congratulated me on exercising. It was very odd but we chatted briefly about how you have to take responsibility for yourself. I think he meant in in a general "life" kind-of-way but it struck a chord, especially since he told me as I walked away, "it's all about you, boo boo!"

It was such a weird encounter that I thought about it while I ran and two scenarios came to mind:

1) A friend of mine wanted to join me with my trainer at the gym. It is a CrossFit-type setup and he wanted to get in shape but has made excuses the last 4 times. I asked about it and he said he was afraid of not being fit enough and didn't wanted to be judged. I've been there (and still feel it sometimes) but you just have to conquer fear and walk into a gym and look like a noob and workout. There is no other way.

I told him it can be awkward at first but ultimately we all start out as beginners and you will find judgey people even outside the gym. They will judge if you workout or if you don't so you may as well do what you need to do. Letting other people's opinions hold you back from an awesome life is a ****ty way to live.

2) Whenever I mention training, my dad always has always made a comment about it being too late, too cold, too far, too hot, etc. He has told me about people dying on runs and when I pulled my back lifting weights, he said it was probably time to look into other options. His advice isn't malicious and he is proud of what I accomplish. But he has never completed this journey so he doesn't know what it takes.

Be careful who you take advice from. Find someone who has completed the same journey you are on and ask advice from them. For the same reason I don't take money advice from someone deep in consumer debt is the same reason I choose fitness advice carefully. Even your fit best friend may not know how you should get in shape if she has never been "unfit". Use your friends and family for their love and support but figure out your game plan from someone who knows what is going to work best for you.

I wrote this post because most of us have no clue why we fail at getting fit. We are intimidated by complete strangers, because a few of them are judgey, and fail to start our journey or keep up with it. And if we we do take action, we get pummeled with a ton of contradictory advice. Maybe we start with eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep but before long we are doing high intensity cardio, taking fish oil supplements and eating 5 meals a day, every 2.5 hours so our muscles don't cannibalize our body...

That wise, homeless guy was right: this journey is about you and what actions you take.Take that first step and start your journey and once you do, gain momentum by sticking to the basics of what works: nutritious food, exercise and sleep. If you need a further explanation, ask someone whose opinion will actually benefit you. Take responsibility for your personal success because ultimately "It's all about you, boo boo"!