I have noticed a recent phenomenon lately that has to do with hiking Pilot Butte and people getting results. Let me provide a little background for you. When I moved to Bend to open ELITE Fitness and Education, back in July of 2008, I started meeting people at Pilot Butte for a brisk hike and a little boot camp class at the top. My team has kept this tradition going and we have always had someone to meet a group of members for a hike to the top. There is no cost for this and it is not part of any of our programming. It’s just something we do extra to have a relationship with our members outside the gym.
 |
| Check out our very first group. July 2008 |
Recently, I have noticed there is a distinct correlation with people who consistently hike the butte and also get the results they are looking for. Now, I do not believe there is anything “magical” about hiking Pilot Butte. I do not believe there is magic Pilot Butte dust that mysteriously makes fat fall off your body. Here is what I believe is happening. When someone decides to get up in the morning at 6:00am to go for a hike, it is freezing cold, especially at this time of the year. That person is making a conscious decision to make themselves uncomfortable and inconvenient for the sake of achieving what they really want. I have noticed with these people, that they are also willing to make themselves uncomfortable and inconvenient in other areas of their life for the sake of achieving what they really want.
On the other hand, when someone comes up with an excuse to not hike the butte with us, I seem to notice they make excuses in other areas of their life to justify other bad behaviors as well. I find that if someone is not willing to subject themselves to a simple butte hike that they are not willing to make themselves uncomfortable or inconvenienced in other areas of their life.
 |
| Bring the kids. They love it. |
Don’t get me wrong I completely understand NOT wanting to get up early in the morning just to go for a cold hike. Sometimes my wife puts on this cinnamon lotion before going to bed and after “warming” under the covers all night long it’s like snuggling with a warm, delicious cinnamon roll. I will be the first to tell you, I don’t want to crawl out of bed and leave that behind. So I completely understand that people DON’T want to do it.
What it really comes down to is, what is more important? As of January 1st, 2010, 73% of America is overweight or obese. That is an epidemic of choice. People think they don’t choose to be overweight but they do. It takes several decisions everyday to be overweight and unhappy. When I talk to people that tell me they are unhappy with themselves, often I can look at them and say “Not only are you not willing to make the right decisions, you actually do about 10 things everyday that will GUARANTEE that you stay this way.” Obviously you can see why people either love me or hate me. Not a lot of in-betweeners in my life.
 |
| Yes, even in the snow!!! Good thing the year is 2010 and cold weather gear is pretty easy to come by. |
Here is my final take on this. Are you willing to make 5 decisions a day that will make you happier, healthier, and better? Or will you be content to justify and explain away your bad decisions. I know you are an adult and you are an American., You have rights that I cannot take away from you. You have the right to be fit and you have the right to “Fight for your rights to SUCK.” However, you cannot escape the negative consequences of your bad decisions; no matter how fast you run.
I hope more people will continue to join us on our weekly hike up Pilot Butte. Again, it’s not about the magic properties of a small hill. It’s about the daily decisions a person is willing to make. It’s about the little sacrifices and willingness to be a little uncomfortable for the sake of something better. It’s about not “fighting for your right to SUCK” just because you can. It’s about making a couple more “good” choices, instead of “bad” ones.
Have fun and remember to enjoy the process,
Victor Brawner, Fitness Hero
ELITE Fitness and Education and ELITE Bootcamps
 |
| How many gyms do you know that could encite 257 people to get up at 7am in March when it is 17 degrees out? |
No comments:
Post a Comment