What Would a Fit Person Do?

Sometimes I have to play tricks on myself.

It’s not that I’m a lazy person by nature (OK, maybe I am), but if I don’t give myself a really good reason to do something I’m liable to doze on the couch all day with my dog Skyla.

One area of my life where I need to be prodded into action is my health and fitness. I’ve learned to ask myself one simple question:

What would a fit person do?

I ponder this question whenever I’m faced with a health conundrum.

  • I really want a pile of fries with my veggie burger, but maybe I should get a salad instead.
  • Gee, I said I was going to the gym this morning, but the bed is so warm and comfy.
  • I’ll skip that aerobics class because I’m sure I’ll look silly next to all those hard bodies.

In my mind, I’ll imagine an impossibly perfect fit person: strong arms, flat abs, endless cardio endurance, mythical flexibility, and a diet full of veggies and whole grains (not a Twizzler in sight).

This fit person is a creature of clarity. She is calm and collected when faced with a challenge. She can see all angles of a situation and will make a choice based on what is in her best interest.

All of her decisions support her lifestyle as a fit person.

When I imagine what this made-up fit person would do, the most beneficial choice becomes so obvious. If I want to be a fit person myself, I should follow her example.

Here’s another way to think about it: are you making this decision based on who you are now or who you want to be?

That fit person in my mind isn’t a fantasy—she’s me! And I’m becoming more like her every day.

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13 Comments

  1. Megan Gann on April 25, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    I’m definitely trying to be a more fit person. I’ve gotten ridiculously out of shape compared to how I was a couple of years ago. Part of my shopping “ban” is going to be taking a walk/playing dance central in lieu of going out of to walk around the thrift store. Putting back the money I would have spent and getting exercise in the process.



  2. Molly on April 23, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    Very inspiring! I, too, struggle with making healthy decisions, but I’m getting better at it. I use the future as my motivation because it’s so important to me to be able to have an active lifestyle with Mike, especially when we retire someday. Now to just get my arm back to normal so that I can start making some progress with the rest of my body again!



    • Sage on April 23, 2012 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks, Molly. Everyone I know struggles with making healthy choices. I think about how I want to feel when I’m older too. There’s no way I want to be stuck on the couch when I retire. I’m glad to hear about the progress you’re making with your arm. 🙂



  3. Marilou on April 23, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    OH you made me laugh on this post, so cute and amusing!

    Trust me darling, I have been teaching fitness classes and have been a Yoga Teacher for over 9 years and I still face those same questions and challenges every day!

    I was suppose to be running right at this moment but look at what I’m doing???

    Reading your blog!

    oxo

    ML
    Twenty York Street
    http://www.twentyyork.com
    Follow me in Twitter: @20YS



    • Sage on April 23, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      Haha! It’s true! I spent way too much time reading blogs when I should be doing something more productive. Thanks for commenting!



  4. xvavaveganx on April 23, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Great post Sage! I ask myself this question every day. I feel like we are forced to make these decisions every day. I am also a member of the workout as a mood elevator club and I have noticed a definite improvement in my energy and mood when I eat healthier. I always feel tired and yucky if I eat something not great for me and I try to remember that feeling if I’m tempted to eat processed food or sugary treats because I just know I’ll pay for it in the end. Sometimes I give in though and then I can’t wait to detox it out of my body. Too bad it just tastes so good 😉

    I also try and do things like park further away when I go out, I take the stairs when I can and try and do other small things to get my blood pumping throughout the day 🙂 Every little bit helps!

    Thanks for the links too, those are so helpful!



    • Sage on April 23, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      I’m faced with about a dozen of these healthy decisions a day. Sometimes I act like a fit person, sometimes I act like a couch potato. I figure a little progress is better than no progress at all.

      Glad you like the links. They make my job easier–I don’t have all the answers, so I can just link to people who do. 🙂



  5. Tinfoil Tiaras on April 23, 2012 at 11:44 am

    WWAFPD? Moderation is the name of the game- as a veggie I’m a relatively healthy eater but I have a hige sweet tooth so refuse to diet or eliminate sweets from my diet- I eat in moderation instead. I also try to work out at least 4-6 hrs/wk which not only improves my mood but my body has started to change for the better. Yay for fitness!



    • Sage on April 23, 2012 at 3:54 pm

      I have the biggest sweet tooth too! I eat a lot of candy and chocolate. That’s awesome that you’ve noticed a mood boost from exercising. I know I feel happier after a really good workout.



  6. Cara on April 23, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Now that I’m done training I’m going to work increasing my overall fitness and being more diligent about what I eat, swapping out fruit for dessert and walking to and from the subway if I don’t get any exercise in, rather than calling my husband to get me 🙂



    • Sage on April 23, 2012 at 3:52 pm

      I don’t walk nearly as much as I used to when I worked in a corporate office (I had to walk to and from the subway too). I take walks with Skyla every day, which helps. I’m really impressed with all the training you did for your marathon–you are definitely a fit person! 🙂



  7. Slauditory S on April 23, 2012 at 5:15 am

    Choose fruit over candy, and move at least 30 minutes every day. I strive to do those things.



    • Sage on April 23, 2012 at 3:49 pm

      Great ideas! I need to cut back on the candy.