I always say that the benefits of fitness start with how you feel, and sooner or later your physical appearance is bound to improve as well. But, let’s face it, concern about appearance is what drives a lot of people to start getting in shape, and that’s perfectly fine.

Here’s the question: is your status quo working for you? If you get out of the shower and don’t like what you see in the mirror, then it’s not. If you’re always tired and creaky, then it’s not. If you’re on medication due to unhealthy habits, ditto. 

And it’s also not going to change until you get fed up and change what you’re doing. It may be hard because the status quo can lull you into acquiescence. Still, the fact is that you always have to be taking the initiative to ward off malaise. That means you’ve got to take a good, long look at your habits and understand how they created a status quo that doesn’t serve you well. Then, let your dissatisfaction be fuel to work on yourself and upgrade your habits.

Pointing the finger elsewhere won’t accomplish anything positive. Get up. Lift a dumbbell. Move. Put down that giant bottle of soda. Even get some new friends if you have to. The people you regularly hang around probably influence your status quo more than anything else. In any case, if your status quo needs an upgrade, you’ll have to make it happen.

Sayonara until next time.