What George Carlin would say about fitness

People waste money on exercise equipment, supplements, workout clothes, and gym memberships solely to buy the illusion of fitness.

George Carlin said, “Americans specialize in the manufacturing, packaging, distribution, marketing of bullshit.” I feel bad for the people who get connived into thinking they need to buy something to get started with fitness. Buying something is a cheap way to feel a false sense of progress.

Do you know how simple exercise is? If you did, you wouldn’t feel compelled to buy the latest heap of “bullshit.”

Of course, there are plenty of great tools out there, a lot of great information products, and maybe there is a need for something other than cotton when you’re working out. Maybe. But not really. Unless you’re a professional athlete. And even then, that’s still just a maybe.

It’s not daily increase, but decrease—hack away the inessentials.
- Bruce Lee, a great martial artist who wore cotton and didn’t have a gym membership

If George Carlin walked into a gym and saw all the machines, all the posturing, classes called “yogalates”, and men in tights, er, Under Armour, I think he would say “Bullshit!”

And he’d be right.

You want to get, and stay, fit?

Take a cue from my father. He does push ups, crunches, and rides a bike for his exercise. He doesn’t shy away from projects like snowblowing, shoveling, landscaping, lifting rocks, building fences, and building retaining walls. He doesn’t overeat. He doesn’t drink alcohol. He has a lot of energy and can enthusiastically outperform people 30 years his junior.

He’s not confused by the fitness information mess. Nor is he looking for a quick fix. He leads an active lifestyle and stays consistent. Yeah, it’s not as glamorous or sexy as new workout shoes.

This time of year a lot of people make their new year’s resolution. Have you made yours? Did you buy a gym membership? Did you get some fancy workout clothes? Did you buy an expensive diet plan to lose weight? Did you buy into the illusion of progress?

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