“And if you are very strong indeed, that is a god’s gift.” – Agamemnon

I chose the image of Achilles and Agamemnon’s quote from The Iliad because it truly encapsulates our shared pursuit of health and strength.  We all have gifts; few of us truly exercise those gifts to their maximum, and intended, potential.  We settle.  We equivocate.  We give ourselves an out.  We’ll do it tomorrow.

For those unfamiliar with Achilles (not the one from RobotJox) and the Iliad, let me break it down for you.  Achilles was not your typical badass…he was “That Guy.”  Fastest, strongest, most ruthless in battle, and minus those heels was for all intents and purposes invulnerable.  You trade all kind of draft picks to get him.  If he’s on your team, you win.  Print the shirts and plan the parade.

He was the very last person you wanted to peek over your shield and see coming at you.  You were the weak, and he was the tyranny of evil men…now give him back his wallet and get out of the diner.

Even with all that badassery (not a word) there was a catch, as foretold by his mother:  Achilles would die a glorious death in battle as a young man, remembered forever, or die in peace and obscurity as an old man forgotten.

Achilles walked onto the plains of Troy knowing he put a hard stop on his tomorrows.  He made his choice.  Today is a great day for you to make yours.

Think about how many tomorrow’s you’ve enjoyed.  Lucky you.  Now think about all the things you’re “going to do.”  Pfffft.  Sure.  Maybe you are.  Mann tracht, un Gott lacht.  Maybe instead of walking your Daughter down the aisle you’ll have a heart attack, stroke, or some other major complication related to a poor diet and lack of commitment to fitness.  Maybe you’ll develop PAD and/or peripheral neuropathy as a result of your unwillingness to exercise and you’ll have your toes amputated.

If this offends you GREAT!  I’ve got your attention.  Now hear me:  Invest in yourself and your Family.  Get off your ass and go do something.  Take a walk.  Throw a ball.  Throw away that garbage food.  Take MASSIVE ACTION and take control of your today…give yourself a better chance for tomorrow.

Or keep kicking the can down your road.  Keep putting this stuff off.  Roll the dice.

MANuary 1st Lift

Leg Day…found this little gem on TNation,  Looking forward to it.  Leg Press Hell