Motivation

I have lost more than 15 Kg three times in my life.

The first time was due to the shit food that I was served in the hostel mess during engineering. In one semester I lost 20 Kgs. The second time was because I took up kickboxing and the third time was after the lockdowns got over.

Having done this a few times, I understand the work, the perseverance and the discipline it takes to lose weight. It is hard to get out of bed every morning get ready and head out to the gym. It is harder to do it at home. Also from time to time, it leads me to believe I know better.

Last week another thing happened the third time.

I used to see this guy come to the gym every day, walk at a leisurely pace on the treadmill and leave. He had been consistent for months. Hadn’t lost any weight though.

Three weeks ago, I asked him if he was doing what he was to lose weight. He answered in the affirmative and I suggested he needs to switch to resistance training if weight is his goal. I asked him to lift weights and told him walking slowly was not going to aid in a significant way.

He has not shown up in the gym since. This is the third person I have chased away from the gym offering smart advice.

Truth be told, whatever he was doing was better than doing nothing.

Motivation is like a candle in the wind. It can go out so quickly.

You cannot offer it to someone, it has to come from within. You can try and inspire but that’s it.

The moral of the story is to let that spark find its own tinder. Don’t try dumping fuel on it to try and make it burn brighter, you might just extinguish it.