Elitism

Sunday, June 22, 2008
7w4d to pics--157# (I'll be damned, it went DOWN!--instead of up from 158 that is.)
Work 10p-8a
Slept 8 hours.

I'm going to have a couple of elitist posts this week. I never really thought of myself in terms of this, but I guess when it comes right down to it, I am an elitist--at least in agrarian terms. I believe if we can earn it, it's ours, but we have no right to much of anything except the freedom to pursue happiness (see previous post on this). I grew up on a small pig farm. My dad worked in a factory. My mom was a unit secretary in a hospital. They taught me discipline and self-respect and gave me the tools and motivation to go out and make what I wanted out of life. They didn't have the money to hand it to me on a silver platter. So don't talk to me if you can't do it with some chutzpah.

Where this rises to the surface most often here recently is with regard to kettlebells and working out. There have been quite a few posts lately on the AOS forum from people who I frankly just don't think have the mettle to workout with kettlebells--or much of anything that might cause discomfort from the sound of it. Anyone who can actually, seriously, post "callouses, gross!" on a kettlebell forum just needs to go the f^@% home. Yes, some people are limited by circumstances and may need to or want to workout inside. Injuries might make some moves difficult or impossible. But... kettlebells are what they are. Don't try to make them into something easy or soft.

Kettlebells are not for the faint of heart. They are not for those who whine about the heat or the cold or dirt or sweat--or any other thing for that matter. Kettlebells are best battled outside in the rain or sleet or sun or wind where you can beat them or they can beat you, and the story is told only by the pock marks in the grass and the dirt on your hands. Though they will do so, they are not meant to make prettier muscles but better muscles. They are meant to temper from the inside out, testing your mettle, strengthening muscle, ligament, tendon, and even a little skin. Those who fear such a challenge from a small metal ball and do not wish to bear its mark are not worthy of its gifts. And they should go home.

Don't get me wrong. Sometimes I don't even think I'm worthy. But I'm working on it.

WORKOUT: Yoga for 30 min. I was going to walk, but my hips are not happy today, so I thought the yoga would be a better choice. We don't have a gym that's open on Sunday in this little town, so elliptical, rower, etc. was not an option.

I am totally diggin' this 10 hour shift thing. BIG difference from 14 hours.