Doing the Work

When I look at the history of the human race, I can’t help but realize the complexity and realities of how exactly our human condition has evolved. What did we do, or have to do for survival and how have our body machines adapted and perfected themselves though the millennia?

I think it is obvious that our bodies have thrived on a plant and meat & fish based diet. For most of our time on the earth, we ate uncooked foods, foraged for what was local and scavenged everything we could find. Life around areas with quantities of fruit, berries and nut trees where frequented often. Fish was secured from waters and along with the nuts from the trees, our bodies learned to thrive with the omega-3s they contained.

Our mode of transportation, for most of our existence, touches the ground as we walk. Our bodies were accustomed to walking long distances, to travel and search for food. We got in our exercise back then. We lifted, carried and ran during hunting and escapes. Only until we incorporated the help of animals did we begin to lighten our burden.

So, our life back then could have been thought of as “a burden.” As our brains grew larger, our tendency to find a way to “ease our burden” was the basis for growth, ingenuity and progress. Between then and now we have come a long way. All progress through civilization has been driven by man’s desire to ease his burden and make survival easier.

I would estimate that this “desire to ease burden” can be translated to the penchant of today’s human to not want to do the work, or in other terms, be a bit lazy. I don’t like to interpret the word, “lazy” as a moral deficit, but rather a propensity that lurks deep within our brain as an instinctual inclination. That inclination was the driving force in the human race that spurred on invention & innovation, leading to the modern world we have today.

We wrestle with this lazy propensity on a daily basis. Wouldn’t we like to not have to get up when the alarm clock rings, or go to work, do the chores, and last but not least, exercise to keep our bodies healthy? Oh, I know I am going to find a lot of people who’ll say, “I’m not lazy!” because our society has branded the word lazy as a negative term. But if everyone was honest, they’d admit that they really don’t want to put out the work.

Herein lye the invention of many, many work lessening contraptions. But to burn the calories and build the muscle, you must be willing to do the work. This is an inescapable
fact. Calories in through nutrition versus calories out through work is the formula. It’s a balancing act.

This must be the reason why I am so intrigued with products like, Body Togs, Weighted Vests and Toning Shoes by Sketcher, MBT & Reebok. For all except the Toning Shoes, these increase your calorie burn, muscle tone & bone density. The Toning shoes impact calories burned and muscle tone. And to think that they do these things without our conscious effort. We are putting out the extra effort and work, but while going about activities we would normally partake in, like walking. Body Togs are wearable weighted sleeves worn on your calves and forearms that increase resistance while you are going about your day! You can find Body Togs for Arms & Legs and a variety of Weighted Vests at: http://www.WomensPersonalFitness.net.

So I guess I am just as “lazy” as everyone else. The idea of “Wearing my workout where ever I go!” is very appealing to me.