11:00 a.m. Sunday December 20th 2008 and here we go again!! Driving through the parking lot of our trusty University Park Mall, I get hit in the face with the proverbial inspiration to write an article.

Why in the hell is this happening to me!? Can’t I just shop without it triggering a rant?

Any other time of the year this particular experience would have simply sent me over the deep end, resulting in some type of redneck demolition derby followed by a brief pursuit by mall security. Today however, it brought a specific topic to mind.

While driving through the parking lot in order to find a place to park, one thing stood out more than anything else. And that is…….

…….as a species we are pretty dumb without guidance and direction!!!!

One left turn down an isle showed me once guidance and direction has been clouded over, or in this case covered by snow and ice; people simply have no idea where to go. The parking lot was a mess! Every line showing people how to park was covered by the elements. This resulted in cars parked in a way that only a group of drunken valets could appreciate.

With the New Year only 5 days away from this writing, there will be a big influx of people looking to do something about their New Year’s Resolutions. When looking at the health statistics from Elkhart, there is one thing that is obvious……people need guidance and direction.

Nations average BMI 27% Elkhart’s average 28%
Nations diabetes rate 9.6% Elkhart’s average 12.5%
Nations hypertension rates 27.3% Elkhart’s average 34.9%

Simply put, out of the 52,000 people who live in Elkhart 14,560 have a higher BMI than they should, 6,500 are diabetics (with each spending approximately $5,000 a year in diabetic related expenses) and 18,148 suffer from hypertension. The expenses for hypertension could range up towards several hundred thousand dollars depending on the severity.

The lost, dazed and confused state a majority of our friends and family members in this area suffer from can be reversed very easily. And this can be done by nothing more than a little guidance and direction by someone willing to provide it.

The one thing I have noticed, which blows my mind, is the age of the newer athletes at the gym. It seems that 50+ is becoming the new 30. The baby boomers are seeing the need to find this much needed guidance and direction. This after spending years of hard work and due diligence in becoming the success they have become. The one thing I hear from them all, ‘I want to be around to enjoy my hard work.’ Who can argue with this desire?

There is a trend happening around the CrossFit Community and CrossFit Michiana is no different; the age of our athletes is increasing. CrossFit was once viewed as a protocol for the young gun, military or athlete types. However, the word “scalability” being preached by every one of us living the CrossFit way is finally being heard by the congregation. And for this we are starting to see people of all walks, shapes, sizes and ages reach out to drink the cool aide.

When you have direction, guidance and accountability you will have the tools needed to get on target, and stay on target until the goal is reached. Every goal should have mini-goals, which help you make the subtle little corrections along the way until the target is reached.

Don’t let this world where information is king guide you down a misguided path. It’s already hard enough to tell what’s crap and what is not.

Do You Have A But Problem

You're Mental

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