All the privileges and none of the responsibility

The blog posting below comes from a friend, Russ Pendergrass, BFL Finalist 2005.
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"All the privileges and none of the responsibility."
by: Russell Pendergrass 3/7/2007
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Now, today’s blog:


I thoroughly enjoyed being at the Expo and seeing the new Champions, renewing friendships with past Champions, and meeting my readers. The time flew by.

During the 30 hours it took for me to fly home I had the opportunity to watch 10 or so movies -- mostly to just pass the time (I can’t sleep on airplanes). One of the movies was "Dream Girls" (the movie version of the rise of Barry White and Motown Records and Diana Ross and the Supremes). One of the characters is kicked out of the Dreams because she gets heady. She hits rock bottom and Danny Glover’s character picks her up to give her a second chance. As she begins climbing back into the business there’s a part where she starts to show a little attitude. Danny fires back. "That’s the problem with you, girl. You want all the privileges and none of the responsibility." When I heard this line I had a tray of airplane food in front of me with a nice
piece of carrot cake and a warm roll with butter waiting to be eaten. They were still on the tray when I turned it back to the flight attendant.

What a perfect line.

Everyone wants that perfect body. Everyone wants a six-pack or a sleek, sexy figure. Very few people are willing to make the commitment it takes to obtain their physical goals. Fewer are willing to take responsibility for getting out of shape in the first place.

"I went through a terrible divorce."
"I injured my back."
"I’m a chocoholic."
"I lost my job."
"I lost my mother."
"I lost my child."
"I had surgery."
"I got into an abusive relationship."
"The Bears lost the Super Bowl."

There are a million things you can point your finger at and blame for your physical condition. But YOU are responsible for how you spend your time in this life; and YOU are responsible for what you put in your mouth.

I grew up with an obese mother. I’ve heard all the excuses. I’ve even borrowed a few of them myself - when I let myself go. But I couldn’t run from the mirror. And when I locked eyes with that person staring back at me, the truth screamed at me -- "YOU!! YOU are responsible for what you are looking at. And only YOU can do anything about it!"

It is YOUR responsibility to say "No" when bad food is sitting in your refrigerator. It is YOUR
responsibility to roll out of bed and get to the gym. It is YOUR responsibility to hit your 10’s. It is YOUR responsibility to get enough rest. It is YOUR responsibility to drink enough water. It is YOUR responsibility to see that you have the right foods and that they are available when you need them.

So, my fellow BFLers, do the responsible things YOU need to do to get that body YOU want.

When you do, the only one you have to blame for that perfect body is YOU.

Russ

PS. So the Colts won -- get over it.

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If it is to be it is up to me. (Wisdom in a ten, two-lettered words.)