Boom goes the Dynamite!!!

I’m starting this post with absolutely no end game in mind but I do know that I wanted to base it around the viral video “Boom Goes the Dynamite“.  If you have never seen this video, do so now.  This is possibly one of the most painfully funny things I’ve seen on the Internet.

The guy in the video is Brian Collins.  The story behind the video is that he agreed to fill in for the regular sportscaster on the Ball State University campus newscast when the regular sportscaster became sick.  At the time, Brian was a freshman and completely unprepared for what he agreed to do.

It’s painful to watch but you can’t help but laugh.  He was so utterly and completely unprepared for the task at hand…but you know what?  He did it.  I can’t know for sure, but my suspicion is he thought it probably wasn’t going to be that hard.  After all, all he needed to do was be able to read the teleprompter right?  It wasn’t until he started that he realized how hard it was.  By that point, he couldn’t turn back without admitting failure to himself and letting down those that were depending on him to follow through.  So, he pressed on.

The Meaning Behind Dave’s Press

As you obviously know, the name of this blog is Dave’s Press and you may wonder how I came about that name.  Of all the possible domains out there, how in the hell did I come up with that?  When I first decided I wanted to start a blog I had no idea what I wanted to call it.  All I knew is that I wanted to combine my passion for fitness, my knack for writing, and my interest in web design.  A blog was a natural fit.  However, the domain name was a stumbling block for me. 

I probably spent a week going through what I wanted to name this site and going pouring over hundreds of possibilities.  I finally decided on Dave’s Press.  I was stumped until I just sat staring at the screen…looking at the default Wordpress subtitle of “Just Another Wordpress Blog”.  That’s when the name hit me.  You may think I used ‘press’ in conjunction with the name Wordpress, or you may think it has something to do with a printing press, or maybe even having to do with bench press (given the topic).  All of that would be incorrect…it has to do with my daily struggle to “press on” and my desire to help those with that same struggle.  So this is “Dave’s Press”…this is my ‘press’ to motivate, maintain, and make it to the finish line…not only for anyone that reads my blog but also for myself.

The Vultures

I get so frustrated, and sometimes even angry, at the vultures out there that promise you the body you always wanted for only $99.95.  You can’t help but see them everywhere you turn on the Internet.  Just follow their program and you’ll be a new you!  Lose 25 pounds in 30 days!  I have dual monitors at work and I have Tweetdeck up most of the day following Twitter.  Being a health and fitness blogger, I follow MANY that post on the topic.  Some of the advice some dish out makes me cringe because I know there is a chance that some unsuspecting person just looking to improve themselves may fall for what they are selling.  Unfortunately there are no consequences for those that are just looking to make a fast buck.  There should be.  If you aren’t following me on Twitter and would like to, you can do so here.

Since I have relatively little control over the Google ads placed here, I am removing them today.  I don’t want anyone to think I support any of the predatory ads that get displayed.

The Fight

Now I am going to lay some cold hard honesty on you.  Every day for me is a struggle.  Every single damn day.   I know it is OK to slip every now and then but when I do I end up placing an incredible amount of guilt on myself.  The fight that all of us looking to lose weight have to deal with isn’t with others but with ourselves…our compulsions…our addictions…our will power.

It sucks but that’s life.  It is the way we are wired.  The most effective weight loss programs that I’ve seen start by dealing with personality traits that could prevent success.  Look at it this way, if you have an overeating disorder, the cabbage soup diet or the master cleanse diet is NOT going to fix it.

My day job is as a technical support manager (yeah, glamorous, I know…I’ll be signing autographs later).  In that role, we perform a ‘root cause analysis’ when resolving issues.  This means we don’t just slap a band-aid on an issue and send a client on their way.  Most likely, the band-aid only fixes a symptom and doesn’t address the real problem.  If we ‘band-aid’ the symptom, the problem will almost assuredly resurface.

Determine what the root cause of the weight issue is and attack it…fight it.  If you don’t know what the root cause is then there are a number of professionals that can help you.  Your weight is only a symptom.   Find the root cause and you stand a MUCH better chance of eliminating the symptom.   If you have a broken arm, you wouldn’t just pop a couple of Advil for the pain would you?  No…you’d go to the doctor and have it set so the pain would go away for good.

You Are Not Alone In Your Fight

When you find the root cause, just know that you are not alone.  There is no cause that you are facing that someone, somewhere, isn’t also facing.  Reach out to them.  Not only on the Internet but in real life as well.  For just about every cause I can think of that leads to weight issues, there is most likely a support group…whether it be a virtual (online) support group or one in your community. 

Most likely you’ll find someone that has beaten whatever your ‘it’ is.  Learn from them…and then help others.

Conclusion

If you take anything away from this post I hope it is this.  The fight you are facing isn’t an easy one but it CAN be won.  Find the real reason for your weight issues and address them head on.  Don’t fall victim to the quick fix…the band-aid.   If you do then the progress you make will almost certainly be temporary.  You are not alone although it may seem that way.  Find solace in others that are fighting the same demons.  Lean on them as they lean on you.

From me to you…Press on.