"Need" Versus "Want"

Many times when I meet a new person at a business or social function, and they find out that I own a fitness studio, they will go on to tell how they “know they need to do something” about the current state of their health or fitness. When I suggest that they may want to come to my Studio to discuss their needs they reply that either they are too busy, don’t have the money to spend or aren’t ready right now. Of course, I know that money is rarely the issue; it’s the commitment to a serious fitness program.

A few days ago my wife was talking to one of our clients. This client told her that she had a friend that really needed our services. This particular friend was overweight and on medication for various weight-related illnesses. In a conversation her friend told her how much she admires our client for coming to our Studio on a regular basis, changing her lifestyle and monitoring her nutrition. She also told her that she would “never have that type of disclipline.”

And there it is. The “need” versus “want” dilemma.

My wife told our client that her friend will probably never take charge of her own life and health because she doesn’t want to. If she truly wanted to make a change in her health she would do something about it, instead of just talking.

I’ve always felt that if you want something bad enough you go after it and take steps to get what you want. It may not always work out, but at least you have tried.

Many people have a self-defeating attitude. Without even trying they believe that things are beyond their reach. I find that very sad, and it is a terrible way to live.

I have more than a few clients at my Studio that are over 70 years old. These clients come for their workouts on a regular basis and set goals that are the envy of much younger people. One long-time client was actually told by someone that she was “too old to be working out.” As she told us “I started college when I was 40 years old and I was told then that I was too old.” She went on to graduate from college with a degree and worked for many years at a job that may have been out of her reach if she hadn’t gotten that degree.

What do you want? Do you truly want to live a fit and healthy lifestyle? Do you want to get off those medications that are just draining your wallet and can be stopped by exercising regularly and watching what you eat?

Think about what you truly “want” and then go after it. You never know unless you try.