Flubber, blubber, pudding and PIE!

Right. I've had a good hard think about what this week's post should be about and, perhaps out of the blue and perhaps a little controversially, I am going to have a little bit of a rant. Specifically a rant about peoples' (and I say people, I will focus on the female of the species, as I am one of those) attitudes. Are you sitting comfortably?  

Now, one of the most brilliant things I have gotten out of cycling is that the community that surrounds it is huge. Thus it is full to the brim of support, inspiration, advice and camaraderie. These ethics are something I would personally like to exude as I take part in this glorious sport. Getting more people involved, active and inspired and having the ability to do so is a gift not to be squandered. So what's my gripe? 

"Look at how skinny you are, what's your secret?" 

"Cycling. It's not a secret really. I eat loads."

"You're mad, I've been on all sorts of diets and I just can't shake off the weight."

"Do you do the gym or anything?"

"Oh no sod that, I love my telly too much."

These sort of conversations annoy me, it is something that plagues the world of women and possibly men also. I have never been one for taking part in menial dross based interactions, I don't own a TV, I have scars from piercings that should never have been piercings in the first place and I wear jeans that are permanently covered in chain oil - basically I'm a little bit socially inept. However, I will quite happily partake in idle chit chat if needs must. It's nice to be nice. 

My gripe is not with that people like television, or are overweight, or are even jealous of those that are perhaps in better shape. My gripe is with the sheer laziness of my peers. I'm sure things weren't this bad 10 years ago? 

If you are really that intent on developing yourself into what you portray as a perfect specimen, why not try a little harder? Diets are a proven failure, it doesn't take much to understand this. You starve yourself of vital nutrients until your body is on the brink of self destruction, and then you go back to normal - and put on twice as much weight as a result. I may have a slightly unhealthy OCD-like passion for the things I am involved in but this should not be the only attitude to take towards the world of sport & exercise. After years of self-abuse and 1000's upon 1000's of hours of lying in bed, scoffing pizza and binge drinking like a badass, I have realised - it is not hard, at all, to pick yourself up and move a little.

It does not need to be cycling, it does not need to take effort or time. Walk up stairs, don't use the lift. Walk to work. Have a little dance around while you're hoovering. Lift a can of beans like a weight a few times a week. Eat slowly or with smaller mouthfuls and chew every bite. Stretch before sleeping. Replace chips for potatoes or rice and flavour them with real butter or soy sauce. Find something, do it, and don't drop it. There is no excuse for the downright ignorant attitudes of the British (mainly) people today. 

I'm not trying to come across here as one of those born-again-sport-freaks (even though that actually IS what I am, probably). However, in the same way that it's great to inspire people who want to be inspired, I also want to perhaps show people like me, who are like how I was, that it's possible to be happy with yourself - quite easily, without sacrificing your whole world to do so. 

If you are vocal in your complaints then do something about it. If you don't - you are wasting not only yourself but plentiful resources which many in this world do not have. Try something, you might be good at it!