It seems we are on a never ending quest for magical powers. In a world that moves fast and with immediate gratification (Amazon Prime anyone?) we seek out the same in our physical selves. Who doesn’t want to lose weight, set a PR, be stronger, achieve extreme flexibility and have a perfect diet just as quickly as possible?
Every single company out there knows about this obsession and will gladly market their goods to manipulate every fear and emotion tied to these things, all while actually creating the very world where that insecurity is reinforced, until we are willing to pay any amount of money to achieve what is unachievable. At least in a 24 hour time frame.
A lot of people ask me offline if I truly believe in a product or service I’m touting in this space. My answer is always an unequivocal “Yes!” because if I don’t use it or feel good about the company or their product or services, it will never make it onto my blog. You have my word on that.
However:
I do not believe in a magic pill.
I do not believe that one product will make you stronger, better, faster, thinner or more flexible, all on its own.
I do not believe in a one-size fits all diet, training program or product.
I do not believe in taking the easy way out.
I do not believe the hype.
In my everyday training life I use products like BeetBoost, Enduropacks and, I’ve recently made changes to my diet to make my body more metabolically efficient.
I use BeetBoost because I’m a horrible hydrator, I can understand every ingredient on the package and I like the taste. That’s it. The web site claims BeetBoost can increase mental clarity, energy and stamina and, I’m positive they have all kinds of scientific evidence to back up those claims but, that’s not why I use the product nor did I expect a huge and immediate boost in my energy, stamina or mental clarity after drinking 12 ounces. I do expect that over time, eating and drinking it will improve my overall training effect.
Adding it to protein bars can only improve what is already something good for me – peanut butter, honey, dates, oats and almonds.
I can say the exact same thing about Enduropacks. I use their system when I’m in a heavy training cycle (like training for triathlon nationals) to help with recovery. I’m turning 41 in two weeks and I will give my body every possible advantage it can get. Does that mean if I stopped taking it I wouldn’t recover after hard efforts? Of course I would but, I do believe in the product giving my body an internal boost. After I started taking it in 2014 I noticed I was recovering quicker and able to handle five days of two plus hour training sessions better. #selfexperimentation
That time after running NYC I let them use me as an example of what NOT to do!
Is foam rolling by itself a “magic bullet?” How about compressions socks? Maximalist running shoes? Minimalist? Fitness trackers are great if you’re actually doing the fitness, and a GPS watch is an amazing technological tool that I wouldn’t want to live without, but did the day I bought my very first Garmin transform me into a better athlete? Hell no.
So, why use any or all of these things if I don’t really believe in them? Because I believe in myself.
I believe that consistency in training will make me stronger, faster and better over time.
I believe that pushing just a little more with each workout will help me reach my goals.
I believe in experimenting with fitness, food and fashion.
I believe the promise of my kids at a finish line can create a PR.
I believe in listening to my body.
I believe in easy days and rest days with my whole heart and soul.
I believe that everything I need to succeed, I already have.
I believe I AM the magic bullet.
What do you believe?
[Tweet “I found the #magic #bullet! Read all about it! #train4life”]
Absolutely freaking yes!!! I fully believe that all of the “must use” products are really just to enhance the hard work and dedication that goes into training. If all you did was bare bones would you be a horrible athlete? Hell no! Belief in yourself and everything else you listed is what makes athletes great. Fantastic post Allie!
I know you get this 100%!! Thanks Angela!
Yes!!! As well as all these things, I also firmly believe in the power of the placebo effect. There are a couple of things I use that really do help me, even though the evidence behind them isn’t 100% there, but guess what? It 100% works for me. The mind is a powerful thing! (I feel like we were kind of on the same page with our posts today! Even though they’re about different topics, it definitely always comes back to what your mind can do for you). Great post, ladycake!!
Totally!! And yes, we are on the same page for sure with our posts. Everything comes back to believing in yourself WHILE putting in the hard work. Thanks Carly!!
I believe that once I decide to do something, I can do it. I believe that you are an authentic person who is using this space to inspire others. (On a side note, I tried that rx bar at my yoga studio and it was really good… just ordered a box from amazon prime)…. So are you not running nyc marathon again this year? Because I am running it! Marathon 2, here I come:)
HELL YES to pretty much all of this but sadly, no I will not be running NYC again. BUT, I know so many people who are this year so you just may see me on the sidelines…:-) So excited and happy for you. You are going to LOVE running NYC!
I liked this post a lot. I’m right there with you Allie, I believe in each product that I promote. I don’t want to write about something that I don’t. I really appreciate your honesty in blogging and real life too.
Exactly!! It’s sometimes hard to explain to people outside the blog/fitness world because they expect things to work in ways that just are not possible 🙂 I know you get it. Thanks Hollie!
Oh freaking yes! Some of the best athletes are very bare bones. Believe in yourself, put in the hard work, stick with what works but be willing to go in your hard comfort zone, and enjoy the miles. Great post!!
Yep – that’s it in a nutshell. LOL! Thanks Laura.
I love this! Very accurate post! Thanks !
I agree, I already have what I need, just need to keep pushing, testing and learning… and maybe some fancy socks to keep away the blisters.
LOL – fancy socks for sure! Those definitely work 🙂 Thanks Ana
Totally true! And you are so right that marketers prey on this desire. There are a lot of great products out there, but unfortunately no magic pill!
I’m sure you will discuss some of this on the call later tonight. I’m hoping to join live this time!
Yess!! I totally agree with this! I don’t try a lot of things (maybe I should?!) but I do know that certain things work for me vs. other people–I realized early that everything is not for everybody…YES you are the magic bullet!!
Thanks Nellie and yes, it’s crazy how I can hate something and someone else completely loves it. I guess that is the beauty in variety:-)
Yesssss. I love seeing lists of “must haves” to run and train that are super long. Nothing replaces hard work and dedication. (Not even my beloved Honey Stinger Waffles, unfortunately.)
If only the honey stinger waffles did the trick!!
Thanks Susan.
I beyond love this post Allie. We absolutely are our own magic bullets. That is such a powerful and empowering statement.