1. Balance is the new beastmode
Every Tom, Dick and SuzieFit preached ‘balance’ in 2016. That proverbial balance we all aspired to achieve. #teamnodaysoff is now a distant memory. Grinding is out. Balance is in.
2. I don’t have balance
But I don’t have it.I learnt a lot in 2016. In the latter half, I learnt that I don’t have ‘balance’.
I have zero work-life balance. I have just work. And furthermore, I have work FOMO.
3. There’s more to life than lifting heavy
Come someone please tell me what happens once you hit your 1 rep max? What happens once you successfully manage to pick up X weight from the floor and put it down again? Look around, check your phone, wait 6 months and then do it again? No sir, this isn’t for me. Not right now. And not every day.
9 months into 2016, I had enough. I had enough of programmes. I had enough of reps & sets. I had enough of rules. I had enough of RASH_86 dishing out advice on optimal cardio intensity to maintain muscle mass. I had enough of GAINZ city. Believe it or not, there’s more to life than muscle gains.
At some point, I dropped the ego in 2016. And I dropped the weights down too. I forgot about what everyone else was doing and I just did me.
4. Gut instinct over everything
Always, always rely on your intuition. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s because it’s wrong
5. Fats can actually make you fat
Just in case you missed the memo, just in case you’ve been living under a rock this entire year: EATING FAT DOESN’T MAKE YOU FAT.But, of course it can.
Overeating fat will make you fat. Overeating carbs will make you fat. And guess what? Too much protein? Yup, that too will also make you lovely and faaaaaaat.
But unfortunately, ‘everything in moderation’ just isn’t as catchy as ‘How to lose 10lbs in 5 days’. ‘Slow & steady realistic lifestyle changes’ doesn’t do as well as extreme hunger, dizzy spells and constipation.
6. Loneliness is addictive.
Hello my name is Ban. And I’m an addict.I crave solitude. And peanut butter.
4. Gut instinct over everything
Always, always rely on your intuition. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s because it’s wrong
5. Fats can actually make you fat
Just incase you missed the memo, just incase you’ve been living under a rock this entire year: EATING FAT DOESN’T MAKE YOU FAT.
But, of course it can.
Overeating fat will make you fat. Overeating carbs will make you fat. And guess what? Too much protein? Yup, that too will also make you lovely and faaaaaaat.
But unfortunately, ‘everything in moderation’ just isn’t as catchy as ‘How to lose 10lbs in 5 days’. ‘Slow & steady realistic lifestyle changes’ doesn’t do as well as extreme hunger, dizzy spells and constipation.
6. Loneliness is addictive.
Hello my name is Ban. And I’m an addict.I crave solitude. And peanut butter.
7. Looks will get you far
Read it and weep people: Physical appearance rules the world.We can advocate self-love until the cows come home. We can preach mind over body, and brains over beauty, but the fact remains, society is b.a.s.i.c And even though ‘beauty standards’ are changing, the point to drive home is that the emphasis is still on the physical appearance, regardless.
Take social media as an example: Belfies, titties, and abs will categorically get more likes, engagement (and thus opportunities) over knowledge, personality and heart.
This killed me a little in 2016. And I’m still not over it.
8. Avoid Xanthan Gum
Potentially my biggest life lesson of 2016. Avoid any food containing Xanthan Gum, maltitol, or sorbitol. If you still want friends that is.
9. I am human
I’m only human. I am not Dumbledore. I am not Superwoman. I am a human being.
And, I am doing enough. I am enough.
10. Everything isn’t a competition
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is a ‘hater’. Not everyone is competing against you.
Most people do want the best for you. Most people are rooting for you.
11. ‘Like’ everything
It’s important to be a liker. Support people. Support your friends. Support strangers.
If someone’s gone to the trouble of arranging symmetrical blueberries, just f*cking like the damn thing.
12. There’s no such thing as f*ck boys.
