'Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy'

On the right is a great video clip of comedian Louis CK on the Conan O'Brien show explaining how the amazing technology available in our day and age has made us a little bit spoiled.

Think about the average Joe's daily routine: he get's up inside his heated and air conditioned home, walks maybe 20 feet to the bathroom, shuffles around, then maybe 20 feet to the kitchen, shuffles around, then another 20 feet to his car.

His car has an automatic starter so its pre-cooled or pre-heated depending on the season, so when he gets in and drives to work he is comfortable. He shuffles 150 feet to his air conditioned or heated office and spends the next 5 hours at his desk.

Then he walks 200 feet to the lunch table and 1 hour later, walks 200 feet back. Four hours later he repeats the process back to this home. He mows the lawn or some other chore, walking roughly 1000 feet. He walks another 60 feet during dinner and before going to bed. 

The point that Louis CK is trying to make in the video is that we live a life of amazing convenience and comfort. Joe probably didn't even need to walk as many feet as he did. Some people may move around far less. It's entirely possible that some people may not have to move from their beds for days and still be "productive" given the technological advances we've made in the past 200 years. We should always be thankful for the comfort and convenience that is available to us.

But this, if you can see where it is going, also leads to problems. Our species has spent the past 65 million years adapting to an extremely harsh existence. We our at our best when our lives mimics, or at least simulates, the environment in which we were genetically adapted to live.

That is what exercise is for. 

The problem is, no one wants to do anything that inconveniences them in the slightest way. This has resulted in a lot of expensive, unattractive, and entirely preventable problems for people who seem perplexed as to why things aren't going well.

Beyond just being able to be healthy - which by itself will save everyone a lot of time, money and unnecessary aggravation - there is something wrong with living like Joe or the guy complaining about in-flight internet. 

We should raise the expectations for ourselves a bit. 

We should live in a way that prepares us for the obstacles that life throws at us. Overcoming obstacles are skills that can be honed and practiced. Don't live the life of someone who is content to live without any physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges - otherwise when life becomes a challenge you'll be out of practice and bound to fail. 

Challenge yourself during exercise and sport. Go out your comfort zone. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Two to five hours of strenuous exercise a week is the ticket.

Step outside your comfort zone at work or school. Meet new people. Try a new routine. Walk or ride a bike to work. Start a project you've never thought you could do. 

Give your smart phone a second and enjoy your in-flight internet, too!

Pat Costello is the owner and operator of CrossFit Mendota and Get 'Em Bootcamps, located in Mendota Heights, MN. He is CrossFit Level 1 Certified and a USAW Sports Performance Coach.