There is a mad scramble to get things done. People are in such a rush. They will honk at you if you are driving slowly, oblivious that there may be an obstruction ahead of you. 

They are in a rush. They are in a hurry. It’s a world of instant gratification. They are impatient. They simply cannot wait. 

I encounter some many of these overeager underachievers at the gym. Most are overweight, and terribly out of shape, and the first thing they want to know is how long is this going to take. 

When I queried, what is? 

The answers are invariably to get into shape, to lose weight, shed body fat, or to build muscles. 

Not surprisingly is the reaction when I ask him or her how long did it take to acquire the corpulent physique either possesses. 

Worse is the disillusionment, and dispiritedness that overspread his or her face, when either finds out that it will take the same time or more to carve out a lean physique. 

This simply cannot be, they wail. I’m in a hurry. There must be a faster way. They often query if there’s a pill that can be taken, which will melt the fat away. 

I’m in a rush, they often exclaim. I want to lose weight now. I want to pack on more muscles. I want to look fit.  

“How long did it take you?” 

“What does it matter?” 

“Uh?” 

“No matter how long it took me has no relevance for you.” 

“What does that mean?” 

“If it took me three years. You would lament that’s too long.” 

“Three years?” 

“You’re looking for a destination, but to transform your physique is a journey.  A lifestyle change, which requires, hard work, patience, and most of all time.” 

You’re in a hurry to get things done, but are misinformed and ill prepared. The task is not a simple one. It is an arduous journey. The path is littered with disappointment for those who are undisciplined. 

They do not want to listen. Worse, they don’t want to learn. They come to the gym armed with some preconceived erroneous ideology that all it takes to build muscles is to lift weights. 

Any fool can go the gym and lift heavy weights, and most do. These individuals either injure themselves, or disappointed with the lack of results, quit, proclaiming that the gym did not work. 

Not that they didn’t put in the work . . . heaven’s no 

Not that they didn’t take the time to learn the intricacies of bodybuilding . . . hush your mouth 

Not that they didn’t know how to use the gym equipment . . . never that 

Not that they didn’t formulate a plan . . . blasphemy you say 

Not that they were clueless on how to transform their physique . . . I watched tons of YouTube videos 

Not that they didn’t give it sufficient time . . . that can’t be it 

Perhaps the group Alabama stated it best . . . 

I’m in hurry to get things done 

Oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun 

All I really gotta do is live and die 

But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why 
 

“Why is a raven like a writing desk?” 

B.M.Booth (NASM-CPT)