Simply, Fine Tune Your Instrument!

Thank you all so much for the positive feedback and follow up over the past few weeks! I love hearing from you!

I am on the plane now heading back to my hometown, Columbus, Ohio to work at The Arnold Sports Festival Expo for Larabar. I can remember going down to the event as anaspiring fitness competitor in high school. As the years went on, I looked forward to attending the expo, in hopes of working for a company one day. (If you have never been to the Arnold expo, it’s a one of a kind experience) Three years ago my hopes of working for a company came true, and I was offered a position with Larabar, a company I didn’t know much about. Originally, I was hoping to work for a flashy supplement company who had picture perfect promoters. But the more I have learned about the industry, I have realized it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The key to a great physique and health is real food and real work.

I now love the product I represent. The reality of it is, many supplement companies, diet pills, and fitness gadgets are mere marketing money-makers. Many supplements are filled with proprietary blends, unproven claims, and synthesized with chemicals. The company I work for is an all natural, no preservative added food bar. It’s the real deal.

Myself with the lovely Alicia Marie & Kayla at the Arnold 2010.

The point of my blog, is not to go eat Larabars, though I wouldn’t be opposed. Rather it’s realizing the power of simplicity.  The key to good health and wellness, is not a complicated matter. Eat real food and be active. 

Another analogy I often think of is one from strength coach, Peter Twist. Though I have adopted my own spin on the lesson. Take for example my short six-year stint as a child pianist. My mother “forced” me to play, though I hated practicing. Once a week I would go to my lesson, and somehow be able to play as though I had spent hours practicing.  My teacher always seem impressed, and after every lesson my mother would say, “Kel, imagine if you had practiced.”  Eventually, in the sixth grade, my wish to quit was granted. In hindsight, I wish I would have stuck with it. If I could play the piano well with only sixty minutes a week for six years, I can't imagine how well I'd have been able to play today.

So take this example of the piano. We might not all play a music instrument,  but we do have an instrument we can work to improve everyday. We have it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It's our bodies.

My point is from the sketchy supplements, quick fixes, to junk food, and laziness, these are all ways we may neglect our personal instrument, ultimately hindering its ability to be played to the fullest. 

How will you tune your instrument today? Eat real and go play! 

Fine tuning my instrument :)!