I had a class years ago on world art and literature. In the studies of Japan, we were given an assignment of doing an ink art drawing with a written haiku. Strangly I have never forgotten that haiku, twenty years later. As a pisces, you would think I am a little more flexible than most, but it is one of my weaknesses I am learning to work on since moving to India.  
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Willows blowing to and fro
Move like willow or will break 
Be like the willow 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You have signed up for a marathon. (Noted: a marathon is an running event which is the distance of 42.195 kilometres, 26.219 miles, or 26 miles 385 yards to be exact...nothing LESS. There is something called a Half Marathon.)  Or perhaps you have decided to lace up your shoes, go outside and move.  Either way, that is awesome (and wishing I could use the party explosion emojis here to express how excited I really am for you)!

BUT...let's define and understand what we are really doing here.  
1. I want to be very clear, that the longer the distance does not make a better athlete. There are different types of athletes.
2. Everyone has different goals - so establish what your real goals are.
3. Which gets me to the reason I am writing this... 

You can become a very fast walker.  In fact, check out these world records of speed walking...I can't even run that!
20km: 1:16:36  by Japanese Racewalker, Yusuke Suzuki
50km: imagine running a 50km this fast, let alone, WALK it! 3:32:33 from Frenchman, Yohann Diniz
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Again, I ask: Are you a runner or a walker? No shame in walking...look how amazing these athletes are! Own it, if that is what you are. But if you are a walker and wish to be a runner...a runner who as aspirations of longer and longer distances, try addressing your biomechanics at much shorter distances.

It is like going from a chunky shoe and dropping to a minimal one; it takes time. One needs to develop strength, mobility and understand movement before increasing volume of distance. And if you wish to keep walking...keep on walking! It is a great form of exercise. 

Either way, I hope you now know and understand the difference between how these two movements are defined. 

Often I get comments where people call me a 'Fitness Freak' (FF). Or they self proclaim themselves to be a FF. I immediately become very clear with those, that I am NOT BY ANY MEANS, AM A SO-CALLED FITNESS FREAK. I have never claimed to be, nor do I ever want to be one.  In fact, what does that really mean? 
In the 1920's there were the Freak Side Shows with the Bearded Woman and the Lizard Man. There were guys who would pick up 20kg weights strapped to their...um...yes, their - you know what. While I am not one to judge, I would consider those things freakish of nature. So as you try to categorize me the group of Freaks, lets first define and understand what that really means.

So would you really call me a Freak? Do you think you're a Freak? 

In either case, I think we can agree on what FITNESS means.  ​

So when we put those two words together of what the real meanings are; do you find me a Fitness Freak? Are you really a FF? I would still say, "By no means have I ever been, are, or will be a FF." You can take it for what it is.  

HOWEVER...what I can truly say I am is that I am a Fitness Enthusiast. I say it proud and wear it with honor.  It is my life. It is what I have dedicated my life to. I love fitness, I suppose those who want to be fit, learn about fitness and am a complete devotee to living a fit life. And as a Master Trainer and having been in the industry for this many years, can admit I am becoming an aficionado of fitness.  I cover the definition of ENTHUSIAST 100%. 

I am Passionate about Fitness. Absolutely! Don't get me started. Okay, maybe just a little. That's what we are here for, right?

Living a Fit and Healthy (can't have one without the other) Lifestyle should be a priority to every human. It should be a right every human have - to be able to be healthy and fit. I moved to India because I was PASSIONATE about helping people understand FITNESS better. I am PASSIONATE. 

So now, let me ask you this: Are you a Fitness Freak or are you someone who is Enthusiastically Passionate about Fitness, like me? 

​Think about it over your next workout.