Obsession

Here it is, straight from Merriam-Webster online:

OBSESSION:
1: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly: compelling motivation (an obsession with profits)

Wow, lots to consider there, especially for anyone who recently called me obsessive.  I could have put this under the topic of sayings I hate, but this is a little bit different.

I recently heard from someone I know that I was "obsessed " with diet and exercise.  In this person's opinion I must have had a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling in regards to my diet and exercise.

So, let's take it piece by piece.  How is my focus on diet and exercise "disturbing" in any way?  It sure as hell isn't disturbing me.  It's awesome to be able to take the stairs three steps at a time.  It's fantastic to wear size 32 shorts and jeans.  I'm not mortified to take my shirt off in public.  These are all things that don't disturb me.

Is it a preoccupation?  The national average for television watching is 28 hours per week.  That's four hours a day!  I probably average 3 trips to CrossFit per week, and if I include my commute time, my workout time, and even my social time in which I enjoy the company of similarly obsessed people, I still can't come up with a number that approaches half the time the average person sits and watches a television.

And while I'm at it, the television angle is a fun one.  See, I also heard from this same person that CrossFit is too expensive.  My question is "Compared to what?"  According to this article: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/06/news/companies/cable_bill_cost_increase/index.htm the average spend on cable television is about $75/month and increasing.  I can get a year at a CrossFit gym for $100/month if I prepay the whole year.  So $900/year for television and 28 hours per week or $1200/year for CrossFit and less than half that time invested.  Your choice.  Oh, for that extra $300 you get a hard body at the end of the year, and an extra 700 hours in which to use it.

Interesting observation:  I don't subscribe to cable or satellite services, but the person who felt free to call me obsessive does.  Things that make me go hmmm.

Back to my obsessing.  That last part of the definition really irks me.  What is my unreasonable idea or feeling?  To be in shape?  To be fit?  To have a nice body?  How is it unreasonable?  I weight 55 pounds less than I did 5 years ago and have more muscle.  I've lost over 8 inches off my waist.  So I'd say it ISN'T unreasonable, I'd say it's working just fine.

I found it strangely tempting to just tell this person to go F themselves, but instead I'll break down the thinking that I imagine must be going on:

"Gee, I'm 60 pounds overweight.  I can't do a pullup to save my life.  I'm not passionate about my health.  Hell, I'm not really passionate about anything.  I certainly don't pursue anything at all with the passion Bill does.  And he's talking about CrossFit again!  He's talking about something he DOES, and I only talk about things I WATCH.  Hmmm.  I suddenly feel inadequate.  I feel bad.  I don't want to feel bad.  I think I'll insult Bill and make myself feel better by labeling what he does with a negative label.  Yeah, the problem isn't my ballooning waist, declining sex drive, or man-boobs that deserve a training bra, the problem is Bill for being so obsessive and making me feel bad by comparison.  I'll tell him he's being obsessive and then I'll feel better."

Well, I'm glad I could make you feel better.  And you didn't even really have to work for it, did you?  Nope, you can just call me obsessive and get a little boost.  I wonder if that high will still be occurring when you go to get dressed and find another pair of pants that won't fit.  Hmmm.  Not a problem I'd like to deal with, I'll just suffer with my obsession.