Six years ago, I was just minding my own business, walking the trails near my house in the Bay Area of California, when life slapped me upside the head. I’d been noodling on this question from a project I was working on: “What body type are you?” Well, I was walking daily, so naturally, I figured I was somewhere in the ballpark of “fit.”
But I decided to ask a random stranger because, why not? Enter: this unsuspecting, yet strangely and brutaly insightful woman, just out for a stroll. We chatted a bit, and then I dropped the question: “Hey, what body type do you think I am?”
Without missing a beat, and before I could mention the official choices, she looked me up and down, and she hit me with, “Oh, you’re skinny fat.”
Skinny…what? That wasn’t even an option! Before I could sputter out a protest, she gave me a laundry list of reasons why that label fit me like a glove. And then, poof, she vanished like a trail-walking Gandalf, leaving me dumbstruck.
At first, I was offended. Who was this random lady calling me fat? But once the initial shock wore off, I realized she was right. I’d been coasting. My past achievements — 7 double centuries on the bike, a marathon or five — had lulled me into complacency. I wasn’t “fit” anymore. I was coasting on fumes, and it took a stranger’s blunt assessment to snap me out of it.
Sweet Beaks and Achilles’ Heels
Confession time: I’ve got a bit of a problem with treats. In Brazil, they call it bico-doce, which means “sweet beak.” Think of it like a sweet tooth, but supercharged. And let’s be honest, it’s not just sweets — I love salty and crunchy stuff, too. If it’s indulgent, I’m in.
For years, I justified my snacking habits with all the cardio I was doing. Like, “I just ran 5 miles; I can eat an entire bag of chips.” It’s classic rationalization, the kind that sneaks up on you like a slow leak in a tire. And then one day, bam — you’re driving on a flat and wondering how you didn’t notice.
It took me years to realize that my indulgent eating habits weren’t really a treat at all — they were holding me back. I was chasing the quick fix of pleasure instead of investing in long-term gains. That’s how you end up being dubbed skinny fat by a trail angel with X-ray vision.
Experimenting with Change: The Missouri Mindset
Now, I don’t just take advice at face value. I’m a “show me” kind of person, which makes me a metaphorical Missourian. You say something works? Prove it.
That’s exactly what happened with my border collie, Pimenta. At her midlife crisis, she was on the decline — sluggish, out of shape. But after six months on a near-zero-carb diet and daily exercise, she did a complete 180. She went from couch potato to puppy-like in record time. So yeah, I couldn’t ignore that.
Meanwhile, I was dealing with my own inflammation and knee pain, and it didn’t take a genius to make the connection. Too many carbs, too little gentle recovery exercise. So, I started my own experiment. I didn’t go full keto — because, let’s face it, life without bread is not a life I want to live — but I cut WAY back, think 80% reduction. And just like Pimenta, I saw profound results. Less pain, faster recovery, more energy. It was science in action.
The Long Game: Small Changes, Big Results
For the last three years, I’ve been writing the same thing in my journal every single day: “I am the athlete.” It’s become a mantra, a mental post-it note that reminds me I’m building something bigger than a quick fix. It’s not about what I do in a single day — it’s about what I build over time.
I didn’t start this because someone told me to. I started it because I had to prove it to myself. I don’t just believe in progress; I need to see it, to experience it. Slowly but surely, those small changes added up. And funny enough, I started noticing that some of the foods I used to love didn’t have the same appeal. The cost — whether it was a sugar crash or a day of sluggishness — just wasn’t worth it anymore. But the things I did indulge in? They felt special again, like they did when I was a kid.
The Compound Effect: Quality Inputs, Quality Outputs
Here’s where the magic happens: the compound effect. One good meal doesn’t transform you, and one bad one doesn’t doom you. But over time, those choices stack up. And suddenly, you’re not just making progress — you’re winning.
I’ve been playing tennis with the same group for about a year and a half. But in the last six months? The difference has been night and day. With my inflammation under control, my energy levels up, and recovery time down, I’ve been making real gains.
Then there was this one recent match against a gymnastics coach I’d never played — an absolute machine. Physically, he was a beast. But technique and strategy typically beat brute strength any day of the week. I won the two sets, 7–5 and 6–2. That’s when it hit me: the work I’m doing off the court is where the real progress is coming from.
And, if I continue with this thread of quality inputs, my physicality will improve even faster. Next goal: Straight Sets!
Conclusion: Be the Scientist of Your Own Life
So, what’s the takeaway here? Simple: be your own scientist. Run experiments. Test your inputs and measure the outputs. Don’t expect overnight change, AND don’t underestimate the power of small, deliberate choices over time.
What I’ve learned is that quality inputs — whether it’s food, recovery, or mindset — lead to quality outputs. It’s not “rocket surgery”; it’s just science. And the best part? You get to control the input variables. So, start small, make it sustainable, and watch as the results start to pile up and compound.
And remember, you’re in this for the long game. So, get started, stay curious, and run your own sustainable experiments long-term. After all, no one’s better equipped to figure out your life than you.
Call to Action: Your Turn to Experiment
Now, it’s your turn. If any of this hit home for you — if you’re ready to be the scientist of your own life, run some experiments, and make deliberate, long-term changes — don’t keep it to yourself. I’d love to hear about your journey.
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Let’s keep the conversation going. Find me on social @realwildginseng or head over to my website www.realwildginseng.com for more stories, insights, and ways to connect.
Remember: progress might feel slow, but every small step adds up. So why not start today?
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