We're a nation of couch potatoes—at least that's personal trainer Marty Tuley's theory behind why this country is full of overweight people. In his book, Get Off Your Ass! ( $14.95; Basic Health ) , Tuley employs a motivational ( and humorous, in spots ) plan to get people moving, especially those who have already started slacking off on those fitness-related resolutions. He recently talked with Windy City Times about the book's title and why he's not a fan of running, among other things.
Windy City Times: I have to ask about the book's title, because it's the least subtle title I've come across in quite some time.
Marty Tuley: At the time I started writing the book, I owned a commercial health club. The book started off as part of an introductory package for members when they joined the club and, as I started writing, the book took on a life of its own. The tone that was coming out of me was that [ I wanted ] to scream at these people sometimes because they come in and want to change their lives, but they don't want to do anything to change them; they think a $40-a-month membership is gonna solve their problems, but they don't want to do any of the work [ associated ] with them. You just wanna grab them and say, "Get off your ass!"
I got stuck on it. I started talking with publishers, and several [ were interested ] , but didn't want to run it with the title—and I refused to let it go. Finally, someone liked the title, message and tone, so the rest was history.
WCT: You seem to be convinced that a lot of America has gotten lazy. Is that accurate?
MT: "Lazy" may be a bit harsh. They seem...
WCT: You say that people have abandoned their work ethic.
MT: People are inundated with the concept of instant gratification. If you want something, you go to Wal-Mart and get it—and that tone has overlapped in the fitness realm. We're all looking for that miracle pill or that miracle diet that tastes good and lets you eat everything. ... From a fitness perspective, it all comes back to the tried-and-true basis: exercise and watching what you eat.
WCT: Let me play devil's advocate: What's wrong with finding a quick fix? What if I want to get calf implants instead of exercising?
MT: This is my armchair psychology, but if you look at a show like [ the 2004-05 reality series ] The Swan—with the instant physical makeovers—what gets lost is that these people never develop the emotional changes that have to go along with the physical ones. They never appreciate the journey.
I don't know the number of people who get liposuction, but I suspect it's high. But, you get the fat sucked out of you, but you never change your behavior and you don't appreciate what's been accomplished and, 60 days down the road, you're fat again.
WCT: And you [ criticize ] stomach stapling in your book.
MT: It's a terrible way to go. The analogy I always use is cutting the hands off an alcoholic so he can't drink. That's not going to solve his problem. I mean maybe that's justifiable for morbidly obese people but, for most people, it's nothing short of cosmetic surgery and instant gratification. Then, those people end up leading weird lives: You don't digest food right [ and ] you're on pills the rest of your life.
WCT: Something else I've noticed about your book is that you discuss three components to a health and fitness program: exercise, nutrition and education. Could you talk about the educational aspect?
MT: Sure. I think education is the key, and it's a continuing process. It's not just learning what's new.
It works with our careers as well. If you want to improve your career and get more money, it's a continuous learning process. No one gets a better job by not getting better [ themselves ] . So, as your physique and physical fitness improve, you have to learn ways to improve—just like your career doesn't happen by itself.
WCT: And you urge people to really read—and you say, "not Cosmo and not Sports Illustrated."
MT: Yes. Exercise your mind; it'll just lead to more things. To be honest, it's one I have to work on myself; my wife and I have a 2 year-old and I've been reading dragon books and fairy tales. But just like exercise, you have to make time [ for reading ] and be accountable to it.
WCT: What's the biggest mistake people make when they exercise?
MT: [ Pauses. ]
WCT: Well, let me ask you this: Is it worse for a person to not exercise or to exercise incorrectly?
MT: That's a great question. I would say it's worse to not exercise. The truth is, if you are not working out regularly and start working out, that you can do damn near everything wrong and still make gains and see results. That's one of the bad aspects of it—and why there are so many bad trainers out there.
One of the things I see a lot—going back to your first question—is that people don't work hard enough when they exercise. I see too many people with a magazine on the Precor, lumbering like they're on a Sunday stroll—and trainers aren't working their clients hard enough. The clients should [ at least ] sweat and hurt.
WCT: They should hurt?
MT: Yeah, absolutely. Working out should be uncomfortable; exercise should not be a fun experience, necessarily.
WCT: Complete this sentence: Health clubs are _________________.
MT: Health clubs are both part of the problem and a potential solution. Health clubs have grown exponentially since the '80s, [ but ] obesity is at an all-time high; something's wrong here. They also perpetuate the myth that exercise is relatively easy, that it's inexpensive and $40 a month solves all your fitness problems.
WCT: You're not a big fan of running. Why is that?
MT: There are several reasons. There are a lot of ways to do cardio that are less destructive to the body. Another problem is that it's too easy. Every spring, there are lots of people jogging—and I can tell by looking at them that they didn't jog at all during the winter. They're running because they can; it's easier than going to a club.
WCT: What's the most important thing someone should take away from this book?
MT: Establishing the habit of exercise. You have to develop the habit of exercise like you develop the habit of brushing your teeth. Develop a habit of consistent exercise, and keep with it.
See www.getoffyourass.biz .
