This rant, I mean blog post, is geared towards our athletes, but you adults should take note as well.  Why are some of you continually missing sessions due to some sickness?  

Please note, that I’m not saying anything here that I wouldn’t say to your face.  In fact, I have said this to some of you.  And I only say this to you cause I love you.  But for Pete’s sake what exactly are you guys doing to your bodies to have it break down all the time.

Let me start by saying the last time I threw up, vomited, puked whatever you want to call it was 1986.

Yes, you read that right.  I haven’t puked since the spring of my 8th grade year.  I’m not saying that to impress you.  Trust me, that wasn’t one of my top pickup lines for the ladies.  But, I’m saying it to illustrate a point.

Unless you have some sick twisted way of trying to lose weight, most of the time when you throw up it is due to some sickness or debauchery you have put your body through.  I don’t know if you want to call it luck, good genetics, or what, but my immune system has been pretty good (knock on wood) not to have thrown up for so long.

I like to think that this has been a result of a combination of good genes and a healthy lifestyle.  Eating right and exercising has been a big part and I think that builds the immune system up.  Plus, I’ve become more of a germaphobe as I’ve gotten older.  Wash my hands, stay away from my family members who get sick (kidding…well not really).

Sometimes I feel like I’m Jerry Seinfeld in the Papi episode where Jerry sees Papi go the bathroom, not wash his hands, then prepare his meal for him.  After this last OSU/Michigan game I was at, you guys will be lucky if you even get a fist bump from me.  Sickos.

I know that young and stupid go hand and hand, but do you have to be THAT stupid about your body.  Take care of it!  You guys are athletes.

Here is my little checklist for avoiding sickness as much as possible.  I realize that some people have conditions beyond their control (so I’m not talking to you), but you others….NO, I’m not buying it.  Treat your body like a frigging temple okay??!!

  • Wash your hands after you go the bathroom, especially when you go number 2.  You’d be surprised about how often I see people NOT do this.  Degenerates.
  • It doesn’t help me at all when you blow your nose, then wipe up the remains with your hand.  Wash your hands please.  I swear I’m going to start fist bumping people from now on.
  • Don’t cough or sneeze in your hands, then go to shake my hand.  Not going to happen.  I cough on my shoulder or sneeze away.
  • We live in the north during the winter, so dress like it.  Don’t dress like you are going out to the VIP area down at South Beach.  Wear a hat, layer up, especially AFTER you work out.  I know they say you don’t catch colds that way.  You do so through germs and viruses, but I still feel it isn’t good for you.
  • Eat!!!  I still have to tell people who come in for morning workouts to eat.  They struggle through the training and bonk out.  You basically just wasted an opportunity to GET BETTER!
  • Eat smarter!!  I know you’ve probably heard this before, but treat your body like a car and put the proper fuel in it.  Our bodies are like luxury cars.  They only work efficiently with the best fuel (healthy food).  You can put the lower grade fuel in the car (crappy food), but eventually it will break down.  Stop eating the foods that have no nutritional value and do absolutely nothing to improve your immune system.  It will also get you playing better in your games.
  • Listen to me!!  I only want what’s best for your athletic playing career.  Learn from the mistakes I see in others and myself to better yourself not only as an athlete, but as a person.  I am one pretty smart dude.

Don’t think that getting sick or having a cold is just “how it goes.”  Sometimes, yes it is, a lot of times it is on YOU.  Start taking care of your body so you don’t miss our training sessions and you can be better prepared as an athlete to kick some A$$!  Plus, I don’t want to potentially get sick cause you always have the sniffles everytime I see you.  If you aren’t going to be smarter for you, then do it for ME. 🙂