MBCS. It's a horrific disease that is epidemic in our nation today. It's in the gyms, in our churches, and driving on the roads. And it is very contagious. What does MBCS stand for? Mental Box Checking Syndrome. The symptoms? Well, its easier to identify a person who has it.

A woman walking around the parking lot on her lunch break talking on her cell phone. She's wearing walking sneakers that makes her look like she's intending to do some kind of exercise. Her pace indicates the same. But the cell phone could be an indication of MBCS. Mental Box Checking Syndrome is when you are going through the minimum requirements of doing an activity to justify telling yourself that you actually did do the activity. So after the completion of the poorly done activity you get to check off the box in your head that says, "Went to the gym." Yes, technically you went to the gym and you "get" to mentally check off that box. But come on. You didn't do anything but make yourself feel better emotionally. Is that why you started working out? So you could check off a box in your head? Are you kidding me? Seriously?

You know who you are.

You, reading the paper or a novel while you're on a piece of cardio equipment. How can you really justify being on that thing with a newspaper? If you need to be distracted from your workout time that badly then you aren't even working out. Save your money and open up the piece of equipment for someone who really wants to use it.

Or how about you, texting your girlfriend in between your sets? Focus on what your doing or go kiss and make up with her, but don't do both at the same time. We don't care and you can't really be serious about your time working out.

So how can you avoid contracting MBCS? MBCS does a huge disservice to yourself. You need to get in shape. At one time, you really did want to get in shape.

So:

1. Pay attention to what your doing. If something is worthy of your time and your money than try to do it well. Or at least try to create the illusion you care about what you're doing. Otherwise, you're wasting oxygen and taking up space.

2. Be intentional about your workout. You'll see better results and your workouts will be more effective. Working out isn't just about killing time. You have goals and aspirations, remember? Get a little serious.

3. Quality is better than quantity. Fifteen minutes power walking with a real effort is better than a half baked attempt for half an hour while chit chatting on your cell with your BFF about the latest fashions.

If you find yourself with any of the symptoms of MBCS then take a small dose of intentionality once a day everyday until you see results in your workouts and call me in the morning. . . just not on your cell phone during a workout, you ninny.

Tim Pierce has been personal training clients for 9 years in gyms and privately at their homes, work places, or community park, first in Southern California and now in New England. He established Fit True as a site to give access to fitness enthusiasts to counteract the mountains of misinformation in the fitness industry. Check it out at www.fittrue.com.

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