I guess your example illustrates the problem with the American concept of hard work. You can physically exert yourself from running and lifting weights while a guy sitting in a chair talking to people all they can claim to be working equally hard.

“Hard work” is like a chameleon in the English language. It can mean almost anything that allows people to pat themselves on the back. The problem I see with the concept is that it gives people of immense privilege the ability to claim they are somehow excepting themselves more or equal to those have hard ungrateful and physically demanding work.

America is built in the idea that the money you make is in direct correlation to how hard you work. If people with physically demanding jobs are paid shit then it seems people have a need to redefine what hard work means so those of privilege and high salaries can put themselves within the definition of “hard work”.

And no matter how hard you work going to the gym it is very different from similar hard work people in developing countries do hauling rocks, working the soil etc. You have a choice they don’t have.

And if your workout is anything like what I experienced it when I was active doing it, then there is often pure joy from pushing yourself. Especially when you are in good shape. Now, when I am in bad shape doing a fraction of the physical exercise is much harder. It is more taxing mentally and physically.

A lot of things have this virtues circle. The more your work out, the easier it becomes. Getting back in shape is a bit like working after a burnout. You achieve much less while struggling a lot more.

Sorry for my rambling. I don’t know if I make sense. I hope I don’t come across as putting your efforts down. I don’t think I have found good ways to articulate my point. Also I am not sure the whole concept is clear to me either.