“Heyyyyy youuuuuu guuuuuuuys!”
If you were born at any point from 1970 to 1990, you’ve probably seen The Goonies a million times. Just in case you haven’t, here’s a quick breakdown of the plot: a group of unpopular misfit kids, in a sleepy town with nothing to do, discover a treasure map in their attic and go on a crazy treasure-hunting, mob-chasing, pirate-finding adventure.
As a short skinny kid kid growing up in a sleepy town in Massachusetts (Sandwich, MA. Yes, I’m serious), the idea of a group of underdogs finding adventure and taking control in a less-than-ideal situation sounded pretty swell to me.
Hmmm…sounds like another group of people I know!
Here’s the awesomely 80′s trailer:
Today, I want to pay homage to Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee, as he is now known) and the rest of the Goonies by learning some valuable lessons on how to better improve our own lives in our home towns!
[feel free to listen to the Goonies-inspired "So long, Astoria" by the Ataris while reading]
Keep reading »
Today’s post is going to be unusual, in a really great way.
A few years ago, I stumbled across the blog of Chris Guillebeau. I read his free 279 Days to Overnight Success and then quickly read everything else he had written. I was so inspired with Chris’s story that the very next day I decided to turn Nerd Fitness, a domain I had sat on for a few years, into a blog and start helping people get in shape. On top of that, In late 2010, it was Chris’s travel hacking advice that helped me create my $418 adventure around the world that really put Nerd Fitness on the map.
Chris recently released his second published book, The $100 Startup. His work has inspired and pushed me to become a better and more adventurous person, so I wanted to help him spread the word and maybe even inspire you to do the same!
Join me as I interview Chris about his transformation from a risk-averse, generally shy guy…to a risk-averse, generally shy guy that does awesomely inspiring things. Enjoy!
[...and if that's not enough, we're also having a fire sale - all details at the end of the post!]
You’ve been here before.
You told your friends that you were going to lose weight last year…only to fall off the wagon two weeks later and give up.
You managed to successfully fit into those old pair of pants back in January…before getting sick.
You won that weight loss competition at work…and immediately put all of the weight back on.
You started a blog to track your progress…and then gave up after two weeks.
You went to the gym for a whole month straight…before things at work got busy.
You’ve told yourself dozens of times before that “this time its going to be different” …before doing things the same way as before and getting the same results.
No more.
This time, it really IS different.
This time, you’ve identified the real reasons you want to get in shape. Not just because your doctor said so, but because you want to look good naked, build up the courage to ask out the cute waitress or waiter, because you want to set a good example for your children, or because you want to be YOU.
This time, you’ve identified your kryptonite and know how to avoid it.
This time, you’ve identified how to build systems and remove emotion from the equation.
This time, you’ve built your support team.
This time, you’ve finally learned how to eat right and not let drinking stand in the way.
This time, you’ve decided to put your money where your mouth is, like Saint.
This time, you’ve stopped collecting underpants and put your focus on phase two.
This time, you’ve learned how to track your progress.
This time, you’ve finally realized that “eventually” never happens.
This time, you’ve finally realized that the ONLY person who believes your excuses is you.
Prove them wrong
When you tell your friends you’re going to get in shape, they might say “good for you” while secretly doubting you.
And who can blame them? You’ve been here before.
Prove them wrong.
And while you’re at it, prove that little voice in your head that says “you can’t do this” WRONG too.
Every single day, quietly “go to work” and get a little bit better.
Be thankful for all of the times you’ve failed before.
They got you where you are today.
And today’s a brand new freaking day.
This time, it’s different.
Now prove it.
-Steve
###
photo: staircase
It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you have a clear goal in mind.
Six months ago, I received an email from a reader named Stephen who told me that he had a wedding coming up in May 2012, and that he hoped to get in shape for it. After managing to go in the opposite direction through most of the Holidays, Stephen finally woke up in early January and said “enough is enough.”
Since then, he’s become an absolute machine, day in day out, dominating his workouts and putting a huge focus on eating right.
Yesterday, he got married weighing in at 213, a full 57 POUNDS lost since January.
This is his story. (cue the Law and Order theme!)
Oftentimes, when I’m at a Nerd Fitness meetup, a rebel will ask me, “Do you mind if I have a beer?”
I usually laugh and say, “Nope! Will you get me one too?”
Yeah, I run a fitness website, but as you’ve hopefully been able to tell up to this point, it’s not normal. I write about Optimus Prime, Office Space, and the Legend of Zelda. I generally do my workouts on a playground and run around the world for fun.
I happen to also enjoy the occasional adult beverage.
I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately from people with questions like, “I want to try the Paleo diet, but I love beer. What can I do?”
I hear ya, friend.
Let’s take a look at alcohol, its effect on the body, and see if it can be consumed while still living a healthy life.
[side note: if you aren't 21 or of legal drinking age in your particular country, this article isn't for you. Instead, look at these baby sloths getting a bath!
Also, I'm not a dietitian, doctor, or anybody with any sort of important sounding credentials. I'm not an expert of any kind. I'm probably not even wearing pants right now. I'm merely a nerd who likes to dig into these things and present my results.]