Sure you know exercising will make you feel better, but did you ever think of how else it will improve your life? Getting in shape will not only improve your health, but it will certainly improve your appearance and increase your self-confidence. Think about it: with all of these things going right for you, things can only get better, right? 2/3rds of the country is considered overweight; why not put yourself ahead of those 2/3rds and see what happens. At the very least, you’ll be in great shape and probably live much longer. Let’s see a few examples:
- You go into a job interview, and you’re up against a fat guy with the same qualifications as you. Who do you think they’re going to pick? The guy in shape, who is far less likely to have health problems and need sick days, or the overweight unkempt guy? All other things being equal, I’d bet 9 times out 10 you’d be the one selected. They say one of the most important things about a job interview (other than height) is attractiveness when it comes to success. Sure you might ugly, but you can at least control whether or not you have a gut! When it’s a variable you can control, take advantage.
- You’re out at a bar, and you meet a cute girl. It doesn’t make her superficial if she’d prefer to date a guy that takes care of himself and his body. Also, I bet you’ll feel more confident approaching her if you feel good about how you look. Let’s say you’re older and you’re looking for a wife: if she’s looking for “husband” material, do you think she’d select the slob with a beer belly? Hell no! She’ll take the guy who’s going to provide her with the best opportunity to raise a family for many years to come. You can develop that beer guy AFTER you get married (joke).
- If you get fired from your job (which is like 10% of the country these days), start exercising. If you get dumped by your girlfriend, join a gym. Just 30 minutes a day can have a dramatic effect on your self esteem, energy, confidence, plus it will help you keep your mind off the stuff in your life that might not be going so well.
- Use your successes in the gym to get the ball rolling for other successes in your life. Getting ready to start a company and nervous about it? Want to launch a website and don’t know where to begin, think back to your goals in the gym: lose 15 lbs, bench 150lbs, do 10 pull ups. I bet most of those goals seemed unrealistic too until you accomplished them. Realize that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, and have some fun with it.
Be who you want to be, and make it happen.
-Steve
