You Gotta be the Man.

Word Count: 668 NF Difficulty: Beginner

Trying to get in shape by yourself is always tough.

You’re surrounded by people who make unhealthy choices, choosing to sit on their ass all day rather than exercise, and would rather go to Burger King than eat a decent meal.  If you can find somebody to partner up with and help keep you accountable, things will be much easier.  However, if you’re the lone wolf, it just means you’re going to have to show stronger leadership skills, show stronger willpower, and be the Man (ladies, you can be the woMan, it’s cool).   Maybe you’re like Master Chief and have some other marines around you to help keep you on track.  More than likely though, you’re like Sam Fisher and have to go it alone (ladies, you’re gonna have to be like Samus, which is awesome because Samus kicks ass). 

You might be married to or dating a girl/dude who is unhealthy and likes you “just how you are,” and they won’t understand why you’re trying this ‘exercise thing.’ Maybe you’d like to get in shape with your girl/guy whose motivation is severely lacking and gets mad at you every time you want to go to the gym instead of watching a movie with them.  When you have to go it alone, it seems like everything is lined up against you.  When it’s not a priority for anybody but you, you’re going to have to work extra hard to be successful.  You gotta be the Man.

What being THE MAN requires:

• Make good decisions, even when everybody else around you isn’t. I don’t mean you can’t have any fun.  Go out for beers, eat bad food every once and a while, but more often than not, you need to be the guy that sets a good example.  Suggest places other than fast food joints for dinner/lunch.  Order the healthy stuff while others are ordering deep fried.
• Start exercising, and become knowledgeable about how and why certain exercises do what they do. If you like running or climbing or swimming or lifting weights, become the go-to guy in your group for information about that stuff.  If you know how to do basic exercises properly like squats, deadlifts, pull ups, chin ups, and presses, you’ll be more knowledgeable than 90% of the people in your gym.
• Speak softly and carry a big stick. Don’t start preaching to people, because nobody likes hanging out with “that guy.”  Be a silent leader, but be ready to talk about your success if they ask.  People will have a lot more respect and admiration for you when you just go about your business and let others do the same.  Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and do it without insulting those who don’t.
• If you don’t have anybody to look up to for information, find somebody less knowledgeable than you and help them out. The best way to get better at something is to teach somebody else about it.  I started this blog not because I was an expert, but because I wanted to become one by helping others.

Ya know what, most of your friends might make fun of you or tell you that you’re being ridiculous with your healthy behavior; let them.  When you’re all at the pool and you’re the only one without a gut, I think you’ll get over their playful insults. 

What if you’re married with kids? Want your wife/husband to get in shape with you but don’t know how to bring it up?  Start exercising and eating right, and then when your wife asks you why you’re wasting your time with exercise, that you already ‘look good enough,’ tell her that you’re doing it because you want to be around for a long time for your kids.  When you tell her you’re doing it for the kids, she can’t argue…and it might even kick her ass into gear.  Set a good example!

It’s a constant daily battle, are you up for the challenge.  If you start to get discouraged or begin to lack the motivation to keep up the fight, email me at [email protected] and I’ll gladly help. 

Stick with it.

-Steve