For the Guys Who Don't Work Out. (A 400-word Rant.)
Let's get one thing clear: I am not a meathead. Not in the way you think of it anyway.
I understand you're confused; I don't blame you. I know I kinda look like that muscular guy at your gym who grunts, slams the weights, and scowls. The gym is filled with meatheads like that, guys whose lives revolve around their insecurity. They feel small inside so they have to project bigness. They're the dwarf behind the curtain, all fake confidence and loud noise, walking dicks with no balls. They're boys who haven't become men yet.
I'm not going to bullshit you: I'm in the gym for some of the same reasons they are. I want a powerful, good-looking body because it makes me feel, well, powerful and good-looking. But you gotta understand the gym doesn’t define me. I am not my broad shoulders. I am not my six-pack. I am not my freakin' biceps.
I don't say stupid shit like, "Have you seen the weight room?" while flexing my arms. I don't know how to bounce my chest like a male stripper. I will not fuss and bitch if my girlfriend's parents serve me high-carb pasta for dinner; I'll eat it and thank them for the meal.
Meatheads like to tell you they work out. I don't. One look at my body and you'll know I don't sit on my ass and eat Little Debbie snack-cakes for fun. I'm not here to impress you or make you feel bad for your dietary or fitness decisions. You can do what you like.
I lift weights, eat healthy food, and nourish my body not out of some sense of guilt or vanity (at least not all the time), but because it's the one thing I can control. I own my body. Take away my stuff, my friends, my job, my family, and I still have it. My body is my vehicle to go places I want to go and do things I want to do.
And because I take care of it, it'll take care of me. It won't fail on me early. It'll combat sickness and recover quickly. It'll make tasks you find hard easy for me. It'll fill out a t-shirt and jeans and maybe attract a girl or two.
But the most important task my body performs is carrying around my brain. Try to get a meathead to tell you that.
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Why do YOU lift weights and eat healthy food?
Comments for This Entry
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Thank you for this. Someone really needed to say that.
I workout for basically all of the same reasons you said above. I like to look good and I'm not afraid to admit that most of it is for aesthetics. I like knowing that at any given moment I can take off my shirt without being embarrassed, and yes, I can bounce my chest like a male stripper (though I haven't found any use for that skill yet).
I like knowing that I am stronger than most of the people I encounter on a day to day basis and if need be, I could hold my own in a fight, or at least look like I can. I also like being able to go for a 3 mile run at a moments notice and know that I can handle it and jump into a random workout with a friend and make things look easy. Being able to lift heavy stuff comes in handy too.
Oh yeah, and the chicks dig it. -
Hear, hear! Thanks for this, Nate.
I gotta admit, it took me a while to figure out the difference between a meathead and someone with something more than air between their ears. I didn't figure it out until I started to work out.
I exercise for a lot of reasons. At first it was just because I didn't want to be the skinny kid who always got picked on (OK, so I'm still kinda skinny). Another was that I wanted to challenge myself. I joined the lacrosse club team in college, even though I hadn't played sports since AYSO soccer, as another self-challenge. Once I had been in the gym regularly for a few months, I started to see the benefits and I was hooked. Now I workout because I like to be healthy. I like knowing that if I want to play a pickup game of soccer I won't collapse with exhaustion after fifteen minutes. I like to compete against myself and push more weight every time. I like being in control of at least one part of my life. And hell yeah I like looking good. But most of all, I like knowing that the me of today is better off than the me of a year ago.
I'm not a meathead either - but I'm not about to be mistaken for one, although I do get the occasional comment from the roommates about "getting ready for a bodybuilding competition" (har, har, guys). I walk into the gym, put on my ipod, do some work, and get out. My life is more than that. Besides, I need the headphones so I don't have to hear the dude who's been grunting through his curls for 45 minutes. For someone who's never set foot in a gym in their life, sure, I guess you could get us confused, but god do I wish it was easy to explain the difference between "My New Haircut" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JMOh-cul6M) and reading Built for Show! -
Well said Nate. Our body is the greatest instrument we'll ever own. I started "working out" (If you could even call it that. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. I'm talking about using a few Nautilus machines and then hoping on the treadmill) when I was like 13 or so. Then after I joined the Army I thought push-ups, sit-ups, and running covered everything. (I know, I know) So I was the "eternal beginner" until about six months ago at age 21 when I was rescued by your book and started the BFS program. I guess the title of the book makes my reasons for BEGINNING training obvious, but what will be my reason to continue lifting once I finish the program and see the body I want in the mirror?... This blog certainly provides some wicked good ones. Thanks!
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I enjoy the benefits of being in great shape as much as I enjoy the process of doing so.
I'm not a gym rat, and my workouts are normally kept to only 3-4 times a week, but I thoroughly enjoy my time there. I enjoy the focus, the intensity, and the feeling I get from a great workout.
Like I said about the benefits: I was a tooth pick, 150 lbs of skin and bone, with little confidence to boot. Now after 30 lbs of lean muscle gained, I'm a more confident guy. I'm confident enough to let my personality show and to grab life by the horns. I feel healthy and I have more energy than any of my friends because I take care of my body. I've impacted the people around me to do the same. My parents are more into health than ever before and I think they'll live longer because of it.
I'm going out with the girl of my dreams, more so because I was confident enough to be my own person than having a six-pack, but again, I didn't have this confidence when I wasn't working out.
I guess it comes down to quality of life. Working out is a means to an end. I enjoy my time in the gym but I'm able to enjoy my time out of it, my life, more because of the work I do in there.
Great article Nate!
Chad -
My why?
I use to want to get muscular like most dudes, but with it came the hunger to learn more and optimize my training. It ended up with me ditching that body-part split style and taking up heavy compound lifts.
The very first time I touched a dumbbell, I was in 5th grade and only because I felt humiliated when 2 friends asked to flex a bicep and laughed. Idiotically, later that day I grabbed a 5lb. dumbbell and did about 2 or 3 sets of 50 curls. My arms were on fire for 3 days.
Nowadays, my goal is to learn as much as possible and educate those around me as best as I can. Whether it be explaining technique, the importance of certain things, or simply breaking down concepts, I'm happy to do it.
If I don't set an example for those around me, who will?
That's why I do it. -
It's as simple as this, "Garbage in, Garbage out!" That's not what I want for my life, so the best recourse is to supply my body with the highest quality fuel that I can and keep my physical function as robust as possible. Along with the host of physical benefits attached to them, training and eating quality food allow me to have the energy , focus, and discipline to pursue all of my other passions in life.
Training reminds me that the previously impossible is never truly out of reach, and consuming the highest quality ingredients ensures that I have the best possible odds of sticking around to be surmounting new challenges well into my golden years and sharp enough to pass along more than a few time-tested lessons that may prove valuable to anyone willing to listen.
Nothing should scare a man more than frittering away precious time and slowly wasting away due to inactivity and a dearth of nutritious food, until what's left is but a mere dessicated husk of his once vibrant and youthful self, the one who would attack each day with an unparalleled zest, sense of adventure, iron will, and the feeling that conquering the world was all in a day's work. A balanced and complete approach to training and nutrition are the least I owe myself, and to sabotage my future out of apathy and sloth is unacceptable. Life may beat me down sometimes, but I resolve to never beat himself, and these are two of the finest ways ways to make certain that regardless of the circumstances in which I may find myself, there's an excellent chance I'll come out on top of the heap. And if I should fall, at least I will have the necessary tools to pick myself up and immediately jump headlong back into the fray. -
I train because I am always looking to attack a new goal. Whether its getting stronger, quicker, more explosive, ripped, or to improve endurance. I always have a goal in mind and I'm always taking steps to achieve my goals.
I train with a purpose, with a set plan. It's self fulfilling. I am in control. You find out a lot about yourself when you create goals and reach them. I have learned to become resourceful. I have the ability to manipulate my body anyway I want and fairly quickly.
I practice health and fitness because it improves the quality of my life. I want to become more efficient, have more energy, develop successful habits, improve my lifestyle, and create a body that screams "I respect myself". All of those outcomes improve the quality of my life and therefore health and fitness is an answer to achieve a major life goal.
I am dedicated to finding new ways, through a natural and raw diet, to cure and fight Lupus. Both my Mom and Sister have it and since I have the ability, resourcefulness, and the skill to tackle this disease head on I will. I guess you could say I'm the guinea pig; first practicing what I find on myself and then passing it on. I can shorten the learning curve for both of them and they have experienced improvements which is the best possible thing I could ask for.
Always have a purpose, always have a goal. You need to know what your aiming for and once you do your unstoppable. -
The reason I first started working out was because of a girl. I had dated this girl who was a year older than me when I was in high school. She was hot as hell, with a great rack, a great ass, and a great personality. Anyways, (*pussy alert*) she ended up breaking my heart by leaving me for some older guy who was way more jacked than I was. Pissed off, I started working out with my friend on some old equipment he had in his basement. I gained a decent amount of muscle mass within a year and ended up dating one of my ex's friends who was hotter than she was. Mission accomplished.
I kept on working out through high school. I slowly threw out all the crap in my diet and started eating little else but whole grains, meat, cheese, and milk. I got seriously ripped but had no size to me because I ate at a calorie deficit nearly every day. I was worried about going back to being the fat kid in middle school with low self esteem. During junior year, I started racing road bikes and what little size I had disappeared. I made Nicole Richie look fat.
During my first semester of college, I decided to drop the bike and get back in the weight room. I gained about 15 pounds relatively quickly by eating lots of clean food and working my ass off. I would say the majority of that 15 pounds was lean mass. I'm currently working on a slow bulk. Eating relatively cleanly in college isn't so hard, but abstaining from alcohol is. So why do I work out and eat clean when the other guys are pounding beers and eating McDonald's? Because I know that when it comes time to shed the shirts for a game of shirts-n-skins football, I'll be the one the girls are looking at, not them.
I'd be lying if I said that girls were the only reason I adhere to a healthy lifestyle. The truth is, I don't think I could quit. I'm addicted to pushing myself farther and farther every day in the weight room. I like the pain. Maybe that makes me a masochist; I really don't give a fuck. All I know is that when I'm in the weight room deadlifting, there is nothing else but that bar and my body. All the distractions and stesses in my life fade to black; it's just me and that weight. There's no way I could walk away from a challenge like that. So I don't. -
Love It!
Awesome...Simply Awesome!
Rob
www.RobKingfitness.com -
I'm probably one of the few girls who read your blog religiously....i rarely comment, but i've gotten a lot of slack lately since i've decided to compete as a powerlifter so this is why I do it...
10. I love the scars on my shins from deadlifting
9. I love the blisters and callus' on my hands
8. I love having to roll out of bed because i'm too sore to push myself out.
7. I get an odd satisfaction from using tupperware containers
6. I have a fetish for bathroom decor....and I think it would be odd to just go stand in a bathroom, so i drink a gallon of water a day to give me an excuse.
5. I love numbers, especially large ones...and I like to see them go up
4. I like that no matter how strong I get, I can always be stronger. One more set, one more rep, one more pound.....the battle is never over.
3.I like the feeling after a workout when everything just clicked,...each set was 100%, each movement was smooth and nothing was left in the tank.
2. I like being self sufficient. I can move my own shit, carry my own crap. I am not limited by my strength
and
1. I like feeling like a badass.....and it's hard to feel like a badass on an elliptical machine. -
Because self improvement is MORE than just masturbation.
"We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off." -
Like someone up there said, I'm probably one of the rare teenage asian kids that read your blog. So the reason i work out...and I am by no means that big, but I'm one of the strongest kids on my lacrosse team as a sophomore. It all started when I was picked on by the kids that "worked out" at a summer camp. I was a skinny 7th grader at the time. I tried to lift weights by myself for 2 years, as I couldn't get to gym until high school. When I hit highschool, I was sick of being the skinny asian kid. I busted my ass in the gym, coming only second to my friend Nick, who was rather obnoxious to me. Bodybuilding.com was my home, until I realized it was a dump compared to tmuscle.com. I started surpassing all of my peers in the weightroom. In summary, I lift weights for any other reason hormonally imbalanced teenagers lift weights. To be strong, look good, athletic advantages, to get girls. I get ridiculed by my friends for eating healthy, and people constantly ask me, "Dont you ever enjoy life/food?". I actually enjoy eating healthy, not poisoning my body with Lord knows whats in junk food these days. I'm so interested that I'm considering nutrition for college courses. Anyways, Nate you got a great blog, your writing really has your voice in it and that's what really impresses me.
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I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one personally annoyed and partially disgusted when I see these meatheads in the gym (especially at Gold's Gym). Seriously, at Gold's Gym, it is about 80-90% guys, so who are you trying to impress with your curling abilities or home-cut t-shirt with gaping sides? Come on, really?
In middle school and high school, I was a swimmer, so I was relatively lean and not very built at about 120 pounds at my peak in high school and a 28/29 waist according to my old speedos. However, once I got to college, I didn't keep swimming, so I gained about 10 pounds, not the good kind of weight. In the interest of losing some of the weight I put on, I picked up club waterpolo once I got to college, and in a sport where it pays to be aggressive and bigger than your opponent. Trying to defend a 160-180 pound and 5'8'' to 5'11''opponent when you are about 5'5'' and 130 pounds is not an easy task. Remember, defending requires mostly upper body strength, as you are constantly treading water.I learned VERY quickly that I had to start lifting weights to keep up with this sport.
Yeah, most of the time, like everyone else, I thought that my intentions were superficial: getting bigger arms, chest, and abs, getting more attention by girls, and just being like the guys you see on TV or the movies. I covered my superficial reasons with the reason of getting bigger for waterpolo, but after a while, I decided to let it go and just accept that my initial goals were some of my main motivations. As I kept working out, I realized that it did inevitably garner attention from people around me, whether it be my friends or my parents. After all, I wanted to just fill out my shirts and pants. Deep down, everyone wants that attention of being looked at and admired for physically being who they are. As dorky as it sounds, it is true: for me, I want every girl to want to be with me and every guy to want to be me. Who wouldn't like that?
As for eating healthy, I was driven to this by one book: Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. Ever since reading this book, I have not eaten a hamburger or taco at any fast food restaurant. Combined with the California lifestyle of health-conscious society (driven mostly by my personal desire for Jamba Juice) and knowledge of a lot of the bad food out there, I learned that you have to put good in to get good out, though an occasional splurge doesn't hurt, assuming occasional means once a week or so.
Just my two cents from my fitness and health experience. (I am 22, still about 5'5'', and currently 155 pounds.) -
Here it is Sunday night and we already have 13 great comments! Thanks for sharing your story guys (and girl).
-Nate -
Why do I practice a healthy lifestyle? The answers are numerous. But, the most prevalent one is this: creating balance. I have just recently begun to implement a more fitness-oriented mindset towards my way of living, but I can already see a huge impact on how it affects all aspects of my well being.
For far too long, I've lived with a complacent attitude as to how I treated myself, and this rolled over into every other part of my life. I didn't go out and socialize, I dropped out of school, and I never buckled down and began working towards the dreams I had for my life. But now, that is beginning to change.
My physical transformation is helping to balance out the areas of my life that I was neglecting. Every time I hit those weights, I'm attacking that wall of complacency. I'm sick and tired of being mediocre and I realize that if I wanna make a change, ain't nobody gonna do it for me but me. I'm a man and I wanna feel like one! I want to have confidence and a swagger to my step. And most of all, I want to set an example that others can appreciate and, hopefully, start changing themselves. We were not meant to be blobs of apathy. We were meant to be more. That's why I have adopted a healthier lifestyle, because I want more. -
Here comes another female. I lift because it is helping me with fat loss and strength gains. I eat better than I have in my entire life because doing so makes the fat seem to just fall right off. I do all of this because I hit a very big birthday and decided I was tired of dialing it in on the health front. My gym doesn't have many meatheads -- just wanna be's. They "act" like typical meatheads but don't have the bodies to back it up. My trainer and I will stand looking at the guy in the rack who's doing a whole lot of contemplating (read gazing at himself in the mirror and/or checking his email...what the heck) and wonder when he'll move along. The best thing that has happened when doing deadlifts and squats has been men and women stopping to tell my trainer how strong I am and/or how impressed they are with what I'm doing at the time. He loves it. Second best thing -- being so intent on my training that I could be surrounded by 50 people and I don't even see them. When else in your day can you say that you are that focused and your mind isn't going in 20 directions at once? Mind, body and soul -- all getting better by the day. That's why I do it.
By the way, you look awesome Nate. -
A quote that stuck with me from elitefts.
To the question, "Why?"
"Because the alternative is unacceptable." -
I had a whole series of reasons why I train and eat the way I do, but I realized they were mostly just the benefits of doing so. The real reason is because I want to look pretty and be strong. It makes me feel happy inside. The end.
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It started with the fact that I was a fat ass. Weight training gave me control, it gave me a purpose and it gave me a sense of achievement.
Now, 3 years later? The discipline that I learned as a result of lifting and eating properly carries over into my work life, personal life and family life. My parents have both taken up the challenge and have greatly benefitted. Even though they don't lift, they have taken a second look at themselves and ended up making some great positive changes.
In fact just this morning people at work were asking me why I never get sick and always have a lot of energy. Maybe one day, when they ACTUALLY want to know, I'll tell them. -
After reading this post I must have paused and thought about it for a good 10 or 15 minutes, a seemingly easy question actually has more options and reason than I would have first thought. What I came up with was;
1. To look better, I guess at some point everyone works out for the benefits it brings, I mean sure who doesn't want to look more attractive to the fairer sex?.
2. To feel better, and I do, while my body isn't anything close to Nate's yet (but here's hoping one day, bring on the winter bulk!). I honestly do feel better for eating right and working out, I wake up with more energy, I feel happier with myself,and I have more confidence.
3. To live longer, my family has a tendency to die young, in fact no Male down my line has reached their 60th birthday (scary huh). So why not try to change that, and live a fuller longer life?.
4. To relax, after a frustrating day at work or after anything else that gets my back up, I find that a gym session relaxes me better than anything else, an hour with just me in a gym working up a sweat and lifting heavy calms me down better than anything.
5. Because I actually really enjoy it, I still find it bizarre that something as simple as picking up a weight can be enjoyable but yeah I love it. -
All of the above responses are great and I concur w/ all them all, but I have to add a very important reason that I work hard to be quick, strong, and well conditioned. Two words - Zombie Apocalypse. When the shit hits the fan I want to know that I have left no stone unturned.
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Just because I can.
Nah seriously, I'm continually looking to get stronger, improve self esteem, and be able to do most lifting related chores myself. I dont want to be the one who has to continually ask for help because i'm not strong enough to move something. -
Why?
So I can wake up on the right side of the bed every morning! It's a feel good thing, that breeds all the great pleasures of life (let your mind wander with that one!)
People who aren't happy with their workout, lifestyle, appearance...they never wake up on the right side of the bed!
I do it so I get that feeling 365 days a year!!! -
I'm the only one of my friends who Deadlifts, Squats, Cleans, drags a sled and knows what 5/3/1 is and I fucking love it!
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For me, the reason I workout is very simple; I like it. I am one of the many who have a very sedentary job, so at the end of the day I just plain like to hit the gym and push some weights around. I find it to be a great stress relief, and I leave the gym feeling refreshed, re-energized and just an overall good feeling about myself. Sure, the other reasons are there, like a better looking, healthier body. But, first and foremost - I just like working out.
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I lift, therefore I am
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"But you gotta understand the gym doesn’t define me. I am not my broad shoulders. I am not my six-pack. I am not my fucking biceps."
If the above is true then why did you post a picture of yourself with no shirt? -
@ DB
Because one picture doesn't define me, either. :)
-Nate -
Nice article. It feels a bit lame that some people consider the gyms to be "for the self-loving pricks, meatheads, douches only". It just sucks. It is cool that you point out for everyone out there that gyms and "working out stuff" are not only for outer man development but for inner (more important) self as well. As for myself, I work out because I just can't stand still - it's my way of life. That nice inexplicable feeling after the work out keeps me pumped and full of energy for the rest of my day. I also condition myself for life, striving for functionality, trying to keep my "machine" tuned. Good looking body is like a side effect of my workouts.
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I started out cause I was tired of beeing skinny and picked on. Cliche, I know. I made great gains in My first year, and got many a positive comment. But somehow I always wanted more,so I started studying up on body building and nutrition. That's when people started saying that I had become too vain, when acctually I just wanted more and better results. It just became a hobby or better yet, a way of life. I cannot imagine living My life without working out. Heck, I do'nt know how I lived without it before. Do I do it to pick up girls? No. I found that if it was a girl motivating Me to work out, then I'd probably stop when we broke up. As selfish as it sounds, in the end the one responsible for the physique I carry will be Me. can't throw the bame on anyone else. That's why it's important to Me, and that is why it's one of the priorities in My life. Till the day My I'm too old to lift (and then some).
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Like everyone else, I love having more energy and realize the importance of doing what I can to ensure I don’t die from a heart attack in my forties. But I enjoy lifting and eating well for the small moments: long-lost acquaintances barely recognizing me in my leaner and more athletic body, the taste of some exotic fruit I’ve impulsively decided to try, the laughter of my six-year-old nephew when I pick him up and carry him around the house. Ultimately, I work hard in the gym not only because of the stress relief, feeling of accomplishment that comes from finishing a good workout, and simple joy of beating a previous personal best. I also do it because it makes life outside of those four walls so much more enjoyable.
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I lift and eat healthfully because I need a physical challenge other than getting up in the morning. I have never trained for aesthetics, only for breaking personal records and remaining healthy. Working hard builds character, strength, confidence, and fortitude so why shouldn't I work hard? No one can tell me not to.
Also, the mental challenge is surpassed by no other. There is nothing like holding several hundred pounds of metal in my hands that could kill me with the simple under/over contraction of wrist flexors/extensors because I was not focused enough on the iron above me.
You must get away from the rest of your life in order to survive a heavy lifting day. That's why I lift. -
Glad to see you took my advice.
Excellent rant...slash mission statement. Love it. -
Great article Nate!
I train because I like to feel and be strong. For myself, and my daughter. I like to see if my clients and people I work around can guess my age (38) and usually they bid about 10 yrs lower. LOL. I also work part time at a bar, bouncing. So, for originality....I like knowing that some 21-22 yr old football/rugby/wrestler doesn't have a chance against me when "its time for you to go" comes around. ;)
Have a good one. Great blog. And loved your book.
Walt -
The reason I workout is because I want to live longer in life, and be stronger of course. Back then I was one of those people that got pushed around during middle and high school. It was a very rocky road to travel. Like most that mentioned it already, I was also skin n bones. After joining the military ( Air Force, a year after graduating high school) I would walk past the gyms and see everyone lifting heavy weights and I was one of those people that said "I wish I was that strong". So here I am 29 years later pushing weight balls to the wall using Nate's Built for show program and I have not looked back ever since. Its crazy because I never played any sports in high school nor college. I was the one that always played video games and go out to the clubs (I still do but I've calmed down a lot). I always ask myself "why couldnt I do this earlier in life" but things happen. In short I workout for me and no one else. Im not about impressing women or trying to get people to look at me. If that does happen then so be it. The gym is my replacement for smoking and drinking. I'm definately not a meathead just because people think I go to the gym everyday which is not true anyway. I workout, spin records, go to school, and hang out at home. Pretty much my life now.
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Interesting question, Nate. I suspect that I'm older than the mean age of your readers, so my reasons have changed over the years. I first lifted weights in my teens because a football coach forced me to lift. In college and my 20's it was all about looking strong and feeling attractive to the opposite sex. (and trying for the 400lb bench!) In my 30's I slacked off some and got fat, but rallied in my late 30's to get in decent shape, remembering how good it felt when I finished a gut busting workout.
In my 40's I kept at it to keep my weight down and my strength up. Now that I've entered my 50's I workout to be fit and to feel strong and healthy. I down push the pounds that I used to, but I still train hard. I lift less, but I train three mornings a week at a boxing gym and feel like I'm in better overall condition at 51 than I was at 25. I'm not as powerful, but my cardio, flexibility, and overall conditioning is better.
Being healthy and fit is a lifelong pursuit. I'm enjoying the ride!
Thanks for another thought provoking article. -
When you watch family member after family member have to go through some sort of surgery or develop life threatening diseases like type 2 diabetes you take a minute to ask yourself "Is this what I'm ok with enduring for the rest of my life just cause it's easier to watch T.V. and eat Burger King than to sweat a little bit."
Being overweight which I was, clearly has no advantages. The only looks you get are from guys with low self esteem who see it as a chance to make themselves feel good and doctors who tell you how your headed on a road to disaster.
As a weak fat kid I knew it was either try something new or just give up. I still remember the first time I actually benched my own weight, which I thought to be impossible. I remember the time I looked at the scale and it said I was under 200lbs something I hadn't seen since 6th grade. My personal favorite was when a girl from high school who wouldn't give me the time a day saw the new me and wanted to get together and I got to shut her down cause I was the one who had options.
I love hitting a new PR and the feeling of accomplishing a goal, then looking at the guy next to me in the gym looking at me knowing that I just did something he only wishes he could. I love having the experience and knowledge that comes with training to help my buddies accomplish their goals too. My favorite reason isn't when I'm in the gym it's the feeling I get when I leave and know I just busted my ass for the past hour when most guys just spent the last hour playing Madden or jerking off.
So that's why I workout. I know there are guys out there bigger and I know I'm bigger than some guys out there but what ever side of scale those guys are on I know that because of lifting I lead a life they only hope to have. -
The reason I train?
Because no matter what happens in life, the weights will always be there. In life there are things that we can't control and shit happens, but this is one thing we can always control. You have a shitty day at work, your gf breaks up with you, your dog dies - the list goes on..but those weights will always be there and you will always have a chance to make yourself better by training, no matter what happens. Take all of those feelings and emotions and let them be the fuel for your workouts. Let training become a form of expression.
Secondly, to learn who you are and to become mentally tough. I've learned more about myself under or over the bar than anywhere else. The harder you train and the more stress you place on your body in the weightroom, the better equipped you are to deal with shit outside in the real world. -
Well said.
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I started working out again becasue I saw myself heading down a road I didn't want to go. I have always been athletic and active, but after a bad injury my senior year in college playing lacrosse, I kind of let myself go (tore my plantar facia in half and ended my season). Before I really realized what had happened I was fat. And, since my father had had a quadruple bypass in his mid 50's I knew that if I continued to let myself get fat I would be headed for the same thing. I began to work out and lost damn near 50 pounds. I decided to focus on strength and power after that because I didn't want to look like some skinny runner, I wanted to look much like you said nate, powerful. I didn't want to look like an over inflated moron, but I wanted to look like i could move some heavy shit when ever I wanted and not to mention actually be able to move it. (I would be lying if I didn't mention that I also would like the girls to notice that I am in better shape too.) I have gained some of the 50 pounds back but this time there is more muscle underneath, Now if I could only get myself straightened out on my nutritional habits I would be in great shape. that is my next big challenge to once and for all take charge of how I eat and stop putting shit in my face just because I had a bad day or because I don't feel like cooking.
Thanks for your blog Nate it is always a great read, and your book as well, I plan on starting your BFS program this coming fall. -
I started working out again becasue I saw myself heading down a road I didn't want to go. I have always been athletic and active, but after a bad injury my senior year in college playing lacrosse, I kind of let myself go (tore my plantar facia in half and ended my season). Before I really realized what had happened I was fat. And, since my father had had a quadruple bypass in his mid 50's I knew that if I continued to let myself get fat I would be headed for the same thing. I began to work out and lost damn near 50 pounds. I decided to focus on strength and power after that because I didn't want to look like some skinny runner, I wanted to look much like you said nate, powerful. I didn't want to look like an over inflated moron, but I wanted to look like i could move some heavy shit when ever I wanted and not to mention actually be able to move it. (I would be lying if I didn't mention that I also would like the girls to notice that I am in better shape too.) I have gained some of the 50 pounds back but this time there is more muscle underneath, Now if I could only get myself straightened out on my nutritional habits I would be in great shape. that is my next big challenge to once and for all take charge of how I eat and stop putting shit in my face just because I had a bad day or because I don't feel like cooking.
Thanks for your blog Nate it is always a great read, and your book as well, I plan on starting your BFS program this coming fall. -
Im not going to the gym for looking at girls (but it happens)
Im not going to the gym for talking (it happens 2 - probely with some chick for 2 mins)
Im not going to the gym for getting new friends (girlfriend?)
Im not going to the gym for getting big and nasty (i can talk me out of any situation, otherwise i can run like hell)
Im here to get and have, a body with a function - AND to be capable to control and use it.. -
I liked your comment a lot..I am a trainer and work with a couple guys ( i dont charge) because they are my buddies and we are following nate's program...I am almost 48yrs. old and look better than most for my age and better than lots of younger guys also..I conquer with the comments on why we workout, really love the workouts and we get lots of looks in the gym from others just talking or just going through the motions...I watch lots of trainers just yacking with clients and not working them correctly...total waste of time imvho...great blog nate..thanks
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Awesome post Nate! I'm a big fan of your blog! This is actually my first post here, I'm a quiet one. haha!
Anyway, I workout for the same reasons you listed. Taking care of my body is important to me. I work as a Web Developer, so I sit at a desk all day. An active lifestyle is a must for me. I really enjoy the challenge to push myself to the limit as well as my friends, who I workout with. I hate being limited by what I can do physically and removing the limits is my primary goal.
I workout for myself, not for anyone else. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I don't to it to look good, although that's a plus. I do it because I feel good and I want to handle anything life throws at me. -
Weights never lie, 200 pounds is always 200 pounds. It gives you perspective, the gym is a great place to do some soul searching and sort the rest of your life out, its pure and free of the bulls**t that comes with most of life's other pursuits.
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Working out has helped me in too many areas to list, but I will mention a few.
1) I used to seriously lack self-confidence. I'm not Vin Diesel (or Nate Greene, for that matter), but like to think I have become a much better looking dude because of all of that time spent in the gym. I love hearing people I haven't seen in months or years exclaim, "Wow, you look great," or "Holy shit... Dan?!," or whatever else.
2) I have to wake up bright and early for work. I work in a financial institution from 8-5 and getting through the first few hours used to be a struggle. Now I make myself crawl out of bed around 6 or 6:30 so I have time to workout, fix a big breakfast, and hop in the shower before work. I come to work with much more energy than most and like to think it has helped my career, if only a little. It also helps get a full night's sleep: by the time 11 p.m. comes around, I am ready to crash.
3) It helps me with my favorite thing to do: theatre. I love acting. It's a rush to me. Looking better boosts up my confidence, which is helpful both in performances and auditions. Before either, I have made it a new habit to do a quick mini work-out with jump squats, body-weight lunges, push-ups, and some yoga poses. I get some strange looks, but it puts me in the zone. And as a sometimes-director, when all other things are equal (talent, energy, experience, etc.) the better-looking person will usually be cast. Who would you rather look at for 2 hours: Queen Latifa or Halle Berry?
4) Catching girls checking you out is awesome.
5) A free t-shirt would be pretty sweet. -
Sick post Nate,
One line spoke volumes to me 'My body is my vehicle to go places I want to go and do things I want to do.'
I have not nourished my body in about two years and it's hurt me in many diff ways. I don't have the confidence I used too, I mean I wouldn't even take my shirt off at the beach right now, I am not as healthy as I should be and the fact that I am a trainer and don't look the part right now is hurting my business as well.
This post has motivated me to get my ass back into the gym and take care of myself so then I can enjoy this journey and live at my potential.
Thanks -
My reason is real simple, I teach "real" physical education to middle schoolers. In today's world we cannot afford to live unactive and unhealthy lifestyles. It is by choice I live the way I do, I chose to research all day every day in any open window I can find in search of ways to spark the interest of a demographic who cares more about skinny jeans and straight billed caps rather than longevity. I try and lead by example, if I had someone teaching me who didn't make an attempt to be fit and healthy it would be tough to take them seriously. I feel better than ever and I look forward to every day and every workout. Nothing gets me more when I have a young man or lady sit down and ask me if I can help them pick the right foods for gameday, or design a workout that is safe and appropriate for them, I love what I do regardless of that huge paycheck at the end of the week..... If I were asked 10 years ago if this would have been my life I would have laughed but being physically fit and knowing how to get there allows for me to pass it on to our kids which I feel is very important.
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Well put Nate!
I think you have summed up what it means not to just work out for asthetics, but for the mental and moral aspects.
I workout to obviously look good...
With that said you look good you feel good and it carries over into other areas of life.
Nice work! -
The feeling of setting a goal and reaching it.
I'm a Olympic lifter and the feeling when that perfect lift comes around is amazing, to be able to lift a very heavy load with grace and without any real effort.
I'm training to be the best I possibly can -
I was active in sports all through high school and tried to compete in College. Once the competition ended it was too easy to drink beer and eat wings. I saw a picture of myself and did not like the guy in the picture. I started working out to change that.
I was a memebr of a gym with tons of "meatheads' and guys on gear which was a bit intimidating at first but I realized something. I do not work out for anyone else. I work out for myself. There is the aestetic aspct of it but I love pushing myself. I like watching the numbers go up on the squat, the bench and the deadlift, but I also like watching the times go down in the 5k. I like trying to do muscle ups, I love outworking my buddy in the gym. The gym is now my playing field and I compete against my old self. -
This was a great post and I totally connect with it.
I do it all to be better brother. I'm 26 and my brother is 12 (yup, he was a surprise). As he has grown up, I suddenly find myself feeling like I truly had someone to be a role model for and I take that role very seriously. When he was younger, I would just try to love him, care for him, help my mom and dad when they needed someone to watch him, and just be there for him.
Now, he's starting to turn into a young man. It shocks me how he and I are so much alike when I was his age. I know some of what he feels. I was the smart, fat kid when I was young and he is WAY smarter than I. He's also pretty big too. In January 09, I reached a whooping 270 on my 6'0 frame and took a step back and said to myself "What the fuck are you doing!? What kind of example am I showing my brother? I know the crap I had to deal with when I was fat and his age. I need to show him a better way to walk in life rather than the self pitying and depressing road I walked." It really hit between the eyes when my sister and mom made a casual comment last January about how much my brother actually looked up to me. I decided then and there I was changing things.
Since then, I have gotten down to (currently) 215 lbs and bulked up some too. I try to eat healthy and teach everything I know and learn to my brother. I don't do this to show off to other people. I don't do it to attract the ladies. I do it because there are eyes watching everything I do and I will not let those eyes see me fail at being the best I can be. If I can do it, he knows he can do it too. -
I work out because i want to push the limits of what i can achieve whether it is it strength, conditioning or trying to build size. I normally train for a mixture of these, but the most important thing for me is that I feel lucky to enjoy good health and able body to train and feel i owe it to myself to make the most of this.
I feel sorry for those meatheads you described in your article who think the sun shines out of their a*** just because theyve done a few arm curls, when there are people in the world who have to walk miles barefoot just to find drinking water!
. -
I workout for the same reason I eat healthy. I don't live to eat; I eat to live. So I also workout to live. Working out makes me stronger and helps make my daily tasks easier (going up and down stairs, carrying my stuff to and from school). Working out also boosts my self-esteem and confidence, which happen to be two things girls like in a guy.
Since I eat and workout to live, I intend on living life as long as possible with the best body I can possibly have. My goal is to still be able to knock out 20 to 30 bodyweight pull-ups when I'm in my 70's and 80's.
All things considered, I train to get better because I respect my body. If you have a problem with that, you shouldn't even be thinking about weights.
BTW--You stated it very well when you said, "I own my body," and "my body is still with me even if everything else is taken away."
Good luck choosing a HUMBLECOCK T-Shirt winner.
-Eric -
I workout because after 40+ years of drinking, smoking and sitting around I found out that I could improve my health! I was lucky I didn't have any of the illnesses that comes with that lifestyle! So I decided not to push my luck! Now I look younger that my wife, who is 12 years younger than me, and I'm healthier than most 30 y/o kids! I haven't reached my ideal shape but I'm better off than I was 10 months ago! I'm too old to worry about what people call me! My clients call me grandpa ( cert, fitness trainer), and they follow my advice and fork over the cash! When they don't, I just scare them straight by showing them my before pictures! Most of the crowd that call us meatheads are just confused little boys! Give em time nate; they might grow up after a while!
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Why do I lift weights and eat good food?
Because it’s a challenge to accomplish either one. And it’s a daily challenge. When I wake up in the morning, (after being grateful that I woke up at all) I have a choice: I can hit the gym early for a few rounds of complexes and finish with a protein/spinach/almond/blueberry shake, or sleep in for an hour, jump out of bed, maybe or maybe not get coffee and then wolf down whatever pastry the secretaries brought in today. That’s the beauty of it: it’s all up to me. Despite all the drama, crises and hand wringing at work, diet and exercise are two things that I have control over. I have defeated my number one enemy: me, so what else are they going to throw at me that I can’t handle? Nothing! Starting the day with a small victory reaps a huge return.
Regular exercise and healthy eating is vital to radiant health and allows me to do many other activities at age 50. I hike, bike, take my grandkids to the playground (and play on the equipment), still practice Judo and because of basically a lifetime of lifting, I can do those things vigorously. Lifting and eating right definitely has improved my quality of life. -
Laziness runs in my family. So I go to the gym because I refuse to do die a slow death sitting on my couch eating ice cream (which I love btw). I do it because I have a seven year old son who mirrors my every move and what better example to set. He goes on Sundays with me when its dead and has a blast. I do body weight exercises that he can do and its a blast. To hell with the guys who do it to show off. These are the same guys who have had numerous surgeries trying to show off. No thanks meatheads
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Nate,
As I have been reading the comments on this blog, it intrigues me to see how many of us are virtually training with the same core goals. I won't bore you by reiterating them in my own words, however, this quote always sticks out in my mind as the reason I love training:
“The iron never lies to you. You can walk outside and listen to all kinds of talk, get told that you’re a god or a total bastard. The iron will always kick you the real deal. The iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. I have found the iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But, two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.” - Henry Rollins
keep it real,
B. Theisen
PS - I couldn't help but to think of the movie Fight Club when you wrote, "I am not my broad shoulders. I am not my six-pack. I am not my fucking biceps."
I like this. -
Honestly, I work out and eat healthy to simply look damn sexy. IM sorry but people who say they workout to lower their colestoral or so that they can have a healthy heart are fucking liars, assuming that these people dont have abnormal diseases. Honestly why else do people workout: to look good and to ONLY look good, the health benefits like lowered cholestoral and bull shit are just a nice side effect
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I started training with weights in high school for a short period of time, mainly to increase my vertical jump so I only trained my legs. I was 175lbs (thin like a stick) but I had big legs and I could jump pretty high.
Fast forward 1 1/2 to 2 years after high school, I gained 30lbs and got quite soft. Needless to say, I hated it and came to sudden realization that I needed to get into shape. That's basically how it started haha. -
"I lift weights, eat healthy food, and nourish my body not out of some sense of guilt or vanity (at least not all the time), but because it's the one thing I can control."
- This pretty much sums it up for me. It's the one area which I feel like i have control. I control what I fuel my body with, and I control my energy expenditure. There's a power and a pride in that. -
You want to know my reason for going to the gym and why it's the best reason here? I can't sit here and lie and make up a story to snag your eye just for a free t-shirt. I also like to have control over something. In addition to that I like the feeling that I am setting myself apart from the majority these days. There is something to be said about going somewhere (anywhere, a meeting at work, a party at a friend or a group shower; whatever) and KNOWING you are going to be the biggest, fastest and/or strongest one there. It's a piece of confidence that is hard to knock off and it's something that helps me walk around this Fast-Food infested planet with confidence.
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Great post. Most people in the gym, have no idea what it means to truly workout for themselves. Not for the looks you get, or the inflated self image it can help create. But to just love to do it, and to push yourself.
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Nate,
I like to work out because it makes me feel good, and more energetic. I hate feeling lazy and unmotivated. The main reason I work out is so that I have the strength to do the things that I really enjoy, like rock climbing, skateboarding and hiking. The ability to attract a few girls or look good with your shirt off is just extra benefits, you gotta do what you love in life, and having a strong body allows me to do that. -
I work all day at a very physical job, and I get paid by the job. My paycheck has less to do with how many hours I work and everything to do with how productive I am. I also do not have your typical health ins. i do have an accident policy for the big stuff. I really enjoy how basic the formula is.
I often notice a correlation between peoples health and their perceived quality of their health insurance. The better the coverage the less responsibility they take for their health.
So the reason that I work out and eat healthy is just taking responsibility for myself. I do strengthening and mobility exercises to help correct muscle imbalances and correct posture problems caused by the work I do. I eat healthy to help insure that I am not sick and therefore unable to perform at my peak. And ultimately it all translates into more of all the things that are important. Free time, money to spend is said free time and just plain feeling good most of the time.
I don't work out to look good, i just don't care all that much if I ever have a sixpack. We carry fat around as fuel for a reason, so I suspect that being that lean all of the time may not be the best thing, Likewise carrying around to much is obviously not good either. I have read a lot about health, nutrition , exercise and have come to the conclusion that humans were not meant to be in a state of stasis. Just a thought. -
My freshman year of college I weighed around 125lbs and yea I was skinny. I realize that a persons weight doesn't necessarily tell you about their body composition, but its difficult to imagine a 5 foot nine kid that weighs 125 and is jacked. Nevertheless, I was still able to excel in sports like wrestling and track. It wasn't until college that i started to work out with one of my roommates. At first I did it, because I wanted to look good. My only concern was being "built for show" (cant say it much better than that). I began working at abercrombie and fitch and participated in some of the planners which only furthered my concern to look good( I promise im not a douche.) However,after a year of bicep curls and bench I decided that I wanted to become all around stronger. In addition, I decided that I wanted to perfect myself both internally and externally. This meant eating the right kinds of foods (organic foods, which I wrote a 30 page capstone paper about comparing them genetically modified foods, and less processed foods) and implementing almost all compound exercises into my workout routine. Eventually, I read your book and a few others that I felt could help someone like myself. Your book appealed to me because your about my height and made significant gains in a relatively short amount of time. The book scrawny to brawny also appealed to me, even though im not an ectomorph, because it has a badass nutrition section and is meant for individuals trying to gain muscle the natural way. The reason I workout now is to try and reach my physical peak whatever that may be. It allows me to be more self confident and to excel physically in sport related activities. Not to mention the fact that new knowledge and ideas are constant making it an interesting hobby (or profession). I think its fun doing something that will allow me to live a longer life. There is alot more to working out then just going to the gym. For instance, most of the individuals who excel in gaining mass naturally do their research and do not meet the meat head criteria. In fact, some of the most intuitive individuals are in the muscle building industry. Furthermore, I know personally that I don't want to require a walker or even worse a wheelchair when I am older so I think its premature to write everyone off as a meet head just because they are physically superior.
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I lift and eat healthy because...
1. My wife thinks its sexy
2. I’m 5’10 and weighed 221 lbs. at my heaviest. I now way 175 lbs. and don’t ever want to be a fatty again.
3. Lifting is like sex…if you go all out, work hard, and pay attention to good form, you’re guaranteed to get spectacular results.
4. My new habits have helped ease some of my lingering ticky-tack injuries.
5. My mom, grandma, and both grandpas have had cancer. This is reason enough to eat healthy and workout.
6. I’m 28 and can still dominate my high school and college age cousins in games of pick-up basketball and Thanksgiving Day football.
7. I want to set a good example of healthy living for my son and daughter.
8. Its awesome to be stronger than all of my friends.
9. I feel a greater sense of accomplishment when I do something healthy even on days that I don’t want to.
10. I wanna be like Nate Green! -
Why do I lift weights and eat healthy food?
One simple reason....I ENJOY IT!!!!
To me, my day is not complete without a trip to the gym, and if I can't get there, a workout at home or on the road. Whether it's a hard week or a down week, nothing feels better at the end of the day than feeling like you've given it your all both in life and in the gym. I don't train to look good, although it's a nice addition, I train to perform at my best everyday. My career requires me to be in top shape and to be able to execute on a daily basis, hitting the gym and eating healthy allows me to do this with ease.
Good, healthy food tastes better. Aside from the obvious health benefits, foods that are prepared properly and carry quality nutrients allow you to do much more with them and taste way better with minimal effort. I will admit that I do enjoy a cheeseburger and poutine about once a month, but everyone is allowed to have a bit of a gluttonous side every now and then. -
Wow. This is going to take me a while to read.
Keep 'em coming, and thanks for the stories!
-Nate
PS - I'll announce who won the Humblecock shirt here on this blog and also on my newsletter on Friday. Sign up for it now if you haven't already. -
Hey Nate,
Enjoyed the post!! I must admit I often get weird looks from gym "meatheads" for using the squat rack to actually squat (as opposed to doing bicep curls).
I lift because I like defying the laws of nature. Nature says objects are naturally pulled to the Earth to be "at rest". Every time lifting a heavy barbell off the ground, is like giving Mother Nature a big middle finger! haha.
I eat healthy because it tastes so damn good!!
Keep up the good stuff!! -
Why lift weights? That's simple: to better yourself. Sounds a little like new-age bullshit, but it goes much deeper than that.
Most people who start lifting weights to impress someone give up, or find themselves miserable. It's got to come from within: the fire, the motivation, the drive, the pain. Sure, the extra looks, the social improvements, etc - these are all great things. But the way I see it, they're almost side effects, by-products rather than the end result. I do it for myself.
At the end of the day, your body and mind are all you really have, all that's really yours. Yourself is the only person who's guaranteed to be there when you wake up in the morning. It's work nobody else can do for you, something nobody can spoon-feed you. It's a challenge, a test for no-one but you, a battle against your greatest opponent and a chance to briefly silence your harshest critic. Every hour in the gym is a small victory that brings you closer to something amazing, something that only you can truly quantify and appreciate.
So I lift. -
Attacking the weightroom is more soothing than going to the therapist.
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My training is my escape. Whether pissed or happy, six days a week no matter where I am, there is nothing better then to free my mind with physical exertion.
Arnold once compared the contracting of muscles to cumming or sex. I love Arnold but the two are very different sensations to me. Nothing compares to sex, let's face it.
For me it's not the one burn out set or ultimate contraction, it's the whole training experience of focused intensity, free of everything else in life I can't control, that keeps me committed to lifting weights.
Above everything else, good digestion and feeling clean keep me eating healthy. When I eat crap, I feel like crap. -
I'm not gonna lie, I used to lift because I always wanted to impress people with the way I looked and I never really understood why I would "give up" after a week or 2 until now. I gave up because I wasn't doing it for myself. I was doing it for other reasons except for myself. Now that I've finally realized that I need to do it for myself, it's made going to the gym a lot more enjoyable and I'm getting better results because I'm more determined and focused on what I want to accomplish. I lift because I want to be healthy later on in my life, when I'm out of college and have a family of my own. I don't wanna be that guy that's huffin and puffin when his 5 year old kid has to keep slowing down so you can keep up. I want to be healthy for a long time and you gotta go all out all the time or just go home!
This was a great post Nate. Keep 'em comin! -
I do it because I love it, and because I want to be the best that I can be.
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I work out and eat healthy because I don't want to be held back in any way. Protecting my body from illness and injury saves time, money and stress. Looking good and being fit (that's right, I am not lifting to be bigger) gives the people around me, men and women, one less thing to judge me about, so that we can move on and be productive in other areas of life. In addition, staying fit eliminates one insecurity when approaching a woman I am interested in, increasing the odds I'll be with someone I enjoy being around.
Beyond that, working out is like meditation. It is the only part of my day during which I feel no stress. Regardless of what is happening in the rest of my life, my mind is focused on working out and nothing else. It is the only time I feel I have the ability to focus on one thing for more than five minutes. Not to mention, I thoroughly enjoy it.
The bottom line is that I'd rather live a healthy, energetic and confident twenty-three hour day than a painful, sluggish, insecure twenty-four hour day. -
Hi Nate, another Asian here to add to your list of blog-readers.
well, I really can't pin it down to why exactly I work out. In primary school, it was all about ego. I was really unfit and hopeless. I'd fail the NAPFA test - sone physical fitness test that all Singaporean students have to take - and come in last in the 1.6km run component. I've never been one who was good at sports without trying either. So, my running started then. Surprisingly, I got pretty good at the other components too - sit-ups, pullups, standing broad jumps, shuttle runs and sit-and-reach. I know, sone of the components are just horrible for the body. But there you go, I started working out by running 6 laps around the track every week and doing pushups and situps like mad!
It wasn't until I was 16 that I realized that sure, I could crank out a sub-9min 2.4km time, but I didn't have sports-specific fitness or speed. And horror of horrors, I had a lower-belly pooch! And well, I can't say I enjoyed doing high-intensity running that much (by then, I was already doing 4.8km timed runs in under 22min). I mean, if you don't change your workouts you'd more likely as not be bored to death! Since then, I've been following Craig Ballantyne's TT workouts and other conditioning programmes. They're extremely fun and I've really transformed my body since then!
By nature, I am insecure. But don't worry, I respect your comments about meatheads being small inside. As a matter of fact, I'm small outside as well! I'm the same height as and about a two-thirds of John Romaniello's weight. That's why I've always sought to change my physiological abilities. It's also been to impress others and own the soccer field! However, I've never been one to live in the gym. It's always been 1h tops of intense, no-bs working out (counting the warm-ups and dynamic stretching to cool down) and 4 times a day at most. On Saturdays I really go all-out in recreational (but competitive as hell) soccer. To me, fitness is just an extention of myself and doesn't encompass my life. It's just another goal in my proverbial quest to perfection.
Finally, I'd like to put in a good word for meatheads. I respect them immensely as they're sone of the hardest trainers and you really push yourself when working out with them. I wouldn't say you should follow their training methods, though... -
Absolutely great post! I myself lift for many of the same reasons you explained, but sometimes and especially when i started lifting i thought that is that how one gets a great body? by being an a$$ in the gym and doing nothing else than talking about your body and training. Now i have learned that its not like that. I lift and train because i love it! and if i wabt to do a little boxing every once and awhile i will (its been a passion of mine my whole life). Also the part about the girlfriends parents hit home for me, i have experienced the exact same thing as you and it was fun to find out that other people agree with me in that matter. In conclusion i work out to be healthy and to have a muscular body, and i eat clean and healthy for the same reasons and also because it is what i enjoy, instead of going out and getting wasted (like my friends enjoy doing)
PS: great rant Nate :D
-Jukka- -
Yet again, another fantastic post, Nate. Man, i love reading your stuff. Here is a little something i put together for that shirt!
Why do i lift weights and eat healthy food?
Treating my body like a temple makes me lean,
Building my confidence and self-esteem.
The weights I lift strengthen my core,
and make me look buff when I’m in the raw ;)
Stimulating muscle growth and strengthening the bone,
Cardio and weights help me to tone.
Barbells, dumbbells, pulleys and stacks,
When I’m in the gym I pump it to the max.
Eating healthy gives me the energy I need,
To focus on work and physical activity.
I used to think eating oats was such a dive,
Until I found out it boosts your sex drive!
It’s all too easy to increase my metabolic rate,
When I’m guided by the inspiring Nate.
Here in Australia it is really hot,
And nothing fits better than a Humblecock!
- Corey -
I started cuz I got beat up ALOT in the day. I continue cuz I'm a wanton addict. And I want to be like my ideal hero the great Conan the Barbarian. The diet is so I don't waste all my hard work.
-McGee -
Plus I'm 32 and still get checked out by young twenty somethings. Often females. That kind of ego feeding would not happen if I wasnt 250 lbs
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Hello Nate,
What prompted you to write this? -
I lift and eat the way I do because Im looking for longeviety. What use is life if you cant live it. I wanna get up everyday and be able to do all and any things asked of me. If Im not in physical and mental shape I cant do these things and might miss out on an experience.
Im also a trainer and its a damn sight easier to motivate your clients to eat right and work hard a. If they see you do it, and b. if they can see that it works. -
Good post
i'm also bugged by all this guys who are way bigger than me and laugh at me cause i started and i'm just 150lbs big lol. but i know what i do... so what counts more beeing big or knowing what to do?
well but you look great bro ;)
wishes from germany Björn -
First, awesome post Nate!
Why I train it keeps me going from day to day and keeps me sane. May sound like I am that gym rat and the only thing I do is lift weights. As an athlete I purse training as an art. I find pure enjoyment out of it and its there, won't walk out on you. Like Nate said you can take away everything else and you still have your body/mind/spirit. No one can take it away from you unless they plan on taking your life.
One other reason I train is it keeps me off of drugs, that I otherwise would have to take. I am bi-polar type I. When i dont train emotionally I become a basketcase and have been driven to the point of no return a few times. But thanks to my friends and exercise not specifically training for a sports kept me going.
When I train my body I mak sure to train the mind because a strong body without a mind to direct it is completely worthless. -
I lift weights because I´m so damn good at it! I love that feeling when I can lift more than last time. I love to be red and sweating. But I also lift weights because I want to have more and more muscles and find out what are my limits!
..there are no limits.. -
I work out for a few primary reasons:
1. I have a small ranch, and being able to haul animals/feed/lumber/etc around is useful
2. I like to look better than other computer geeks
3. I feel better physically when I exercise throughout the day, rather than just sitting on my ass constantly
4. I am married to a 6'2" gorgeous viking woman, and she does not want to have a wimpy husband. *grin* -
You gotta ask yourself if its your ego working out or your desire to be healthy. You can see "meatheads" "wearing" their ego in their muscles the same way you see emotionally insecure people wearing their emotional weight on their gut.
I love to workout because I feel healthy too. If I look fit because of it.. too bad for everyone else who wants to judge. -
Working out is just another thing that I do that makes me feel good and do better (mentally and physically). I eat healthy food because although junk food may seem better while eating it, its not good in the body which is why they call it junk food. It's literal junk (almost all useless to the body). My opinion is that it doesn't necessarily matter if you happen to eat unhealthy food sometimes because you just need to go a little bit harder in the gym next time you go, so you can "balance" things out.
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I work out because, when I have sex with a woman, I always wanted to scream out, "Yeah mama, ride the train!". Now I can do it, and it makes sense.
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I liked this entry overall, but I don't see how grunting or weight slamming (if necessary) correlates with intelligence. I think it is great that people like us maybe have a "higher purpose" beyond getting as big as possible, but let's not discount the work ethic, drive, and consistency of a meathead.
What bothers me is that out in the real word people tend to assume muscular guys are stupid. Sure, there are a lot of "bros", but I also know plenty of really intelligent and educated lifters. Once you reach a certainly level of development some people start judging your intelligence, and I just don't think that is right or fair.
Like I said, I always enjoy your posts. I just thought this came across as maybe a little condescending toward people who have different goals than you or who take their bodybuilding endeavors extremely seriously. (BTW, I ain't one of 'em!) I'm sure you were talking about a couple total douchers in particular anyway though. ;) -
I work out...
... so I can be one of the few who doesn't bitch when an escalator is broken.
... because I sit at a desk all day, and it just feels good to sweat.
... because lifting heavy things is fun. Who doesn't want to feel powerful?
... to show my body who's boss; I don't want it to betray me later.
... to flush away the stress caused by my job and the douche bags with whom I work.
... so I won't be disgusted when I look in a mirror. In the right light, I may even be happy.
... because it makes my wife just as happy as I am.
I eat right...
... because junk food tastes like garbage (duh).
... because "real" food is so much more fun to cook.
... because micro brews or good wines just don't pair well with fries.
... so that I won't have to prick my finger every day by the time I'm 50. -
I workout because I want to join the police when I'm out of school.
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Honestly,
the Human body is made to be strong and powerful. its just up to us to reach that potential.
-Chris -
The reasons I work out have changed over the last 5 months. Before November I hadn't been in a gym in 10-12 years, and I had never taken it seriously when I did. Something changed in this last year. Perhaps it was a midlife crisis ( I'm 45) , I don't know. I became very focused on how unhappy I was with my entire life. My body was a disaster and my emotional life was filled with fear and avoidance. My first couple of months were filled with shame fueled motivation. By the way, if nothing else will get you to the gym, a painful image of yourself from the past will do the trick. As i started to get results , the shame became less of a motivation, I felt less like punishing myself. Positive regard and some self esteem started to creep slowly into my life. I've been really into a lot of motivational stuff as well , that was definatly giving me a clear direction.
Around the 4 month mark I started seeing a different guy in the mirror. not as much of a gut, more muscular arms and shoulders, generally just leaner and healthier looking. My energy and endurance ,for things like stairways, was through the roof. All of this was giving me the fortitude to face some of the difficult emotional issues I was unable to face in the past. My previous motivation was more difficult to conjure up when I needed it. I needed something else. I was , and still am, afraid of losing motivation and stopping.
So, I have had to try and focus on the future, the way I want to look and feel. This is very difficult for me. Thinking of myself as worthy or deserving hasn't been in my emotional pallet for a long time, perhaps it never has. Without the security of my problems to rely on, life just became a lot less comfortable, but, a lot more exciting and filled with possibilities.
Now I work out because physicality has opened me up emotionally , and I want more of that . -
It's challenging, which makes it fun. Everyday I make it to the gym and eat clean is an achievment, and doing that every day seven days a week leads up to a lot of success. Feels good.
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Look it, we all train to look appealing, but we also train for the underlying reasons of health and longevity. In my case, I am a type 1 diabetic. If I didn't train 5-6 x per week my blood glucose levels would be higher and my insulin dependence would be higher. That's not good. The lower I can keep my sugars, the healthier I am, the prettier I am and the longer I live.....
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Yes, that pic is me... at age 43! (and an insulin-dependent diabetic ta boot!)
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Why do I work out and eat healthy? I could name a million reason why I work out and eat healty, guess it really depends how I’m feeling that day, but at the end of the day if I had to narrow it down, I could narrow it down to 5 core reasons, reasons that motivate me and stick with me more than just for a day here or there. So here they are:
1. I’m not going to watch my son and daughter from the sidelines. They are only 7 & 9 and I enjoy playing with them outside, riding bikes, and chasing them at the park. Who knows what they will choose to do when they are older, but whatever it is, I will be physically and mentally involved.
2. I want to be an inspiration to my Son & Daughter at an early age. Want them growing up knowing that eating healthy and fitness is important and a “Normal” daily thing.
3. Ladies don’t like men with skinny “chicken” legs…Especially my wife.
4. Love looking good naked and the confidence it gives me.
5. Working out is something that I can do with my wife, brings us closer, and makes sex so much better! -
I train because because the iron doesnt change. Its always there. It doesnt bitch and moan at me. It doesnt care if i stink of alcohol or stink of sweat, its just there. I can lift it,throw it, swing it, carry it, it doesnt give a shit. The weather can be shit, my day can be shit, but its always there, ready to be used and abused.
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Simply put, weights and a healthy diet give you a greater capacity to enjoy life. They create the Michael Jordan effect - making everything else around them better. Sleep is of better quality; going to the beach and taking off your shirt is a proud (instead of embarassing) experience; you feel better playing sports with your friends; nights out at the club bring you more looks and attention; you perform better in bed; you get more respect in even the most menial of interactions; hell, even going to the bathroom is more enjoyable as a healthy diet and exercise makes for a more routine, consistent bowel movement. It isn't just the immediate effects of the weights and diet, it is how they amplify everything else.
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I'm a lazy guy and a lot of the time, I shy away from doing hard things because it's fun. Weight lifting (powerlifting, strongman and olympic lifting- not bodybuilding) is fun, even though it's hard work. For many others, it might not be that fun, but for me, it is fun. You make progress rather quickly, you feel strong and powerful not to mention the benefit of looking good.
Bottom line: It's fun and thats why I do it. -
For me, keeping my body in a good shape shows to others exactly the kind of person I am inside: healthy, energetic, beautiful.
It shows each day the effort I am doing towards improving myself as a human being; as I train my mental abilities and improve my judgment, the same way I am training my body and improve my looks; as I get information and use it as food for my brain, the same way I eat healthy food and use it for staying fit and healthy on the outside.
My body is the reflection of my mind& soul. I like myself more since I started gym & diet and it seems that the persons around me like me more also.
Win-win situation, not to mention the positive vibes I get after workout and looking at myself in the mirror.
PS I am a woman, so be mild on my vanity excess :P -
Great article! I never wanted to exercise but I found my motivator...it's my wedding! I have one year to get into the best shape of my life! I'm gonna do it for the one I love! I like to use P28 Bread as a post-workout snack. It's a high protein bread that builds lean muscle while burning fat.
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I hope I'm not repeating what anyone has already said, but there's something I've realized from watching people in all walks of life. It's that anyone can perform nearly any necessary task when everything is going according to plan. It's when the plan has failed, when your fail-safes fall through and everyone else is panicking that you need to bring in someone who is truly capable. In life, in regards to fitness, this can (and often is) a life or death scenario. Just about everyone can perform the everyday tasks: get out of bed, walk outside, drive to work, sit at desk, drive home, go to bed, repeat. But when the fit hits the shan, it's only those that have been preparing themselves (through working out and eating right) that can rise to the challenge.
I will never forget the day I realized this. I was 15 years old and my brother and I were down at the dock just hanging out. The wind-speed was too high and the waves were too rough to take a boat out but some guy had tried and now he was trying to tie up to the floating dock with the waves throwing him back and forth. It was my brother who jumped up, ran over and stood on the dock so he could steady the guy's boat AND get it tied up. My brother was in top shape, fresh out of the Navy, and I was a rolly-polly, video game addicted, teenager. He was the only one, out of three or four dozen people at the dock, that was able to really help this guy when he really needed it. None of us would have to able to steady the boat, much less steady it while tying it to the dock. But he could do it, because he was ready.
The next day I went with my brother to the gym. It's been over five years since then and I might never be in another situation like that for the rest of my life. But if I am, I don't want to be the one on the sideline wishing I could help. I want to be ready. -
1. In the immortal words of Kevin Spacey's character in American Beauty: "I want to look good naked."
2. The discipline required to eat right way more oft than not and get to the gym on a consistent basis has positive effects on other areas of my life. Case in point: I'm currently preparing for the CPA exam and some days I flat out don't feel like hitting the books. On those days, it's pretty easy to get my nose to the grindstone by reminding myself that if I can get myself to go to the gym and lift heavy stuff over and over for an hour that I can certainly make myself sit down and study hard for at least a couple of hours. -
I am a former hockey player. The reason I am a "former" hockey player is because I got tired of others deciding if I am good enough or not. I got tired of a coaches deciding whether I was good enough or not. Tired of teammates having a role in my own success.
I started working out to become I better hockey player.
Now I am working out for the challenge.
No coach, teammate, gm or anyone else can say 200kg isn't 200kg. You can either squat it or you can't.
The same goes for my other interest, martial arts.
You either win or you lose. No other definition of what is good or bad except for wins and losses.
Ever since I started weighttraining, it has given me some kind of clarity when everything else might be insecure.
Great post btw,
Anton -
NOTE: After over 100 comments (all of which I read), I'm awarding the free shirt to Rowdy Ballengee. Thanks everyone for your comments!
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Congrats Rowdy. Enjoyed reading your post and you're right: When life takes a turn for the worse, ya best be prepared.
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The thing that got me was the quantifiable results that come with CrossFit paired with the competition, paired with the comrodery. Check it out, the guys from my gym let me tag along to the CrossFit games (Washington sectionals)
http://vimeo.com/10106140 -
Awesome article!!!!!
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I can appreciate the article. I like a guy who is comfortable with his body, yet not arrogant about it.
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Thanks David, it was one of the many lessons my big bro instilled in me.
Also, the shirt just came in today. I don't want to come across like an advertisement or anything, but oh-my-God this shirt is awesome. Fits great, feels amazing and looks badass. If anyone is looking for some new clothes, I can now highly recommend Humblecock. I can't say for certain what the other shirts feel/fit like, but the Acid Wash t-shirt is excellent. Thanks for the hookup Nate! -
I started lifting because of poor choices I had been making at a young age. I was running around with a rough and, frankly, idiotic group of people. After getting myself in a bit of trouble, I needed something constructive to take up my time, so I started hanging out with a different group and going to the weight room at school with them.
I fell in love with it, started playing football at the urgings of the coaches who ran the gym and also started competing in powerlifting.
After football was over for me, lifting had already became a part of my identity. I liked being bigger and stronger. I like to compete and push myself. I know that no matter what, as long as I work hard and don't quit, I will continue to be just a little bit better today than I was yesterday.
A lot of people don't get it. They wonder why I push myself to the point of vomiting, put up with the bruising and pain that comes with equipped powerlifting, and why I pass on going out drinking and getting rowdy. I love what I do and what I have become. It may seem stupid but the mental toughness I have gained from the dedication of training carries over to the rest of my life. Training isn't just a chore to me, it's a part of life, one that I look forward to each week. -
I started working out after I went to the doctors office and he told me that I was borderline diabetic. I then took control of my life like I never have before. Gone was me blaming everyone else about my being over weight.
I started working out and lost over 80 pounds and have kept the weigh off ever since. I will NEVER be overweight again! Now I help other do the same thing. -
Why do I lift weights and eat healthy food?
Simply to live forever. -
Why do I lift weights and eat healthy food?
Simply to live forever. -
I still love this! I find myself coming back to this blog over and over again, wishing I was author who's mind created this! Bravo, Nate! Keep up the great work.
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I work out because I look at the people around me and am personally offended and disgusted by what I see. Middle aged saps with sagging tits and a prolapsed stomach extenuated by a tucked in shirt. The wives cut their hair short and wear horrible clothes. Their vitality is gone and their clothes worn in an effort to hide their deflated and malformed bodies. Its their thyroid, its their diabetes, its their whatever. Well FUCK it. I will not be a statistic. I will not be "content" . I have cancer and diabetes on both sides of the family and that trend ends with me. My father is overweight with a medley of health conditions. The sins of the father will not fall on the son. I workout because MY YOUTH WILL NEVER DIE.
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@Seneca Gates: Awesome attitude to have! Especially about the cancer and diabetes. Best attitude you could have for anything, not just working out.
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Thanks JR. Believe it or not I feel very out of place in this world with an approach like this. Nate hit it on the head in his rant when he said the word "control". I felt relieved to actually have someone say what I have been feeling and thinking all this time.
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Nate I really like your honesty! Which is rare these days. I'm also the same type of person, hate hate those braggers that think they can out do you. As long as you are having fun it shouldn't even matter.
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Their are a ton of reasons that I workout and personally I do find it annoying that I am lumped into the typical meathead crowd. Of course vanity is a nice side-effect but I never considered it the main reason I work out. The reason I work out is the same reason, I compete in submission grappling; it's something I am passionate about. Throughout life we have a million of thoughts buzzing around in our heads but in the gym we can live totally in the moment; the only thing that matters is ourselves and the weight in front of us. All extraneous thoughts are eliminated when going into a workout because you can only focus on one thing and then you are able to experience "flow"; as many leisure psychologists have termed it. The mental benefits are outstanding and they improve life outside of the gym exponentially as well. Henry Rollins states in Iron and the Soul "Yukio Mishima said that he could not entertain the idea of romance if he was not strong. Romance is such a strong and overwhelming passion, a weakened body cannot sustain it for long." I definitely believe Mishima made some excellent points in his Sun and Steel book; in which he connects bodybuilding/martial arts to his mental being. If you are doing something you are truly passionate about, your happiness can only improve.
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I came across your blog today, and really enjoy the way you talk about being fit and having a whole life. As a female, I feel like the consistant message directed towards me has been to eat less and do more cardio. I have been restricting my food intake for almost my entire life and have screwed up my metabolism in the process. It wasn't until a couple of months ago that I decided it was all crap, and invested in a personal trainer. Originally, my goal was to begin strength training so that I could eat three small meals a day and not ridiculously retain everything. I have reached that goal, and I feel GOOD for the first time in a long time. Strength training to me is freedom to live without being prone to sickness, constant headaches, and deteriorating muscle mass. It sounds simple, but it took me a long time to figure it out. Now, the new puzzle to tackle is eating protein more often, while keeping up with being a professor of art and painter :)
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What If I tell people I work out as a way to brag about my healthy life style. I love working out. I dont do it to look good even though I look better than most people and get compliments. I do it to feel good and feel invincible. I feel so much different and so much younger. i even improved my diet over the years. It's a good way to relieves stress and a way to escape reality.
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I can appreciate a guy who isn't arrogant about the way they look even though they are sexy. I think when guys try to show their 'stuff' it just gets annoying.
-Laura
PS. I really enjoy your site! -
I workout because I want to feel good. Aside from that it builds up my confidence. Healthy lifestyle and clean living is all that matters.
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I've been working out since I've been 14 years old and playing high school football. Though I've gone through my times were I've been in great shape and times where I've been in "alright" shape since then, it has always been a part of my life. I know one thing, whenever I've been in great shape, has been the times when my life has been in the most in line and when I've been at my best. Stereotypes are for those who jealous and ignorant. A man who is truly educated(in life) and has true value has no time for them and doesn't allow himself to be belittled by them.
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Amen brother....find your direction and don't follow the too many morons out there
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This is a good rant.
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Well, at 126 am, I'm jumping on your boat. After eating two slices of cream pie today, some m&ms, cheese puffs, texas toast, and a crab cake today, I have had enough. Throw me a line please, I'm getting on board.
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Well, I workout so that I can be alble to play with my boys and run around with them. I also want to be around a long time to see my boys grow up to be great man and mybe have a family of their own one day.
Love your articel Nate. See ya. -
Nate, terrific thoughts. I lift to get stronger. I enjoy the aesthetics, but I also enjoy the increased energy, ability and self-esteem. I enjoy the decreased sickness, injury and fatigue. I lift because I like who I am and the way I feel better when I lift compared to the me who doesn't lift.
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Everything in this world is a stereotype. Unhealthy stereotype the healthy, the healthy stereotype the Unhealthy. It isn't anyone's fault if the neural connections in someone's brain happen to not be as abundant in comparison to a dweeby scientists brain.
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I want to say very thank you for this great information.
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there is no better feeling than to feel your body after intense workout. amazing!
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John Gunn 3:31pm Mar 7, 2010