Never Settle For Less

Earlier today I googled "Top 10 Reasons to Workout".  To my not so pleasant surprise I found 140,000,000 records.  I poked around in a few of the articles trying to decide if I should add my own unique twist to this over saturated market.  After close examination I decided that it just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t throw my hat into the ring.  I’m not afraid of 140,000,000 records!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy my 10 More (Top) Reasons to Work Out.

1 - Peep Show

I worked out for a full year and a half at a corporate gym.  Then one day I decided to take things to the next level and join a more advanced fitness club.  My eyes thanked me immediately!  I’d been missing out on some of the best looking, most attractive, motivating female specimens around.

Since I’m all about taking the opportunity to improve myself I decided to improve my sneak-a-peek skills.  Initially, it was awkward so I only used my long range sneak-a-peek vision.  After a while my courage grew and I was staring at people within arms reach.  I’d gotten to the point where I could deadlift, sneak-a-peek, and turn away without being noticed.

I think Batman would be proud.

There have been plenty of times when the sneak-a-peek has gotten me through the workout when nothing else could.

2 - Sense of Accomplishment

A successful workouts provides a unrivaled sense of accomplishment.  The ability to concretely measure the beginning, middle, and end is a huge psychological plus.  There is a sense of gratification from improving your benchpress 35%, beating a personal best in a mile run, or trimming off 20 lbs. Few things can beat the high of knowing you’ve toppled a personal goal.

3 - Vanity Fair

We all like to look at ourselves in the mirror (some of us more than other’s).  Most people may not willingly admit it but that doesn’t make it any less true.  The gym is one of the few places where you may not feel like a self-righteous, narcissistic, pompous, vain, conceited, and egotistical jerk for marveling at the perfection you’ve created for 4 or 5 minutes straight.  Just don’t try it at home.

4 - You can throw things

Ever wanted to throw something at school, home, or in the office but you knew you couldn’t?

In the gym you can pretty much throw whatever you want and call it exercise!  There’s usually a benefit or 2 as well (strength, endurance, etc).  So instead of tossing your lamp, computer, desk, or something else you’d eventually have to replace try this.  Go to the gym, pick up a medicine ball, and toss it around.  At least if you break something you won’t have to pay for it.  That’s what the dues are for.

5 - Meet Very Interesting People There

The gym is a place where interesting people come and congregate in mass.  In my time I’ve run into some interesting people indeed.

1. Man working out in a trash bag
2. Fitness Models
3. Male dancer (who offered me a job in the same line of work)
4. Immigration Lawyer
5. A woman who would eventually stalk me
6. A man who would eventually stalk me

I had to stop the list there because I was starting to get bad memories, but I’m sure you get the picture.  There are some interesting characters in the gym.

6 - Prepares you for life

I sincerely believe that working out prepares you for life.   The experience is so tangible and in your face.  Working out a consistent basis gives you the opportunity to create goals, suffer through pitfalls, pick yourself up, and eventually excel at what you’re doing.

The last time I checked life was about creating goals, suffering through the pitfalls, and learning to dust yourself off and keep going. The gym wraps that up in a neat little package, seals it for you, and delivers it to your doorstep for about $30 a month.

You can’t beat that with a 10 foot pole.

7 - Establishes discipline

Ever felt like you lacked the discipline to get things done?

Ever wished you could involve yourself in something that would help you establish unquestionable discipline?

Setting a workout schedule and sticking to it is the perfect way to establish discipline.  After you establish discipline in the gym you can then carry over to the rest of your life and improve tenfold.

I bet the gym is looking better and better by the moment .

8 - Respect

People seem to naturally respect those that work out.  Some people pay homage through jealousy while others are more positive and upbeat.  The ways in which people pay their respect doesn’t really matter.  I smile just as hard when I’m called a “juicer” as when I get a normal compliment.  To me it all sounds like “you’re doing a wonderful job taking care of yourself”.
Working out, developing a muscular body, and pushing yourself beyond societal biases and norms is definitely abnormal.  People naturally respect that behavior.  Deep down inside they probably wish they could do it to.

9 - Eventually you’ll have to beat them off with a stick

Common sense (and some studies) have shown that people are attracted to muscles.  Big surprise!!  As a society we’ve made it painfully clear that having more muscle and less fat is a good thing.  I’ve definitely seen a noticeable increase in female interest since I’ve made the transition over to be being “buff”.   It’s a simple fact of life that those who are more physically appealing have a better chance with the opposite sex.  While it may not be “fair” its definitely true.

If you get to the really elite level you’ll be beating them off with a stick Fabio style.

10 - It’s Good For You

‘Nuff said.

Conclusion

Am I doing a good job?

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 5:28 pm and is filed under Training, Motivation, Humor, Personal Development, Change, Success, Beliefs, Weight Loss. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.