So I went to workout in a gym I used to belong to in the 8th grade, since I’m back in Wisconsin and can’t help but reminisce. My friend and I would lift weights before wading around the indoor pool and taking turns on the water slide, going down sideways and getting stuck somewhere in the middle to see if we could freak the lifeguard out. I was the tubby one, so I’d go in with my shirt on. Always. Before I moved, that was my last memory of going to that gym.
It’s been over a decade since I went into that pool with my shirt on and yesterday me and Christine took the kids. This time the story has changed. I’m not overweight. My abs are pronounced and people were looking at them. My chest rounded and rock hard. One kid – didn’t catch his name – said I looked like Superman, if I were handsomer. I think he meant if he were handsomer. Kids are always getting things switched around.
Either way I felt good about myself. Not because of the attention I was getting but because of the effort I’ve put in. This was one of those times I could compare “then and now”, and I’ve come a long ways – I could see that.
There’s never any shortage of talk on how looks don’t matter, how they’re not important, and I get it. It’s our soul that counts, right? That thing that floats around. Yes, it’s true: you shouldn’t pick who you love/marry/feel-up-on-carnival-rides based on body shape alone. Because at some point that ride is going to end and you just aren’t going to want to talk about Game of Thrones (no offense) or how their cousin did a bunch of drugs with Bruce Campbell at that one random party in St. Petersburg, because you don’t care about smoking weed, never really have, and think Bruce Campbell is B-list for a reason.
Look, Evil Dead is fine, but it’s not my favorite movie.
The real worth, I think, in achieving your dream physique is not having abs. It’s the work it takes to get them. Nothing good comes easy.
I remember when I saw my first ab popping through, after years of being overweight and poked fun of, just budding up through that last thin layer of adipose, like a turnip. Nowadays, I do not care a whole lot (I still care some) about taking my shirt off around other people. I’m married, content and don’t need anyone’s approval – except Christine’s. But I will not get hers – I will not get hers ever, I don’t think.
But reaching my goals showed me more was possible. It changed my mindset. That’s important! I didn’t make a new mindset one day meditating; I simply slogged through with my old, sucky one for a while. It wasn’t until I started reeling in wins that I gained confidence and began to believe I was worth investing in. Before that I was faking it, pretending. I was a hack.
Now I am not discounting how good it feels when other people admire your body and what you can do physically – that is a real thing. Don’t let anyone make that seem small or light to you. When you work hard and earn something you have every right to relish in that reward.
But when I talk about getting a six pack or a flat stomach or your first pull up or pressing half your bodyweight – know there is at least some ((deeper)) meaning to it. I believe these accomplishments will make you a better, happier person not for what you gain, but for what you give up. Having abs won’t change your life. But having the discipline to get them will.
– Pat
Pocket Sized Workouts
Pocket Sized Workouts is like having a personal trainer in your inbox. Weekly, time-crunched kettlebell workouts sent every Tuesday, made freshly by me (Pat!). Plus, a 7-day rapid fat loss guide, to give you a swift kick in the rear. And also abs.
Christine says
Your approval rating would go way up if you did the dishes. Just sayin’. Isn’t Bruce Campbell D-List?
Baker says
I was with you until you dissed Bruce Campbell. Pump your brakes, kid. That man is a NATIONAL TREASURE.
Pat Flynn says
LOL – I may have been a little harsh. I’ll have to watch Army of Darkness again, just to be sure.
Baker says
Watch Bubba Hotep. Bruce plays a geriatric Elvis, who is trying to save his nursing home from a Mummy. It is as amazing as it sounds.
LP says
Hi Pat,
I’ve been following your posts for awhile.
A year ago I was doing some double workouts with 16kg and single swings with 20 kgs.
I am 56, female
Anyway in June 2016 (last month,) I was diagnosed with Disseminated Lyme’s (went through my bloodstream, had a bunch of rather large irregularly shaped rash patches, etc.)
Spent 4 delirious days in bed with high fever, chills, sweats, horrendous constant headache.
Didn’t eat.
Had blood work…. full blown Lyme’s + other tick borne bacterium.
Did 21 days of doxycycline.
Okay now for the quickie question.
My energy level sucks.
There’s no way I can even do 12 kg.
I now have two 10 kg bells, which I’ve not used yet.
Do you have any suggestion as to a “recovery” workout?
Something for weak kittens who wanna be cougars?
I don’t mean the preying older woman cougar.
I’m referring to the strength of a wild animal.
Thank you for reading this, if you did.
And thank you for responding, if you do.
All the best!
Pat Flynn says
For recovery, I love:
1. Unweighted get ups – 3-5 minutes, just focusing on movement mastery
2. Crawling – usually bear crawls (butt high), forward, backward, side to side.
3. Jump Ropes and Dead Hangs (from a pull up bar) – these seem to energize (re-energize?) the system. For me, a few sets of jump ropes and just “hanging out” will either wake me up or it won’t. It’s a sort of litmus test for me on days I’m not sure whether or not to push myself.
4. Stretching – Bbv. No idea why people started hating on this. Stretching works.
5. Finally – Brisk walking with deep breathing. The ultimate recharge.
Remember – when the body is worn down intense exercise isn’t what it needs. And especially as we age the less is more motto rings even more true. Most people 50+ can do spectacularly well with just 1-3 heavy lifts a week, 1-2 “metabolic work outs” (think Pocket Sized Workouts) and the rest of the time just the gentle stuff (walking, gardening, swimming, stretching, etc).
Is this helpful at all? And does it make sense?
Pat Flynn says
It does. And I find myself in a similar qualm from time to time.
I feel it’s important to cycle between phases of “highly motivated” and “in maintenance.” It’s hard to always have some goal with striving for in the gym – there’s only so much you can do.
A few things that have helped. First, taking up some form of other physical activity aside weight lifting – like a martial art or rock climbing. What you’ll find is not only will that consume your interest, but give you a more compelling and often specific reason to hit the gym.
Second, finding some event worth training for, whether a powerlifting meet or strength challenge or whatever. Having a deadline and a competition ahead of you will make you want to hit it hard.
Third, find a coach. When all else fails, having some overbearing, nagging, motivational drill sergeant does help.
And this might not be entirely relevant to everybody, but for me just remembering that I’m the guy who has to lead from the front. I never want to be the guy talking about being strong, who is weak, about having abs, but is covered in fat. This doesn’t mean you have to be some online fitness celeb. Even if you have kids this is something that can compel you. The idea of being a role model to my two children has really driven up my levels of motivation as of late.
Strong ON!
frank michel says
LP,
Been there myself with a bad run in with Lyme (co-infections too), had all of the above and more, for months. I have also met and worked with Pat using individual programs (with great results) and current online ones.
He is spot on that during and post lyme, the body is in recovery yet also needs activity and exercise. It is a challenging balance to achieve but you need to listen to your body and health. I really does make you feeI better (there are some specific reasons too). I started with walking, bodyweight and TRX circuits, then lighter k-bells.
On the issue of the lyme, please make sure you use (even is only 2nd opinion) a Dr that is familiar with Lyme and it’s co-infections. Maybe info you already know but different drugs attacked its different forms, co-infections respond to different ones too.
Pat, if you sees this, you can figure who I am (Malvern) and if you wish feel free to pass along my contact info to LP.
Mike says
As I approach 50 years old, I was kicking around a two day a week strength approach that would include {Squat, Upper body push, Upper body pull} on one day on the second day. A couple of times a week I would do metabolic/cardio type stuff like KB complex, running or hiking with rucksack. In your comment about folks my age doing well with 1-3 heavy lifts a week, do you mean 1-3 lifts done together in a workout multiple times per week, or something like I was proposing where Squat and Deadlift would be “heavy” and thus I would be doing 2 heavy lifts a week, which would fit with your suggestion?
Mike says
That should be {Deadlift, Upper body push, Upper body pull} on the second day.
Pat Flynn says
Hey Mike,
I mean what you said – 1-3 lifts as in “lifting sessions” (multiple lifts and body parts). Your plan seems very reasonable.
Tom Strong says
Perhaps you should send this post to Bruce Campbell. Maybe it will inspire him to get abs. Maybe he’ll even get off the B-list.
Pat Flynn says
Ha! Anyone got his email?
Mike says
Pat, I noticed recently I have no goal and have been more or less “working out”. Which is fine and is working fine, but I feel like I want some thing outside of strength goals and 6 packs..and it’s not just because I’m strong and have a 6 pack… mentally I need to train.. but I still wish I could continue my ways and still feel satisfaction..like I did just meet my goal..make sense? I didn’t think so.
Thanks
Mike
Pat Flynn says
It does. And I find myself in a similar qualm from time to time.
I feel it’s important to cycle between phases of “highly motivated” and “in maintenance.” It’s hard to always have some goal with striving for in the gym – there’s only so much you can do.
A few things that have helped. First, taking up some form of other physical activity aside weight lifting – like a martial art or rock climbing. What you’ll find is not only will that consume your interest, but give you a more compelling and often specific reason to hit the gym.
Second, finding some event worth training for, whether a powerlifting meet or strength challenge or whatever. Having a deadline and a competition ahead of you will make you want to hit it hard.
Third, find a coach. When all else fails, having some overbearing, nagging, motivational drill sergeant does help.
And this might not be entirely relevant to everybody, but for me just remembering that I’m the guy who has to lead from the front. I never want to be the guy talking about being strong, who is weak, about having abs, but is covered in fat. This doesn’t mean you have to be some online fitness celeb. Even if you have kids this is something that can compel you. The idea of being a role model to my two children has really driven up my levels of motivation as of late.
Strong ON!