Fit for Life: You’re Gonna Die, So What’s Your Why?

Fit for Life: You’re Gonna Die, So What’s Your Why?

Many years ago, when I was working construction, a guy saw me eating some grilled chicken, pasta, and vegetables during our lunch break. Between bites of his catering truck, grease-laden steak and cheese sub, he asked in a demeaning way “Why are you torturing yourself eating that healthy shit? You’re gonna die anyway, so why not enjoy yourself.” That was over 30 years ago, and for some reason, I still remember his comments.

Back then, I was just starting my fitness journey and trying to bulk up and gain weight on my skinny 185lb frame. I didn’t know or care about gluten, processed food, or dairy products, I was just trying to get big by eating as much healthy food (or what I thought was healthy back then) as possible.

My “why” was also very different back then too. I was a meathead that just wanted to be big so I could impress my bro’s in the gym, and smash people that got in my way in nightclubs. (I was a bouncer for years). So, when I answered his question, I said “I want to be big and powerful, and not have a gut when I get older.”

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Mission accomplished!!

 

In my early years, I tipped the scales at a fairly lean 250lbs, and benched over 400lbs. (Yes, some help from steroids made that possible). So, at 6’3 / 250lbs, I was a pretty big presence when I walked into a room, and that became my “why” for getting to the gym and eating with some restrictions.

 

I wanted to be big, impressive and intimidating, and thought that was a great reason to devote hours in the gym and spend mass amounts of money on food and “supplements”.

 

Fast forward 30 years today, and at age 53, I still don’t have a gut and weigh in at a much leaner 204lbs.

I eat much cleaner than I did back then, and I train much differently too. (I am also much smarter now than in my 20’s)

I still workout 6x weekly, but more multi-dimensional, and less emphasis on how heavy I can lift.

I need to be able to function on a different level, and I have different goals.

 

My why is also much different too.

 

I was reading an article the other day, and it stressed that when you set a goal for yourself, you need to have a why, or your goal will never be accomplished. Then the article went a step further and implied that when you determine your why, continue to ask “why” 5 more times. Then at the end of this self-interrogation, you will have a much clearer answer as to why you want to achieve that goal, and it will become more meaningful.

 

Here is my example of my current why…… Goal / want / desire / etc :

 

⁃ Why do I workout and watch what I eat 90% of the time?

 

I want to be in great shape, both physically and mentally as I age, and want to defy the odds, and NOT become a statistic.

 

⁃ Why?

 

Because being healthy and fit on all levels is better than the alternative of feeling like crap, in pain, tired, and lethargic all the time. When you are fit and healthy, the law of averages will prevent you from being sick and out of shape and help prevent future pain.

 

⁃ Why?

 

Since I don’t have kids, I want to set an example for my nephew and be there for him as he gets older. When we were in cub scouts, it was a good feeling being fit enough to run around and play with the kids, as opposed to sitting on the sidelines and watching.

 

Like everything else worthwhile, you need to work at it and be consistent on a daily basis. It needs to be a lifestyle and not a pastime or something you focus on once in a while. You need to be all in, and not just follow a routine “sometimes.”

 

⁃ Why?

 

I want to live a vital life and when it’s my time, I want to die without burdening other people to take care of me. I also don’t want to become a product of the healthcare system where I am in and out of the hospital or care facilities, because I neglected my health when I could have prevented many of what conditions and ailments that negatively affect us.

 

⁃ Why?

 

I want to not only be at my best, but I want to prove & set the example for everyone, that you can stay fit beyond your years, regardless of how old you are. It feels much better being in this position, and if I don’t work at it, I will face a lifelong bout of being on medications and in the hospital when I’m older.

 

I visit my grandmother in an assisted living, and have been in doctors’ offices & hospitals and it is a depressing and emotionally draining environment that I don’t want to be in.

 

That’s my why 5x.

 

I am not doing what I do to lose weight, be a big muscle head, or to set personal records for weight lifted. I do what I do to look great (yes, vanity is a why), but more importantly to be better than average, and avoid the misery that “could” come with aging badly.

 

It’s common sense that if we take care of ourselves now, we will be better off later.

 

I also want to be credible to my clients and audience by practicing what I preach and solving other people’s health problems by leading by example.

 

Why not choose to be better? Who wants to live a life of misery and sickness when it can be avoided?

 

I would like your input on this, so if you would, take 10 minutes and write down a goal you may have.

Any goal. It doesn’t need to be fitness-related.

 

Then ask why 5x and see if your goal becomes not only clearer, but more meaningful.

When your goals have more meaning, you will work harder to achieve them.

 

Respond to this email or hit me up directly at [email protected] as I would love to see your answers.

 

Committed to your success,

Matt