Who defines a better you? That’s right – you define what makes a better you. Too often we get caught up in all the hype about what it means to workout, be healthy and exercise. We’re told day in and day out that we’re too fat as a country. We’re too fat individually. We’re too lazy. We’re too something else – but it’s really not up to all these experts – it’s not up to your neighbors and it’s not up to your family and it’s certainly not up to the jock down the street – building a better you is about you.
Why Should I Work Out?
Over the years, I’ve talked to lots of people – some were fit and some weren’t. Some worked out on a daily basis and others didn’t. Each person has their own threshold for personal satisfaction and self-worth. Each person defines who they are based on how they feel and what they want to do with their lives. It’s not up to the experts to tell you how you should feel, it’s up to you.
All the recommendations in the world will not get you to hit the gym, build your own home gym or just head outside for a long walk in the morning to watch the sun come up unless it’s what you want to do. Too often we let ourselves get dictated to — we get told how we should feel. We listen to the viewpoints of others and when we respect those people or they inspire us or terrify us – we feel the way they told us we should feel.
Do you really feel that way?
Why do I work out? Why do I strive to meet my fitness goals even when I slip and skip my workout for days at a time? Because I like who I am when I do it. That’s the simplest, most straightforward answer I can give you. I feel better about being me.
Working out isn’t about losing weight to me anymore. It’s certainly not about looking like I did when I was younger. That person in the pictures is who I was – not who I will be and it’s certainly not who I am. I’ve changed, I’ve grown and I’ve matured. I don’t dress for other people. I don’t choose my activities for other people. I do what gives me personal satisfaction.
Writing ehere every day, sharing my experiences, my research and even just my silly tales gives me a personal sense of satisfaction and it inspires me to reach harder, further and longer in order to achieve my goals. But when I am happy with what I am doing, when my levels of personal satisfaction increase – it’s good for all the people around me – for those who love me and those I love.
How to Build a Better You
Be honest with yourself, what makes you happy? Where do you want to be? How do you want to get there? Too often we forget that we take joy in seeing others be happy and we forget that we can be happy with ourselves too – you will get more from any fitness program you choose if you are happy with it and with yourself.
So tell me, what makes you happy?