Fitness: Be SELFISH

Hello! If you are reading this, it means that you've found my tiny corner of the internet where I write about my experiences in fitness and especially my experiences with fitness whilst being a teacher. Many people are familiar with the daily grind of being a professional, but not many people are familiar with the daily grind of being a professional in a field where your energy is so committed to OTHERS. The world is full of selfless people doing amazing jobs that require service to others, teaching is just one of many. However, my objective is to speak from the experience of a teacher. I can speak from the experience of dedicating all of your energy to creating a meaningful experience for others, in my case it happens to be a meaningful learning experience for kids that take my World History class!

All of that is to say this: if you are on a fitness journey now, or looking to begin your journey to becoming more physically fit, there's one thing that I want you to know...IT'S OKAY TO BE SELFISH! Physical fitness is a selfish endeavor. I think MANY people (especially teachers and the like) struggle with this one essential principle: putting THEMSELVES before EVERYONE ELSE! There's something very selfish about physical fitness. If you're the type of person that likes to think of others first; or your job literally requires you to focus on the needs of others as much as teaching, nursing, care-giving, etc. does; this might be the biggest hurdle you're facing.

DON'T BE MISTAKEN. It's not so obvious. It's not something that I noticed right away. Earlier in life, before all of the responsibilities of becoming a husband, father, teacher, and coach; I thought nothing of going to the gym for an hour to two hours EVERY DAY. I LIVED in a self-centered world. I thought nothing of the selfishness. It's a tough endeavor to be fit...a noble cause...not one many people are quick to take up. We mostly think that things we do out of selfishness for ourselves are pleasant in nature and just tons of fun! Fitness can be neither of those at times. Regardless of who you are, sometimes its just good'ole fashioned hard work creating the best possible version of yourself. This hurdle presents itself in small ways throughout the course of the day. For example, I now lift during one of my two planning periods. It is really hard to force myself to do that. It's really hard to tell myself: "no, I'm going to take care of ME for the next 45 minutes". Instead of sitting at my desk and doing things for my students and/or my classroom, I go to the weight room and get after it! Again, it was really hard to do that! I have to force myself to put ME before my classroom or my next lesson! That's just one small way I have to be selfish on a daily basis!

If you're a stay-at-home-mom, respect! My Mom was too! But take some time today to think of yourself and commit to doing something for 30-45 minutes that will make you more physically fit! Go walk! Go run! Drop down in the floor and do 10 sets of 10 push-ups over the course of 30-45 minutes! You have to be selfish. Don't lie to yourself. Yes, the kids need whatever for their project at school tomorrow...IT CAN WAIT.

I shared this bit of advice with my wife (who is also a teacher). One night she mentioned how she needed to workout, but she had something that she needed to do for the kids and she was way behind in grading....I said "forget about them! Be selfish! Go take care of yourself"! I could see the wheels turning as I watched her expression change from one of guilt to freedom!!! It took me years to come to the same realization! Sometimes you have to be selfish, and that's okay! Especially when you're trying to be healthier! Ultimately, everyone benefits from you being a healthier person! So MAKE THE TIME! NEGLECT SOMETHING ELSE in order to take care of you, and go get after it TODAY!

Lastly, as I said above, welcome to my blog. I hope you find some motivation in my words. We all need it from time to time! And BE SELFISH. Take some time to take care of you today by getting some much needed exercise! Go for a 20-30 minute run or walk today. Do 10 X 10 push-ups. Here's what I'm doing in the weight room:

Warm Up:

1. Row 1K in 5 minutes. 
2. Push Ups: 3 X 20
3. Step Ups: 3 X 10
4. Dead Hang Pull Ups: 3 X 5
5. Russian Twists: 4 X 25 (25 pound plate)

Lift:

1. Bench Press: 5 X 5 (185 pounds)
2. Straight Bar Curls: 5 X 10 (55 pounds)
3. Dips: 5 X 13 (Body Weight)
4. Dead Hang Pull Ups: 5 X 5 (Body Weight)

I'll do my warm up in a circuit as well as my lift. Meaning, I'll go down the list of movements. Once I do the last movement, I rest then start over again at the top. Try not to rest more than 60 seconds in between circuits. Hope this helps!