Top 10 Fitness Commandments #8: Find a Realistic Role Model

During the 1990’s, one of my favorite magazines was Muscle Media. This magazine was always filled with good articles and good photos. These photos depicted both men and women who had amazing bodies. They had the physiques of fitness models and I equated this to them having life all figured out and essentially “having their shit together”. I found myself inspired by all the images and tried my best to implement any lessons learned from the articles I read. I also frequented GNC and other health food and nutrition stores seeking any assistance on how to properly implement nutrition around my workout in an effort to look like what I saw in those photos. Regarding fitness, exercise, and nutrition, I was impressionable and my one focused goal was six pack abs. My goal was so focused on my appearance that I didn’t see what it was doing to me. I was ignoring the onset of eating dysfunction, overtraining, and the eventual loss of my menstrual cycle. Much of this was a part of my life in my twenties when at a time I did not have the wholistic appreciation of available knowledge that there is today.

As I began my thirties, I became much more aware of the importance of sleep, hydration, proper and safe supplementation, mental stimulation, and mindset. I learned it is not just what a person looks like but also their work ethic, drive, and discipline to accomplish something. A good example of this was when I was in the military, I was around those who had good bodies but smoked, drank, and ate complete garbage. I have also been around those who work really hard for their health and carry a little extra weight. These are not the same kind of healthy people and who you take inspiration from is up to you but really, I found a persons practice as appealing as the image on display.

Now that I am in my forties, I am very much interested in longevity! What all can I do or can I help someone do to improve the state of my or their health in order to fight the hands of time. I have realized that health and fitness include a whole person approach. Are you happy? Can you perform all the tasks that you want to perform? Do you feel grounded and confident with yourself with where you are at in life? Do you have the energy to last throughout the day without needing two pots of coffee? Are you sleeping well?

Now that we have Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms that make seeing people of the world an easy access, who are you following and why? Do they set an example, tone, or pace that you are trying to emulate or develop in yourself? Consider their wholistic approach and how it will help you develop into your wholistic self!

Action Step:

Find three different people from three different backgrounds who can be a role model(or influencer) for you. Maybe it is someone in business, mindfulness practice, or a writer. Practice a trait from each of them to help you develop your own practice of health.