I just want to not drop dead of a heart attack…

I just want to not drop dead of a heart attack…

 

“I just want to not drop dead of a heart attack”
“I want the energy to keep up with my kids”
“I want to see my toes again”
“I want to look great for my partner”
“I want to live better”

 

I have many conversations with men about why they want to change their health & fitness habits. These are some of the recurring themes. But it’s not what I see reflected in the media!

There is a load of marketing out there in the health & fitness space for men:

  • Get your six pack in 6 weeks
  • Get my programme & look like me
  • The 5 best ways to make those gains
  • The guru’s offering quick-fix life advice with their shirts off!

But from what I’ve heard, this is not what men want. Certainly not the men I speak to.
How does this marketing approach actually help the men I talk with? Is it not just putting more ideals and perfection pressure onto men – just like the industry has done to women for years?

These men have responsible jobs or run their own businesses. They have made their way in life by being driven and working hard, perhaps to provide for their families, often to the detriment of themselves and their relationships.

They have put themselves last as there are only so many hours in the day and, although they know they ‘should’, they just haven’t looked after their health.

And then, one day in their 40’s, they wake up and realise they don’t feel great: stressed, overweight, sleeping badly and not able to keep up with their partners and children. Maybe the doctor has told them they are at risk of a heart attack or Type 2 diabetes. Maybe their life insurance company has insisted on them passing a medical. Maybe their partner is switching the light off early! Maybe this is you?

Do you know what to do?
Do you know where to start?
Do you know how to find out what is right for you?

I am on a mission to debunk the bull**** and help you help yourself. I hope you find this article useful in some small way.

I believe we should all take responsibility for ourselves first. Take control of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing so that you are better able to help others, whether it be at home, your family, friends or your work.

So, in the interest of helping more men take control back, here is my no bull guide to sorting your shit out.

Don’t set unrealistic goals: What you were at 20 is not what you are at 40+.

Life is very different now with many more time, emotional and money commitments than you had in the past. Be aware of how much commitment you can make to your health & fitness goals. Be realistic!

Don’t change everything at once: your health changed over time and it will take time to change again.

If you change everything at once, you risk overwhelm and stress trying to manage all the change, which can lead to the “stuff it” approach where you throw it all out and go back to where you were before because it’s all just too hard! It is much better to nail one habit change before moving on to the next. Less taxing, less stressful for all involved and much more productive!

Don’t fall for the fads: if it promises instant results, ask yourself why?

Most of the quick fixes are money-making schemes and they generally don’t lead to sustainable change. Much better to invest wisely in yourself and know it’s going to make a positive difference to you in the short, medium and long term!

Don’t be put in a box: the one size fits all approach is often not the best approach.

You are an individual. Your personality, life and environment are different to everyone else’s. Why would you try to change to conform to somebody else’s version of you?

Don’t do something you hate: therein lies misery and hell!

If you hate running, don’t run. If you don’t like avocados, don’t eat them. Find YOUR way! There is an approach that will suit you. Just because your mate does something doesn’t mean it will work for you. Try it and see if you must but, if you hate it, move quickly on. Dead horse and flogging come to mind!

Don’t go it alone: find someone who gets you and understands what you want to achieve and let them help you do it your way.

Often this is not a family member as we rarely like being told what to do by our partner! Make it someone independent who will help you explore, support you and hold you accountable. New habits, even with great motivation, can be challenging to establish. When someone has your back, it is so much easier and definitely more fun and successful!

Let me know what you think in the comments or drop me a message!



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