REVEALED: My Untold Secrets

There’s not a week that goes by without at least one total ‘stranger’ stopping me out of the blue and asking me… “Can I ask you what your secret is for keeping yourself in such great shape?”

Now you have to realize – I’m not exactly an “imposing figure”…

But in the last 2 weeks – this has happened literally almost every day. Everywhere I go… Publix, Target, Whole Foods, the bank, the beach…

So – I took that as a sign to write about ‘my secret’…

Now, the beach is a no-brainer because I’m just wearing swim-shorts – so it’s easy to see my whole physique (almost). I’m usually with my kids – and sometimes their friends…

It’s sometimes tricky for people to figure out “who I am”.

Am I the babysitter? …the older brother?

When they realize I’m their Dad – then they get really surprised. Because, truth is – most dads have a wickedly rounded beer gut flopping out over their swim-shorts – at the center of an un-toned, rapidly aging body. And it’s an extreme rarity to see a dad of 3, with washboard abs, 9% body-fat and a well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing physique.

It’s important to note here – this is not all about the superficial aspects. Because my ‘secret’ lies in the non-superficial elements of keeping myself in-shape – in mind, body and spirit.

But even when ‘fully clothed’ – people can still see that ‘I’m fit.’ It just shows… But they can also sense I’m not in my early 20’s. Maybe it’s the several white hairs in my goat-T which hint I’m more in the ‘middle-age’ zone, from a chronological perspective.

Physiologically – I’m not even close to 40 years old. At my last physical, my doctor joked… “I’ll see you back here, for your next check-up, in ten years, Joey.”

Now before I reveal my secret – let me just list a few neat things about being healthy & fit as a single, ‘middle-aged’, dad:

1 – It should make finding my “wife-for-life” a bit easier. Let’s face it – most women would rather not be with an out of shape and unhealthy mate. Simple.

2 – My kids think it’s cool to see how other people check out their dad – and ask “how I do it”, etc..

3 – I’m a role model for my kids; as they see what I do and participate in some of my workouts too. They also learn how to eat by direct experience on the weekends/days they are with me.

4 – I’m rarely sick and I look forward to waking up every day to experience all that life sends my way.

5 – I’m a role model and an inspiration for other middle-age parents. They realize, especially after speaking with me, “they can do it too.”

I can add more to this list – and maybe you can too (feel free to do so in the comments section below)…

But now – it’s time to share my ‘secret’… This is how “I do it…”

‘A’ is the MOST important and it sets the stage for EVERYTHING else…

A – Being fit and in-shape is part of my values. I’ve been horribly out of shape/unhealthy in the past – and that way of life is not for me. Since it’s part of my values – it all goes deeper than the superficial aspects of simply “having a great body” – IT ALSO TOUCHES THE MIND AND THE SPIRIT. It enhances this multi-dimensional ‘connection’.

B – Exercise and eating right (most of the time) are not options – they are actions/habits in line with who “I am.” I want a high quality of life. I want to lead by example. I want to ‘Live to the Max’.

C – I enjoy my workouts and the foods/meals I eat. I don’t have to force myself to do anything. I crave it all. I look forward to it all. (If you are not enjoying your workouts and the foods you eat – you may need to re-evaluate it all – SO YOU ARE DOING THINGS YOU ENJOY WHICH WORK IN YOUR FAVOR)

D – My workouts are 90% body-weight training. This allows me to workout literally ANYWHERE. Some of my best workouts when I travel are done on a playground. (the other 10% involves, bands, dumbbells, medicine ball). I am free from the confines of “the gym” – although I can walk into any sweat shop and get busy with the best of them – BUT, by doing it my way.

At this point I’m realizing there is plenty more for me to share about this – so, I’ll surely be expanding on some of these points in future posts. But, for now – please feel free to share your thoughts, comments or questions below… I’d love to hear from you…

Your trainer forever – your trainer life,

– Joey Atlas

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