So this article spawned as a tangent from reading a post on my good friend Jody’s blog. Here’s that post: http://truth2beingfit.com/2009/05/27/more-selfworth–other-stuff.aspx
It is quite clear to me that many people are lacking some serious self confidence while working out. Now the obvious argument is that they are in the gym to improve how they look – which will result in a more confident person. Ok, that only works half the time. MOST of the time the lack of confidence is mental. I’ve seen guys who are absolutely RIPPED and yet they still see flaws with themselves when they look in the mirror.

On the contrary, I see guys that are in OK shape who believe that they are the shit! This is no accident people, it is very clear that true confidence comes from the inside. I don’t give a rat’s ass what you look like right now… If you can’t love your body at this very moment, not only will you give up and/or quit, but you will be intimidated in the gym and become stressed from the harsh words that people might say. You will not enjoy the process of transforming your body.

So to combat this I have something I like to call the newbie self-conscious drill. If you train with me personally I’ll make you do it, but it’s better to do it on your own or along side a gym buddy.

For the next 30 days, after you finish every workout, find a mirror that is located in a spot where there is a lot of traffic. This could be in the change room or in the gym itself, it doesn’t matter WHERE it is, as long as it’s somewhere important. Then for 30 seconds to a minute you just stand there and admire yourself. Flex the muscle group you just worked, pose at an angle that makes you look hot, do a dance, stare at the shiny glaze of sweat over your body. Do what ever it takes… The point is to find things to love about yourself while dis-regarding what others around you think.

“…But FJ, what if someone says something mean or comments on what I’m doing? I’ll feel like such a dork!”

.. STFU! That’s the whole point numnuts! If someone gives you crap, throw it back in their face. NOBODY is perfect. If they say something stupid about how your arms are too big, tell them their ass needs more work. Or better yet, just laugh and IGNORE them.

At 6% body fat, it is no secret that the veins in my arms POP when I work my biceps. After this I look in the mirror and do a little flex. A chubster once said to me: “Dude… Holy shit, are you on juice? There’s like no way you can get that ripped naturally!”

What did FJ do? I simply said: “Don’t be jealous homie, I’m all natural!”

Eventually, not only will you learn to love who you are, you will get excited as the body that you’re trapped in starts to change and take better shape. You will grow a thicker psychological skin, and people will start to show you some respect. If you can deal with douchebags that poke fun at you before you started your body transforming journey, imagine what you can put up with once you reach your goals?! You can deal with ANYTHING.

This type of training goes wayyy beyond helping you become more confident in the gym, it spills over into every area of your friggin’ life, so do with it what you will. Cheers!

To Being Fit & Sexy 4 Life

- Fit Jerk

P.S- Oh and I’m not gona sit here and say I haven’t poked fun at anyone. Are you kidding me? Of course I have, but I’ve noticed that some people just truly don’t give a sh*t, and their confidence just BARRELS through. When this happens I’m always taken back, and frankly quite impressed. How many girls/guys do you know (that are in less than ideal shape) who are so in love with themselves that you wonder, or sometimes WISH you could have an ounce of their confidence? Trust me, this is where YOU want to be. It’s not being delusional, it’s being real!

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