The Nerdist Way_ How to Reach the Next Level (In Real Life) - Chris Hardwick [47]
ME: Some people tend to get nervous at the mention of personal trainers. Why do you think this is?
TOM: Many people who have not worked out before are the most vulnerable to or fearful of a personal trainer. My first session with every client, no matter if I know them or not, I always say the same thing, “On a scale of 1 to 10, this workout will be a 4. While I get to know you, I will also be getting to know your body. Anyone can kick your ass. Tomorrow I want you to feel like you worked out, but be able to say that that wasn’t so bad, I’d do that again! To me being user-friendly is the only way to get people started. Once they begin to become familiar with me, working out, the steps they must take, the sacrifices they must make, and the rewards that will follow, they are normally hooked and truly understand that they are the true sole recipient of all their effort.
ME: Will books ever be sentient?
TOM: Not in our lifetimes.
ME: What’s your favorite monotreme?
TOM: The echidna.
ME: If Commander Riker beams down to a Class M planet, which crew members does he need to take from the NCC-1701?
TOM: That’s a trick question. The Enterprise from Next Generation was the NCC-1701-D.
ME: Well played, you clever bastard.
TOM: That wasn’t a question.
ME: [falls out window]
If you’re serious about getting into shape, a trainer is someone you should STRONGLY consider having in your life. It’s not only about having a professional who can guide you, but also about the concept of being accountable to someone. If you’re spending money and someone else’s time, you are more likely to follow through than if you only had to answer to yourself about scooting your nuts to the gym. And “But I’m broke!” may be valid, but REALLY think about it . . . How much money do you spend going out to bars a couple of nights a week? It’s probably about fifty or sixty bucks. That’s what I was able to swing (actually more) when I was professing my brokehood to my fellow college goers. You will almost always find little bits of money for things you really care about. Now it is time for you to be the thing you care about! (OPRAH MOMENT ALERT: Audience “awww-wwwws” and music swells as we throw to a douche commercial.)
START SMALL-INCREMENTAL CHANGE
The biggest problem with sweeping change is that it’s sweeping change. Change is work, and massive change is sometimes just too daunting and runs the risk of putting us in “I would not like to start that shit right now” mode. Here’s a suggestion: INCREMENTAL CHANGE. Just alter one habit or behavior SLIGHTLY and see what happens.
Six years ago, when I started working with Trainer Tom, I was convinced that it probably wouldn’t last. I had been to trainers before who were “all in to win” guys. They told me up front that I had to train at least three or four days a week or I shouldn’t even bother. Well, those guys can suck it a lot. Tom was smart about it. He knew what would happen if I just tried exercising one day a week: I’d start to feel a little better, so I’d gradually want to do it more. One day a week pretty quickly turned into two days a week, which then became three after six or eight months. Once here, it occurred to me that if I ate a bit better, the workouts would be more effective. The addiction to feeling good I had craved for so many years through artificial means was now aimed at accomplishing the same thing through healthy, natural ones. Then I actually began to seek out my own fitness OUTSIDE of Apartment Dojo, and now I can’t imagine going more than a few days without some kind of physical activity.
If you know you should eat better, try doing it just one day a week. The other six days you can dump sugar into your mouth until your blood caramelizes. This is more of a manageable chunk, and doesn’t rip you away from your other habits too abruptly. (Obviously, if you feel you have a serious chemical addiction, seek PROFESSIONAL