We’re Here to Pump… You Up! ~Hanz & Franz

Do you remember Hanz and Franz from Saturday Night Live? Those guys were hilarious. The mention of muscle in the title reminded me of them, but this isn’t about being a meathead.

Have you ever wondered if you could do what you used to be able to do? Or wonder why you can’t do what you used to be able to do?

I have. And when I surprised myself doing something I used to do for a couple hours a day, 6 days a week, quite a few years ago, I had realized something.

Let Me Tell You About It

I played football in high school, and since I played football, lifting weights was a natural addition. Plus, my brother Jon was a big influence in getting me to start lifting weights.

High school was the end of my football career, but I continued lifting weights for several years after I graduated. In fact, me and my best friend were so committed to it that we usually pumped iron for a couple of hours a night and most Saturday mornings.

We were dedicated. And we liked doing it.

But the older we got, it seemed harder to find the time to pump iron two hours a day. Then I got married and had kids and he was going to school. So working out together was hit and miss. We had so much time and energy into fitness though that I couldn’t just quit.

Like so many people do, they get on the roller coaster of fitness. They workout for awhile, and then they slack for awhile. It’s really a vicious cycle.

Committed

A few years ago I decided to commit and get back into shape. But I didn’t have the desire to lift weights, aka pump iron, for two hours a day. I didn’t have the time or desire. So I bought one of the best selling workouts from an infomercial. You’ve probably heard of, P90X.

So I started doing it. And I was getting results. But my mind was so tuned into lifting weights that I didn’t know what kind of strength I was really gaining, or maintaining. Then one day I had to take my son to basketball practice at the YMCA and my daughter wanted to work out while we waited. After his practice, he came up to the weight room and I decided to see if I could still bench press 225lbs. So I told them to pick a side and get ready to spot me. In other words, save my life if I couldn’t press it.

I Was Shocked

I took the weight off the rack, took a deep breath and did the first rep.

Easily.

Then I did nine more. And I couldn’t believe it. I actually believe I could’ve done more than that, but I had two spotters that I wasn’t sure about how they would react if I got stuck. So I racked the weights.

This is a great example of muscle memory. Now I had been doing weight resistant exercises, like pushups. But I wasn’t doing any weight lifting and my muscles remembered what I used to be able to lift anyway. I hadn’t benched pressed for a few years. And here I was benching 225lbs for ten reps.

I Challenge You

Your brain is like a muscle. When you were younger, before you conformed and did what everyone else was doing, went to school and got a job. Or just got a job. You had dreams and high aspirations. But then you got in a rut and settled for what life gave you. You gave up on going out and taking what you want. On making the life you desire.

All you have to do is re-introduce your dreams to your brain. As soon as you ‘rekindle that fire‘ you’ll feel the passion you once had.

Just like muscle memory.

Think about your perfect day. Think about everything from the time you get up, to what you have for breakfast, to who you eat with and to what you do in the morning, afternoon and evening. Picture what you for fun and hobbies. Picture the life you were going to live before you let everyone and everything else dictate to you the life that you are living.

It’s within you, all you have to do is ignite that spark.