Lessons Learned From My Favorite Superheroes And How They Relate to Fitness

If you don’t know already I am a total nerd when it comes to superheroes. I have loved them since I was a young kid. They were total badasses and I wanted nothing more than to turn into a mutant, get hit with some gamma rays, or take some superserum. Sadly none of those things have happened to me (yet!!) but all of those comics, TV shows, and movies have taught me a lot about life. They teach us acceptance, greed is bad, and to treat others as your equal even when different. These are all great things to learn especially as a child but there are so many more lesson learned from superheroes.

Many of our favorite superheroes fight some of the toughest battles in the universe. Luckily for us, our battles are usually against ourselves or our arch nemesis (mine is potato chips…last time barely got out with my life). There are some key lessons that you can take away from your favorite superhero’s adventures that relate directly back to your fitness goals. Using these lessons you can equip yourself with a utility belt that would rival Batman’s, just not nearly as cool.

Make The Most of What You Got

    “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” -Batman

In life we are not always dealt the greatest hand but you are always given an option to either make the most of it or to let it defeat you. Look at some of your favorite superheros: Batman had his parents killed in front of him as a child, Bruce Banner turns into a raging green meathead, and Rogue cannot touch other people with incapacitating/killing them. None of these characters let those flaws define them. They took their situations and went on to make a difference in their world. 

Just like these superheroes you can make a difference in your life and achieve your goals. You have all the tools that you need to succeed. All you need is the will to succeed and a plan of how to get to your goals. You cannot get overwhelmed by your goals even if the odds don’t seem in your favor. 

Actions define who you are.

No Matter Your Powers, Life Will Be Frustrating

    “No man can win every battle, but no man should fall without a struggle.”– Peter Parker

Even some of the most powerful superheroes, like Superman, Thor, and Professor X, all found life at times very frustrating. There were times they did not know what to do next and their powers could not change the situation that they were in. They had to think about how to handle the situation in a way that was different from how they were used to. They had to look inside themselves and take actions that maybe were not their strongest ability.

During your fitness journey, no matter how much you learn about exercise or nutrition there are going to be times where it becomes frustrating. The scale will no longer budge,  your lifts are no longer getting heavier, or anything else and it might drive you crazy. Fitness can be the greatest thing in your life but sometimes it can make no sense. You and your body is unique to you and some diets/exercises will work better for you while others won’t. Do not get frustrated when something that works for many others does not work for you. That is one route that you have explore and now it is time to try another. Eventually you will find the route that leads to your results.

You Are Never Alone

    “Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.”– Iron Man

Team-ups are probably my favorite thing about comic books. Nothing is more awesome than two or more of your favorite characters coming together to fight one huge villain. Though each hero in their own right has great power, together they can stop forces that alone would be almost impossible. Having a team with you that has your back is powerful feeling. Heroes know if they need help that another teammate will be by their side to assist them.

You will never be alone in your fitness goals. Just by reading this you are part of the MaxU family. If you are feeling defeated or lost we are there to help you through your struggle. It does not matter if you are on Day 2 or 500, our family is there for support. Seek out support and help with accomplishing your goals because though your goals are personal you do not need to go after them alone. No hero goes on a journey without any help and neither should you. 

Never forget you have a choice everyday to be a superhero.

You might think that you need to be extraordinary to be a superhero but truly small actions can have a profound effect on others and your lives. By going after your fitness goal each and every day with the best effort you are setting an example to those around you. Remember the lessons that these great characters have taught you and bring them into your everyday life to achieve your goals.

    You are a hero.