My third grade teacher was always worried I would grow up to write some sort of manifesto, so here I am fulfilling my destiny by laying down the law for all you aspiring Jerds out there (see this article if you don’t know what a Jerd is yet!). These are the concepts that explain what we are all about and govern our Heroes’ Transformation; so if you want to smell what the Jerd is cooking then look no further!
All sarcasm aside, hopefully the ideals found below ring true for you because I’d love for you to join our super-hero team of awesome!
#1 – We engage in life changes, not temporary fixes
We realize that the biggest obstacle in transforming ourselves into a real life super-hero is, more often than not, ourselves. So many people are programmed with horrible life habits from the get-go; force-fed shady marketing everyday, telling them that personal responsibility is over-rated. That all they need to be healthy and look better is a magic pill or a 30 day quick-fix program.
The scary thing is so many people end up buying into the nonsense over time!
This constant bombardment of fail-rays unfortunately transforms more people into Unextraordinary Bulk than Incredible Hulk; and it is going to take a concerted effort to fight back against the misinformation; but fight back we shall! We understand that developing a fitter, healthier version of ourself is going to require long-term sustainable changes in the way we live our lives.
We know that we shape our future selves one meal, one workout, one decision at a time.
No changing our routines for 2 months prior to bathing suit season like a kid cramming for finals. That doesn’t work, and we know it!
Don’t believe me? Here is why quick fix dieting spins me up in a fit of Jerd-Rage.
#2 We eat clean & exercise regularly
We know that more than half the battle we have with ourselves is over what we cram into our faces on a daily basis. We know that unless we are fueling our bodies correctly, no amount of gym time will get us where we want to be.
While there is no denying that the amount of food we eat makes a difference, what that food is made of is the most important!
Despite what advertising keeps telling us, it isn’t fat or calories that are the enemy; it’s over-processed foods, preservatives, sugar and high fructose corn-syrup that threatens us daily! We refuse to buy into the hype that low-fat food or “healthy” pre-packaged meals loaded with salt and chemicals are somehow good for us; we know that isn’t true and that we deserve better!
We also know, and embrace the fact, that regular intense workouts are key to a healthy life. We care about ourselves and our well-being enough to set aside at least 3 solid 30 minute blocks a week for uninterrupted workouts, and just like an employee at Chochkies wearing only 15 pieces of flair (“Office Space” reference FTW!) we also know that is the bare minimum.
We want to express ourselves and do more than that when we can; be it in a big gym, in the comfort of our own home or in our hotel room while on vacation!
# 3 We participate in active hobbies we love
We know following rule #2 is going to do wonders for our health, but that the real benefits come from getting off our keisters and regularly doing stuff!
You see, one of the biggest threats to our well-being and longevity is our arch-enemy The Evil Chair (cue ominous music)! While a good portion of our society sits too long, we nerds really take the cake.
We sit behind our desks 9-to-5 plugging away at our computers, then we plop down on our couch or in our gaming chairs and consume oft-times unhealthy doses of video gaming/anime watching/RPG playing/comic book reading/etc…
So to fight off this nefarious four-legged villain we want to find an activity, one that we enjoy and that engages us mentally, that frees up our hips and gets our legs moving. I promise there is something out there for you, be it fencing, martial arts, yoga, parkour, etc… so keep looking until you find a hobby that is fun and keeps you active and then do it. Often and with zeal!
Here are some tips for finding a healthy hobby you love.
#4 We don’t succumb to stereotype bashing
We don’t participate in exclusionary behavior. We don’t look down on others who are on their own personal Heroes’ Transformation!
Let’s face it, even though it has now become acceptable to be a geek that most certainly has not always been the case; most nerds have suffered some form of exclusionary behavior directed towards them in the past.
What always leaves me scratching my head though, is that the same sort of behavior occurs within the geek community as well!
Maybe it’s just some form of vicious cycle, but you see it all the time… geeks telling people they aren’t a real fan, or that they are just into something for the attention. Just because someone doesn’t share our personal geeks (be they anything from comic books to Star Wars to fantasy football) we don’t judge them, instead we welcome them as members of our Internet super-hero team of awesome, because in the end we all have the same goal.
A healthy and fulfilling life!
So if you are:
- Someone who is seriously over or under weight
- Someone who played sports in your youth and now is looking to get back into shape
- Someone who spent your whole life playing video games and avoiding physical activity
Welcome to the team!
To us there is no such thing as the fake geek girl, the dumb jock, the wimpy nerd, etc… if someone is living by these 8 principles they are one of us! In order to succeed in the face of evil every super-hero needs friends to back them up, so we make sure not to alienate those who can come to our aid in our darkest hours!
#5 We are proud of who we are
We accept ourselves for who we are and take responsibility for the decisions and habits that have led us to this point in our lives.
There is no taking the easy way out by blaming things like genetics, our upbringings, advertising, the economy, solar flares, voodoo, the Necronomicon or anything else. We don’t expect a perfect life, or anything worthwhile for that matter, to be handed to us without having to work hard for it.
We realize that it’s our responsibility as humans to live to our greatest potential and inspire others to do the same in the process.
Anything less is an epic fail.
We want to be better people. We want to be the super-hero version of us. We know it’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination to get there, but just like Batman we have to push ourselves to the limits and we are going to enjoy the process, and welcome all the obstacles in our way, because without them the end result would not be as sweet.
I want to live a long life full of the things I love with the people I love. To do that means I have to continually push myself to be in top shape, and in doing so I feel compelled to give back and help others to realize their potential too.
I’m trying my hardest to assemble a super-team of intelligent, motivated, informed, and healthy nerds and nothing is going to stop me! (Pretty sure this is the part my 3rd grade teacher was worried about, luckily we will be using our powers for good!)
#6 We train smarter not harder
We don’t want to epically fail at working out. So we attack our workouts with well thought out plans, with fierce intensity and with the knowledge of how hard we need to push ourselves to be better than the day before.
We don’t spend hours on treadmills, we don’t use weight machines trying to buff up our vanity muscles, and we don’t put up with distractions! We get in, sweat profusely and get out; hopefully in under 30 minutes.
By approaching our workouts this way we still have time to enjoy all the things in our lives that we love and that make us who we are.
Remember, this is about transforming yourself into a better version of you, not changing who you are as a person!
We understand that life throws us curve balls. Be they family commitments, having to travel for work, injuries or anything else… but we are motivated and mentally strong enough to not let those become excuses (Think you don’t have the time to workout? Think again!)
We use our nerd powers to use all the resources available to devise intelligent workouts for ourselves, and we dedicate ourselves to becoming the super-hero we have always dreamed we could be!
No settling for the status quo and no giving up!
Can you imagine Superman throwing his hands up in the air and walking away from a problem because it was too hard? Of course not, and we won’t either!
There is NO doubt in my mind that if you’re willing to dedicate yourself to the process 100%, you will accomplish your goals. I have faith in you!
#7 We lead by example
We firmly believe that everybody has a superhero within them, just waiting to reveal itself.
Not everyone is ready to make that change yet though, and that’s okay! We don’t push our new-found desire to be healthy down their throats like some door-to-door missionary, instead we stand tall and become a beacon of fitness justice for the world to see.
If they want to join us on our journey that is fantastic, but if our friends or family have no interest yet then we just lead by example until they decide it is time for them to begin their own Heroes’ Transformation.
It can be a heavy weight on our shoulders, but in the end it absolutely makes life more fulfilling. Remember, as Uncle Ben once said, “With great power comes great responsibility“!
We may feel alone in real life, but on this website you have an amazing super-hero team full of members here to support you, and a leader (That’s me!) who wants nothing more than for you to meet (and exceed) your personal goals!
#8 We strive to be better every day
We realize that it is easy to fall into ruts, to let time pass us by in a seeming blink of an eye, and that if we aren’t careful we can regress without even realizing it (In fact maintaining the status quo is really just a prolonged and imperceptible backslide)!
When we finally come to the realization that our lives need a change it is as if we have stepped through Lewis Carroll’s famous Looking Glass, and just like Alice we must make a concerted effort to really advance ourselves.
“Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”
– The Queen of Hearts
Life throws so much at us, and we are fighting against so much in our desire to stop failing at life, so the only way we can transform into the super-hero version of ourselves is if we make sure that every day we strive to be a little bit healthier, a little bit smarter and a little bit more fit!
So what say you, are you in?!?
These are the 8 Laws of the Jerd Herd. If you are ready to make a positive change in your life without sacrificing your geek sensibilities, then take your first step in the Heroes’ Transformation journey:
Sign up for the Jerd Herd Roundup (it’s free!) and learn how to:
- Not fall victim to common health & fitness pitfalls
- Build positive, life-changing habits (and punch bad ones right in the neck)
- Become a better version of you
So if you want to shrug off the shackles of whatever stereotype is weighing you down… join up!
If you want to invest in your future, and find your physical peak in a non-judgmental and nurturing environment filled with your peers… join up!
If you want advice from a fellow nerd on how he we went from being skinny and unfit to sporting a six-pack and participating in high level athletics (without giving up all the nerdy things he loves so dearly)… join up!
If you aren’t ready to make a serious life change, if this sounds like too daunting a task for you at this time, that’s okay.
No judgement here!
I appreciate you taking the time to read a bit of what I have to say, and I will be here should you come to that point where you decide you want to make a change and join the team.
Sincerely,
Jeff Mueller
aka
