I started writing this and realized it was way too long to be one post, so I decided to break it up into three easy to digest portions.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or fitness expert. I am merely a guy on the internet who has done some research and come to some conclusions.

---

I, like many nerdy guys before me, don't exactly have the world's best body. I'm not "super jacked" and you probably couldn't iron a shirt on my chest (although I've never tried...).

If you're a nerdy guy or gal, then there is a chance that you might not exactly be keen on your self image. You're not alone, pretty much everyone thinks they could look better. In fact, I would assert that people with above average physiques probably think they need to improve the most.

So let's explore some ways that you, as a busy nerdy individual, can not only start a workout routine and, more importantly, stick with it, but how you can learn to love it.

Now, like I said, I don't exactly have the world's best body, but it's not too bad either. No, I'm not as strong as I could be, but I'm stronger than I might look, and for several years now I actually have stuck to a workout routine (that is constantly evolving). The point I will try to make is that it's not about instant improvement, it's about creating habits that you can stick with for the rest of your life.

Part I: The Motivation

Nerdy guys in pop culture generally come in one of two polar varieties: either you are kind of overweight due to many hours of playing video games whilst eating Cheetos, or you are very skinny due to a high metabolism and little physical exertion. Neither type is particularly beneficial for things like attracting the opposite sex or winning the respect of your fellow man.

Now, first off, these are just generally accepted stereotypes of nerdy individuals. That, along with the enjoyment of video games, comic books, LARPing, math, etc. They are perpetuated in the show The Big Bang Theory, which I think is a pretty funny show, but at the same time it does just further nerd stereotypes.

Like many stereotypes, they are based on truth (you probably know some textbook nerdy guys), but they aren't exactly the whole truth. There are, of course, "nerdy" guys (as in, guys who are smart and/or creative) who are in excellent physical condition. Think of any astronaut: you have to be smart if governments will pay millions upon millions of dollars to send you into space, and you have to be in great shape to be able to survive the harshness of space travel. Also consider Physicist Richard Feynman: he was tall, handsome, and considerably brilliant.

Likewise, just because someone is in great shape does not mean they are a dummy. In the same way that pop culture is filled with Type I (fat) or a Type II (skinny) nerds, it is also filled with large, muscular, arrogant, dim witted men and slim, skanky, shallow, and also dim witted women. While this is all fun and games on TV, it creates a bit of a problem for young smart people. They may not realize it, but they are being conditioned to think that you have to choose between being smart and being fit. They may also be subtly discouraged from sports or exercise by their parents or peers because it interferes with their studies. In reality, it is the marriage of intellect and fitness that turns you into a truly well-rounded and overall "strong" individual.

 

That's all good and well, but you are thinking "ok, I get that it's good to be strong and fit, I want to be strong and fit, but I just can't get myself motivated." Well my friend, you are not alone. Lack of motivation is what kills the best workout routines. If you can't stick with it, then it is worthless. You may see short term gains, but if you stop, then you will just go back to your old body as if nothing had happened. It's depressing, yes, but it's true.

As a nerdy person, you may have a particularly hard time getting motivated. Going to the gym may bring back painful memories of school where the big bullies were picking on you for being weak, or the mean gym teacher was telling you to "push harder, you sissy." Being a smart person, you may also be absorbed in schoolwork or regular work or you just find more enjoyment in playing on the computer or video games than working out. I get it. I've been there.

The key is to change your mindset about working out. Don't see it as something you should do, but see it as something you want to do. But how? Working out is inherently awful, isn't it? I mean, you are doing something that, if you are doing it right, brings you a lot of discomfort (remember, discomfort, not pain). Why on earth would you want to do it?

Well, you might say that you would want to do it to look better and be stronger. While this is of course a good motivation, it won't be enough for you to keep at it. The problem is that it will take a while before you look any better, and you might not even notice it because the change will be happening before your eyes. If you work out for the sole purpose of looking better, then you will more than likely get frustrated and quit. I know, I've done it.

So instead, concentrate on some of these other reasons for working out:

• Being Fit Strengthens the Mind as well as the Body: Taking a break from the constant grind of schoolwork or your job and focusing on something physical gives your mind a chance to relax. Just like sleeping, this relaxation strengthens it and makes it ready for more challenges.
• Being Fit Gives You More Energy: Are you tired all the time? If so, then it can make it even harder to start a workout routine, but all you have to do is force it for a few weeks and then you will start seeing the benefits of regular exercise. Pretty soon, you'll actually get energized thinking about your workout.
• Physical Exertion Helps You Fight Stress: There is a school of thought that purposely subjecting yourself to small amounts of stress can help you when it comes time to handle large amounts of stress. So the discomfort you feel when pushing that last set will help you down the road when you have to take that big test or ace that presentation.
• Being Fit is Important for Overall Health: Should be a no-brainer, but regular physical activity will help you live a long and prosperous life.
• Working Out Gives You Something to Talk About: So if you are indeed a nerdy fellow, then you may have trouble connecting with others. Say you are in a position where you are forced to make small talk with another guy. He doesn't look like he plays the same video games or reads the same books, so how are you supposed to talk to him? Well, chances are he works out, or has thought about working out. It's pretty common. So there, you now have the ability to connect with someone you might have previously not connected with. If he's super buff, you can take some advice from him.

You may have already known these things, so I'll give you one more tip that has helped me: treat working out as a skill.

If you are like many nerdy folks, then you probably enjoy learning skills. You like getting good at video games or musical instruments or random trivia. You've never liked working out because it's just all about being strong, and you aren't strong. Well, it isn't all about being strong. Lifting weights involves a lot of coordination and precisely timed movements. If you have the right form, you can lift more than you look like you can. If you have the wrong form, you won't be able to lift as much, and you could hurt yourself. So when you go to the gym, don't dread it because you have to go or you should go, get excited about it because it is a new chance to practice your skills!

Check out the rest of the series:

The Nerd's Guide to a Workout Routine Part II: The Execution

The Nerd's Guide to a Workout Routine Part III: Keep it Going