• Start Here
  • Program
  • Results
  • Learn
    • Exercise
      • Motivation
      • Exercises
      • Workouts
      • Workout Tips
      • Flexibility
      • Injury Rehab
    • Nutrition
      • Eating Tips
      • Healthy Foods
      • Beverages
      • Diets
      • Recipes
      • Supplements
    • Lifestyle
      • Gear & Tech
      • Health Issues
      • Muscle Building
      • Progress Tracking
      • Recreation
      • Stress
      • Weight Loss
  • About
    • Founder
    • Overview
    • Philosophy
    • Contact
main logo
  • Start Here
  • Program
  • Results
  • Learn
    • Exercise
      • Motivation
      • Exercises
      • Workouts
      • Workout Tips
      • Flexibility
      • Injury Rehab
    • Nutrition
      • Eating Tips
      • Healthy Foods
      • Beverages
      • Diets
      • Recipes
      • Supplements
    • Lifestyle
      • Gear & Tech
      • Health Issues
      • Muscle Building
      • Progress Tracking
      • Recreation
      • Stress
      • Weight Loss
  • About
    • Founder
    • Overview
    • Philosophy
    • Contact

Learn > Lifestyle > Weight Loss

profile avatar Marc Perry, CSCS, CPT Founder

The Golden Rule Of Getting A Lean Body

By Marc Perry, CSCS, CPT - Updated 9/17/2022
Updated 9/17/2022

marc perry spider stretch
Paul called me into his office.

He looked really upset. I felt his eyes penetrate right through me.

Paul had the will of 1,000 men and women. He was very wealthy and successful for a reason. And he was intimidating.

He told me to sit down in front of his desk.

He swiveled his chair to face me directly, and asked, “Marc, do you know the golden rule?”

I paused for a moment, a bit confused by his question.

I said, “Sure. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. My dad used to tell me that all the time when I was growing up.

Paul looked at me like I had 3 heads. Like I was a complete bonehead.

He said emphatically, “No! Those with the gold make the rules.”

…and that was my entry into the finance world!

While I guess that’s the golden rule for finance, I recently thought to myself – what is the golden rule for heath? For getting a lean and strong body with boundless vitality?

I pondered this question for a long time and came up with many different possibilities.

The most obvious answer is to eat fewer calories than you burn. But I don’t think this answer fosters sustainability for the long run.

I eventually settled on one.

I believe the golden rule for getting a lean and healthy body is to eat, move, and connect mindfully every day.

You do not succumb to mindlessly living your life, like a leaf being blown by a gentle breeze.

You are conscious. You feel how the foods you eat affect your body. You eat foods that fill your body with nutrients. You consistently move your body every day.

You connect the dots between your emotions, sleep, eating, exercise, job, and relationships. They all flow together and affect each other.

And you connect your mind to your body with intention. You are connected to nature and the people around you. You are connected to your purpose.

Getting a lean body is a daily practice.

It’s not something you work on a few times a week.

This may sound like a tall order, but it’s the golden rule of getting a lean & healthy body, and maintaining it.

Daily practice will help you become the best version of yourself.

Be more. Have more. Do more. Give more.

What do you think the golden rule of getting lean should be? Do you agree with my definition?

Leave a comment below.

Share162
Tweet
Email
162 Shares

19 Comments

  1. profile avatar
    Raghav Sep 12, 2018 - 22:07 #

    Well said

  2. profile avatar
    ken Sep 15, 2018 - 08:42 #

    I TOTALLY AGREE Most people in society are so focused on job ,career and money
    and dont have time to appreciate all the beauty around us. Excercise is a way of life not just
    something one goes to the gym to punch a time card. Everything in the world (indeed the universe) is interconnected and being “aware” of what you eat and how you eat, how you excercise , how you sleep etc has helped me enormously in improving the quality of my life. Keep up the great work BUILTLEAN team

  3. profile avatar
    JF Sep 15, 2018 - 08:56 #

    I can tell you from personal experience that following the Golden Rule you learned at your father’s feet, and quoted in response to Paul’s question, is much more apropos of a successful and fulfilling career in finance than Paul’s version.

  4. profile avatar
    Tim Sep 15, 2018 - 09:02 #

    I think it also stems from a commitment to always push to be the best version of you possible.

  5. profile avatar
    Nicole Sep 15, 2018 - 09:08 #

    That’s the hard truth right there…I’ve tried and failed so many times ultimately because of a lack of consistency…

  6. profile avatar
    David Sep 15, 2018 - 09:50 #

    Cool

  7. profile avatar
    Robert Sep 15, 2018 - 10:03 #

    Beautiful; eloquently said, and very true.

  8. profile avatar
    Mark Sep 15, 2018 - 10:03 #

    This is great! I like its application that it’s something you never achieve, but actually pursue each and every day. It’s a way to live your life. Thanks for the opportunity to think about something good!

  9. profile avatar
    sam spano Sep 15, 2018 - 10:53 #

    like the thought, i would change the order and put have more last cause if u do the 1st 3 you will have a more full life…

  10. profile avatar
    Samer Sep 15, 2018 - 14:00 #

    Here’s a quote by Eugen Sandow. “Life is movement. Once you stop moving, you’re dead. Choose life.”
    What’s striking about this is that Sandow died in 1925, before technology made people lazy, uncoordinated, and unathletic.

  11. profile avatar
    Fran Sep 15, 2018 - 14:43 #

    Let’s take out the “I believe” when that comes across to me as direct KNOWING! Love it

  12. profile avatar
    Leigh Sep 15, 2018 - 21:07 #

    Yep. Get up and get on with it. There are two times, now and too late

  13. profile avatar
    David Cooper Sep 15, 2018 - 22:26 #

    Yes, I agree too. It has to become a realistic lifestyle that we can enjoy!

  14. profile avatar
    Kristi Sep 16, 2018 - 09:10 #

    Thanks Marc! You reminded me to get back on track with those things in life I really want to do instead of losing that connection to my true self. It is all related. I work out every day, eat healthy but have fallen off track of pursuing my dreams.

  15. profile avatar
    chloe Sep 16, 2018 - 14:28 #

    Love this post! Love the focus on mindfulness <3

  16. profile avatar
    Marc Perry Sep 16, 2018 - 18:54 #

    Thanks everyone for the comments! All appreciated. If you haven’t left a comment yet, go for it.

  17. profile avatar
    Barry Sep 18, 2018 - 22:40 #

    I agree with you whole heartedly. Commitment, consistency, focus and a positive mindset. And if you should stumble (we are only human after all) get up, dust yourself off and get right back on track!

  18. profile avatar
    Jamie Atkin Sep 20, 2018 - 07:22 #

    I think the other aspect of the golden rule is to heal emotional trauma, change the stories we tell ourselves. This will make eating, moving and connecting every day easier and with purpose.

  19. profile avatar
    Gillian Oct 04, 2018 - 14:28 #

    Marc this is what makes you stand out from all the other fitness advisors online, you inspire me to be the healthiest version of myself, mind, body and soul

Comments are closed 30 days from the publication date.

footer logo
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
© 2023 BuiltLean LLC | All rights reserved.
* Results may vary. Exercise and proper diet are necessary
to achieve and maintain weight loss and muscle definition.