Alright, so a bunch of you have been hitting me up about this “Chris Pratt training” journey I decided to embark on. Lemme tell ya, it wasn’t exactly a picnic. I saw him in one of those big action flicks, you know, looking all chiseled and ready to save the galaxy. And a little voice in my head went, “Hey, I could probably do something like that!” Yeah, famous last words, buddy.
So, I dived into the internet, trying to figure out what this miracle transformation involved. And boy, oh boy. That first week? Pure, unadulterated pain. I remember trying to copy some workout I saw, supposedly part of his routine. Push-ups, pull-ups, lifting heavy stuff. I think I managed about three proper push-ups before my arms just gave out. And pull-ups? Let’s not even talk about that. Felt like my muscles were screaming at me for days.
The Daily Grind: Trying to Keep Up
I told myself, “Okay, you started this, now see it through. At least for a bit.” So, I tried to get into a rhythm. This usually meant:
- Waking up way earlier than I wanted to. I’m not a morning person, never have been.
- Dragging myself to the gym, even when every fiber of my being wanted to stay in bed.
- Attempting to eat “clean.” This was, by far, the hardest part.
The workouts themselves were brutal. Lots of weights, stuff I hadn’t really done consistently before. And then there was the cardio. Oh, the cardio. I felt like a hamster on a wheel, just running and running and not really getting anywhere, except more tired.
Food: The Real Monster Under the Bed
Okay, let’s talk about the food. Or rather, the lack of fun food. Everything I read said he cut out all the good stuff. So, I tried. My kitchen turned into a chicken and broccoli prison. Breakfast was eggs, lunch was chicken salad (no mayo, of course, just sadness), and dinner was more chicken or some bland fish with, you guessed it, more green stuff. I missed pizza. I missed a greasy burger. I even missed a simple bowl of pasta. I think I dreamt about carbs for a solid month.
The cravings were intense. There were days I’d just stand in front of the fridge, hoping a chocolate cake would magically appear. It never did, unfortunately. I did slip up, a few times. Okay, maybe more than a few. A man can only take so much boiled chicken, you know?
Little Wins and Big Doubts
After a few weeks of this self-inflicted torture, I did start to see some tiny changes. My old jeans felt a bit looser around the waist. I could maybe eke out an extra rep or two on some exercises. But honestly, the mental game was tougher than the physical. Some days I’d feel super motivated, like I was really making progress. Other days, I’d just feel exhausted, hungry, and seriously question my sanity. You see these actors transform in months, and you think it’ll be quick. It’s not. Not for us regular folks anyway.
The Big “Aha!” Moment: I’m Not a Movie Star
And that’s when it really hit me. Chris Pratt, and guys like him, they do this for a living. They have personal trainers watching their every move, chefs cooking every single meal perfectly, and probably a whole support system to keep them on track. They’re getting paid millions to look that way for a specific role. Me? I’ve got a 9-to-5, bills to pay, and a life to live that doesn’t revolve around counting almonds.
Trying to replicate that kind of intense regimen without that kind of support and those kinds of resources? It’s setting yourself up for a tough time, maybe even failure. It’s not realistic for most of us.
So, What Did I Actually Get Out of It?
Did I magically transform into a superhero? Nope. Not even close. But I didn’t come away empty-handed. I learned that I’m stronger than I thought, mentally and physically, for sticking with it as long as I did. I learned a lot about what my body can and can’t handle. And I learned that extreme diets and workout plans are, well, extreme. Not really sustainable for the long haul if you want to enjoy your life.
I’ve since found a more balanced approach. I still try to hit the gym regularly, make smarter food choices most of the time, but I also allow myself to live a little. That whole Chris Pratt training thing? It was an experience. A very, very tough experience. Maybe it kickstarted something, but ultimately, you gotta find what works for you, in your own real life. And that’s perfectly okay.
