So Steve? What's up with the Batman Thing?

   

"Tune in Tomorrow same Bat-Time, same Bat-Channel". And these were the words that sent me scurrying to the next room. After looking around to make sure the cost was clear and that no one was watching, I would take my homemade Batman costume from its hiding spot. Hurriedly I would put it on to re enact the adventures I had just witnessed on the TV, with my brothers acting out the parts of villains. I secretly wish I could see that old costume today. I remember it being a Batman shirt, a pair of gray sweatpants (Later, tights that my Dad gave me. Yeah he was cool) with Batman underoos over them.  A pair of blue dress socks pulled up as boots, a pair of kitchen gloves my Nani gave me, and one of my moms favorite big blue bath towels I had cut up to make the cape. Topping it all of was my belt and a Batman Halloween mask. Obviously I have always been a slave to fashion. Then I would race around defending the streets of Gotham, until my Mom told me " For the love of God Steve please stop." My Dad would take on the role of Alfred and help me put the costume away, explaining that if Batman was seen all the time then the villains wouldn't be as afraid of him. Dad encourage imagination like that. He got it.
     Tomorrow is National Batman Day. This character who turns 75 this year has inspired a lot of people over the years. Me (as you well know) being one of them. I get asked often "What's the deal with the whole Batman thing"? My friend Brad once asked " Is it a sexual thing?" No it isn't. (Although I will say that for those who it is, there are at least two adult movies I'm aware of that they should see. For me it was just way too weird. Porn based on the Adam West Batman is just.......wrong.) For me, as a kid my love of Batman started because I could be Batman. He had no superpowers, just some really cool toys. I didn't need to be from another planet, I didn't need to be bitten by a spider. I could be a guy who runs around doing cool things in an awesome costume. As I got older the character changed and so did I. He got darker, edgier. And I liked that. I enjoyed the fact that he was as crazy as his villains. Something about it spoke to me. I also loved the fact that Bruce Wayne was the secret identity, not Batman. As someone who has always hidden my true self in the past I understood this.  Hey we all wear masks.
     So what made me use Batman as motivation for weight loss? Its easy. Batman is just a dude. A dude who worked his ass off to attain physical perfection. Sure he is loaded, and can afford the best toys. But that doesnt matter.My reasons are the same as when I was a child. I can be Batman. With an incredible amount of hard work I too can become more than I am. (There is even a book about what it would take to be Batman, what you would have to be able to do and such. ) Batman has cool toys in his cave that help him fight crime. I have cool toys at the gym that help me fight my own battle. He has an awesome costume that causes fear to criminals. I have some cool shirts that inspire me, and help me conquer my fear of being seen lifting in public. Batman has assistants that aide him in his quest. I have some amazing friends who support me as I embark on mine. Batman is a great example that when you put your mind to something and give it your all. Surrender your body, heart and soul to your goal and you can succeed. This gives me hope and an example to follow. I used Batman as an inspiration just yesterday. I was running on the elliptical and was trying to get a 5k in 30 minutes. I was getting tired and kinda just wanted to stop. I looked down at the Bat Symbol on my shirt and thought " What would Batman Do?" He would keep at it. So I played a game with myself and ran as if I was chasing a criminal. And you know what I ran a 5k in 29.02 minutes. That is my new best time. I felt amazing. Use what inspires you. I hope you all have a great National Batman Day tomorrow. Do something you think you can't, be your own hero.