LOOKISM - OVERPOWERD [DROPPED]

ch 7 : helping fatty(3/4)

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The first light of dawn filtered through the trees as Lin and Daniel stood in the park, ready to begin their daily training. The air was crisp, a perfect contrast to the grueling workout that awaited them. For Daniel, this was the start of a new life, but for Lin, it was a necessary step in completing his quest. Though he wasn’t one to play the hero, helping Daniel was a means to an end, and Lin was nothing if not pragmatic.

“Alright, Daniel,” Lin began, his tone firm but not unkind. “The first thing we need to do is get you in shape. You need to lose some weight and build muscle if you’re going to survive in this world.”

Daniel nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. “I’m ready.”

Lin studied him for a moment. He could see that Daniel was serious, but he also knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult. “Good. We’re going to start with running. Cardio is essential. You’ll need stamina, not just for fighting, but for enduring whatever comes your way.”

The two began their run through the park. At first, Lin set a moderate pace, allowing Daniel to get used to the rhythm. But as the days passed, he gradually increased the distance and speed. The first week was the hardest; Daniel struggled to keep up, his breath ragged, sweat pouring down his face. More than once, he felt like giving up, but every time he looked at Lin, he saw someone who believed in him, even if only for the sake of his own goals.

“Push yourself, Daniel,” Lin would say during their runs. “The pain you feel now is nothing compared to what you’ll face if you don’t get stronger.”

After the run, they would move on to bodyweight exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and pull-ups. Lin emphasized proper form, making sure Daniel’s movements were clean and effective. These exercises were the foundation of their training, designed to burn fat and build lean muscle. It wasn’t just about looking stronger; it was about becoming someone who could take a hit and keep fighting.

“Your body is your weapon,” Lin explained one morning as Daniel finished a set of push-ups. “But if you don’t maintain it, it’ll be as useless as a dull blade.”

The first month passed in a blur of sweat and exhaustion. Daniel’s body began to change; the excess weight he carried started to melt away, replaced by lean muscle. His endurance improved, and his movements became more fluid. Lin pushed him hard, but he also knew when to let him rest. The balance between work and recovery was crucial, and Lin made sure Daniel understood the importance of both.

One evening, after a particularly grueling workout, Daniel sat on the grass, panting heavily. Lin handed him a bottle of water, watching as Daniel gulped it down.

“You’ve made good progress,” Lin said, his tone almost approving. “But we’re just getting started.”

Daniel wiped the sweat from his brow, looking up at Lin with a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. “I never thought I could do this.”

“You didn’t think you could,” Lin corrected him. “But you can. And you will.”

Over the course of the next week, Lin began to notice the change in Daniel’s mindset as well. The timid, self-conscious boy who had been bullied relentlessly was slowly being replaced by someone with a growing sense of confidence. Daniel still had a long way to go, but he was starting to believe in himself, and that was the most important step.

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After a month of intense physical conditioning, Lin decided it was time to take Daniel’s training to the next level. They had laid a solid foundation, and now it was time to build on it with martial arts. However, instead of focusing solely on one style, Lin knew that Daniel would benefit from a more comprehensive approach.