It’s important that you think highly of yourself in order for others to think positively of you, as well. Do not ever put others down, however. No matter how tough you are, putting others down is a sign of weakness.
You can be strong without being physically strong, too. Offer to carry heavy books for a girl in your class or kill a spider that people are scared of. Having courage is just another way to be tough.
Being mentally prepared for hard times helps develop mental toughness. Seek out small problems every day to prepare yourself for the unexpected larger problems. Don’t avoid the inconvenient things, so those things won’t be so inconvenient next time.
Don’t bully the bullies. If you’re bigger and tougher, it can be easy to start being a bully. Try to avoid fights or picking on people who are bullying others. [3] X Research source
You don’t need to fight in order to be the “tough guy. " If someone’s picking a fight with you, it’s because they already think you’re tough. Brush off the instigator with something cool like, “I wouldn’t want to hurt you if I fight you. " Just be sure not to egg on your opponent too much.
Many people associate US Marines with “being tough. " Getting a high-and-tight haircut like the Marines could give off a tough appearance. If you can, grow some facial hair. When trimmed, it can make you look even tougher than those who can’t grow any yet.
A little dirt can make you look tough, but only if it’s from doing something that requires work around dirt. Playing a sport or working on a farm requires strength and toughness, so it’s ok if a smudge of dirt is seen by others occasionally.
It would also be a good idea to roll up your sleeves if you’re actually doing heavy lifting. This keeps your sleeves from getting snagged or in the way.
Don’t slouch when you’re sitting down, either. Keep your shoulders back and your head up, so you are bigger and stronger.
Be sure to talk to your gym teachers if you want to use your school’s equipment. A gym or your school’s equipment would be better than exercising at home since you would have more weights and machines available, as well as someone to supervise for safety.
If you’re working out your upper body, a good warm-up exercise is arm circles. Rotate your arms in large round circles from your shoulder, and move them forward and backward. For legs, you can try jogging in place or kicking your knees up to your waists. Always do torso twists, which is twisting from your waist to the left and all the way around to the right. You use your torso for almost every exercise, even if you’re focusing on your arms and legs.
Make sure you’re working out hard enough. If you can hold a conversation during your workout or you’re not sore the next day, you may need to increase the intensity of your workouts. [7] X Research source
Lifting weights in high school can offer many benefits, but it might not always cause you to gain significant muscle right away. Don’t be scared if you don’t see immediate changes. [8] X Research source
There are many benefits to joining a sports team. They can help you do better academically, which may not seem so tough, but is important for your future. They also improve health and fitness. [9] X Research source What’s better than a fit, healthy tough guy with good grades?
When you exercise, your goal is to sweat. The harder you work, the more you sweat, and the better your muscle-building goes. Sweating causes odor and accumulates dirt on the skin. [10] X Research source Always shower after a workout to keep yourself fresh and clean, so you can be tough the rest of your day.
You can get protein in a variety of ways. If you don’t feel like eating chicken every day, you can chew on a protein bar. Choose the best way to get protein that fits your lifestyle.
