On a late September afternoon in Huntington, WV, John Cooper and the remainder of his bandmates within the widespread group, Skillet, had been holding a meet and greet occasion earlier than their live performance that night. It was throughout this occasion {that a} fan shared his 90-pound weight-loss journey that included a lot of working. The fan disclosed that lots of Skillet’s songs are on his playlist, and he wished to thank the band in particular person for the inspiration and motivation he credited them for.
“That’s superior,” mentioned Cooper. “That’s what it’s all about. I really like that.”
John Cooper went on to acknowledge the fan throughout the present that night time as nicely. Cooper personally felt a reference to him as a result of he’s an avid runner himself. It’s a manner to assist him keep locked in mentally and put together for excursions or album releases. This 12 months specifically has been a busy one for him.
Cooper mentioned,” We’ve labored actually arduous this 12 months as a result of we needed to end our document, toured Australia, Japan, and Canada, got here again to the U.S. to play our butts off, my daughter obtained married, and we moved—all in a six-month interval.”
Cooper acknowledges that like many different individuals, he isn’t excellent and is apt to eat some additional parts often. Nonetheless, he by no means lets himself get too distant from a cushty weight. Cooper does wish to be at his greatest when a brand new document is popping out or the band is on tour, or on this case each. He commits himself to get in form for his followers as a lot as he commits his voice to hits like “Hero,” “Monster,” or one among Skillet’s newest songs, “Unpopular.”
“We have now picture shoots, video shoots, and it’s time to drop these few additional kilos,” he shared. “Nonetheless, it’s been summer time for me to lean again into well being.”
John Cooper’s Wellness Plan: Exhausting coaching and Clear Consuming
To be clear, despite the fact that wanting like a rock star is vital, Cooper’s precedence is just being wholesome for his household, band mates, and profession. As nice of a performer as he’s, his greatest means is availability.
“There’s an excessive amount of to get achieved, and if I don’t handle myself, it simply isn’t going to get achieved.”
When these occasions come, Cooper has a easy technique: eat clear and practice arduous. So long as he’s been doing this, the transition is a easy one.
“The factor that normally kicks it off for me is when it’s time to cease consuming sugar,” he defined. “I’ll nonetheless be understanding a few occasions every week, however that goes as much as round six occasions every week.”
John Cooper was once huge into P90X coaching, made well-known by Tony Horton. He credited that program for serving to him construct muscle. Now that he’s 49 years previous, he saves the depth for the stage. That’s the reason he feels working is best fitted to him, particularly when he’s residence. Whereas many followers take heed to Skillet, Cooper will placed on basic hits from AC/DC, Metallica, and Kix. On days he wants additional depth, he’ll throw in 5 Finger Dying Punch.
“I like to run. It’s my favourite,” he says. “And I take heed to steel whereas I run. I additionally love doing T25 by Shaun T. It’s in my routine on tour. I’ll do them 5 to seven occasions a month since you don’t want weights. Plenty of it’s interval and body weight coaching.”
The working and interval exercises like T25 or Madness serve Cooper greatest as a result of he saves his time on tour for interviews, meet and greets, and rehearsals. Discovering a fitness center in each metropolis just isn’t essentially the most viable choice.
“I preferred being sturdy however I didn’t really feel nearly as good onstage. I really feel higher now that I’m lighter because of working, and I do yoga as nicely.”
Skillet’s Revolution
Staying in nice form has been a giant motive why Cooper’s been capable of carry out in addition to he does for so long as he has. Skillet has been rocking out levels all over the world for almost 30 years, and so they aren’t slowing down anytime quickly. Their newest album, “Revolution,” showcases their basic sound with fashionable songs that resonate with their viewers. One music off the album that’s doubtless been added to many exercise tracks is “Unpopular.” Cooper feels that this album goes to scratch the itch for a lot of health fanatics.
“I’ve written songs that folks maintain telling me are a part of their exercise playlists, and that is part of what rock music is,” he mentioned proudly. “Showtime” goes to be one other nice lifting music.”
Skillet doesn’t look like slowing down anytime quickly, and it gained’t be lengthy earlier than they kick off one other tour, put together to work on one other album, or discover different methods to encourage followers all over the world. Within the meantime, Cooper will keep prepared and maintain optimizing his well being as a result of he is aware of it can serve him and people round him nicely.
“I wish to be there for my children and household once I grow old.”
“Revolution” is out now. Yow will discover out extra about Skillet, the brand new album, and the place they are going to be performing by following @skilletband on Instagram and logging in to www.skillet.com .
JOHN COOPER’S THREE TIPS FOR SUCCESS ON THE ROAD
Plan Forward
There are lots of simpler methods to eat, however Cooper feels staying in form is definitely worth the time to plan meals forward and schedule exercises.
“I carry a bag of tuna that I can keep on the aircraft. It’s not that nice, but it surely works. I may additionally have a protein bar.”
Chewing Gum
Typically, consuming additionally solves boredom. Cooper discovered that chewing a chunk of gum saved him from taking in any pointless energy. This straightforward hack, he says, has helped him maintain management of his health.
“It might appear dumb, however for me, it really works.”
Skip the Scale
In the event you see Cooper onstage, you may inform that he commits to be match, and he personally doesn’t want numbers to validate that.
“So long as my garments are becoming me like they need to, then I’m not nervous about it. I don’t let my life be dominated by issues like that.”
