On a late September afternoon in Huntington, WV, John Cooper and the remainder of his bandmates within the standard 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 plenty 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 awesome,” mentioned Cooper. “That’s what it’s all about. I love that.”
John Cooper went on to acknowledge the fan through the present that night time as effectively. 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 yr specifically has been a busy one for him.
Cooper mentioned,” We’ve labored actually exhausting this yr 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’s not 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 certainly one of Skillet’s newest songs, “Unpopular.”
“We have photo shoots, video shoots, and it’s time to drop those few extra pounds,” he shared. “However, it’s been a good summer for me to lean back into health.”
John Cooper’s Wellness Plan: Onerous coaching and Clear Consuming
To be clear, although trying like a rock star is vital, Cooper’s precedence is solely being wholesome for his household, band mates, and profession. As nice of a performer as he’s, his greatest skill is availability.
“There’s too much to get done, and if I don’t take care of myself, it just isn’t going to get done.”
When these occasions come, Cooper has a easy technique: eat clear and practice exhausting. So long as he’s been doing this, the transition is a easy one.
“The thing that usually kicks it off for me is when it’s time to stop eating sugar,” he defined. “I’ll still be working out a couple of times a week, but that goes up to around six times a week.”
John Cooper was once large 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 outdated, he saves the depth for the stage. That’s the reason he feels working is healthier suited to him, particularly when he’s dwelling. Whereas many followers hearken to Skillet, Cooper will placed on traditional hits from AC/DC, Metallica, and Kix. On days he wants additional depth, he’ll throw in 5 Finger Dying Punch.
“I love to run. It’s my favorite,” he says. “And I listen to metal while I run. I also love doing T25 by Shaun T. It’s in my routine on tour. I’ll do them five to seven times a month because you don’t need weights. A lot of it’s interval and bodyweight training.”
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 will not be probably the most viable possibility.
“I liked being strong but I didn’t feel as good onstage. I feel better now that I am lighter thanks to running, and I do yoga as well.”
Skillet’s Revolution
Staying in nice form has been an enormous purpose why Cooper’s been in a position to carry out in addition to he does for so long as he has. Skillet has been rocking out levels around the globe for practically 30 years, and so they aren’t slowing down anytime quickly. Their newest album, “Revolution,” showcases their traditional sound with trendy songs that resonate with their viewers. One track off the album that’s possible been added to many exercise tracks is “Unpopular.” Cooper feels that this album goes to scratch the itch for a lot of health lovers.
“I’ve written songs that people keep telling me are part of their workout playlists, and that is a part of what rock music is,” he mentioned proudly. “Showtime” goes to be one other nice lifting track.”
Skillet doesn’t seem like slowing down anytime quickly, and it received’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 around the globe. Within the meantime, Cooper will keep prepared and preserve optimizing his well being as a result of he is aware of it can serve him and people round him effectively.
“I want to be there for my kids and family when I get older.”
“Revolution” is out now. You’ll find 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 numerous simpler methods to eat, however Cooper feels staying in form is definitely worth the time to plan meals forward and schedule exercises.
“I bring a bag of tuna that I can carry on the plane. It’s not that great, but it works. I may also 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 easy hack, he says, has helped him preserve management of his health.
“It may seem dumb, but for me, it works.”
Skip the Scale
If you happen to see Cooper onstage, you possibly can inform that he commits to be match, and he personally doesn’t want numbers to validate that.
“As long as my clothes are fitting me like they should, then I’m not worried about it. I don’t let my life be ruled by things like that.”
