Pearls of Wisdom from the Gym
an article in desperate need of a better title
This is the rough draft, a work in progress, whatever you want to call it.
Maybe it's arrogant of me to think I have something worth saying about a topic
that is explained and re-explained to death. All I know is: the whole realm
of fitness is full of myths, conflicting beliefs, money-driven misleading marketing,
impatience, and finally blood, sweat and tears. I've spent almost twenty years
on the road to fitness, and I've found it anything but straightforward. Well
enough with the disclaimer—on with the show!
The Intimidating Question
Diet and Fitness. It's become a big topic of mine recently. I guess it may
have something to do with the fact that I just moved to Los Angeles a year
ago. I was talking with my friend Dale on the phone a while ago and I mentioned
that I'd been working out at the gym quite a bit and for the first time I felt
like I was seeing some results. "Sounds like you've completely adapted
to L.A." was his retort.
Maybe it's that L.A. is so body-centric. Maybe it's because I'm an actor,
trying to get in an industry that obsesses with the "ideal body type".
Maybe it's because I belong to one of the most obsessively body-conscious populations:
the gay population. Whatever the reason, I've always dreamed of having the
large, muscular frame with the tight, rippled "six-pack" tummy.Not
so long ago I was convinced that such a goal was far beyond my reach. From
High School I was one of the scrawny kids—the uncoordinated geek that
shuddered at the thought of being put through that psychological torture known
as P.E. (I even managed to get the guidance counselor to count my Marching
Band time as valid P.E. credits.)
On the other hand, I can't say that I'm really unfamiliar with weight lifting.
I took it in Junior High for two semesters. (Mr. Rich really made it fun and
non-intimidating. Of course, at age 14 I was really skin and bones!)
I also took another weightlifting class during Graduate School. (And managed
to get the cutest and nicest weight-lifting partner imaginable. Too
bad he was straight.) Finally, about two or three years ago—during the
brief time I was actually making some decent money—I paid for maybe 20
or 30 sessions with a personal trainer, figuring a full-time, dedicated specialist
might be able to get me to bulk up. I've even bought four books about weight
lifting and probably paid for two or three subscriptions to various "muscle
magazines" in my time.
Finally, for the first time, I can look at myself in the mirror and say "Wow!
Not bad!" I've still got a ways to go before I look like any of the "built" guys
at my gym, but after soooo long it finally doesn't feel like the impossible
dream.
So do I have a point here? I'm glad you asked. Being a life-long writer (as
well as a general smart-ass know-it-all) it occurs to me that after all this
effort I might have some observations worth sharing. If you're one of those
guys with the chiseled body and huge pecs you probably know all this stuff
already. If one the other hand you happen to be one of those people who has
just decided it's high-time you did something to get your body looking and
feeling better instead of worse, if you go to the gym and it just looks so
damned daunting, and if you seriously want to make sure you get some
results for the time and effort you invest, then maybe I've got some
wisdom I can pass along.
The following are a series of articles meant to pass along whatever I have
to say that may be helpful to others. I must preface this by warning that probably
at least 70% of what I have to say can be found in over 100 books in your local
bookstore. (And they are probably better-written.) What compels me to write
is that remaining 30% that I haven't read in any book. It's the observations
that I've made that perhaps differ from conventional wisdom.
Ultimately I hope that you will learn to figure out what works for you.
- Setting Goals & Developing Good Study Habits
- Anatomy & Kinesiology
- Getting the most from your Trainer
- Finding your Routine
- Diet: the 500 lb. Gorilla
- Links and References
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