Mens sana in corpore sano

A sound mind in a sound body.

When I was four, I wanted to be Superman when I grew up. My mother, being crafty (as in arts & crafty) and indulgent supportive, whipped up several S-on-the-chest-attached-to-a-cape-in-the-back things for the other kids, and a full Superman outfit for me, for my Superman birthday party. I remember nothing of this party, but the outfit still hangs in my office behind me.

Flash forward about 13 years, I was lonely, skinny; in my hormone-filled mind, I thought muscles would get me the chics. So I started going to the gym. My first real workout, if I recall, was disappointing: I couldn’t lift much. The next morning, I couldn’t lift my arms above my head because my back muscles hurt so much.

So I kept going.

I also started reading as much as I could about it. Every muscle magazine I could get my hands on was read cover to cover. I was stoked to get Arnold’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding for Christmas. Everything I read as gospel; I followed all the exercises to the letter; I weighed my food and timed my meals precisely; I made sure to never work out much longer than an hour; I ensured I was properly rested so I wouldn’t over train. All for the pursuit of a sound mind in a sound body. I was first introduced to that expression in a bodybuilding magazine editorial. The instant I read it, I wanted that.

Getting a sound body is simple – which I hope to explain to you in coming posts – but it isn’t easy. It requires patience, faith in yourself, and some discipline (although less than you think).

I had a sound body once. I’m going to get it back.

That’s my New Year’s Resolution.