There are advantages to having a regular schedule. If you have the advantage of training at the same time every day, and training at the same gym, then you will inevitably see the same set of "regulars" each time you are there. For many people, the gym is their "third place." We have [...]
When I first started working out I was embarrassed to tell anyone about it. I was a shrimpy, skinny wisp of a kid, the classic "98 pound weakling." I certainly identified with the skinny guy in the Charles Atlas ads of yesteryear. My greatest wish was to be big and strong and have muscles like [...]
The day comes when you realize that you can't eat like you used to. Growing up I had the metabolism of a Learjet. I was skinny as a rail and could eat as much as I wanted. Before you roll your eyes and curse my "good luck," remember that everything has its dark side. Although [...]
There is always someone who looks better, has bigger arms, better abs, or more perfectly shaped pecs. Don't get caught up in the comparison game. Everyone is on their own path and all that matters is what YOU have done with your body. Each of us starts from a different place and with different gifts. [...]
The mirror can be your friend or your enemy. Bodybuilders use the mirror to gauge their progress. Although sometimes accused of being narcissistic because of the time spent looking at their bodies in the mirror, bodybuilders actually use the mirror to simply monitor their progress. (The man on the street is often not aware of [...]
It's the time of year where many people make New Year's Resolutions about changes they want to make in their life in the coming year. In reality we can make a "fresh start" any day of the year, but in our culture there is so much emphasis on this at the New Year that it's [...]
I was recently reminded that in many ways I'm not typical.  I know that I have written a lot of posts on this blog about "following your dream" and "pursuing your passion" and "not letting anyone deter you from reaching your goals." There is no question that I feel passionately about these topics. But I [...]
It is always inspiring to learn the story of someone who has accomplished something amazing. The field of fitness and bodybuilding is filled with individuals who defied the odds to accomplish their dreams. Many a skinny guy has gone on to become a bodybuilding champion. As these pictures of Steve Namat attest, amazing things are [...]
My teacher, Dr. Kennedy Shultz, once told one of his favorite Christmas stories. He was a young man in New York City and, as he put it, "was over the whole Christmas thing." He was single and had no family nearby, and really just wanted to avoid all of the hassles of the [...]
There is a tendency to want to keep our fitness goals secret. It's true that not everyone will support your goals and desires to change your physique, your health, and your life. But one of the best ways to stay on track with a goal is to tell someone! We all have someone in our [...]