It’s raining horses, sheep and pigs here on Hainan Island –
but wouldn’t you know, I just had an email forwarded to me
from an old friend from my hometown of Carroll, Iowa – and
it has taken me way back. It has taken my mind off the weather
and put it back to my formative years.
The old friend’s name is Mike – and boy was he ever a mighty
fighter. He’s not anyone you’d want to duke it out with – and
both of us fondly recall having to smack a greaser or two now
and then.
Mike was six years ahead of me – and I learned much his
experience in fitness, particularly in regard to weights. I used
them to become a champion wrestler; Mike trained with them
for boxing, strength, health, etc.
I clearly recall strapping on the weight belt to do heavy bench
presses, heavy squats, deadlifts – and everything else. I also
recall choking down some pretty awful protein powders – boy
those were worse than sawdust.
I learned much from Mike – not just about training, but about the
imporance of goals, commitment, a good work ethic, a “never-give-up”
attitude, and so on.
In 1980 Mike joined the Air Force and that was the last communication
we had, until today.
Why the renewed contact? Well, it’s partly because Mike just ordered my
Combat Conditioning program – and not because we’re buds, either.
Here’s a quick paragraph from his email that should serve as fair
warning for anyone who thinks I’m B.S.ng when it comes to the
dangers of weights:
Matt,
I enjoyed your web site. Your article about lower back and shoulder
problems fits me to a T. It makes perfect sense to me to leave those
damn weights alone – especially at my age, and I wish I would have left
them alone years ago. I have several herniated disks (L-3,4,5, S1, and S2)
to show for it.
Your old friend from Carroll,
Mike
Think of it, my friend. Several herniated disks from using the weights. Not
a pretty picture, is it. And this doesn’t even get to the destroyed shoulders,
knees and so on from using heavy weights.
Let’s be smart and train in a way that you’re not crippling your body for
life. Forget the weights. Forget the LSD cardio. Follow the program that
turns couch potatoes into super-human fitness machines.
Int’l best-selling author who stirs up controversy each and every
day with a simple stroke of his pen. You’ll love his books. They’ll
make you laugh; they’ll make you angry; they’ll make you FIT.
Go to http://www.mattfurey.com/products.html and start your
fitness spree right now.