In the western male culture there are only three things that are commonly envied by most men - financial power, power of sexual attraction, and physical power. The first two traits have been inflated by the media. The modern myth of a multibillionaire carries the charisma of vast power as well as the less well founded or presumed traits of greed, obsession and enslavement of others. The myth of the playboy is a rather recent creation of music artists and Hollywood films. Advantages of being playboy are obvious but the majority of the image of a playboy is exagerrated, and legend-crammed (ex. life of JFK). Wealth simply fails to give a loving respect, and the 'playa' image fails to give a mature admiration of a person.
Physical power has been stuck in the minds since the time of the ancients. Legends of Samson and Hercules, statues of Mars, Apollo, and David, portraits of a cut and muscular God (Michealangelo's Chapel), and comic books of Superman are evidence of man's admiration of an iron physique and physical power. A lean and rock-hard frame has most of the elements of the previously mentioned triats- it brings respect, admiration, and not to mention catches the eyes of many girls. But the grecian ideal (the ideal proportions of a body, found in all statues of the greek heroes and gods) brings much more than that. The respect is not limited to a small group- it brings a classless respect, an admiration by the rich and poor.The Bodybuilder becomes a model for males, and lusty dream for females.
In natural bodybuilding, the word NATURAL is emphasized and taken seriously. NATURAL bodybuilding does NOT include:
NOTE: *Vitamin supplements and any other medication crucial to health are obvious exceptions.*
When work and pain is put into the body the results show the intensity and extend of the suffering. When steriods are used or a piece of moon pie is eaten at 2 a.m., the cheating is seen and no one can be fooled. One can look rich, one can act smart, or one can be seen with a girl all the time, but when stripped down to the bare skin, one is judged and there is no escape.
How should one come about natural bodybuilding, to be motivated enough to work to get that ideal body? Bodybuilding is not a 6 month hobby. Bodybuilding is "a way of life", a path to be taken to the grave. As in the words of the Brotherhood, "you are the ROCK, that is at the gym day after day... the others are simply pretenders."(1)The path is like conversion to a new system of beliefs or a revival and is not just taken seriously but religiously.
Expecting to become Mr. Universe at the age of 20 is totally unreasonable. The rate of metabolism and levels of testoserone will simply not allow such rapid and freakish outcomes. Only steriod and fat burners use could produce such quick fix results (2). Getting even a satisfactory body requires great amounts of discipline, and patience. But most of all the motivation is necessary. Short terms goals will result in the modest gains, but to get the long term result, one most dream to become a superman. Work and pain are no longer signs of slavery, but expressions of yearing and determination.
In conclusion, REACH FOR THE DREAM, NOT THE REMOTE!