Thread: The Ten Commandments of Bodybuilding

Hey everyone, I'm writing a book based on the experiences and knowledge I have collected while lifting. One of the chapters will be called, "The Ten Commandments of Bodybuilding." If I don't publish the book, I'll look into posting it on the net for free to help everyone. Now, I need your help. Please list 2..no more or no less..of what you think is the most important factor for someone to be successful in bodybuilding. And then briefly explain why you feel that way. I will choose the 10 best or maybe even have you guys vote on it. Even if yours doesn't get picked, be proud that bb is important enough to you that you are willing to help others with your progress. Thanks everyone.
Here are mine:

1. The three I's...Integrity, Intelligence and Intensity

In a nutshell, this may be the greatest principle to follow if you want to have a successful bb life. Now, I don't know who originally said this but I will give credit to where its due...Your olympic hero..Kurt Angle. Even if he didn't think of this, he sure made it popular and in doing so, I think he's really hit the nail.
Let me elaborate...

Intensity: We all know that you're probably not going to make as much progress from a half-assed workout compared to the guy/gal next to you who's working like she's/he's in labour. The problem is, people don't understand the concept of intensity. They think if they can bench 200lbs, their intensity level is higher than the person next to them who's only benching 150. How about those guys who like to spend like 2hrs doing barbell or dumbell curls with 20lb weights. They think their workout was intense because after doing all those reps and sets, their muscles are so "pumped" that they look like they're going to explode. Well, if you can grasp the concept of intensity, you can make such a huge difference in your progress..break plateaus, increase your max lifts. Oh its true, its true.

Intelligence: Well, everyone thinks that bb is such a braindead activity because they see all those muscleheads who have larger arm sizes than standard IQ. However, speak to an experience lifter and they will tell you, your gains will be progress if you can understand your training, diet and other variables that factor in as well. Plus, a smart lifter always has a longer career than a dumb one.

Integrity: This is a tough one...but here's how I see it. Integrity is another term for reputation. I think the two key categories would probably be the natural bb and the medically-assisted bb (aka..unnatural bb). However, each member's integrity is important. I think that the natural and steroid using bb have to work their asses off to accomplish their goals. Agreed. However, the integrity comes into play when someone asks you how did you gain so much... if you are using steroids, are you going to lie and say you were all natural when its obvious, that 2 weeks ago, you couldn't bench 150 and now, you're benching 300? If you're using steroids, who cares....be man or woman enough to admit it. Thats integrity. Oh its true..its true.

My second one on the list would have to be enjoyment. Hey, how many people do you know who try to do anything end up quitting in 3 months? Sure, you might argue their not committed or they don't have the drive, but if you look at the root of it, their was no enjoyment from the beginning. Who says bb can't be enjoyed? Hec, I enjoy it everytime I see someone scrawny little kid try to impress a nice looking lady with a super heavy bench and then end up dropping it on themselves only to have the lady help him lift the bar off his neck. I enjoy the company and motivation my training partner brings to me...who also happens to be my gf . But definitely, you ain't going anywhere if you don't enjoy what you do.

who can forget weed an ho's?