My New Year resolution is to eat *more* meat. I’ll be striving for 3 to 4 pounds of red meat every day.
Why is this important?
I recognize that red meat is the answer to my fitness goals. In terms of muscle growth, and seeing results from my work in the gym, it requires this state of hypertrophy.
“Hypertrophy” refers to the enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part of the body due to the increased size of the constituent cells. It’s commonly used in medical and fitness contexts, especially in relation to muscle growth.
The etymology of “hypertrophy” traces back to the Greek words: “hyper,” meaning “over” or “excessive,” and “trophē,” meaning “nourishment.” So, it essentially means “excessive nourishment,” referring to the way cells grow larger, but not more numerous.
Physiology first
The more I focus on increasing my muscle mass, and losing more fat, the sharper my mind and the healthier my body becomes. I believe that in order to become a better photographer and artist I must be at my peak physical condition.
Ctrl, Alt, Delete
One simple idea for this new year is to subtract more than you add. I believe that the approach going forward is via negativa and minimalism.
“Via Negativa” is a Latin term meaning “negative way” or “way of negation.” It’s a philosophical and theological approach that attempts to describe things (often the nature of God) in terms of what they are not, rather than what they are.
The etymology of this term breaks down as follows:
- “Via” means “way” or “path” in Latin.
- “Negativa” comes from the Latin “negare,” meaning “to deny” or “to negate.”
In practice, via negativa involves defining something by the absence of certain qualities. For example, in theology, God may be described as “immutable” (not changeable) or “infinite” (not finite). This approach is often used when it is believed that direct, positive descriptions of a concept or entity fall short or are inherently limited.
Some things to subtract:
- No porn, no fap
- No smoking, no alcohol
- No breakfast, no lunch
- No news, no social media
- No sunglasses, no hats
- No AirPods in public
Warrior Monk mode
My current path is towards a warrior monk minimalist ascetic lifestyle. Why? I think it’s sexier and appealing to me. I believe that by subtracting more things from your life, the more that you become. I realize that the simple things in life such a sleep, sunlight, walking, weightlifting, red meat, and smiling is all I really need to be happy.