You should not have time to bulk

I got a life!

So I caused quite a stir with this note:

As I’ve written before, I’ve gone in and out of phases of trying to be physically fit. Emphasis on trying. Said phases were fueled in part by my desire to be healthy, as well as by my distaste (which is not a hatred) for my skinny fat body. But said phases never seem to last long, for a variety of reasons.

Yes, I’m a lazy, snowflake, millennial soyboy. I don’t like to commit to things and I don’t like to remove myself from my comfort zone if I don’t have to. But I’m also a Mediterranean person who enjoys living a good life, and a Monotheist who has his eyes set on ideals higher than health or aesthetics.

The reality is, bulking requires great amounts of time, money, and energy. You have to go to the gym like 4-6 times a week. You have to plan out your meals so that they consist of at least your bodyweight in protein and minimize the bad fats and carbs. This means that on top of having to spend time prepping numerous meals and purchasing food and supplements, and less freedom to eat with other people (and to eat tasty food).

This is really hard to do if you live with other people (family, an intentional community), and especially if you are responsible for feeding other people. The time commitment is also really hard if you have other responsibilities and priorities like caring for children/elders, participating in communal activities, praying, charitable works, or having fun/enjoying art/culture.

Also protein power is disgusting...since it was not made by God!

Besides, drinking 64 oz of water a day is already a full-time job

It is easy for atomized individuals with no responsibilities or who don’t value their duties to others…or who don’t have a zest for life (and food) to bulk.

In all seriousness, I respect my friend Joe Enabnit when he says that lifting can help cultivate virtues and lead you closer to God and help you take your vocation more seriously (especially if you have to protect your wife and kids)…and that their is something dignifying about having a strong, beautiful body.

That being said, all people should aim to be fit, and should spend a prudent amount of time taking care of their bodies (especially men). But in terms of full-on bulking, the only people who should do so are models and athletes. Everyone else needs to chill out and just be moderately fit.

I understand that for some young guys, being serious about fitness is an alternative to drugs and self-destructive behaviors. But worshipping God, building community, and caring for vulnerable people as in even better alternative.

Also, as much as I’m not a fan of fat (or worse, Ozempic) priests, I’m not a big fan of power lifting priests either. Sure, wimpy, soyboy priests aren’t cool. But your fitness regimen needs to take a backseat to your spiritual regimen. And if you do happen to find the spare time to lift, please do NOT post pictures of it! Wtf that’s so creepy.