I became an avid reader when I was young, thanks to my mom for giving me my first Louis L’Amour book. I was instantly hooked and read everything he wrote, some more than once. Although fiction, many of his accounts were historically accurate. This also fostered a love of western history, including good horses and revolvers.
The Art of Manliness featured Louis L’Amour recently, but it wasn’t for his writing. They were discussing his workout routine. As a young man, Louis was a boxer, then a trainer. His writing was a hobby he was trying to develop. He also served in WWII, where he started to develop back problems from bouncing around in a jeep. As his writing picked up, he spent less time working out and more time at a desk.
When his back pain started getting in the way of his writing he visited a doctor, who told him no more heavy lifting. Instead, Louis did the opposite and began working out with heavy weights. He said his muscles needed to get back into shape, not rested. He credits this with curing his back pain.
Louis wanted to write, but to be able to focus on his writing, he had to take care of his body. Louis worked out into his 80’s and was remarkably consistent in his schedule.
I haven’t lifted weights since college wrestling. I figure I get enough of a workout chasing kids, cows, and trying to keep up with my wrestlers. I’ve always thought your life should be your workout, which seems to be working pretty good for my dad. My dad thought lifting weights was a waste of energy that could be put to good use (like picking up bales, putting out gated pipe, milking the cow, etc.).
Although I throw around salt and mineral bags a couple times a week, maybe that’s not enough. Maybe it’s time to get a more routine workout schedule. Maybe Louis L’Amour has another important lesson: “Do the hard things so you can enjoy the fun things in life.”
Quote Worth Re-Quoting
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~ Jim Rohn
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