Bodybuilding is addictive. After a hardcore workout and a big meal, I am convinced that four consecutive days in absence of gym is the likely cause of my the physical and mental disorder in last couple of days. Maybe it is true for every sport. But I feel especially strongly for bodybuilding. Or maybe, it feels strange and uncomfortable to go without anything that has become an integral part of your life.
Put it in a "theoretical perspective"--you know I am teasing the theorists--life is itself a Bayesian process of choosing between multiple equilibria. There is the "sporty+good appetite+hi protein intake+health diet" equilibrium, and that "sedentary+little appetite+working for longer hours but less happily" equilibrium, to name two. I have got used to the "hi" equilibrium again--Thanks JHK, though I feel you won't see this--since this June, so departing from it temporarily makes me "sick". And I went back today to "equilibrate", though I am super busy and stressful. But I also know that going to gym, or doing other sports regularly, takes discipline, passion, and an attitude. If one is in the "indifferent" world, or deep in mental acedia, or can't resist the temptation of "more papers/lab/programming", the "low" equilibrium is also stable, and it is hard to jump-start to the "hi" one.
I strongly encourage every PhD, boys and girls, to follow the previous path. Because the freedom to choose our way of life may be the only justification of the huge opportunity cost we forgo to pursue this degree. And it is downright stupid not to live a meaningful, and disciplined life, in which the loyalty to one sport, and the love to one genre of arts, are essential.
I suddenly recalled the lesson from Yingjiou Ma, then mayor of Taipei, the current President of ROC when meeting wit him in 2005. He may not be a great President, but he is a noble person and a great teacher.
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