fitness in 100 words

At Lumberjack Athletics, we believe fitness doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, one of the best summaries of how to live a fit, healthy life was written years ago in just 100 words. It captures nutrition, training, intensity, and lifestyle in a way that stands the test of time.

Here it is:

“Eat meat & vegetables, nuts & seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise, but not body fat. Practice & train major lifts: Deadlifts, cleans, squats, presses, C&Js, and snatch. Similarly master the basics of gymnastics: Pullups, dips, rope climbs, pushups, situps, presses to handstand, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, row, swim, etc. hard and fast. Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense. Regularly learn and play new sports.”

1. Eat Real Food

The foundation of fitness is nutrition. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods: meat, vegetables, nuts, seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar. Think of food as fuel — enough to support your training, but not so much that it slows you down.

2. Build Strength

Strength is essential for longevity and performance. Regularly train the major lifts: squats, deadlifts, presses, cleans, and snatches. These compound movements train multiple muscle groups at once and prepare you for real-world strength.

3. Master Body Control

Gymnastics isn’t just for gymnasts. Bodyweight skills like pull-ups, push-ups, rope climbs, dips, and sit-ups build coordination, balance, and midline strength. Over time, progress into advanced skills like handstands and holds — these challenge both your strength and stability.

4. Train Your Engine

Don’t neglect conditioning. Running, rowing, biking, and swimming train your heart and lungs to work more efficiently. Push yourself with short, intense efforts — the kind that leave you out of breath, but fitter with each session.

5. Keep it Varied

Routine is the enemy. Mix strength, conditioning, and skill work in as many combinations as possible. Variety not only keeps training fun, but it also prepares you for the unexpected — the real measure of fitness.

6. Play New Sports

Fitness is about more than the gym. Try new sports and activities regularly. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, softball, or martial arts, new challenges keep your body adaptable and your mind sharp.

Final Thoughts

In just 100 words, this philosophy gives us the blueprint for lifelong health and performance. At Lumberjack Athletics, this is exactly how we train — combining strength, conditioning, and skill in a constantly varied way that prepares you for whatever life throws your way.

If you’re ready to apply this approach in your own life, click the No Sweat Intro button on our site and let’s get started.