Ranjan Roy
Mokokchung
In the twilight of history, man had to rely on his physical strength in order to survive. It was his physical prowess that enabled him to fight off predators, rivals and other enemies. He triumphed in the courtship game because of his muscles. For a woman looking for a potential mate, strength was an important consideration. She wanted an alpha male who would be able to protect and provide for her and her children. She would attach herself to a dominant, virile man who would be the best bet for herself and the progeny that he would sire with her.
But in the twenty first century, things have changed radically. It is not just muscles that make a man desirable. Education, wealth, jobs, status in society and a host of other things come into play. But man’s obsession with the physique continues to this day. This is reflected in the rapid proliferation of gyms in cities, small towns and even in villages. Every man worth his name wants to look like a Greek god.
The craze for bulging biceps and six-pack abs has hit Nagaland also. So these modern-day temples where body worshippers go to craft their bodies have started sprouting up. They attract a good number of fitness freaks. Some take their physical workout very seriously. They are inspired by the images of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Vin Diesel. They toil hard to achieve the look of a true-blue bodybuilder. But many quit after a month or two when the going gets tough.
Bodybuilding is a demanding sport. It is not meant for the fainthearted. It requires immense discipline, commitment and consistency. Someone dreaming to have the physique of Vidyut Jammwal must be ready to sweat it out on the floor of the gym. He must be ready to punish his body and embrace pain. This is the reason why the drop-out rate is so high among gym goers. Those who routinely take New Year resolutions to integrate gym sessions into their lifestyles find that their resolve evaporates like camphor after a few visits. Their dream of transforming themselves into handsome hunks remains elusive.
If you are not a fitness buff and casually visit a gym out of sheer curiosity, you will be surprised to hear the assortment of erotic sounds emanating from the place. To your uninitiated ears, they may sound like an orgy going on. The oohs and aahs made by the bodybuilders have an uncanny resemblance to the sounds made by amorous couples in the throes of sexual ecstasy. The grunts and groans may sound obscene to the uninitiated ears, but are an integral part of a strenuous workout.
If you linger for a while inside the gym and observe carefully, you will see quite a few young men sneaking out from time to time. You might think that they are going out to breathe in some fresh air after finishing a gruelling set. If you look closely, you will be surprised to see that they are , in fact, spitting out tobacco. You may even catch some of them rolling tobacco in their palms and tucking it casually into their mouths. You may even catch an occasional bodybuilder taking a puff just outside the gym. On rare occasions, you may even find a muscly guy reeking of alcohol.
You may be thinking why some of those who are into bodybuilding are indulging in substance abuse. It must be the force of habit. Though they know well that they must refrain from chewing tobacco, smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol, they just can’t help it. Bodybuilding and substance abuse are mutually incompatible. Yet, the number of bodybuilders indulging in these habits is not insignificant. It is amusing to see that they try hard to develop their muscles while feeding their bodies with toxins. It is like trying to drive a car forward while it is in back gear.
The importance of diet in bodybuilding is paramount. Proteins and carbs must be taken in the right proportions while cutting down on fat. One common grouse among gym goers is that though they put in a lot of hard work, their bulging midriff stubbornly refuses to shrink. They attribute it to their copious intake of rice and pork. Since rice and pork is the staple of Naga youths, they grapple with their belly fat. Despite innumerable sets of planks, crunches, and push-ups, six-pack abs remain a pipe dream for the majority of bodybuilders.
Human beings are narcissistic by nature. But bodybuilders take narcissism to a whole new level. The walls inside every gym are fitted with huge sheets of glass for the benefit and satisfaction of its users. After each set, you can watch the guys either stealing a glance at their bodies or admiring themselves in the mirror. If they grimace, you know that they are sorely disappointed with the reflection in the mirror. If they grin from ear to ear, you know that they are satisfied with the results. Sadly, more often than not, it is a grimace rather than a grin that they wear on their faces.
This is the age of social media and everyone wants to make an impression. The motto seems to be if you have it, flaunt it. A ripped, shredded body is the passport to instant fame. Being a narcissist, a bodybuilder is always on the lookout for an opportunity to flex his muscles and show off his well-toned body. You will often find him whipping out his phone and taking a selfie to be uploaded on his Facebook or Instagram account for mass consumption and adulation. It is male machismo on full display.
However, there is a small band of fitness enthusiasts who are truly keen on working on their bodies. Their passion for bodybuilding makes them stand out. They are consistent, committed and disciplined. They give it all that they have got. They are in it for the long haul. They know that it takes long, hard and consistent practice to build muscles and craft bodies. They are an inspiration and a beacon to youngsters who aspire to make their mark in the field of bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding in Nagaland is still in its infancy. It has a long way to go before it makes its impact nationally and internationally. But it is encouraging to see that more and more young people are getting drawn to this sport. Nagas are naturally endowed with athletic bodies and raw strength. All they need are discipline and consistency. It is only a matter of time before Naga bodybuilders start proving their mettle on national and global stages.
