Mailbag: Getting Your Sorry Ass In Shape For Spring Break And Majoring In Not Having A Major

WJ Cope6 years ago

Welcome to the TFM Mailbag, wherein I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. Send your questions to [email protected]. No topics are off limits.

Hey man

I’m thinking of going to Oklahoma State next year and I can’t decide whether to rush AGR or Farmhouse, but I’ve read that Farmhouse isn’t even a real fraternity since they don’t have actual Greek letters. What are your thoughts on Farmhouse fraternities as a whole?

Honestly, all I know about Oklahoma State came from a giant Sports Illustrated smear campaign about the school’s athletics that ultimately amounted to nothing. That, and the school’s reputation for producing such NFL stalwarts as Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. I know nothing whatsoever about their Greek life, so you’ll have to do some research yourself and get to know those houses.

As for Farmhouse, there are certain advantages and disadvantages when it comes to joining one of the less traditional fraternities, so don’t write them off just yet. Hang out with some of the guys in person then make your judgment. Join for the people, not the letters.

Yo Wes,

Spring Break is coming up in a few weeks, and let’s just say I haven’t worked out since ‘Nam. My friends are thinking of going to Cabo or Mission Beach this year, which means I can’t be going around looking like a sack of flour. Do you have any tips to help me get my body ready for spring break? They would be much appreciated.

So what, you have three or four weeks? First, understand that you’re fucked and that you won’t be able to make very many meaningful changes to your body by the time spring break comes around. Once you’ve come to terms with that, it’s time to get to work. If you’re skinny or skinny-fat, I’d recommend that you do a 5×5 program. The 5×5 focuses on compound movements such as squatting, benching, deadlifting, and overhead pressing. Following that program will allow you to build muscle mass in a relatively short amount of time.

If people are regularly requesting for you to do the Truffle Shuffle, I’d recommend a more cardio-centric approach. Eat lean protein sources, drink a shit ton of water, and do all the cardio you can handle. Running, biking, jumping rope, elliptical, whatever. A weightlifting program that focuses on a very high number of reps can also help you tone up and look less like the Michelin Man.

It might hurt to hear this, but diet is probably 75% of being healthy and looking good. There are plenty of great nutritional plans you can try out, but you need to cut out junk food and heavy beers no matter which one you go with. For more fitness advice — both good and bad — check out our Supps Dawg podcast on Grandex Labs.

And if you haven’t gotten geared up for spring break yet — I’m talking Hawaiian shirts, tanks, tees, hats, swim trunks, the whole 9 yards — hit up Rowdy Gentleman this instant and check out their steam heat Spring Break Collection. You’ll like what you see — trust me.

Hey Wes

I’m starting at a big school in the south this fall, and I have no idea what I’m going to major in. I’m trying to decide between Econ, Business Admin, Journalism, and Marketing, but it’s been those same four for months and I can’t figure out which one I really like better than the others. Any advice would be great.

Lucky for you, you still have a lot of time to figure that out. You shouldn’t have to declare a major for at least your first semester or two, and even then it’ll still be pretty easy to switch in your first two years of school. Try watching some YouTube lectures of the subjects you’re interested in and see if they still interest you after a few hours of watching some loser drone on about them.

I’m not going to give you any advice pertaining to the majors themselves, as they’re all pretty solid (even journalism, depending on what you do with it). If it comes time to decide and you’re still torn between two or three of them, consider choosing one that will allow you to transfer at least some credits over if you decide to switch majors down the road. Starting from scratch really blows, so it’s best to avoid that if you can.

The good news for you is that no matter what major you choose, there’s a growing chance that AI will render your field of study useless in the next few decades. That will make the regret sting a little less..

Remember to send any and all questions you have to [email protected].