September 2001

ASK ARNOLD

Regularly, we'll choose five to ten letters or emails from the thousands Arnold receives and he'll answer them right here on the web site.

Dear Arnold,

Do you still do the same workouts today as you did back then, or have you "turned" it down since then? The reason I ask these questions is because my drive to workout has suffered lately. I find my motivation has been lacking, and it's hard to get started again. I think the reason I've lost some interest is that I've become burnt out doing the same exercises on my home machine. Is there a way I can change things in order to make it fun and make me hungry again?

Thanks Arnold, you have been a true inspiration for me.

- Todd

Dear Todd,

I don't do the same workout that I used to do during my competitive days. Since I have become an actor and a father, my life has become increasingly busier. I still find the time to workout, though. Sometimes getting motivated can be the toughest part of the workout. I will make a few suggestions. First, try a new workout partner. If you already have one, try adding a new one. (This will also increase the number of workouts you do in a week.) Second, try some new music. When I was competing, my pose routines changed dramatically when I added music. A new song might inspire you in ways you hadn't thought of. If your routine is uninspiring, try tweaking it in small ways. Switch things around a bit. Then switch it again the next day. Add some variety.

Remember, the brain is a muscle, too. And if you don't keep it focused, it will tire out..

Keep pumping,

Dear Arnold,

My wife Nancy, three year old daughter Molly, and I were wondering if you have any future plans to do voice over work for children's cartoons. It would be great if you could give life to some fanciful Disney character or the like. Just wondering.

Sincerely,

- Bill

Dear Bill,

How nice to hear that I can inspire your whole family to think about me! I have been told that I have a very distinctive, recognizable voice. What do you think? Seriously, though, I am always open to the right project. If a script comes along where my voice would fit in, I would certainly be interested.

Thanks for your question,

Dear ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER,

My name is Vijay Vishwanath and I am from India, and I have seen a lot of your films. I am a big fan of yours not only for your acting talent and screen presence but also because of your gigantic and tremendous will-power which has enabled you to scale such great heights in the fields of both body-building as well as in your film career. Hats off to you! I wish you and your family all the very best. I would really like to know and it would be really helpful to me, and many others, I'm sure, if you could tell me the secret of your tremendous will-power.

Thank you, Arnold, for taking the time to read my letter.

- Vijay

Dear Vijay,

Thanks for the email and the kind words! I am glad that my films are being seen in so many places. India is a wonderful country with many wonderful people.

You have asked a very important question. I am not sure I can answer it as you may wish, but I will tell you what I believe. Too many people have grown accustomed to living for instant gratification. If we can't have it right now, we don't want it. Unfortunately, this means many people don't learn how to set and achieve long-term goals. In my opinion, these people actually have to work harder in life than people with even a little bit of will power do.

The trick to will power is to take things day by day. If you look too far ahead it is easy to get overwhelmed. By that I do not mean that you should forget about your long term goals, I just mean that it's important to focus on the task at hand. Lift ten more pounds today, and add ten pounds a month, and you will be lifting one hundred extra pounds in 10 months instead of trying to add 100 pounds today and not being able to lift it. You have to climb a ladder one rung at a time. Each rung is important in getting you up the ladder. If you miss one or try to skip one, you will fall.

Remember also to treat obstacles as challenges and you will have more success. In looking back, you will be amazed at how easy those obstacles actually were to overcome.

Dear Arnold,

We came to Southern California last August for a holiday and my husband and I and our three children had a great time at Disneyland, Universal Studios and Sea World. To see the kids faces was magical for both me and my husband, but we all wondered how celebrities like you and Maria take your kids to places like that. Can you do this, we imagined that it would be impossible for you both because in such a public place you would never be left alone. I personally would not think to approach you if you were with the children but some people think it is their right as fans !! Do you ever have time to just go round Universal and take the kids to the Terminator ride or ET ride?

Your fan forever

- Kate

Dear Kate,

Great question. As a father, I truly enjoy taking my kids the places where they want to go. I can relate to the magic you speak of. As parents, we can only hope that that magical feeling lasts as long as possible, right?

Unfortunately, like all busy parents, I do not get to spend as much time with my kids as I hope to and I do not get to take them to the places you mentioned as often as we might like to. I have been approached by my fans, and for the most part, they are usually apologetic about disturbing me. I am appreciative towards all my fans, and I don't mind taking a moment to shake hands or meet their kids, or sign a quick autograph or even pose for a photo. With celebrity comes the phenomenon that you get recognized wherever you go. I like the attention. I can't imagine reacting to a fan with anything other than a warm smile and a positive word. After all, without my fans, I am not much of a celebrity. I look at like this: I live in a small town where everyone knows me... only its a little bit bigger.

Oh, and as far as the Terminator ride goes, well, every time Christopher gets a piggy-back ride, that IS a Terminator ride.

Take care,

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