Buy a 2011 BMW 328i XDrive (manual or automatic) and go to the gym twice a week.

 Buy a 2011 BMW 328i XDrive (manual or automatic) and go to the gym twice a week. 

I’m thinking of my musician community specifically as I write this. But also, to anyone in general. 

The two things that have changed my life in the most positive ways have been owning a base model BMW and going to the gym twice a week. 

The quick reasons why: 

1. Nothing or nobody has treated me as consitently well as my 2011 BMW 328i Xdrive did. This in turn makes you level up the rest of your life.
2. Nothing I’ve done has made me feel as good or solid (especially approaching 40 and slightly beyond) as going to the gym twice a week. This allows you to level up your life.

Typically when I write essays like this, they end up being quite long. But I want to keep this one short.

Regarding the BMW: 

You can find one for under 10k. Insurance will be slightly north of 100$ a month in NYC. Total cost for the car will be cheaper than taking the train and cabs to get around NYC. 

Make sure it has as low miles as possible. Comes from a reputable seller. Has a clean Carfax (NO accidents). Looks like there’s been regular maintanence. And generally has been well maintained.

If you get a manual, it will be more fun. But the Lincoln/Holland tunnels will be killers. If you get the automatic, consider a transmission tune. It will bring the car to life.

Also, owning a BMW is not like owning a Toyota. (But, you should do these things on a Toyota as well because that's how you get 300k out of the car. It won't happen if you don't. Even on a Toyota.) 

The base model 2011 328i with the N52 engine is a completely reliable car, IF you stay ahead of maintanence. This is very normal for a car, but also for things in general. You must change the oil. You must change the spark plugs and coil packs if the car is approaching 85k miles. The water pump and thermostat are issues on BMW’s in general. Be an adult, take care of them before they are an issue. (Now that you know they could be an issue, why would you just run face first into that wall and let them happen?)

Regarding going to the Gym:

Go twice a week.

This is the win. 

You do not need to do the most reps. Or the most laps. Or the most weights.

You made it to the gym. THAT’S THE WIN…

In fact, you don’t want to do the most weight, reps, laps, etc. It will make you too tired in that day to do anything else.

Step 1: Go to the gym.

Step 2: Congrats, you won.

Ok, a little more info for while you’re at the gym. 

I like to stretch for 20 minutes first. My legs and back get very tight from playing the saxophone so much. Whatever stretches you do, do them three times each and hold them for 30 seconds each. I like to alternate stretches as well. For instance, I might stretch my calves first. Then hamstrings. Stretch each calf muscle for 30 seconds, then each hamstring for 30 seconds. That’s one rep. Do 3 reps total.

After that, go to the room with the weight machines. Do as many machines as you feel like. The next time you come to the gym, do all the other machines. Boom. You just won. (Same principle as stretching, 3 sets, 6-10 reps per machine.) Don’t do the heaviest weight. Just do what feels solid. Don’t hurt yourself. There’s no need. You already won, you made it to the gym. 

After the weights, do the elyptical machine for 20 minutes. Keep your heart rate under 140 bpm. But above 120 bpm. I do level 1 on the elyptical, at about 35-40 cycles per minute. (thanks ADD meds).

There it is. You just won the gym. 

These two things/activities are/have proven to be (so far) the most powerful things in my life. (Outside of friends, etc…)

I recommend them highly to any friend/musican/person reading this. 

Live with them. Tell me how you feel after 6 months to a year.

Buy a BMW and go to the gym.