View Full Version : Lost Myself
Hey Guys,
I used to post on the Forvm all the time. Everyday I'd be on all day posting and reading. When I went to college I kind of lost my momentum in my bodybuilding pursuits because the weight room at my university is absolutely horrible. Rubber plates, a very small amount of equipment (for upwards of 14,000 students mind you...), frat boys with their frosted tips and tight shirts clinging to their beer bellies, constant waiting for equipment, etc. I've almost stopped training all together. This is very disappointing to me, because I really love the lifestyle and the results I was getting. I really want to break through the obstacles and start training as hard as I was during the summer. The environment isn't the best, but I have to live with it. I have an unending supply of food as well, which is awesome. I'm sensing a semi-dirty bulk coming on, and it's going to be awesome. It feels really good to be posting here again, and any words of advice you guys have I would appreciate very very much.
ThirdEye
10-20-07, 6:25 pm
It kills not having the necessary equipment available to advance our training. I'd love a power-rack, reverse pec-deck, calf raise and hammer strength machines at my 'over glam' gym, but i dont and have to make do with the tools available, they get the basics done. Work with what you have and dont lose focus. You see these gyms in africa and the caribbean, run down holes where they have to improvise and make do. And they do.
Get yourself in check and make use of what you have. As you said, you love this life, so dont leave it again...
It's rough man, have you tried looking for the best times of day to go, when there's not a lot of people there? As for equipment, gotta get creative somehow, the basics are top notch anyway. Hopefully next year you can get a car up at school so you can make the drive to a better gym in town. I hear ya on the food though, I got unlimited meals and the dining hall is the closest building to my dorm, I'm done with competing for wrestling, so from this week forward it's all about size...got grilled chicken/whole wheat pasta pretty much every minute they're open. You are an animal though and you know you'll come up with the drive you need
MC-Hitman
10-20-07, 6:27 pm
Hey man, I was in the same footing as you when I jumped into college
You got to make use to what is available to you
My gym is horrible, policiy is unfair - but good for athletes, and should be a health hazard
Not because of the equipment, but the fact it is poorly ventilated in the "steel barn"
I've gotten used to it overtime (took 3 years, lol), and found some loopholes against policy
Just stick it out man, don't acknowledge the trendies (Frat boys with the stirt clinging to their keg bellies...)
Hope this helps some
Just remember, get mad when thinking of the "frat boy" look (Thats not me, I do not want that look)
Use that anger towards extra reps, maybe even an extra set or two
Trust me
I jumped my bench press on flat and decline inthe same week after raging over a 60 page lab
It is easy to fall out of step when your routine is changed. We are by necessity creatures of habit. What you need to do now is suck that shit up and get a new routine. Too many fuckheads at the gym? Get up EARLY.Got a 7:40am class? Get up at 4am, eat, and get your ass to the gym. Lunch at the cafeteria is cheaper and more plentiful in the morning, and so are the weights in the gym. You define the environment, not the other way around. You need to warp time and space to fit your shit. That's called time management.
High school was all about someone else planning your time, now you have 100% control . Schedule your classes in a tight pack in the middle to late afternoon. This lets you get to the gym at around 8pm, when most of the pink-shirted-collar-popping-numbfucks are gone, and leaves room for a morning workout or work. All you need to do is appreciate all 24 hours of the day, and make them your bitch.
Welcome back.
Nulllogik
10-20-07, 6:28 pm
Hell yea bro, welcome back...
Just make do with what you can bro. When youre lifting hard there ISNT anyone else in the gym.
And a dirty bulk is a good bulk, not the best, but a good one nonetheless...
Oh no, there is not MISSING equipment... like machines and stuff they don't have... there just isn't enough for the crowds. Like one of everything. The gym's complete as far as what I need... I do basics anyways... not a lot of machine training. I'll figure it out and keep you guys posted. Re-planning my diet now to start full time training on Monday!
Be a shame not to put all that food to good use.
Note the hours the weights area is open. See what times you could go; maybe not when you want to go. Look in & see how busy it is any of the available times to you. If you can fit in 3 one hour sessions a week; that's better than nothing.
Forget the machines; if it looks like you can grab a bar and bench you can do chest work and close grip for triceps. If there's a chinning bar; that usualy doesn't get used much, become a pullups, chins expert. Good for the back.
If you can get a bar do barbell curls, deads, rows, hack squats. If the plates don't go very heavy you may need to do medium or high rep sets or supersets.
Bodyweight work; you can do in the dorm; pushups, squats, crunches.
See if there's a commercial gym or Y nearby. See if through intramurals or something you can get access to the athletic weight room.
Don't give up on the iron in some form until you've checked every possibility.
Looks like others are giving similar advice.
Testpolska
10-20-07, 10:12 pm
Someone that really wants to succeed in this life will find a way. Reguardless of the minor set backs. Be thankful you have a gym. You have so much laid at your feet. Don't scoff at it like its not good enough. I'm all about good attitudes in a gym, but if said frat boy is sitting his ass on something doing nothing and you need said piece of equiptment, make him move.
You 'fell off the horse' when you went away to college. That alone is insight enough. I'm not gonna sugar coat anything. Its your fault, and yours alone you stopped in your journey. So here is my advice to you, that is if you want to have any sort of success in the gym or on stage: You know what you gotta do, get it done, no bitching, no whining no fucking questions.
No one in this world is going to give you anything, You gotta take it.
Giant Killer
10-20-07, 10:39 pm
Kiwi, long time no see brother, good to see you back. The only shame you can have is realizing this, and not getting your ass back in gear starting now.
I got the same problem here, college too big, weight room too small, which is why I drive 15 miles one way to another freakin' town just to train. All my friends thinks i'm nuts for doing that, but i always say if normal people don't think you are crazy, then you'll never make it in this sport.
Maybe you can train early in the morning, at noon when everybody's at lunch, or late at night.
Liftbig21
10-21-07, 10:17 am
Kiwi welcome back...lately alot of dudes i know are fallin outta the loop..kinda dissapointing but fuck it i aint goin nowhere...Testopolska is just tryin to light a fire under you..thats all...everybody gets a little hot under the collar but its how you handle it that shows what kinda man you really are...Everybody calm down and lets get back to business.
bobbymart
10-21-07, 10:40 am
welcome back bro! hit it hard!
Stay strong bro. College is rough, but getting into a rhythm makes all the difference. May want to start hitting the gym at 6 a.m. to get there before anyone else. I dont know of any frat bros at my college waking up that early. Have fun.
Torque757
10-21-07, 12:40 pm
Hey Guys,
I used to post on the Forvm all the time. Everyday I'd be on all day posting and reading. When I went to college I kind of lost my momentum in my bodybuilding pursuits because the weight room at my university is absolutely horrible. Rubber plates, a very small amount of equipment (for upwards of 14,000 students mind you...), frat boys with their frosted tips and tight shirts clinging to their beer bellies, constant waiting for equipment, etc. I've almost stopped training all together. This is very disappointing to me, because I really love the lifestyle and the results I was getting. I really want to break through the obstacles and start training as hard as I was during the summer. The environment isn't the best, but I have to live with it. I have an unending supply of food as well, which is awesome. I'm sensing a semi-dirty bulk coming on, and it's going to be awesome. It feels really good to be posting here again, and any words of advice you guys have I would appreciate very very much.
Hit the gym early in the morning, right when it opens.
Torque757
10-21-07, 12:42 pm
Kiwi welcome back...lately alot of dudes i know are fallin outta the loop..kinda dissapointing but fuck it i aint goin nowhere...Testopolska is just tryin to light a fire under you..thats all...everybody gets a little hot under the collar but its how you handle it that shows what kinda man you really are...Everybody calm down and lets get back to business.
Are you serious? His reply was actully pretty tame considering the situation.
DreamZero
10-21-07, 2:09 pm
Hit the gym early in the morning, right when it opens.
x2. I always do that at my college and there is only 3-4 dedicated dogs at 6am, nobody's stepping on my toes or yoinking cables/handles when I'm using it.. work hard 1 or 2 hours, suck down a Real Gains shake and go to class. Good luck mate.
Lowdown5
10-21-07, 2:23 pm
Welcome back Bro, now get to work.
Welcome back Bro, now get to work.
i concur...
Liftbig21
10-21-07, 2:41 pm
Are you serious? His reply was actully pretty tame considering the situation.
Whos reply?
simpleguy
10-21-07, 2:46 pm
Whos reply?
you can't see it cuz it's been deleted by one of the watchmen or henchmen... I'm glad he did it
Liftbig21
10-21-07, 6:06 pm
you can't see it cuz it's been deleted by one of the watchmen or henchmen... I'm glad he did it
I felt the same way but we can't get off topic and thats why i said for everyone to calm down..
stumblin54
10-21-07, 6:21 pm
Make do with what you have Kiwi, some people have nothing. Welcome back to the game...
Stumblin
I guess I just don't get why the few of you are being all mean about someone realizing they fucked up and is coming back to the game. Like I beat myself up enough about it. I was saying how stupid it was for me to do that. I dunno, I guess it's just tough love... or just tough. Heh.
violator
10-22-07, 7:54 am
the past is the past, cant be undone....this moment now and the stretch in2 the future is what u have...so kill that iron!!! & take no prisoners!....work around the crowds, fuck dude, ur an animal, u should be lurking in the shadows anyway...lol...
Welcome back!
Bombshell
10-22-07, 8:06 am
[QUOTE=Aengus;201229]It is easy to fall out of step when your routine is changed. We are by necessity creatures of habit. What you need to do now is suck that shit up and get a new routine. Too many fuckheads at the gym? Get up EARLY.Got a 7:40am class? Get up at 4am, eat, and get your ass to the gym. Lunch at the cafeteria is cheaper and more plentiful in the morning, and so are the weights in the gym. You define the environment, not the other way around. You need to warp time and space to fit your shit. That's called time management.
High school was all about someone else planning your time, now you have 100% control . Schedule your classes in a tight pack in the middle to late afternoon. This lets you get to the gym at around 8pm, when most of the pink-shirted-collar-popping-numbfucks are gone, and leaves room for a morning workout or work. All you need to do is appreciate all 24 hours of the day, and make them your bitch.
Aengus-
I couldn't agree with you more!!!! Especially the quote: "you define your environment, not the other way around."
I've seen too many times people coming to the gym and expecting it to change their lives just by stepping through the door. The only person that can change your life is YOURSELF. Make do with what ya got, for there may not be a tomorrow.
Great post!!!
Kiwi129
10-22-07, 12:29 pm
Bombshell that was a great post. Thanks a ton. I'm getting in the gym at different times this week doing my split, seeing which times are best and how it will fit into the schedule. Next week starts full on training and starting a log. Thanks guys.
Torque757
10-22-07, 2:07 pm
I guess I just don't get why the few of you are being all mean about someone realizing they fucked up and is coming back to the game. Like I beat myself up enough about it. I was saying how stupid it was for me to do that. I dunno, I guess it's just tough love... or just tough. Heh.
Tough is good. This IS the animal site, by the way.
But congrats on getting back on track, I know how hard it can be to stay on track when moving in to college, it is a MASSIVE change. Anyways, goodluck and glad your back in the game.