View Full Version : Not the average kid...
Oh, i'm not by any means telling anyone to stop because of their body. I'm just talking outloud.
i know man, i was just agreeing with you, where having long limbs sucks....its tough seein 6'0-6'2 guys out bench and out squat you when me and my other lineman friends are 6'4-6'6 with long ass limbs
i know man, i was just agreeing with you, where having long limbs sucks....its tough seein 6'0-6'2 guys out bench and out squat you when me and my other lineman friends are 6'4-6'6 with long ass limbs
Eh Those guys are pretty tall too. I'm 6'1'' - 6'2''. It's the guys that are short and stocky that are made for powerlifting.
mjsef88
05-07-08, 12:30 pm
So I guess it's happened. I've become "one of the guys". I've been at my gym for roughly two years. I found Animal at around 16, but really took it on at 17. My transition period between the inner city-like rough, broken down gym, and the, well, I call Hardcore suburban gym.
Just a bit of history for you, I got a day pass at Royal Oak Gym. The people, on the surface, were assholes. Steve, the manager, an oldschool bodybuilder, huge as fuck, was still at the core, a salesman. Trying to get me to buy into the gym. After my workout (I hit up my entire body, getting a feel for almost EVERY machine and bench and freeweight there) fell in love with the place. The only thing I didn't like were the people. Yeah, Powerlifters, Olympic Lifters, Bodybuilders, it seemed like they all liked eachother, everyone kind of clicked. There were two things I didn't like.
1.) everybody talked. Remember, I was taken into the THICK of the Animal philosophy. I, in my youth (haha), thought that if you were talking, you were wasting time and space.
2.) it seemed like there were two groups, the "cool kids" like in highschool, and the "nerds"..to be honest, the guys who looked like they'd never been in a gym before or were just starting out.
Steve asked me how I liked the gym. I said I did. He convinced me to throw down 20 bucks for a week membership, and if I decided to actually get a membership, that would cover not only the first month's dues, but the membership fee as well. Remember, at this point I was training with limited equiptment in my basement. I had 20 to spend, so figured what the hell.
Needless to say, the price was right for paying in cash up front for the year (got 150 knocked off the total price), and was promised in writing, that as long as I paid up front for the year, the price would stay like that as long as i was there.
Fast forward to yesterday. When i was in the gym for the past 2 years, I didn't talk to anyone. Maybe 7 people 7 separate times, just asking for a spot, or cheap small talk. (this doesn't include nods or hellos). Yesterday there were 6 of us in the gym. The usuial crew. They all knew eachother, I knew their names just by listening. I decided to take a dive and talk. Turns out they are a cool bunch. One guy even goes to the same college campus as me. The other guys i've kind of known by the cheap smalltalk. We talked for about 15 minutes at the watering hole. I didn't mind, i just finished up chest and was taking a little break to rest before i hit up shoulders anyways.
I guess what i'm trying to get at, is get away from a state of constant "hardcore". Sure, when you're lifting, I expect nothing less. If your in "the zone" then fuck it, stay in it. But maybe spend some time with the guys you're constantly around. Get to know them. It definately gave me a sense of community, much like on here. And hey, my gym is one of my homes away from home. Now, instead of it being just a building with people and iron, it truely feels like home.
excessive endorphins
05-07-08, 1:46 pm
I dig what your sayin bro,when i get in the zone im pretty serious,yet im always helpin someone else.If they look like theyre at least trying of course,normally i comment on deadlifting technique.Half the benches are idiots,lol so ill let them tear there shoulders up or rip a pec or two and learn the had way.Its more commonly seen amongst powelifters,guys go to the gym in packs,support encourage and shoot some small talk,and manage to throw around undgodly weight,i love seein that kinda comradere (sp)
Nihility
05-08-08, 12:20 am
im still sorta the "little guy" ive gotten a good amount bigger over the last 7 months, but i only bench like.. 110 lbs, i only squat 160, dead 235 etc.
now, i may not lift the weight a lot of people i see in the gym do, but i BUST MY ASS every day. i look less in shape than some of my drinking, nacho eating, pothead stoner classmates, and thats becasue of 18 year old genetics.
keep in mind im only 8 months into weight lifting.
i realize its a grind. i keep my diet as perfect as i can. ive never been to a party that had alcohol in it (i leave), ive never smoked, drank, etc. i even gave up lacrosse senior year to do this full time. i cannot freaking wait until at least the end of this cut i started to SEE some of the work ive put in.
some of the most motivational things to me are great lyrics:
"oh, i feel like shit. but at least i feel something"
- In Flames
im still sorta the "little guy" ive gotten a good amount bigger over the last 7 months, but i only bench like.. 110 lbs, i only squat 160, dead 235 etc.
now, i may not lift the weight a lot of people i see in the gym do, but i BUST MY ASS every day. i look less in shape than some of my drinking, nacho eating, pothead stoner classmates, and thats becasue of 18 year old genetics.
keep in mind im only 8 months into weight lifting.
i realize its a grind. i keep my diet as perfect as i can. ive never been to a party that had alcohol in it (i leave), ive never smoked, drank, etc. i even gave up lacrosse senior year to do this full time. i cannot freaking wait until at least the end of this cut i started to SEE some of the work ive put in.
some of the most motivational things to me are great lyrics:
"oh, i feel like shit. but at least i feel something"
- In Flames
keep it up man. Quality gains only come with time, hard work, and dedication.
I am here, or in my training log, or just a PM away if you ever need any help, advice or just want to shoot the shit.
blueIMlifter
05-08-08, 2:35 pm
ive definitely come around on the not always being hardcore point. i used to hate when ppl talked around me or near me in the gym but now even though im training harder than ever with hasan and his friend we still crack some jokes and have one hell of a good time...not that i didnt find lifting to be "fun" before but now i cant fucking wait to get into the gym to kill my muscles, but also see a ton of ppl i know and shoot the shit from time to time.
TunnelVision338
05-12-08, 11:43 pm
haha trust me, your not the only kid like this, count me in. i have been working out for 4 years now. right now im at 232lbs, at 10% bodyfat. trust me bro, what "we" are doing is right. let those spoilt brat kids do what they do on the weekends. as for me?? i got a date with the squat rack on sat. night. so we are still on the journey bro...and well keep on going until we die..
peace
Saturday morning leg day...training legs is fuckin hard enough normally, can't imagine doing it with a hangover. Let the other kids go out and party/drink/smoke, and we'll be in the gym busting out ass becoming animal.
I really do spend a lot of time here on the Forvm, I really do. I just don’t post all too often. I don’t see the point in re-hashing someone else’s answer in the Training section. Or answer many responses in the Livin’ section. I love watching some of those threads. 90% of the time, the answer is “because it’s harcore.” Or “because I’m called to this”. And hey, great for you. I just don’t being another echo amidst a sea of other echos.
Now that doesn’t mean I don’t think about my response. To any of the questions posed here. Actually I write down my answer to almost all of them on MS Notepad (hey, if I could still run Windows 95 I would be). Every so often I’ll go back and read them. Kinda similar to a Forvm Journal. I can completely tell my mood from my writing. One of the most out of the blue one’s I wrote…
“Why do you do this?”, the glimpse into the mind of the user Tork. I asked myself, “why do I do this?” I mean seriously, I know how I got started, I’m more focused on why I continued. High School sports were over, it was time to move on to college. My athletic performance wasn’t a factor anymore, for anything.
After sitting and pondering for about an hour, I came up with a response that made me laugh. Boredom. When 96% of your friends go away to school, you’re really left with just yourself. What else was I to do? I guess there are other “hobbies” out there, but I like this one. So, I do insane things to myself day in and day out, because of boredom. Haha now don’t take that response too literal, but who is to say what I’d be like if I went away to school with my friends instead of staying here.
Yes, be humble, walk un-noticed and do what you do for you. But, there are the select few times (thanks to teenage hormones) when you just say fuck it. I’m a size L-XL depending on how the shits run. When I go to visit friends, I may go into a large polo. No, it’s not a 10lbs of potatoes in a 5lb sack, but just enough to get noticed. The chicks dig it. This leads me into re-capping another thought written down. “Girls and the iron life”.
Now, maybe in your area you have fitness models, figure and even female bodybuilders, but I don’t. At least not in my age range. Me being 19, what I think would be an appropriate age would be anywhere from 18-20. 21 gets too complicated (bars), and well, under 18 is illegal (haha). So that being said, any girl who “trains” does it to remain “fit”. God bless ‘em they really do have banging bodies, and they understand what they do. Try and even explain a glimpse into my life and it’s like I’m speaking Chinese while standing on my head naked. Carb cycling? neuromuscular mechanics of what? Arnold who…the governor? Eating again? Cardio…like running? Now, I’m a somewhat private person, but a few girls who I’ve gotten close to (either over the years and have become sisters, or the candidates for girlfriends) have gotten it, and either learned to not question it, or not to deal with it. Whatever, they’ve supported me. But it’s kind of like supporting a presidential candidate that they know nothing about. The other thing (and forgive me, I know someone on here said it, but not who exactly) “They love the end product, but hate putting up with the work”. Lets break this shit down, shall we?
6 (average) hours a week in the gym (not including transportation/changing)
10 hours a week prepping meals (PREPPING, NOT EATING)
3 hours of cardio a week (a month ago it was around 6-9)
7 hours of “rest” a week (directly after workout where I can’t really function)
56 hours a week sleeping (Baring friends in town/me out of town, I get my 8 hours)
Comes out to 82 hours a week. Subtract that from 168 hours in the week, and you get
86 “free” hours. But, I didn’t count classes, work, EATING, getting to the gym, spending time with family, taking care of things around the house.
So yeah, seeing you for only 2 hours this week really is a privilege to me, sorry I can’t be around 2 hours a night, just can’t afford it. I’ve gotten so used to being alone that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to actually have a steady girl around. And, like I said, it’s hard to find a supportive one, that will actually be ok with 2 hours a week. Whatever, I keep plugging along.
No kidding! If you do fin that girl, the one who truly supports you (helps cook food [also includes learning to prepare it properly], spots you, massages your sore muscles, puts up with the time alone, and [most importantly] loves you for who you are) hold onto her. She is worth more than all the supplements in the Universal shipping department.
excessive endorphins
05-14-08, 8:59 am
No kidding! If you do fin that girl, the one who truly supports you (helps cook food [also includes learning to prepare it properly], spots you, massages your sore muscles, puts up with the time alone, and [most importantly] loves you for who you are) hold onto her. She is worth more than all the supplements in the Universal shipping department.
Id have to agree,and im blessed to have one! Well,your alot busier ofa guy then i bro,but you get your grind on day in and out.I give you props for a pretty picky diet,wheres i kinda just eat whatevers lyin around,and im sure im not the only one on the forvm.Your a good dude matt,and going back to the beginning of your post yeah,when hs ends,life sucks friends move etc.Try that then grandma passin away and moving 30 mins away=Zero friends,Ohwell.Lol,iget my grind on 2 blocks away from my house,for now.
At anyrate.sorry about the rain.. =]
Matt asked me to post this for him..
The Uneducated
by: mjsef88
God how I love them. Did I say love, I meant loathe. Summer is right around the corner, and what does that mean? 6 packs? dieting? "take it easy" attitude? well, for some that may be, but for me, no. New path, new goal. Size, need it to lift heavy ass weights. I'm taking baby steps, but those are starting to add up. So no, I don't care so much about a 6pack as I do just overall being thick. Dieting? if you call a bare minimum of 5,000 calories a day (some clean, some not so clean) dieting, then yeah, i'm dieting. "take it easy". fuck that. It's a busy summer. Now, I really am enjoying it, hell, i'm going to be gone nearly all of August either camping, fishing, or in chicago. I'll most likely only be lifting 2 weeks out of that month, maybe less. But, that means that everything i'd be doing in August, like working, is crammed into ... well ... now until then. But I severly digress from my origional thought. The uneducated. What I forgot to mention, is that summer also brings in Summer Interns. Now, i think i've publically made it known from day 1 that my job is just that, a job. I'll do my work, maybe even smile, but this isn't a career for me, it's not even a part of a stepping stone for my career. So there are 5 new summer interns, and I was asked to show them around. Sure, i'd rather be doing that then the pile of work that needs to be done before I walk out the door. (damn, that isn't a function yet, programmers, if you're reading this, write a code for that!). So the "tour" goes off like you're all picturing it. here is this and there is that. This is where i'm stationed (a nice office). I'm also in there (as i point to the kitchen).
"Wow, they stuck you in the kitchen" a really hot girl asked. I'm not that pissed, becuase, well, she's hot.
"well yeah, i mean, i'm in there enough anyways, and they gave me a laptop, so i really don't mind working in there."
"well, i hope i get an office, or at least a cubicle". typical valley girl, spoiled.
"you are all in there...for at least this month" as I point to one gutted out office, with 3 6' tables assembled in a big U. "you're all sharing this space. if you need me i'll be next door." I decided to go into the very nice office i'm "renting" from one of the VP's.
throughout the day, they all come in, some have the decency to knock, some dont. Now, I eat in my office, my bosses dont care, and the guy who usuially is in here doesnt mind. It's the hot chick again.
"so you wernt kidding when you said you ate alot." For the record I had 2 chicken breasts and about 3/4lbs. oatmeal left in the bowl. "haha yeah i guess" i said back. "why?" she asked. here it was, my chance to make all the guys and gals of the Forvm proud. about how i sacrifice daily, how i lift like my life depends on it, on how I wouldnt have it any other way. I stalled, all I said was i'm into powerbuilding and olympic lifting.
"ohh so you're training for the olympics?" my jaw dropped. "no sweetheart, just kinda using those movements."
"well, what's the point?" again, my jaw dropped lower.
"becasue it works". and there it was, everything just kind of slowed down, i mean really. it was like you see in the movies. Suddenly everything became clear. "it works".
the girl was still standing there, i must of zoned out for about 3-4 mintues.
"uh...hello?"
"um..sorry..what? uh...what do you need?" i was dumfounded.
"I can't work with them. I need my own space." what a bitch. complete paris hilton type, i dont think i need to go into further detail.
"sorry, i guess you just need to make it work". seeing her jaw drop was more refreshing than wanting to yell at here. I chuckled and got back to work. i'm pretty sure she hates me. haha.
bro. thats awesome. made my day man. i dont understand people who are like that.. its the same in the real world as in the gym. You see the real character of people show when they lift. Thats why i dont get pissed when i see people in the gym just doing their movements.. not sweating. just doing them for the sake of doing them. I just laugh and say hey, keep asking why you arent getting results.
Like i've said, goals change, people change. No, no I know what you're thinking, something else has caught my eye. Settle the fuck down, i'm not going anywhere.
I've been working alot with OLY lifting. I dig it, quite a bit actually. I've also been working with some experienced people, Russian, American, Eastern Block competitors, learning as much as I can, and as quickly as I can. Two of the three (the russian and I believe Bosnian) have gone back home to their countries. They all have been telling me the same thing, stick with it, and stay well rounded. So that means I keep Powerbuilding. Good. Before the guys left, I had them look over my split, and here is the final cut.
Mon- Chest/Shoulders/Tri's
Tues- Back/Bi's and accessories
Wed- Power Snatch and or DB Snatch/ Quads or Hams
Thurs- Off, occasional cardio
Fri- Clean and Jerk/ whatever leg part i didn't do wed.
Accessories means: abs, lower back, forearms, calves
Right now there is no need for having hang cleans, hang snatches or anything to that effect. That comes later.
Supps: contine to keep it simple. Multi, Joint support, intraWO drink (bcaa, nitro g, micro creatine, electrolytes), and thanks to Rcrott1, M-Stak.
Diet: Here's the fun part. The scale, as to this morning, says i'm in the ball park of 220-223lbs. I'm sitting at about 13ish% bodyfat. I'm not thinking about dieting until I hit 240 LBS.. FOOD, and tons of it. I'm going to play this smart, by being urged by the parents and...well...my inner holyshityou'restudyingtobecomeadoctor. I've got it set up to get a quickie checkup every 6 weeks. weight, bf, blood cholesterol, blood glucose, urine tests. Gotta love connections. I've decided to not let my bodyfat exceed 20%. I'm not counting calories, or macros. I'm hitting all of my marks for them. I'm dirty-clean-moderate bulking. Thats the best way I can put it, If I want to eat something, I will, but I wont go overboard on a daily basis. ha, it's time to become the Eastern European/Scandinavian Juggernaut that I'm suppost to be. 6'2'' and 240lbs.
excessive endorphins
05-25-08, 9:35 pm
we bulk alike =]
all bout strenght buddyy..
not really i feel fat on a daily basis..lol
we bulk alike =]
all bout strenght buddyy..
not really i feel fat on a daily basis..lol
haha all that running and you still feel fat. Buy a new damn mirror.
we bulk alike =]
all bout strenght buddyy..
not really i feel fat on a daily basis..lol
Daily? Bro, your goals seem to shit by the hour!
My Realization
By: Mjsef88
I grew up, I don’t know when, or how. Maybe it was when I realized I had to shave on a daily basis, or maybe it was when I checked my ego at the door and decided to NOT worry about how big my arm size was. (trust me fellas, curls may GET the girls, but the brains and personality are what keep them).
I’ve done a lot of fucked up shit for only being 19. I mean, I haven’t even lived ¼th of my life expectancy yet…I see a lot of things and people…and learn from them. I’m going to break this down, the first part, about being in the gym, and the second will be about living outside of the gym.
Be above the fray. Trust me, it’s a good thing, it really is, but sometimes it’s nice to flaunt your shit. Now there is a very specific time and place for this. When a guy thinks he’s a badass doing work with a respectable weight. When he taunts other gym goers or acts like he is batshit insane strong (we should all try to be that, but not advertise it). That’s when I show the fucker whose boss. It may be direct or indirect. The indirect way is to maybe go 10-20lbs heavier or maybe squeeze/push out 2-3 more reps, but not advertise it. The guy may see, he may not, who gives a shit, I’m growing. The direct way is a little more in your face. I may ask to work in with the guy, giving him all the opportunity in the world to change his tone. Talk form, give encouragement and hope I don’t get the “I know I’m badass” attitude back. Now I’m all about avoiding injury, but if a guy is squatting 225 and acting like its 1225, I may say something like “no need to strip it down, I’ll just warm up with it” and bang out my reps.
Now, out of the gym is a “whole ‘nother animal” so to speak. When it comes to fashion, style, appearance and attitude, I’m pretty “normal”. Does it fit? I’ll take 3. Can I not look like I came off a French catwalk? No? fuck it, I’ll look for something else. Not to bash certain brands, but the last time I fit in an Abercrombie shirt comfortably was the summer between freshman and sophomore year in high school. Since when did girl’s jeans become popular on a guy? You think you’re the shit with your attitude, guess what, I approach it the same way I do in the gym. I’ll give you a chance, I really will, I still have some faith in my generation (thank all of you.)But if you come off as an asshole and treat everyone else as such, well buddy you’ll get it right back. You want to sound cool in front of a girlie, shit I’ll start talking, I guarantee you I’ve done something better and cooler. But hey, I guess that just makes me a special circumstance.
Guys I think I’m going to cut myself off here, I think I’m starting to air out some laundry. Let me end with this. Being an Animal, regardless of age, isn’t about being a badass, it’s about being a gentleman, a warrior poet, and knowing the difference and appropriate times to be a pillaging Viking or be cool as a cucumber.
Guys I think I’m going to cut myself off here, I think I’m starting to air out some laundry. Let me end with this. Being an Animal, regardless of age, isn’t about being a badass, it’s about being a gentleman, a warrior poet, and knowing the difference and appropriate times to be a pillaging Viking or be cool as a cucumber.
Best description of an Animal ive ever heard. Nicely put brother.
excessive endorphins
06-04-08, 8:56 pm
haha all that running and you still feel fat. Buy a new damn mirror.
knees been botherin me,need to catch up with the running and cardio...started back today with my 15 mins pwo =]
Hopefully gettin in tonight for 45 min or so
knees been botherin me,need to catch up with the running and cardio...started back today with my 15 mins pwo =]
Hopefully gettin in tonight for 45 min or so
good shit man. remember to ease back into it, saves your knees.
excessive endorphins
06-04-08, 9:11 pm
good shit man. remember to ease back into it, saves your knees.
Yeah,run by my log,haha.
No work today,happy about that.Sunburnt to hell,back at it tommorow tho
gotta post this real quick. I;m on a lunch break.
I'm bouncing this weekend in East Lansing. Been promoted to "Team 2 leader". Because of my fighting/medic background i guess. Guess i'm more experienced than I thought. I'm working with former Marines, Army, Navy, Coasties, AF, Police, Firemen. It's an honor to be considered on the same caliber as these gentlemen. I feel bad for team 1, they are all newbies to the job, kind of stupid if you ask me. Teams 2-4 are the "high caliber" people, i hope I stay safe, watch my back and that of others. The campus is fucking packed this summer, and we've been told it's going to be a wild night because of the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup. Today/tonight is my off time to visit with friends. tomorrow i work a 14 hour shift. Fun fun. Today i guess i kind of worked, teaching all the newbies the rules, regulations, law, and how to not only knock somebody out, but stitch up their face as well.
everyone stay safe and have an awesome weekend.
excessive endorphins
06-06-08, 5:19 pm
gotta post this real quick. I;m on a lunch break.
I'm bouncing this weekend in East Lansing. Been promoted to "Team 2 leader". Because of my fighting/medic background i guess. Guess i'm more experienced than I thought. I'm working with former Marines, Army, Navy, Coasties, AF, Police, Firemen. It's an honor to be considered on the same caliber as these gentlemen. I feel bad for team 1, they are all newbies to the job, kind of stupid if you ask me. Teams 2-4 are the "high caliber" people, i hope I stay safe, watch my back and that of others. The campus is fucking packed this summer, and we've been told it's going to be a wild night because of the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup. Today/tonight is my off time to visit with friends. tomorrow i work a 14 hour shift. Fun fun. Today i guess i kind of worked, teaching all the newbies the rules, regulations, law, and how to not only knock somebody out, but stitch up their face as well.
everyone stay safe and have an awesome weekend.
what kinda classes should i take to want to be a bouncer..thats great side cash..
what kinda classes should i take to want to be a bouncer..thats great side cash..
Well it's not so much as a classroom experience as it is just having your foot in the door. ofcourse, if you have any martail arts/self defense training it will only help. 8 times out of 10 whoever you bounce out will be peaceful. 1 time out of 10 they will give you shit, and you'll have to bearhug/shoulder lock them out, and that dreaded 1 time out of 10 you will get into a brawl.
it was a long, heavy shift. All I can say is that all of my hooks and jabs connected. unforunately I had to throw them more often than not. Oh well, just another fun day in East Lansing. Now i'm home to clean my room and go to sleep. I have to be at my regular work tomorrow at 7:00am.
honestly bro. i would never be a bouncer. I dont trust my skill enough and i dont like getting into fights. honestly.. after a certain number of fights.. you dont want anything to do with them anymore.
honestly bro. i would never be a bouncer. I dont trust my skill enough and i dont like getting into fights. honestly.. after a certain number of fights.. you dont want anything to do with them anymore.
I do it as a job on the side. Maybe once a fiscal quarter. I have faith in what i've been taught, and taught to others. Fights happen. It's one thing to flaunt your shit, and a whole nother to protect yourself and the people around you, even if you dont know them. I've been fighting for a long time, both in the ring, octagon, mat, and unfortunately in real life situations. I always try to avoid them out on the street, but being an employee in a club/bar is a little different then just going out to pick a fight.
Ok I had my fun dirty bulking for 3ish weeks. Time to clean myself up. Went grocery shopping today...
My Grocery List:
PRO:
6 london broils
6 lbs of steak cubes
6 lbs ground round
4 lbs chicken breast (7 breasts)
3 gal. 2% milk
CARB:
10 tubs of oatmeal (they only had the medium sized ones)
4 bags of pasta
(still have a good 10lbs of rice left over from my costco bag)
2 bags of idaho spuds
FAT:
6 jars of natty peanutbutter
JUNK:
3 frozen pizzas
3 bags of oreos
All for around $120. Gotta love being a "regular" at the meat department, i paid about 1-2 dollars a pound for the meat.
london broils/chicken went in the freezer
steak cubes and spuds are going into stew with barley
i'm eating one of the pizzas tonight.
I fucking love bulking.
My level of training has gone up past i could ever imagine. The past month has been nothing short of pure insanity (you want proof, check my log). This is not a chest thumping post, it's to remind my ass that I can't slip now. 231lbs right now, 250 is not far. With the way i've been pushing myself, not only in the weight room, but in the kitchen, is surely paying off. Yeah, i may have a little gut, but who cares, i'm bulking. January-Feburary is when i'll start dieting down again. Strap in for the ride, because theres nothing short of pure balls to the wall training coupled with massive ammounts of food, and limited supplementation.
fuck yeah brother... im right here behind you, screaming at you ever step of the way.
fuck yeah brother... im right here behind you, screaming at you ever step of the way.
wouldnt have it any other way.
From the Young Guns Tribe Thread
Untitled
by: Mjsef88
Yeah, it’s an outlet. The question has come up, it seems like almost a million times. In real life or on this board. “why do you do it”. I forgot who wrote the response (some member of the legion), but my answer is similar. “Can you imagine what I’d be doing if I wasn’t?” I think I’d do a few things wrong with my life if I wasn’t lifting. Rage, fuck yeah. That’s the biggie. You ever notice that you get really pissed off pre/intra workout, and at the end you’re suddenly relaxed. I know I am.
I got a good thing going with a girl. It’s been a while since I’ve been this close to someone, so soon. I’m not one to put myself out there. And when this chicken shit asshole steps in and tries to threaten my chances, I’m going to react. Can I smash this fucker’s face in, definitely. He’s one of mine and Excessive’s favorite people. (skinny emoish type). But because I have the urge does it mean I’m going to act? No, I don’t. Remember, gotta be cool as a cucumber. Last time I checked girls don’t like guys who are THAT violent. So I take it out on myself. Punishing amounts of weight. Some kids were benching today. I had the same amount of weight on my bar, but instead of pressing it with my chest, I was violently jerking it from the floor to my shoulders, then pressing it above my head. And you know what, that did the trick. I got out of the gym, feeling less inclined to hurt somebody, and I didn’t make an ass out of myself confronting a (let’s face it), something that really isn’t that much of a threat to my game. She likes big guys, I think I’m safe.
Personal pseudo-story time kids,
The other thing I love seeing, and this really saddens me about my generation, is that we really are so inclined to smashing people apart. The quick and easy fix is to fight a guy instead of talk. Now, let me get this crystal fucking clear right off the bat….my typing in this post is like ‘the pot calling the kettle black’. I’m a violent guy, I know how to be violent, and I know what to do when I am in a violent mood. But I have a cool enough head to analyze the situation. “Does this asshole really need his ass kicked?” Well, I have the law working against me in most cases, so that usually calms me down. If the guy wants to talk shit, weather it be infront of me and my people or infront of his, I don’t care. “Sticks and stones, love”. That one usually pisses a guy enough to throw the first punch, then I’m legally free after saying a few disclaimers.
Now I ask you this. Why are you prone to violence? Defense of loved ones? “honor” (I think our generation may have forgotten what that means), Your street cred? What is so very important to you that you need to inflict bodily harm on another individual?
I don’t know how scattered this has gotten, and I don’t really feel like going back and re-reading this to edit it. Let’s see how raw this may seem, lets see how you react and respond.
All the best.
bro thats the truth.
anger is a major problem in my life.. but im not stupid enough to start losing it every time i get pissed, that and regular visits to the gym help keep me calm. but you know.. once youre pushed beyond a point.. and your adrenaline starts to flow, its kinda hard to stop..
i've always thought that even though you get hit first.. its misdemenor on both ends if you hit them back. and ive also thought that self defense was only justified by threat with a deadly weapon [fuck.. all weapons are deadly]
bro thats the truth.
anger is a major problem in my life.. but im not stupid enough to start losing it every time i get pissed, that and regular visits to the gym help keep me calm. but you know.. once youre pushed beyond a point.. and your adrenaline starts to flow, its kinda hard to stop..
i've always thought that even though you get hit first.. its misdemenor on both ends if you hit them back. and ive also thought that self defense was only justified by threat with a deadly weapon [fuck.. all weapons are deadly]
like all laws there are shades of grey.
I dont know, the main message I was trying to convey is to learn to control yourself, but we're all guilty of caving in at some point.
It happens every so often, you know. You get caught up in life and what's in it. You make sacrifices where you can all to keep it going. Moving down to a 3/4 day split helped (both for time management and it's physically been working), but still, diet, cardio, sleep....they all get sacrificed. This summer for me is different. Usuailly everyone comes home, we all hang out, it's all groovy. you get into a rythem. This time people are only coming home when they can. Everybody is on a paper chase this summer, and well, shits expensive. You have to make a sacrifice to see people when they are available. Interchange a lonely quality meal for a less than healthy burger with a friend over lunch? Stay out a little later at a bonfire/movie instead of hitting the sack to get the 8.5 hours? Some time fillers aren't even in my control, like work. I have a very flexable schedule, but when someone with power says "i need this done" you really don't have an option.
I dont nap well. I live on coffee. I havn't been sleeping well lately. Yeah, well, yeah...the problem is I get to bed too late, fall too deep into sleep, and wake up earily (average 0500-0630 daily, including weekends). I can't really remember the last time i slept in past 0830. Yeah, I'm getting "rest" but it's not quality....well, the quality that i'd like. But hey, what am I complaining about. I have a job, friends that want me to stay with them, and a matress under my 230lbs body. (20 more lbs to go!)
speaking of that, I dont know if 20lbs more is feasable. I'm being pushed to do a OLY lifting comp in Feburary. I sure as shit don't want to go into the heavyweight classing with more than my share of useless weight. Looks like the plan is to continue on diet-wise, cram everything in, then in september go on my "cut". I'll be watching Rcrott1 alot during this "cut" he's on. Not a bodybuilding diet, just a lean mass, 'let's lose some fat but not strength' "cut".
Well, let’s get the obvious out of the way. I’m a thick guy. Thick with body size/shape, thick skinned, some would even say thick skulled. I’m definitely the strongest guy in my office, I’m definitely the strongest of my friends, hell, depending on the moment, I sometimes even feel like the strongest guy in my gym. All this at 19. I’m tired of speaking about others that are my age. I’m tired of comparing and contrasting, by now we all know we’re different, no use in beating a dead horse.
The thick bodysize is pretty much self explanatory. Either you earn your thickness or you don’t. You can do your benching and curls three times a week, or you can pay your dues. Since you’re reading this, and on the board, I’m assuming you’ve paid your dues in full, and your check is even in the mail for tomorrow too.
Thick skinned. Another one that’s easy enough to pick up on. We aren’t normal. Really, we’re not. We obsess about the weights, we overanalyze our diet. Fuck me, the girl I’m interested in said she looked fat in a picture of her in a bikini. I looked at her like I was insane. If she only knew about the mirror hanging up on my door. Yeah, I’ve walked away from ‘competition-like bodybuilding’, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t obsess. “this looks thicker, but that lost some definition. Is it really worth it?” (you know the fucking answer).
Thick skulled. Well, this is a blessing and a curse. I try to not slow down, I try to not quit, even when logic may say I should. Injuries, exhaustion, tripling up on a bodypart for a week to see if we can’t spark some new growth. I’ve had to re-tool my entire approach to training. Having my shoulders hit up directly or indirectly 4 times a week (clean and press, shoulder day, chest movements, and snatch) means that maybe Chest day will involve more flys instead of presses. But you know what? My shoulders have fucking exploded. I experimented with Back…deadlifting twice in one week? 3 back days in 8/9 days? I’ve gotten wider and thicker. And there it is, my central thesis for the night. Thickness.
Don’t be so thick that you can’t get out of your comfort zone, and not punk out with the excuse of “over training”.
This has no connection to the above. I just to this day find it motivating and inspirational, and I thought I’d share.
When I was still finding out what kind of person I’d turn into (early high school days), a wise old man told me “picture your ideal person in your mind’s eye, now reduce it by 5%, because you should never be satisfied with yourself. Take off another 10% whenever you half-ass something, and another 10 when you make stupid ass choices. Remove 10% for the unavoidable arrogance of your youth, and another 10% just because I’m saying ‘you can’t’. You’re looking pretty shitty now, right? Well add 10% for your drive, add another 10 for your determination, another 10 for earning it through hard work. Now add 15% for your friends. You carry them too, forever and always.”
Cellerator65
07-02-08, 8:06 pm
When I was still finding out what kind of person I’d turn into (early high school days), a wise old man told me “picture your ideal person in your mind’s eye, now reduce it by 5%, because you should never be satisfied with yourself. Take off another 10% whenever you half-ass something, and another 10 when you make stupid ass choices. Remove 10% for the unavoidable arrogance of your youth, and another 10% just because I’m saying ‘you can’t’. You’re looking pretty shitty now, right? Well add 10% for your drive, add another 10 for your determination, another 10 for earning it through hard work. Now add 15% for your friends. You carry them too, forever and always.”
i like that.
My Thoughts on the Day:
Shit happens.
truck needs work means that my spending money goes down, which means that I have to work more, that means I spend even less time with friends which in turn means I will be tired for trying to make up that time which means lifting will suffer which means I'll be thrown into a bad mood for a while.
well...that's looking only at the negative. Let's flip some of this....
The first thing to go money wise are supplements, becasue they are just that...supplemental. Give me food, I'll be fine, trust me.
Lifting...well..Starting August 1st I'm looking at maybe at the most 11 days in the gym. That's fine, I've been planning for this. I need the recovery right now more than I need the pump.
I learned a while ago to not let the shitty mindset of yesterday carry over to the new day. Everything mention aboved is not LIFE CHANGING, there could be worse. I will deal with what needs to be delt with, make the sacrifices where necessary, keep my hat low and soldier on.
All the best brothers and sisters
I'm glad to see someone at such a young age going after what they set out to do, not just talk about it. I'm 29 and the best I ever looked was when I was 22 and from then til I was 28 I was half assing my workouts/fitness lifestyle for work ( graduated college and work took over ) and then I'd go out and party since I didn't do much in college ( worked out, succeeded in school and got sh*T done ). I faultered ironically the older I got after college being swept up in the party lifestyle and making money and living fast. Then something from a spiritual concept hit me, made me realize whats REAL FULFILLMENT in life and that the very thing that is going to set u apart, the very thing that leaves a mark from your existence is something that is totally unbearable and sacrificial to every human nature component of your self gradifyin' piece of crap psyche...liftin hard, liftin heavy, eating right, sleeping right, usually means u do this alone cause 99 percent of those who "lift not get huge" ( which is the dumbest thing i've ever heard ) will always half ass their workouts, their eating regimen and prolly most of the facets of their lives. I feel grateful to realize the mistakes of my errors and I've been getting back hard core for the last year and I'm totally happy about it. I'm glad a kid like this has the knack to express himself and to urge others to get out of the bullshit lifestyle of bars, women, alcohol and do something valuable in life that will carry with them the rest of their lives and improve every other part of their existence.
finally i come across another person that has a mindset like me. Im 17 and lift at my schools weightroom, which i run, and everything in there is old school. just barbells, free weights and chalk. Theres always the occasional outburst given by me to the young ass-clowns in there making noise and screwing around. everyone throughout the whole damn high school and middle school knows who i am and how serious i am about lifting. they dont talk to me, and i dont talk to them. I barely take spots, i hate having the feeling of someone having to help yoiu lift weight. but if necessary, i will.......but rarely ever. They know its time to leave when i load up the barbell with 405 for my deads or squats. I cant help but stress the number of stares i get from the youngin's too. I am glad that Ive read your story and hope you enjoy me sharing mine with you. its not a complete chapter of life of bodybuilding, but its a small little peice for anyone out there who reads it. mabey ill post the whole thing later, it depends. Glad to finally see another one of me out there.
-SiSu
its refreshing to hear all this im 17 and been lifting for a year now seriously. started for basketball on some wacked ass 3 day routine. now im nothing but 4 or 5 day splits heavy weight high reps. my friends dont understand why id rather go to running drills in the morning and go lift at night. they say come out and party. i say for what to ruin my hard days work for what a couple of girls and beer yah ok. i mean dont get me wrong i used to be just as immature drinking wise then thought why kill my body i can put it thru real pain at the gym enjoying what i want to do
So posting up in Phil's log got me thinking...
Ego. I still stand by my original statement. There are two types of ego. "Those guys's" egos, and our egos.
I don't think I need to elaborate on the ego of "those guys". I think all that needs to be said is they either lift for the wrong reasons, or they have some sort of insecure complex that they can't really deal with.
Our egos are a little different. Don't you dare say you don't have an ego. We all bloody do, every single one of us. But, we lift for the "right" reasons. Self improvement, a daily challenge. Sure, we get all of the same perks that "those guys" get from lifting. Girls notice, guys tend to not pick a fight. But I'm starting to stray from my original thought.
Our egos push us to be something greater. But where is the line? When is it appropriate to cross it? Phil had every right to do what he did Phill800101 (http://forum.animalpak.com/showthread.php?t=15877&page=72)
(there's your free publicity, buddy). Rcrott1 and I have done it plenty of times. Jerks stare, scoff, try to lift for the wrong reasons (e.g. solely to impress a girl watching". We've even gone so far as to doing super heavy rack pulls, on a training day that would not necessarily call for them. But you know what, we each hit PRs that day. So, I can say my ego got the best of me, but was it necessarily a bad thing? I don't think so.
Here's my little policy, and I mentioned this before elsewhere. I do not go out of my way to intentionally "show off". If someone says something about it, then I guess something is going right with my training, trying to show off when I'm not. If someone calls me out, stops and stares or is being an all around dick, then yeah, I may throw an extra few pounds on the bar or squeeze out a few more reps. If it is something to better myself, add fuel to my fire, then why should I waste that?
TL;DR: Don't be afraid of letting your ego get the best of you at the right time.
Phil800101
07-26-08, 11:18 am
Good stuff Matt, I agree wholeheartedly. It's very true, sometimes if we let our egos get the best of us for the right reasons, it can be to our benefit. Kinda like when you took that guy from work lifting and really put him through hell. The important thing is that we do what we do for the right reasons, and that we can control our egos. They are the exact opposite, and they give weightlifters in general a bad name.
Oh yeah, thanks for the free publicity, lol.
browner93
08-01-08, 3:42 pm
I'm away at school as well. I live with 6 other people all they care about is drinking going to bars shit like that. Just doesn't make sense to me. If I can't get to the gym because of class or work you best believe I am up at 4:30 a.m. to get there before any one else can. I have my girlfriend and she understands my goals and no one else does. The odd time I train with a partner but they never last. I can't stand people who live to go to the bars, there's some people I know and they will try and workout but oh.. they have to leave early so they can go pre-drink and shit, what the fuck is that??
I will go out once and a while with my girlfriend for a night out but you will never EVER catch me skipping lifting to go to a fuckin' night club.... trust me.
As far as diet goes, I have a roomate who will order pizza 3 time a week and chinese twice, the other days he's eating fuckin' lucky charms.. yeah that lifestyle seems tempting... but no fucking way will you ever catch me doing that. The odd time I will eat pizza with a bunch of friends but I will watch it and if I feel I have overdone it, you know i am at the gym doing cardio harder or lifting to make up for it. People call me crazy I call myself motivated.