Don’t we all kinda start out bodybuilding? We all wanted to have big arms as teenagers. As you get consistent with that it becomes a game of who can bench more with your bros. As you see results with that you wonder what else you are strong at and go from there. Some people get stuck right there, some quit, then there’s guys like us. You continue bodybuilding or search out some kind of strength pathway. I still love seeing my body change. I’m 50 now so there changes my body wants to make vs changes I make. The term “you vs you” takes on more meaning as you age. I’ve been out of action for almost a year. My body has been winning. I’m not quitting. I have so much fire and aggression saved up, the 2.5 lb weights don’t stand a chance LOL. I’ve lost so much physically. I’m surprised how fast it goes. I’m getting it back. I know I won’t be hitting 405 on the bench again. I’m sure I’ll be doing more bodybuilding style work outs. But I’m getting my body back.
Strength doesn't come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will. -Gandhi
You cannot dream yourself into a character. You must hammer and forge yourself into one. -Thoreau
Don’t we all kinda start out bodybuilding? We all wanted to have big arms as teenagers. As you get consistent with that it becomes a game of who can bench more with your bros. As you see results with that you wonder what else you are strong at and go from there. Some people get stuck right there, some quit, then there’s guys like us. You continue bodybuilding or search out some kind of strength pathway. I still love seeing my body change. I’m 50 now so there changes my body wants to make vs changes I make. The term “you vs you” takes on more meaning as you age. I’ve been out of action for almost a year. My body has been winning. I’m not quitting. I have so much fire and aggression saved up, the 2.5 lb weights don’t stand a chance LOL. I’ve lost so much physically. I’m surprised how fast it goes. I’m getting it back. I know I won’t be hitting 405 on the bench again. I’m sure I’ll be doing more bodybuilding style work outs. But I’m getting my body back.
Just another "Rocky" reference CD. LOL!
You never know CD, you just might surprise yourself in your efforts to find a better way to reach physical perfection!Bodybuilding might just be your answer!
I know a lot of strength athletes that would have a difficult time accepting your situation and would never consider bodybuilding as an option , but I did it for the better part of 50 years and I have to say it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! You have to be a little more creative and your ego might take a serious hit but it still can be very challenging. I was a competitive bodybuilding in the early 70's and I just loved every minute of it. If needed,I'm more than happy to assist you on your path to enlightenment! LOL!!
Because it is literally my therapy that saves me from going completely insane. Been lifting non-stop since I was 15, well, I got more serious when I quit playing football in college and took it up a notch. Haven't looked back! Very therapeutic and it's fun releasing all of my fury with loud music blasting =)
I also prefer to train alone and in my sweet little setup, but that's just me. My neighbors probably think I'm shit nuts but I never cared what others thought.
Because it is literally my therapy that saves me from going completely insane. Been lifting non-stop since I was 15, well, I got more serious when I quit playing football in college and took it up a notch. Haven't looked back! Very therapeutic and it's fun releasing all of my fury with loud music blasting =)
I also prefer to train alone and in my sweet little setup, but that's just me. My neighbors probably think I'm shit nuts but I never cared what others thought.
Back when I started, neighbors cautioned my parents that spending too much time “lifting weights” would lead to a criminal life style!
I was discouraged by being shamed. I was 13. Did I care? Nah. I actually stepped it up. I threw away an opportunity to play varsity football to spend more time in the gym. It was my sanctuary. My goal was to put an inch on my arms every birthday. That continued up until my 19th birthday. I loved being thought a freak! People on the street felt compelled to openly comment how disgusting I looked. I always used the term hideous to describe myself.
Back when I started, neighbors cautioned my parents that spending too much time “lifting weights” would lead to a criminal life style!
I was discouraged by being shamed. I was 13. Did I care? Nah. I actually stepped it up. I threw away an opportunity to play varsity football to spend more time in the gym. It was my sanctuary. My goal was to put an inch on my arms every birthday. That continued up until my 19th birthday. I loved being thought a freak! People on the street felt compelled to openly comment how disgusting I looked. I always used the term hideous to describe myself.
Oh yeah, my Dad still hates it. He thinks it's weird but knows it's saved my sanity.
I've gotten so fucking big and jacked, if any dude says something to me I simply look him up and down and say, "You have a tiny penis don't you?" If he's with a lady, I look at her and say, "When you're ready for a real man, I'm not hard to find."
Has yet to fail me and it totally embarrasses the guy and people always crack up laughing =) I've even had their ladies walk up to me and touch my huge traps and shoulders right in front of the guy BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Insecure young punks with their little peckers, always trying to compensate. So strange but I guess it's just young men today, ZERO confidence.
I've got a big, thick boned frame with long arms and legs so all the muscle looks good on me and actually pretty natural. It's the little guys who are so jacked they can't wipe their ass, those types get hassled.
My grandfather asked me why I was lifting weights the told me it was pointless because it will all just turn to “flab”.
Why would you earn money? You'll just spend it.
Everyone passes the point eventually that performance will never be as good as it was yesterday. It's not a good reason to either give up or not try to begin with.
Everyone passes the point eventually that performance will never be as good as it was yesterday. It's not a good reason to either give up or not try to begin with.
Back then Chris, folks couldn't understand why you would spend all that time doing something without receiving some form of compensation. People had very low opinions of "Muscle heads" as we were known as.
(BTW it wasn't meat heads)
I had a serious chip on my shoulder because how we were publicly perceived.
Everyone passes the point eventually that performance will never be as good as it was yesterday. It's not a good reason to either give up or not try to begin with.
Very well put!
Originally Posted by spartan300
Back then Chris, folks couldn't understand why you would spend all that time doing something without receiving some form of compensation. People had very low opinions of "Muscle heads" as we were known as.
(BTW it wasn't meat heads)
I had a serious chip on my shoulder because how we were publicly perceived.
I've always said Muscle-head because it makes more sense. These days, "Meat-Heads" are just dickhead guys who are thickheaded types that are willing to get in a fight on the flip of a switch. More of the, "They eat too much red meat!" type, know what I mean?
Being well into my 60's I still try to convince myself that I'm capable of performing workouts I did 30 years ago! I keep at it until I can't, I guess I just refuse to let go!
I can touch my right shoulder with my left hand. It doesn’t sound like a big deal until you factor in personal hygiene LOL. Showering was interesting for those first couple weeks. Getting full range of motion back is going to be my first priority. Then strength. I’m not cleared to stretch yet. 2 more weeks.
Strength doesn't come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will. -Gandhi
You cannot dream yourself into a character. You must hammer and forge yourself into one. -Thoreau
I can touch my right shoulder with my left hand. It doesn’t sound like a big deal until you factor in personal hygiene LOL. Showering was interesting for those first couple weeks. Getting full range of motion back is going to be my first priority. Then strength. I’m not cleared to stretch yet. 2 more weeks.
CD be patient.
Don’t try to hasten the process by letting ego dictate the direction. Trust me, a “set back” due to male bravado would be devastating. Better to be a live dog, than a dead lion! God willing you will live to fight another day!
As long as God gives me breath
my desire to train will always be there.
I may no longer have the ability to move mountains of
of iron or sport 20”arms but my love for the gym continues to grow! It
has always been my real and only motivation.
Everything else happened because of it.
Sounds ass backwards don’t it?
Most have to have a purpose to start working out.
Me? I just loved lifting! The titles I won over the years
were merely a by product. I never trained specifically for any show.
I would check the message board every
week to see if there was a contest if there was I'd go.
No special dieting, no drugs just sound training and attention to
a proper bodybuilding diet.
I was 186 lbs @ 9% body fat 365 days a year for almost 3 years!
I competed in nearly 70 shows placing out of the money in only 7 or so competitions.
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Originally Posted by Cellardweller
