Answering other people's questions

[Old_Style]

Actually, she’s right, it is obsessive, but that doesn’t make it stupid. She shouldn’t have said “stupid” because that’s just being insulting, however, anyone (including me) who counts out grams of carbs, protein, and fats, estimates daily energy expenditure and plans in advance 8 meals is obsessive.

It’s obsessive in the same way as someone who is really into cars and is always tinkering with ways to make it faster or run better. To someone who cares nothing about cars, seeing someone put tons of cash and endless hours into their car seems like they are obsessed with it. Big deal, it’s a hobby for that person and something they are interested in. Much the same way you are interested in achieving your goal weight or max lift, to someone who is not interested in their body, it seems obsessive.

Make sure you live a well rounded life, have a variety of interests, and achieve your goals. Everyone is interested in achieving some sort of goal, but it is often the obsessed one who actually gets there. Stay strong.

[Chris_Merrow]

I no longer give straight answers to the questions I get at work. I’m to the point of either:

a) Pure sarcasm. “Hey Chris, what the hell is that you’re drinking?” to which the standard reply is now “Goat semen” or “Man juice”. Explaining the complexities of a protein drink to a clueless office worker is pointless, so why bother?

b) Just telling them what they want to hear. “Hey Chris, is this a good exercise for the abs?” or “Do you think it’s OK to separate my burger patty from the bun and eat it that way? That’s separating carbs from fats, right?” to which I now respond “Yes. Yes, that sounds good to me”.

[Steihl]

This might sound strange, but this is kind of my motivation sorta.

How many of you guys have played Dungeons and Dragons? You know, where you create a character, name him/her, get attributes based on random dice rolls, and make him a fighter, mage, blahblah, and go on fantasy quests? And as you kill monsters and complete missions you gain rewards and experience points… get stronger, add on to your attribute points… blahblah.

Well, I AM that character when I practice bodybuidling. I believe I was randomly given a set of initial attributes (strength, intelligence, agility, wisdom, charisma, constitution, luck) and it is my goal to make the best of them. I am not playing a RPG (role playing game) anymore like D&D. I “AM” that character which makes it even the more exciting. I can build my body up… just like gaining experience points when defeating monsters… but instead it’s by going to the gym and eating properly.

I mean, people spend HOURS playing these games. Just look at the number of MMORPG players out there playing games like Everquest. What’s the point you ask them? All you do is build up a fake character… but to what end?

Well for me, I’m not building up a fake character… I’m building up myself? Why? To what end? Self improvement. I mean, I used to love playing RPGs. I got so much satisfaction from getting level 99 characters who could take down any monster or creature in a single shot. But now, I can BE that character in a sense… and build up my own body rather than an imaginary one.

Ok sorry if I sounded like a nerd but seriously I feel like I’m playing a RPG except I have a lot more to lose (or gain) if I don’t care of my “character.”

Another motivation is to look good

And no I’m not a psycho… I just think about bodybuilding in strange ways sometimes. Maybe it’s lack of oxygen to the brain while squatting.

[system]

I think when people respond to you in this sort of negative fashion it has a lot to do with their own insecurities and unwillingness to take responsibility for their own destiny. People fear change and putting you down is their way of reassuring themselves that they are doing the best they can. I sort of equate it to the Matrix, it is a lot easier to stay plugged in, because once you unplug, you must accept that you are the only one responsible for your life. Success, however it is defined for you, is a choice. If you accept the possibility of your own greatness, there is no longer any excuse not to achieve it. That scares the shit out of most people.

Of course, that is just my opinion and I could be full of shit.

As people have begun to see my body change, the response has been pretty positive (at least to my face). People have started asking me questions and as much as I get tired of answering the same things over and over, and endlessly explaining the benefits of omega-3’s, etc., I try to be patient. The best part is that a few people have actually incorporated some of the things I have told them. My mother has quit smoking, quit caffiene, is eating healthier and has lost 20#. My best friend has cleaned up her diet and is having a much easier time juggling work, school, and training. Anyway, I am rambling now, but there’s my two cents.

[remyc88]

Steihl, that’s an interesting approach. I recenlty read something similar to that.

(found here Log in )

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Avatar Therapy

One of the most effective mental tricks I’ve employed in combating my own demons and occasional spells of depression is to treat my life as if it were an open-ended adventure simulation game; every morning, I imagine that I am assigned this character (me), who has in the bank account, a job at [Y], and [Z] people as friends, enemies and acquaintances. Here is your list of skills and these are your attribute scores in Strength, Dexterity, Charisma, Intelligence, and Wisdom.

Now go forth, and explore in this world.

Should you walk up and talk to that pretty girl who’s been looking at you in at coffee shop? An old friend called you this morning and invited you to a party this evening ? do you accept? Oooh, that ice cream looks mighty tasty - should you splurge and go for a scoop? Ok, fine - now how about we take a nice hour-long run to burn it all off?

Employing this perspective is liberating; since it divorces my decision-making process from whatever residual grudges, baggage or emotional barnacles may be attached to specific people and situations, it focuses my attention on what is good for my ‘character,’ and thus, ultimately, what is good for ME and those I choose to befriend.

I’ve trained myself to disallow bitterness and brooding emotions much purchase in my mind; while I may feel sadness or grief from some immediate disappointment, taking a step back and viewing my life as if it was avatar of a simulation-adventure is a powerful bit of psychological legerdemain to put them into perspective. If you are lied to, swindled, or assaulted by a computer-controlled character in a game, how much sulking and anger is appropriate to sustain over that incident?

Seeing yourself as an avatar of an adventure game also helps in dealing with difficulties and challenges. After all, gamers know that no matter how ‘impossible’ any given puzzle may appear, there always IS an solution (however convoluted and counterintuitive). While it is true that in the real world there are situations that are genuinely unwinnable, the attitude of believing there is always a workaround to every impasse, the faith that there exists an answer to every impossibility is the fuel that lends ordinary people the power to accomplish superhuman things.

And who of us couldn’t use a bit more superhuman mojo in our lives?

[gq1]

reading some of the early posts in this thread i realize how lucky i am. just last nite my girlfriend was telling me how proud she was of me for sticking to my goals and making such good progress. in a way, doing this has also allowed me to motivate to meet the goals she has set herself in a non verbal fashion. cause its all to easy for her to tell me to go to hell if im riding her to get exercising etc.

[Mike_Friedman]

When training and nutrition are part of your everyday life, as is the case for most in here, NOTHING we do seems obsessive to us…just par for the course.

To the observer, however, I can see how what we do day in and day out could be viewed as obsessive.

I can remember about 10 years ago when I was totally obsessed (in every sense of the word) with the notion of bodybuilding. It WAS my whole life. Every activity I did revolved around either gym time or the next meal.

I’ve since learned to “cool it” and achieve more balance in my life, but it wasn’t easy. If an “aquaintance” tells you that you seem “obsessed”, don’t pay any heed.

If, however, your wife/husband/best friend says that to you, it might be words worth considering. Life must have a balance.

For example, this summer I’m keeping my workouts to about 1/2 hour of HIT 3 times a week and that’s it. Why? It’s the summer!!! I want to do some surfing at the beach on the weekends and play a little golf during the week…and, if the opportunity arises, eat a nasty greasy delicious cheese steak sandwitch at the boardwalk.

In the past I would have been petrified at the very thought of doing any extra activity that would upset the delicate balance of my training / nutrition routine. Now? Screw it. I’m going to enjoy myself some.

Balance.

Mike

[ND1]

Wow…quite the response. Thanks everyone!

And so here’s my reply to all of you…

Ragn: There’s some truth to what you’ve said. Sorry no details!

Iron Maiden, and all other T-vixens: Keep up the damn fine job you’ve all been doing. You look HOT! Each one of you. There’s something to be said about a sweaty woman, who can deadlift 1 1/2 times MY bodyweight or more…Very sexy indeed.

P-Dog and Ragn: I’d get that erection thing checked out. Though I don’t think your supposed to be doing leg extensions with that body part New found respect for the both of you!

All the responses you guys gave were terrific (sarcastic or not). Some just cracked me up. I think you are all right in saying that it’s obsessive to those who don’t want to dedicate the time to do what we love to do. And so TOO BAD!..I figure I’ll just contemplate the stupidity while eating meals 5 and 6.

And here’s a partial resolution…The girl that started this came up to me and asked me to go for coffee this afternoon, because she saw I was upset (I hold grudges…Too bad for them!). So when she asked me what was wrong I told her she pissed me off by belittling everything that I find important in my life. That in her small world she thinks that what’s of no value to her is worthless and stupid, and that I hate to inform her that her opinion counts for very little. (not paraphrasing…this is exactly what I said). She appologized. Later she was in the room when I was talking to another labmate of mine regarding this mornings DL workout. The look on her face when I said that did 325lbs DLs and 380lbs partial DLs (Personal best for both) was repayment enough. I think that helped drive home why I do this…Because I can!

fcconquistador: your words “next time you lay a quarter ton of iron accross ur back, are u going to be thinking about this cunt?” stuck with me this morning. Great motivation! I nearly got up to that quarter ton…Soon enough though.

Thanks again for letting me vent. Inspiring words all of you. To my T-brothers and sisters…Keep the faith. Someday everyone else will understand. And if they don’t too fuckin’ bad for them!