It’s been … God, 130 hours without lifting. I wanted to take a break. Sometimes it’s too much - strict eating, constant squatting and deadlifting, or too much information on just about any aspect of those. Don’t get me wrong, I love moving heavy weighs, and Im sure all of you do, but don’t you think that sometimes the pressure is just too big?
Have you ever thought of taking a break, just to see how you will feel after you start training again? Have I lost my passion for what I do? Is this the wrong sport for me, or is it just normal to feel like this from time to time? I mean, not every day is a great day for you in the weighroom. It’s hard, you know. We are all iron warriors, but we are also simple mortals.
to address the “TMI” thing, fuck it all! You will stress the fuck out if you try to keep up with who says do what…all you need to do is lift like Lank said…fuck the technical shit UNTIL you reach the point where every little detail matters…and at that point the technicals will be second nature.
this is really the time for you to take it more serious!!! fight through the funk and next time you hit burn out mode you can have this instance to turn back to and say “yea, I’ve been here before and I’ve blasted through this” Use this time to carve your groove man.
Everyone here has seen the wall or will see it…its just by the time we get to it we know there’s food on the other side, so we put our head down and blow the wall up!!!
get back to it! to fix you now though, I’d suggest a split tweak
I’ve had times where I wish I wasn’t doing the big lifts with the barbell at 7AM, and would rather use 2 or 3 machines and then get out and eat pizza and ice cream.
They say it’s a great idea to take a week or two off once or twice a year. Here’s your chance!
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Pressure? Dude, we’re lifting weights here, not solving the world’s problems. [/quote]
Seriously. I mean, I get the idea behind placing pressure on yourself to perform at your highest level when the moment calls for it (and I certainly do), but when it’s all said and done… it is what it is. So what if you didn’t hit that rep? As long as it was because it was simply too much for you on that particular day rather than the result of you bitching out in the clutch, you are fine. Shit, you’ll get another chance in about a week.
Now, if this happens a few workouts in a row, the you would be better served analyzing what it is you could improve upon in order to succeed the following workout (eg, is it a rest/diet issue?) and being proactive in fixing whatever is holding you back… in my opinion, taking time off is just running away from the problem. One of the things I like most about lifting (aside from the results) is the challenge of it. And sticking points are just another challenge we happen to face in the weight room.
That being said - don’t do it if it’s harshing your buzz. I ain’t gonna get all Animal Pak on you and talk about what a lonely, depressing, hardcore, misunderstood existence we bodybuilders live because, when it’s all said and done, you should be having fun with what you are spending your time doing. If you stop deriving some measure of satisfaction from this, whether it’s the results you are getting or the act of lifting, itself, then take whatever break you need, I say.
Plus, you might just need to get the sand out of your box and loosen up a bit. It’s OK to leave the broccoli and EVOO shake at home and hit up a Taco Bell from time to time… right before you head to the gym and just hit whatever muscles and movements strike your fancy that particular day instead of wringing your hands over your 5x5/HIT/GVT/IBB/OVT/QED/FBI/QWERTY program you are currently on.
edit: lol @ Adderall rants.
OP - you should also consider PIITB and/or hitting her.
What Lanky said, If you feel like doing something else for a while, Do something else. Are you training for a MEET or a BB show or anything? If not mix it up.
I remember in boot camp in 91 the Company Commander finally took us to the weight room as a treat. He opened the doors looked at us and said…Go Play. It was fun something to look foward to. If its not fun for you do something else for a coupl weeks. You won’t die or jack yourself and when you come back you may even have that fire lit again.
Lotsa folks have been where you’re at and figured it out, took a break, recharged the batteries…
Also, somewhere there’s a girl squatting your max for reps. And when she’s done she’s bedazzling her suit for the next comp, raising a family, and generally making your 130 hour odyssey look like a hangnail.
So, take all the time you need, shut the fuck up about it, get back to your routine when you’re ready, and stop shopping for sympathy with emo posts.