More Bodybulding Stigma

Off Topic
41

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Makavali wrote:
Professor X wrote:
…(as I have never seen a Tyra Banks Show)

LIES

I think it is hilarious that she has her own show. I found it even more funny that this is apparently where people like my parents get their medical information from.

Tyra Banks is apparently teaching more people about the horrors of bodybuilding far more effectively than one of the authors on this website.[/quote]

The better one is Dr. Phil, a fat divorcee giving relationship and health advice.

42

[quote]Professor X wrote:

I guess I am just different. Living to be 80 years old isn’t exactly my top priority. I care way more about quality of life than the extended remix of it just for the sake of the song playing longer. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about health either because I do far more than most…and I eat and train like it. However, most of these remarks are coming from diabetics with high blood pressure who are laughing at you for spending hours in the gym yet have the nerve to critique your diet when their own is 10 degrees south of just eating donuts all day long.

I guess I just don’t understand the logic there. How is their 50" waist seen as “healthier” than really big biceps?[/quote]

I think everyone sees big arms and immediately jumps to conclusions like elevated cholesterol levels, steroids and then organ failure. I actually work with a girl who is at high risk for developing diabetes. Her mom has a severe case of it and recently began losing her vision as a consequence. I see her day in and day out, eatings only things in bags or packages, usually goobers or skittles with a side of mountain dew. She refuses to eat any kind of protein because it’s “gross”, unless of course it’s cheese and then it has to be on a pizza.

This girl was diagnosed with a multitude of emotional disorders and every time I suggest that her unstable mood could probably be helped by improving her diet and throwing in some exercise, she scoffs at it and actually says she does the WII FIT ROUTINE ONCE A WEEK which is enough for her. If the country continues like this, the armed forces will have no choice but to set up recruitment stations at gyms as we will be the only people left who aren’t physically debilitated. /end rant

43

[quote]Da Vinci wrote:
Professor X wrote:

I guess I am just different. Living to be 80 years old isn’t exactly my top priority. I care way more about quality of life than the extended remix of it just for the sake of the song playing longer. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about health either because I do far more than most…and I eat and train like it. However, most of these remarks are coming from diabetics with high blood pressure who are laughing at you for spending hours in the gym yet have the nerve to critique your diet when their own is 10 degrees south of just eating donuts all day long.

I guess I just don’t understand the logic there. How is their 50" waist seen as “healthier” than really big biceps?

I think everyone sees big arms and immediately jumps to conclusions like elevated cholesterol levels, steroids and then organ failure. I actually work with a girl who is at high risk for developing diabetes. Her mom has a severe case of it and recently began losing her vision as a consequence. I see her day in and day out, eatings only things in bags or packages, usually goobers or skittles with a side of mountain dew. She refuses to eat any kind of protein because it’s “gross”, unless of course it’s cheese and then it has to be on a pizza.

This girl was diagnosed with a multitude of emotional disorders and every time I suggest that her unstable mood could probably be helped by improving her diet and throwing in some exercise, she scoffs at it and actually says she does the WII FIT ROUTINE ONCE A WEEK which is enough for her. If the country continues like this, the armed forces will have no choice but to set up recruitment stations at gyms as we will be the only people left who aren’t physically debilitated. /end rant[/quote]

Interesting conclusion. I can see that working.

44

All the bullshit that comes from others out there has pretty much pushed me to not talk about my food or supplement intake or training with anyone who isn’t actively pursuing some type of athletic or physique-oriented goals. Mostly, that means I stick to this website and 4 or 5 friends who actually go to the gym.

I have a ton of friends who are distance runners (from 5k’s to full marathons) and I don’t even mention anything involving lifting to them. They have completely opposite goals and mindsets than anyone serious about building muscle mass and, apparently, a 410# deadlift is freakish and asking for injury in their minds.

Personally, I think being able to pick up heavy shit is much more useful in day to day life than being able to run slower than I can leisurely pedal a bicycle for 2 hours.

46

There is a stigma surrounding every activity outside of the norm …

When I first got into mma, I sucked… always had a black eye/rash/bruises all over or something.

I used to tell people it was because I was training for mma. I always got a lecture: “Why would you wanna hurt yourself for no reason, that fighting style is not good for self defense, why cant you take karate or something”

Once you object, its on. They will argue to the death their point, even if it is based on nothing.

Now I just say “well I just wrestle a bit a few days a week to stay in shape”, the response is “good for you!!” haha.

When I first lost about 20 pounds, I started getting very vascular. I would be so excited, because it truly meant I was progressing, and everyone knows that the bearer can hardly see fat loss, unless it starts to get to that point. I would always be looking at my own arms and grinning… enter steroid comments. I’m not even big, in fact, I’m still a little bitch for this websites standards. My coworkers always make jokes about it… “Hey your veins are stickin out, better go inject before you lose them!” It used to be a compliment, now its just irritating. They don’t understand that I have to eat the way I don’t want to eat, and that I have to put myself through serious discomfort to achieve what I have so far.

I think its just the last few generations don’t appreciate hard work or muscles. A lot of people just don’t see the point of muscles. Think about it, its getting to the point where we don’t even have to walk up stairs anymore. Its a world made for pussies.

47

Im luck yin that aspect,My dad has lifted his whole life and my sister is a sports therapist.

The area where I argue with people in is cardio.People think that if they lift weights there gonna bulk up real quick and running on a treadmill will make them lose all there body fat.

Face the facts, People are fucking stupid especially in this country.

48

I knew this thread would create this kind of response, good to see. Still just incredible some times though. Horsepuss your bang on. I had this one friend who consistently asked for help on how to fix her posture, get more toned and lose a bit of fat.
So I said you already kick ass on cardio, start lifting weights, and eat more spread over smaller meals. “Oh no I cant do that I dont want muscle, my arms will get too big!”
Any answer other than an exasperated smile just brings aggrevation.

Everyone who isn’t “there” thinks there’s a magical equation to strength and health. Everyone who is “there” knows there isn’t.
The former trade ideas because it is easier.

49

This thread illustrates why I don’t remain too much in touch with a lot of family.

Family is a huge cause of drama. When you look at it selfishly, there’s not much of a payout.

They send me religious missives all the time. They don’t respect my atheism. I, OTOH, don’t ever tell them that they pray to ghosts or believe in hocus-pocus.

I live and let live.

Those who refuse to treat me with the same respect get cut out. That they are family barely factors into my analysis.

50

[quote]HangerBaby wrote:
There is a stigma surrounding every activity outside of the norm …

When I first got into mma, I sucked… always had a black eye/rash/bruises all over or something.

I used to tell people it was because I was training for mma. I always got a lecture: “Why would you wanna hurt yourself for no reason, that fighting style is not good for self defense, why cant you take karate or something”

Once you object, its on. They will argue to the death their point, even if it is based on nothing.

Now I just say “well I just wrestle a bit a few days a week to stay in shape”, the response is “good for you!!” haha.

When I first lost about 20 pounds, I started getting very vascular. I would be so excited, because it truly meant I was progressing, and everyone knows that the bearer can hardly see fat loss, unless it starts to get to that point. I would always be looking at my own arms and grinning… enter steroid comments. I’m not even big, in fact, I’m still a little bitch for this websites standards. My coworkers always make jokes about it… “Hey your veins are stickin out, better go inject before you lose them!” It used to be a compliment, now its just irritating. They don’t understand that I have to eat the way I don’t want to eat, and that I have to put myself through serious discomfort to achieve what I have so far.

I think its just the last few generations don’t appreciate hard work or muscles. A lot of people just don’t see the point of muscles. Think about it, its getting to the point where we don’t even have to walk up stairs anymore. Its a world made for pussies.[/quote]

In a strange way it makes me laugh whenever people joke about veins and steroids.

you jackasses, you inject into the muscle, not the vein.

idiots.

51

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Beatnik wrote:
I am not the most serious training person. But even i get it. I try not to tell people specifics. Just keep it general to avoid the resulting discussion. I don’t say “i need to gain another 15kg.” I say, “Just trying to get bigger arms”. For some reason people have a mental disconnect in their heads. Guys want bigger arms. Thats ok. But gaining weight is bad. The more general, and stereotypical the answer the less resistance i get from everyone else.

Trust me…get big enough and they will question that too. If I told the average person I was trying to gain more size they would think I had gone literally insane. I downplay my work and my goals as much as humanly possible.[/quote]

People are such giant toolbag pussies. I consider myself pretty much a rank beginner, even though I’m one of the strongest guys in my gym. I’ve just been around enough to know where I stand IRL. So when I have guys come up to me in the gym and ask me if I use steroids, it’s hilarious; I laugh in their faces. If they think I have steroid lifts and a steroid body it’s no wonder they can’t achieve anything.

OTOH, I’m infuriated when people tell me I have “good genetics”. That’s the biggest load of cop-out horseshit there is. I think the bigger and better I get the more I’m going to hear it though.

People only ever see the now and never consider the then.

52

[quote]DixiesFinest wrote:
HangerBaby wrote:
There is a stigma surrounding every activity outside of the norm …

When I first got into mma, I sucked… always had a black eye/rash/bruises all over or something.

I used to tell people it was because I was training for mma. I always got a lecture: “Why would you wanna hurt yourself for no reason, that fighting style is not good for self defense, why cant you take karate or something”

Once you object, its on. They will argue to the death their point, even if it is based on nothing.

Now I just say “well I just wrestle a bit a few days a week to stay in shape”, the response is “good for you!!” haha.

When I first lost about 20 pounds, I started getting very vascular. I would be so excited, because it truly meant I was progressing, and everyone knows that the bearer can hardly see fat loss, unless it starts to get to that point. I would always be looking at my own arms and grinning… enter steroid comments. I’m not even big, in fact, I’m still a little bitch for this websites standards. My coworkers always make jokes about it… “Hey your veins are stickin out, better go inject before you lose them!” It used to be a compliment, now its just irritating. They don’t understand that I have to eat the way I don’t want to eat, and that I have to put myself through serious discomfort to achieve what I have so far.

I think its just the last few generations don’t appreciate hard work or muscles. A lot of people just don’t see the point of muscles. Think about it, its getting to the point where we don’t even have to walk up stairs anymore. Its a world made for pussies.

In a strange way it makes me laugh whenever people joke about veins and steroids.

you jackasses, you inject into the muscle, not the vein.

idiots.
[/quote]
Yeah, but do you really want to explain to them how to inject steroids? I mean, will that help your case, AT ALL?

Hahaha

53

[quote]DixiesFinest wrote:
Da Vinci wrote:
Professor X wrote:

I guess I am just different. Living to be 80 years old isn’t exactly my top priority. I care way more about quality of life than the extended remix of it just for the sake of the song playing longer. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about health either because I do far more than most…and I eat and train like it. However, most of these remarks are coming from diabetics with high blood pressure who are laughing at you for spending hours in the gym yet have the nerve to critique your diet when their own is 10 degrees south of just eating donuts all day long.

I guess I just don’t understand the logic there. How is their 50" waist seen as “healthier” than really big biceps?

I think everyone sees big arms and immediately jumps to conclusions like elevated cholesterol levels, steroids and then organ failure. I actually work with a girl who is at high risk for developing diabetes. Her mom has a severe case of it and recently began losing her vision as a consequence. I see her day in and day out, eatings only things in bags or packages, usually goobers or skittles with a side of mountain dew. She refuses to eat any kind of protein because it’s “gross”, unless of course it’s cheese and then it has to be on a pizza.

This girl was diagnosed with a multitude of emotional disorders and every time I suggest that her unstable mood could probably be helped by improving her diet and throwing in some exercise, she scoffs at it and actually says she does the WII FIT ROUTINE ONCE A WEEK which is enough for her. If the country continues like this, the armed forces will have no choice but to set up recruitment stations at gyms as we will be the only people left who aren’t physically debilitated. /end rant

Interesting conclusion. I can see that working.[/quote]

That’s actually pretty much what happens at the commercial gym I go to. In the morning I see a whole mess of Army recruiters “working out” and wearing their Army strong shirts. It’s pretty funny. Especially in a gym filled with lots of old WWII Marines.

54

Haven’t got much stigma, really.
My mother told me ‘‘you’re going to give yourself a heart attack’’ because of all the eggs I eat. I eat a massive 3 for breakfast at the moment, and that’s it…

Also, drinking so much milk will ruin my stomach. When I say that I feel fine they just say that in a few years I’ll regret it.

Also, I bought some whey protein a few months back. I bought a big 4-kilo bag becuase I couldn’t be bothered trekking back into the city for some after a few weeks.
Anyways, when I bought it I met up with my friends. They enquired what it was and I gave a lay-mans description of whey isolates-

Friend: Protein powder…? Oh you’d seriously wanna cut down on fat so!
Me: Erm… yes…

They were in a kebab shop. Of all places to start giving me health advice…

55

[quote]CaliforniaLaw wrote:
This thread illustrates why I don’t remain too much in touch with a lot of family.

Family is a huge cause of drama. When you look at it selfishly, there’s not much of a payout.

They send me religious missives all the time. They don’t respect my atheism. I, OTOH, don’t ever tell them that they pray to ghosts or believe in hocus-pocus.

I live and let live.

Those who refuse to treat me with the same respect get cut out. That they are family barely factors into my analysis.[/quote]

Agreed. Surrounding oneself with friends who are supportive, open and are striving for constant improvement make my life better.

Don’t get me wrong, I envy families that are close. However, my experience has been that too much family drama and close-mindedness makes the effort to “stay close” not worth it.

And as the old saying goes, “friends are the universe’s way of making up for our family members.”

56

[quote]MementoMori wrote:
I felt the need for a little rant that others would sympathize with, and this is obviously the place to go.

I am currently on vacation visiting some extended family. They always knew I was interested in weightlifting but in the past few months I’ve decided to refocus even more and do my best to become a legitimate lifter. Now with this being said in all of your eyes I am by no means a STRONG person, I have ok stats, but you should listen to these people reaction!

I’ve had 3 or 4 separate “interventions” in the span of 3 days
I’ve been told that I will annihilate my small intestine and box my kidneys because I have too much protein (ie I eat about 4300 calories a day with a carb/protein intensive diet and about 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per kilo- 80)
I’ve been told Weight gainers are the death and poison.
I’ve been told that my physical shape is only possible because I’m 20 and I “will see” when I age.
I’ve been asked “Why would you do this to yourself???”
I’ve been told that it is bad for my heart and should just do cardio.
I’ve been told that circuit training with low weight (15 lbs) for an hour and a half is healthier than heavy weight lifting.
I’ve been told it will be impossible to cut down my food intake when I get old (didn’t even bother explaining the theory of a Cut at this point).
Among other things, spoken with a raised eyebrow and a condescending air.

If I were to show up saying I run 4 times a week people would just “say way to go!” and drop it. But when someone weight trains intensely, he must be SAVED.
I told people I’d have created less controversy had I shown up with a crack addiction.

On the plus side when I told them I squat 335, dead 420 and bench 230 one person said. “Oh! Are you going to compete at the Olympics???” Hahaha.

Rant over!

[/quote]

Fuck it.

They love you.

In their own way.

57

My dad still thinks that eating more than 3 eggs at any one time is unhealthy and that eating 12 in 2 days is far too much. I try and inform my parents and friends on proper nutrition as much as possible but the thing I really hide from them is where I get all the info from. If I told them I spent about an hour every day reading training and nutrition articles and that I had an entire email address dedicated to fitness newsletters they’d be speechless!

What I find so ridiculous is that everyone congratulates results but not effort, I basically trained in secret until I was in good shape.

58

[quote]P-Jack wrote:
My dad still thinks that eating more than 3 eggs at any one time is unhealthy and that eating 12 in 2 days is far too much. I try and inform my parents and friends on proper nutrition as much as possible but the thing I really hide from them is where I get all the info from. If I told them I spent about an hour every day reading training and nutrition articles and that I had an entire email address dedicated to fitness newsletters they’d be speechless!

What I find so ridiculous is that everyone congratulates results but not effort, I basically trained in secret until I was in good shape.
[/quote]

Everyone likes sausage but no one wants to see how it’s made

OR

Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder but nobody wants to lift no heavy ass weights.

59

Seeing how you’re only 20, I’ll share with you a few tips that will save you grief in the future:

i) Do not talk about your regiment (diet/training) to any non-lifters
ii) Do not ‘correct’ others on training/dieting
iii) Do not defend steroid use or correct related misconceptions.
iv) If you have an impressive physique then downplay compliments (ie: Do not drop a double bicep pose and ask, ‘You think?’)
v) If directly asked about your regiment tell people you ‘try to stay fit, but nothing crazy.’
vi) If asked why you eat so frequently tell people you’re hungry, not because you need the protein and calories to grow.
vii) If you still live with your parents and they are freaking out about all the supplements you take - consider switching almost entirely to food until you move out.

This is hardly a comprehensive list, but it gives you an idea of what’s needed escape a lot of criticism.

60

[quote]Principal Weider wrote:
iv) If you have an impressive physique then downplay compliments (ie: Do not drop a double bicep pose and ask, ‘You think?’)
[/quote]

Haha, but that’s the favorite part of my day.