[quote]browndisaster wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
I’m a beautiful man.[/quote]
mhmmmm
[/quote]
Bro, will you compliment my avi if I compliment yours first?
Yes let’s beat a dead horse. This is great.
[quote]jskrabac wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
I’m a beautiful man.[/quote]
mhmmmm
[/quote]
Bro, will you compliment my avi if I compliment yours first? [/quote]
You look good sugar tits.
The slang name used to be “Bigorexia” anorexia but in reverse. Because Unless you juice like a pig. It’s not really as bad for you as the anorexia, so it’s not something often talked about in the media.
I had the same thing. I kept looking in the mirror and thinking, damn I’m so small. It only sunk in one day around xmas holidays when I was doing dips. I’m short so at 175 lbs I’m a lot bigger then I realize. So a new guy walks in to the gym. I’m getting ready to do dips with like 90 lbs belted around my waist. He walks up to me. Literally stares at me for a full minute with his jaws dropped. I’m looking at him him like, “uh… can I help you?”
He goes, “HOLY FUCK THESE GUYS ARE HUGE.” and turned around and walked right back out of the gym. Never saw him again.
I often don’t see myself for how I really look, unless I see my self in photographs. Thats when It sinks in.
It happens if you recently changed body types. Your mind tends to be in the habit of remember how its like to be the old you. But when you work out. Your outside changes faster then your inner self can adapt to it.
Another reality is the world is a very shallow place. You will be treated differently. People will assume things about you. Watch, if you ever get in a conversation and sense it starts turning into an argument, just take a small step into that persons personal space. Suddenly, no body wants to argue anymore. Or the flip side. You could be a leading mind on computer programming. You can walk into a future shop and people will assume you’re another dumb jock.
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Now back to why above average strength and a good body didn’t get me nearly what I thought it would. Well, being that I was so mentally and emotionally attached to this, and thought that I held it in such importance, I for some reason thought that I’d get rewarded in some way, perhaps with respect or admiration or in attracting women. Well, it didn’t get me any of that. Sure some women I attracted liked my body, but I highly doubt it would’ve made a difference if I was weaker or chubbier or smaller. In many cases my obsession socially disconnected me. You know, because normal people do not give a rat’s ass about sets and reps and macros and the core lifts and isolation exercises and cardio and grams of this and that and do not undersand why a guy has to designate specific days for cheat meals, or can’t have a brew at a BBQ or go on a camping trip and just eat what’s available and forgo the gym for a few days. Granted, I DID IT WRONG, but this is an example about how ANY endeavor taken to an extreme has consequences. For me, the consequences were social disconnection and, dare I say, sadness. If I were to go through with competing, I would’ve have lost my soon-to-be-fiance… for damn sure. Now I think you can see why I said what I said.
[/quote]
Excellent posts, Brick, though I have to say, I’ve definitely had different experiences in terms of the social aspects of lifting. Now that the regular population considers me “big” (I know better though), I get treated very differently. I get served right away in bars, I’ve had guys licking my nutsack (figuratively speaking, of course lol) to the point of being creepy as fuck because they think I’m so jacked. I’ve found that I can pretty much be as much of an asshole as I want to be and nobody will say a damn thing. Honestly, the “respect” and “admiration” isn’t always a good thing, and the last part is definitely a bad thing because sometimes it’s tempting to get away with things for no other reason than “because I can”. The fact that I’ve gotten away on so many occasions with acting the way I do when I’ve had a little too much to drink has definitely opened my eyes to a few things:
- I need to drink less. I feel like I’m invincible when I’m wasted and that’s definitely not a good thing.
- There are many lifters that don’t have much respect for women, but I’ve lost a lot of respect for most guys for being such pussies. I know that on numerous occasions, I should’ve gotten some harsh words or a good punch in the face, but instead received complete submission.
Being “big” also means that people tend to assume that I’m a complete moron at first, though I seem to get this more from older folks. And then there’s the juice comments.
All the above stuff I said probably cast the social aspects of lifting in a pretty negative light, but I still feel that lifting has enriched my life more than anything. The self-confidence it’s given me and is continuing to give me is worth every bit of the costs.
[quote]lucidfuel wrote:
The slang name used to be “Bigorexia” anorexia but in reverse. Because Unless you juice like a pig. It’s not really as bad for you as the anorexia, so it’s not something often talked about in the media.
I had the same thing. I kept looking in the mirror and thinking, damn I’m so small. It only sunk in one day around xmas holidays when I was doing dips. I’m short so at 175 lbs I’m a lot bigger then I realize. [/quote]
Same way with me. I never thought I looked huge or built. I would see myself in the mirror and think how awful I looked. Then some friends and I took a group pic at a get together and I was pretty amazed how much larger and “built” I was compared to them. Even compared to those who did workout regularly.
I think the mindset that “This is not good enough” just feeds those unsatisfied feelings. Even though I train for strength and not physique goals, it will always be something that creeps back into my mind, even though Ive been able to control it better.
[quote]Apoklyps wrote:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Now back to why above average strength and a good body didn’t get me nearly what I thought it would. Well, being that I was so mentally and emotionally attached to this, and thought that I held it in such importance, I for some reason thought that I’d get rewarded in some way, perhaps with respect or admiration or in attracting women. Well, it didn’t get me any of that. Sure some women I attracted liked my body, but I highly doubt it would’ve made a difference if I was weaker or chubbier or smaller. In many cases my obsession socially disconnected me. You know, because normal people do not give a rat’s ass about sets and reps and macros and the core lifts and isolation exercises and cardio and grams of this and that and do not undersand why a guy has to designate specific days for cheat meals, or can’t have a brew at a BBQ or go on a camping trip and just eat what’s available and forgo the gym for a few days. Granted, I DID IT WRONG, but this is an example about how ANY endeavor taken to an extreme has consequences. For me, the consequences were social disconnection and, dare I say, sadness. If I were to go through with competing, I would’ve have lost my soon-to-be-fiance… for damn sure. Now I think you can see why I said what I said.
[/quote]
Excellent posts, Brick, though I have to say, I’ve definitely had different experiences in terms of the social aspects of lifting. Now that the regular population considers me “big” (I know better though), I get treated very differently. I get served right away in bars, I’ve had guys licking my nutsack (figuratively speaking, of course lol) to the point of being creepy as fuck because they think I’m so jacked. I’ve found that I can pretty much be as much of an asshole as I want to be and nobody will say a damn thing. Honestly, the “respect” and “admiration” isn’t always a good thing, and the last part is definitely a bad thing because sometimes it’s tempting to get away with things for no other reason than “because I can”. The fact that I’ve gotten away on so many occasions with acting the way I do when I’ve had a little too much to drink has definitely opened my eyes to a few things:
- I need to drink less. I feel like I’m invincible when I’m wasted and that’s definitely not a good thing.
- There are many lifters that don’t have much respect for women, but I’ve lost a lot of respect for most guys for being such pussies. I know that on numerous occasions, I should’ve gotten some harsh words or a good punch in the face, but instead received complete submission.
Being “big” also means that people tend to assume that I’m a complete moron at first, though I seem to get this more from older folks. And then there’s the juice comments.
All the above stuff I said probably cast the social aspects of lifting in a pretty negative light, but I still feel that lifting has enriched my life more than anything. The self-confidence it’s given me and is continuing to give me is worth every bit of the costs.[/quote]
I love the juice comments. As if juice is so miraculous and amazing that it instantly turns you fucking huge and ripped.
And the admiration thing is annoying at times especially when you have every high school kid in the vicinity asking you how to get big and expecting some miracle secrets that will make them your size in 3 weeks or less.
[quote]jskrabac wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
I’m a beautiful man.[/quote]
mhmmmm
[/quote]
Bro, will you compliment my avi if I compliment yours first? [/quote]
nah, my little girly waist puts all to shame
put up a side tricep! the one you put up right before the contest looked awesome
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
[quote]jskrabac wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
[quote]browndisaster wrote:
I’m a beautiful man.[/quote]
mhmmmm
[/quote]
Bro, will you compliment my avi if I compliment yours first? [/quote]
nah, my little girly waist puts all to shame
put up a side tricep! the one you put up right before the contest looked awesome[/quote]
[quote]Apoklyps wrote:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Now back to why above average strength and a good body didn’t get me nearly what I thought it would. Well, being that I was so mentally and emotionally attached to this, and thought that I held it in such importance, I for some reason thought that I’d get rewarded in some way, perhaps with respect or admiration or in attracting women. Well, it didn’t get me any of that. Sure some women I attracted liked my body, but I highly doubt it would’ve made a difference if I was weaker or chubbier or smaller. In many cases my obsession socially disconnected me. You know, because normal people do not give a rat’s ass about sets and reps and macros and the core lifts and isolation exercises and cardio and grams of this and that and do not undersand why a guy has to designate specific days for cheat meals, or can’t have a brew at a BBQ or go on a camping trip and just eat what’s available and forgo the gym for a few days. Granted, I DID IT WRONG, but this is an example about how ANY endeavor taken to an extreme has consequences. For me, the consequences were social disconnection and, dare I say, sadness. If I were to go through with competing, I would’ve have lost my soon-to-be-fiance… for damn sure. Now I think you can see why I said what I said.
[/quote]
Excellent posts, Brick, though I have to say, I’ve definitely had different experiences in terms of the social aspects of lifting. Now that the regular population considers me “big” (I know better though), I get treated very differently. I get served right away in bars, I’ve had guys licking my nutsack (figuratively speaking, of course lol) to the point of being creepy as fuck because they think I’m so jacked. I’ve found that I can pretty much be as much of an asshole as I want to be and nobody will say a damn thing. Honestly, the “respect” and “admiration” isn’t always a good thing, and the last part is definitely a bad thing because sometimes it’s tempting to get away with things for no other reason than “because I can”. The fact that I’ve gotten away on so many occasions with acting the way I do when I’ve had a little too much to drink has definitely opened my eyes to a few things:
- I need to drink less. I feel like I’m invincible when I’m wasted and that’s definitely not a good thing.
- There are many lifters that don’t have much respect for women, but I’ve lost a lot of respect for most guys for being such pussies. I know that on numerous occasions, I should’ve gotten some harsh words or a good punch in the face, but instead received complete submission.
Being “big” also means that people tend to assume that I’m a complete moron at first, though I seem to get this more from older folks. And then there’s the juice comments.
All the above stuff I said probably cast the social aspects of lifting in a pretty negative light, but I still feel that lifting has enriched my life more than anything. The self-confidence it’s given me and is continuing to give me is worth every bit of the costs.[/quote]
Thanks for the compliment and being as open as I have.
It is great that fitness gives you confidence. It does for me to this day. However, what I meant in my post when speaking of personal connection referred to the extreme. That is, when someone defines themselves ONLY or ALMOST only through lifting, or being so dependent on it for ANY amount of confidence, it can be a bad thing. As I said before, when one is so dependent on something and let’s it consume him, the danger is that there might be a time where that thing they depend on is removed! Now what does he do? What if there’s a just simply a crazy month in his life? What if he gets into an accident? What if he has a kid to watch at times he normally would be in the gym (might not even be his own kid)? How does he deal with this?
As written, I was the guy who defined himself as the “gym guy” and the “nutrition guy” and “the dietitian” and “the built guy”. I still do - to a degree! Repeat that: to a degree! People found it amusing that some guy had a passion, but for the most part, the people I grew up with, especially women, didn’t give a damn! Who did and do they like? Who did they marry? Uh, ordinary guys who knew and know how to have fun, guys with robust social lives, guys who travel, guys with a lot of connections, and so on, some of whom don’t work out much at all. Yes, as I said, the ones I did attract liked my body, but they ALL said, “I wouldn’t care even if you were a little chubby.” They said that, verbatim, and they weren’t lying. That says something, I believe.
There was one a down time in my life in which I was laid off from work and had an unemployment streak of six months. For some of those months, I said to myself, “F— this damn hobby; didn’t do shit for me!” Now, granted I was NOT in a right state of mind and hugely angry that the place I work closed and left me unemployed. But I did quit lifting a bit and just ran outdoors a bit here and there. What happened? I got further depressed. I called my friend sobbing about the situation (what man likes having no job?). He asked “have you been hitting the gym at least?” “No,” I replied. “I haven’t gone in a month.” “Why would you do that?!” “I dunno man–goddamn thing didn’t give me a damn thing.”
“So now it feels like you have nothing, huh-no job, no gym, no woman. Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”, he said.
“Yeah, that’s what it feels like.” (I was crying at this point.)
My own obsession cornered me, I felt like.
Now, that hit me. And from then on, I became a much more balanced person and opened up my eyes to the world. And you know what, it made this whole fitness thing much more enjoyable because from then on it was done in a more healthy manner (for me that is, other than the time last year in which I was pondering competing).
If that layoff were to happen to me now, I would NOT quit the gym because my life AS A WHOLE is fuller and balanced. So I would feel no need to “turn my back” on the ONLY thing that I THOUGHT I had going for me. I have caring, generous, genuine friends; I am closer to family members now; I have a woman whose family is very involved with one another (always having get togethers, BBQ’s, holiday stuff, etc.).
AGAIN: I say this not to be some weepy do-gooder. I say it so that others keep their minds in check and realize that although they love this (I still do), they better make sure they don’t attach their very fiber of being to it, else they run a risk of losing that one and ONLY thing that might define them.
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
[quote]Apoklyps wrote:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Now back to why above average strength and a good body didn’t get me nearly what I thought it would. Well, being that I was so mentally and emotionally attached to this, and thought that I held it in such importance, I for some reason thought that I’d get rewarded in some way, perhaps with respect or admiration or in attracting women. Well, it didn’t get me any of that. Sure some women I attracted liked my body, but I highly doubt it would’ve made a difference if I was weaker or chubbier or smaller. In many cases my obsession socially disconnected me. You know, because normal people do not give a rat’s ass about sets and reps and macros and the core lifts and isolation exercises and cardio and grams of this and that and do not undersand why a guy has to designate specific days for cheat meals, or can’t have a brew at a BBQ or go on a camping trip and just eat what’s available and forgo the gym for a few days. Granted, I DID IT WRONG, but this is an example about how ANY endeavor taken to an extreme has consequences. For me, the consequences were social disconnection and, dare I say, sadness. If I were to go through with competing, I would’ve have lost my soon-to-be-fiance… for damn sure. Now I think you can see why I said what I said.
[/quote]
Excellent posts, Brick, though I have to say, I’ve definitely had different experiences in terms of the social aspects of lifting. Now that the regular population considers me “big” (I know better though), I get treated very differently. I get served right away in bars, I’ve had guys licking my nutsack (figuratively speaking, of course lol) to the point of being creepy as fuck because they think I’m so jacked. I’ve found that I can pretty much be as much of an asshole as I want to be and nobody will say a damn thing. Honestly, the “respect” and “admiration” isn’t always a good thing, and the last part is definitely a bad thing because sometimes it’s tempting to get away with things for no other reason than “because I can”. The fact that I’ve gotten away on so many occasions with acting the way I do when I’ve had a little too much to drink has definitely opened my eyes to a few things:
- I need to drink less. I feel like I’m invincible when I’m wasted and that’s definitely not a good thing.
- There are many lifters that don’t have much respect for women, but I’ve lost a lot of respect for most guys for being such pussies. I know that on numerous occasions, I should’ve gotten some harsh words or a good punch in the face, but instead received complete submission.
Being “big” also means that people tend to assume that I’m a complete moron at first, though I seem to get this more from older folks. And then there’s the juice comments.
All the above stuff I said probably cast the social aspects of lifting in a pretty negative light, but I still feel that lifting has enriched my life more than anything. The self-confidence it’s given me and is continuing to give me is worth every bit of the costs.[/quote]
Thanks for the compliment and being as open as I have.
It is great that fitness gives you confidence. It does for me to this day. However, what I meant in my post when speaking of personal connection referred to the extreme. That is, when someone defines themselves ONLY or ALMOST only through lifting, or being so dependent on it for ANY amount of confidence, it can be a bad thing. As I said before, when one is so dependent on something and let’s it consume him, the danger is that there might be a time where that thing they depend on is removed! Now what does he do? What if there’s a just simply a crazy month in his life? What if he gets into an accident? What if he has a kid to watch at times he normally would be in the gym (might not even be his own kid)? How does he deal with this?
As written, I was the guy who defined himself as the “gym guy” and the “nutrition guy” and “the dietitian” and “the built guy”. I still do - to a degree! Repeat that: to a degree! People found it amusing that some guy had a passion, but for the most part, the people I grew up with, especially women, didn’t give a damn! Who did and do they like? Who did they marry? Uh, ordinary guys who knew and know how to have fun, guys with robust social lives, guys who travel, guys with a lot of connections, and so on, some of whom don’t work out much at all. Yes, as I said, the ones I did attract liked my body, but they ALL said, “I wouldn’t care even if you were a little chubby.” They said that, verbatim, and they weren’t lying. That says something, I believe.
There was one a down time in my life in which I was laid off from work and had an unemployment streak of six months. For some of those months, I said to myself, “F— this damn hobby; didn’t do shit for me!” Now, granted I was NOT in a right state of mind and hugely angry that the place I work closed and left me unemployed. But I did quit lifting a bit and just ran outdoors a bit here and there. What happened? I got further depressed. I called my friend sobbing about the situation (what man likes having no job?). He asked “have you been hitting the gym at least?” “No,” I replied. “I haven’t gone in a month.” “Why would you do that?!” “I dunno man–goddamn thing didn’t give me a damn thing.”
“So now it feels like you have nothing, huh-no job, no gym, no woman. Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”, he said.
“Yeah, that’s what it feels like.” (I was crying at this point.)
My own obsession cornered me, I felt like.
Now, that hit me. And from then on, I became a much more balanced person and opened up my eyes to the world. And you know what, it made this whole fitness thing much more enjoyable because from then on it was done in a more healthy manner (for me that is, other than the time last year in which I was pondering competing).
If that layoff were to happen to me now, I would NOT quit the gym because my life AS A WHOLE is fuller and balanced. So I would feel no need to “turn my back” on the ONLY thing that I THOUGHT I had going for me. I have caring, generous, genuine friends; I am closer to family members now; I have a woman whose family is very involved with one another (always having get togethers, BBQ’s, holiday stuff, etc.).
AGAIN: I say this not to be some weepy do-gooder. I say it so that others keep their minds in check and realize that although they love this (I still do), they better make sure they don’t attach their very fiber of being to it, else they run a risk of losing that one and ONLY thing that might define them.
[/quote]
I see what you’re getting at, and it’s honestly starting to worry me. Something I’ve noticed over the past several months is that lifting is defining who I am as a person more and more. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I feel that as long as I can live a balanced and happy life, it’s not too bad.
I don’t think defining yourself as a bodybuilder is much different than defining yourself by your profession or subculture of choice. Living strictly according to the definitions of what you are expected to be like is not healthy in any case.
[quote]Apoklyps wrote:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
[quote]Apoklyps wrote:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Now back to why above average strength and a good body didn’t get me nearly what I thought it would. Well, being that I was so mentally and emotionally attached to this, and thought that I held it in such importance, I for some reason thought that I’d get rewarded in some way, perhaps with respect or admiration or in attracting women. Well, it didn’t get me any of that. Sure some women I attracted liked my body, but I highly doubt it would’ve made a difference if I was weaker or chubbier or smaller. In many cases my obsession socially disconnected me. You know, because normal people do not give a rat’s ass about sets and reps and macros and the core lifts and isolation exercises and cardio and grams of this and that and do not undersand why a guy has to designate specific days for cheat meals, or can’t have a brew at a BBQ or go on a camping trip and just eat what’s available and forgo the gym for a few days. Granted, I DID IT WRONG, but this is an example about how ANY endeavor taken to an extreme has consequences. For me, the consequences were social disconnection and, dare I say, sadness. If I were to go through with competing, I would’ve have lost my soon-to-be-fiance… for damn sure. Now I think you can see why I said what I said.
[/quote]
Excellent posts, Brick, though I have to say, I’ve definitely had different experiences in terms of the social aspects of lifting. Now that the regular population considers me “big” (I know better though), I get treated very differently. I get served right away in bars, I’ve had guys licking my nutsack (figuratively speaking, of course lol) to the point of being creepy as fuck because they think I’m so jacked. I’ve found that I can pretty much be as much of an asshole as I want to be and nobody will say a damn thing. Honestly, the “respect” and “admiration” isn’t always a good thing, and the last part is definitely a bad thing because sometimes it’s tempting to get away with things for no other reason than “because I can”. The fact that I’ve gotten away on so many occasions with acting the way I do when I’ve had a little too much to drink has definitely opened my eyes to a few things:
- I need to drink less. I feel like I’m invincible when I’m wasted and that’s definitely not a good thing.
- There are many lifters that don’t have much respect for women, but I’ve lost a lot of respect for most guys for being such pussies. I know that on numerous occasions, I should’ve gotten some harsh words or a good punch in the face, but instead received complete submission.
Being “big” also means that people tend to assume that I’m a complete moron at first, though I seem to get this more from older folks. And then there’s the juice comments.
All the above stuff I said probably cast the social aspects of lifting in a pretty negative light, but I still feel that lifting has enriched my life more than anything. The self-confidence it’s given me and is continuing to give me is worth every bit of the costs.[/quote]
Thanks for the compliment and being as open as I have.
It is great that fitness gives you confidence. It does for me to this day. However, what I meant in my post when speaking of personal connection referred to the extreme. That is, when someone defines themselves ONLY or ALMOST only through lifting, or being so dependent on it for ANY amount of confidence, it can be a bad thing. As I said before, when one is so dependent on something and let’s it consume him, the danger is that there might be a time where that thing they depend on is removed! Now what does he do? What if there’s a just simply a crazy month in his life? What if he gets into an accident? What if he has a kid to watch at times he normally would be in the gym (might not even be his own kid)? How does he deal with this?
As written, I was the guy who defined himself as the “gym guy” and the “nutrition guy” and “the dietitian” and “the built guy”. I still do - to a degree! Repeat that: to a degree! People found it amusing that some guy had a passion, but for the most part, the people I grew up with, especially women, didn’t give a damn! Who did and do they like? Who did they marry? Uh, ordinary guys who knew and know how to have fun, guys with robust social lives, guys who travel, guys with a lot of connections, and so on, some of whom don’t work out much at all. Yes, as I said, the ones I did attract liked my body, but they ALL said, “I wouldn’t care even if you were a little chubby.” They said that, verbatim, and they weren’t lying. That says something, I believe.
There was one a down time in my life in which I was laid off from work and had an unemployment streak of six months. For some of those months, I said to myself, “F— this damn hobby; didn’t do shit for me!” Now, granted I was NOT in a right state of mind and hugely angry that the place I work closed and left me unemployed. But I did quit lifting a bit and just ran outdoors a bit here and there. What happened? I got further depressed. I called my friend sobbing about the situation (what man likes having no job?). He asked “have you been hitting the gym at least?” “No,” I replied. “I haven’t gone in a month.” “Why would you do that?!” “I dunno man–goddamn thing didn’t give me a damn thing.”
“So now it feels like you have nothing, huh-no job, no gym, no woman. Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”, he said.
“Yeah, that’s what it feels like.” (I was crying at this point.)
My own obsession cornered me, I felt like.
Now, that hit me. And from then on, I became a much more balanced person and opened up my eyes to the world. And you know what, it made this whole fitness thing much more enjoyable because from then on it was done in a more healthy manner (for me that is, other than the time last year in which I was pondering competing).
If that layoff were to happen to me now, I would NOT quit the gym because my life AS A WHOLE is fuller and balanced. So I would feel no need to “turn my back” on the ONLY thing that I THOUGHT I had going for me. I have caring, generous, genuine friends; I am closer to family members now; I have a woman whose family is very involved with one another (always having get togethers, BBQ’s, holiday stuff, etc.).
AGAIN: I say this not to be some weepy do-gooder. I say it so that others keep their minds in check and realize that although they love this (I still do), they better make sure they don’t attach their very fiber of being to it, else they run a risk of losing that one and ONLY thing that might define them.
[/quote]
I see what you’re getting at, and it’s honestly starting to worry me. Something I’ve noticed over the past several months is that lifting is defining who I am as a person more and more. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I feel that as long as I can live a balanced and happy life, it’s not too bad.
I don’t think defining yourself as a bodybuilder is much different than defining yourself by your profession or subculture of choice. Living strictly according to the definitions of what you are expected to be like is not healthy in any case.[/quote]
I don’t think it has to be a worry so long as while you define yourself with lifting there are other meaningful things in your life.
I used to literally be of the mindset that there were lifters and “other people” or “regular people” and that I was “better” than them in some way because of lifting. I literally thought this. I simply couldn’t understand why someone would go to work, go home, eat dinner, crap out, and go to bed, all the while not giving a damn about the gym. Well, I still don’t understand why some don’t exercise, but my attitude has changed drastically.
There was an article by Billy Mimnaugh on EFS years ago which I think has been removed (perhaps because of its somewhat crass and ludicrous theme). In the article he wrote how he saw a work day as pretty much an annoying eight hour hassle in between workouts and the only reason he worked was to support bodybuilding and powerlifting. He also said that once work became too intrusive in lifting–longer hours, events related to the job–if that became an issue, he quit the job, even if it paid decently. Now, I get his point, and I used to have that attitude. And it showed to my co-workers, putting me on bad terms with some. That only lent to my “hardcore” mentality.
You can see where I am going with all these posts and I don’t know if it would be cool if I continue to ramble on about how I DID IT WRONG.
Keep posting Brick, its a joy reading them. ( serious )
[quote]florelius wrote:
Keep posting Brick, its a joy reading them. ( serious )
[/quote]
I agree, Brick, that was great insight on an issue that I think many serious lifters have to overcome in their lives.