“What sparked your desire to become better?”
In a word, bitches.
The moment that sparked my interest in training was when I bent over to tie my shoe and it hurt. I had put on so much weight after college that my thigh would ram into my stomach and cause me pain if my shoe came untied.
At the same time in my life this happened, I ran into a friend who was in great shape and was hitting the gym hard with the guide of a big, strong guy that everyone just called ‘Strong’ (kind of like X - eat big, lift big attitude).
From there, I just made great progress and became addicted. It’s fun to push myself and get stronger; to make drastic changes months at a time where people look the same from year to year. While my friends may say I just naturally am bigger than them, I say it’s the hard work and dedication.
It’s become much more than a hobby now. Although I’ve only been training 3.5 years, I already know this is part of the rest of my life. I’m already thinking about my progress for next year.
The reason I think why I am so motivated and have this desire is that when I started, I did it for me and no one else. I didn’t do it cause all my friends were going to the gym or I wanted to get girls or I was depressed. When I started I had a girlfriend already, a job, and everything was great. I just wanted to make myself better and improve who I was. I still train for the same reason: for me and no one else
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I am saying that because there are always THOUSANDS who claim they have the fire for this in the first few years of training.
That is what separates the guys who jumped in, gained a few pounds and then stagnated for years after that from the guys who literally make so much progress childhood friends wouldn’t know who they are.
It’s easy to be fired up as a newb and even an early intermediate…especially when you haven’t even entered the “real world” yet.[/quote]
thats where im at now. been 3 years now. havent made progress in a few months. i go to the gym 2x a week now. all motivation has been lost.
Mine moment was in 8th grade when I skipped a morning cross country practice and my mom commented that I couldn’t afford to miss any because I was getting chubby. Fuck, if my own mom is calling me fat it was time to do something haha
For me it was when a classmate in junior high school made fun of my small arms by showing everyone he could put his fingers around my upper arm and touch them together–one handed like. The guys all around laughed, and I vowed no one would ever do that to me again.
[quote]wannabebig25 wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I am saying that because there are always THOUSANDS who claim they have the fire for this in the first few years of training.
That is what separates the guys who jumped in, gained a few pounds and then stagnated for years after that from the guys who literally make so much progress childhood friends wouldn’t know who they are.
It’s easy to be fired up as a newb and even an early intermediate…especially when you haven’t even entered the “real world” yet.[/quote]
thats where im at now. been 3 years now. havent made progress in a few months. i go to the gym 2x a week now. all motivation has been lost.[/quote]
Most people seem to fall off within about that time frame or when they hit a significant plateau. Unless real short, making it to somewhere around 200lbs is usually pretty easy for most with decent genetics for this…so they stick with it until then and then gradually lose interest the more effort it takes and the more time it takes from what is the growing responsibility in their lives.
What’s impressive are those guy you see who have been at it since their 20’s who are now in their late 40’s and still big.
Everyone and their momma can make it through the initial 3-5 years with some dedication.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]wannabebig25 wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I am saying that because there are always THOUSANDS who claim they have the fire for this in the first few years of training.
That is what separates the guys who jumped in, gained a few pounds and then stagnated for years after that from the guys who literally make so much progress childhood friends wouldn’t know who they are.
It’s easy to be fired up as a newb and even an early intermediate…especially when you haven’t even entered the “real world” yet.[/quote]
thats where im at now. been 3 years now. havent made progress in a few months. i go to the gym 2x a week now. all motivation has been lost.[/quote]
Most people seem to fall off within about that time frame or when they hit a significant plateau. Unless real short, making it to somewhere around 200lbs is usually pretty easy for most with decent genetics for this…so they stick with it until then and then gradually lose interest the more effort it takes and the more time it takes from what is the growing responsibility in their lives.
What’s impressive are those guy you see who have been at it since their 20’s who are now in their late 40’s and still big.
Everyone and their momma can make it through the initial 3-5 years with some dedication.[/quote]
yea i made it to 190lbs @ 5’7". 200lbs just wont come unless i force feed myself and accept high teens bodyfat %. ill never stop working out completely, but the 5-6 days a week i was putting in to look the exact same as i did last year, just isnt worth it to me.
it takes a great dedication and discipline to continue on this wild ride they call bodybuilding from your 20s into your 40s.
My wrestling career
[quote]twiceborn wrote:
[quote] Professor X wrote:
I am saying that because there are always THOUSANDS who claim they have the fire for this in the first few years of training.
It is extremely rare to see even a 10th of those same people truly pushing hard at it ten years down the road.[/quote]
AMEN, Professor.
We all start with self esteem issues, girl problems, bullying, etc, but that silliness is just part of growing up. What’s going to keep you at it when life is good, you have no desire to compete, you’re making good money, and you’re happily married?
After 16 years “in”, I can honestly say that the main factor that keeps me going is that somewhere along the line I developed an enormous amount of contempt for mediocrity.
[/quote]
Basically what I was going to say. The older I get the more I realize people suck in general and I never want to be like them. Currently 8 years in, never really had a down period. I am actually surprised by the high number of new/younger guys here, no matter what they say only time will tell.
Broke my arm. Started working out to get my strength back. Been at it ever since.
Anxiety.
I always need to be the best.
Mine started when I was young and was watching the Incredible Hulk on the big screen. It merely sparked my obsession, but it is not my main inspiration as of this moment.
I’ve just simply always wanted to be big and strong. Been working at it since I was able to walk, prolly.
Just didn’t have my shit together until three years ago when I found T-Nation. Until then, I would train for six months without seeing any progress, get frustrated and quit, pick it back up again next year. Time after time. I thought I had the worst genetics on the planet.
The worst part about it is that my dad knew what I was going through, knew what I needed, and didn’t teach me (he’s Army Master Fitness certified). Bastard.
I see the same thing in my two girls that was always in me. My 1 1/2 year old went to pick up a 12lb DB at her great grandpa’s house the other day. Couldn’t budge it. I could see it in her eyes: “WTF?”. Tried again and it moved. Her little look of satisfaction turning into a determined grimace, she got a secure grip, hit the most perfect DL setup I’ve ever seen, pulled it and locked it out. Then gave me a little red-faced smile…
[quote]wannabebig25 wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I am saying that because there are always THOUSANDS who claim they have the fire for this in the first few years of training.
That is what separates the guys who jumped in, gained a few pounds and then stagnated for years after that from the guys who literally make so much progress childhood friends wouldn’t know who they are.
It’s easy to be fired up as a newb and even an early intermediate…especially when you haven’t even entered the “real world” yet.[/quote]
thats where im at now. been 3 years now. havent made progress in a few months. i go to the gym 2x a week now. all motivation has been lost.[/quote]
I find that when that happens it’s good to get back to basics again (press the reset button so to speak). Kind of like working backwards, and realising what’s wrong. I remember when I was kind of feeling stuck in the middle (wanting to get bigger, but at the same time quite self concious about my expanding waist line…was around 15-18% bodyfat at the time). That’s usually the time to get a goal firmly fixed in your head, to give yourself a reality check. Then jump both feet in and reach that goal (if you’re losing fat, stop dragging your feet…likewise with gaining).
As for the gym, changing things too often is the best passion killer (and usually happens when you’re indecisive about your physique goals). It’s good to get a kind of “powerlifting frame of mind” in your head sometimes (i.e. just beat the logbook). Get plenty of recovery, and aim to master the compound movments a few times a week.
That’s when I find that drive/passion (thus progression in some direction) etc comes back ^
[quote]Ct. Rockula wrote:
Eh,I do it for the bitches.
[/quote]
And the hoes
At first - pussy, plain and simple.
But that was 20 years ago, marrried now to a great girl and have a wonderful 3 year old daughter.
Just love it - love the way it makes me look and feel. I couldn’t imagine ever giving it up - does not compute…lol…
My daughter watches me train in the home gym and she gets so excited “Daddy - you lifting you weights?!” “What’s this one called?” Or she rips her shirt off and hits poses in the gym mirror - hilarious! : )
Well it was getting really tedious having sex with my clothes on in the dark.
Now i have day time sex in the nude :)… With the occasional timberland boots, baseball hat and a tripod… but now clothing optional!
FYI … Pull your shlong out the zipper BEFORE the erection → you can thank me later but i will welcome you now. You’re welcomed !
[quote]angus_beef wrote:
Well it was getting really tedious having sex with my clothes on in the dark.
Now i have day time sex in the nude :)… With the occasional timberland boots, baseball hat and a tripod… but now clothing optional!
[/quote]
Yes, sex confidence is a beautiful thing. If I can bring my waist in more I simply won’t wear clothes at all.
Like, ever.
[quote]its_just_me wrote:
[quote]wannabebig25 wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I am saying that because there are always THOUSANDS who claim they have the fire for this in the first few years of training.
That is what separates the guys who jumped in, gained a few pounds and then stagnated for years after that from the guys who literally make so much progress childhood friends wouldn’t know who they are.
It’s easy to be fired up as a newb and even an early intermediate…especially when you haven’t even entered the “real world” yet.[/quote]
thats where im at now. been 3 years now. havent made progress in a few months. i go to the gym 2x a week now. all motivation has been lost.[/quote]
I find that when that happens it’s good to get back to basics again (press the reset button so to speak). Kind of like working backwards, and realising what’s wrong. I remember when I was kind of feeling stuck in the middle (wanting to get bigger, but at the same time quite self concious about my expanding waist line…was around 15-18% bodyfat at the time). That’s usually the time to get a goal firmly fixed in your head, to give yourself a reality check. Then jump both feet in and reach that goal (if you’re losing fat, stop dragging your feet…likewise with gaining).
As for the gym, changing things too often is the best passion killer (and usually happens when you’re indecisive about your physique goals). It’s good to get a kind of “powerlifting frame of mind” in your head sometimes (i.e. just beat the logbook). Get plenty of recovery, and aim to master the compound movments a few times a week.
That’s when I find that drive/passion (thus progression in some direction) etc comes back [1]
haha funny you mention the back to basics and powerlifting frame of mind. ive actually been doing all compounds movements only (push/pull split), and trying to add 5lbs to my lifts EVERY session. its f’in tough to do push presses, followed by bench press, dips and THEN squats all in one workout. i figure once i add another 50lbs or more to all my compounds ill go back to the typical BBing split. and only being in the gym 2-3x a week for the next few months will be a nice change of pace. plus who doesnt like to just lift heavy shit for a few reps and fuck the pump and burn.
-
/quote ↩︎
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]angus_beef wrote:
Well it was getting really tedious having sex with my clothes on in the dark.
Now i have day time sex in the nude :)… With the occasional timberland boots, baseball hat and a tripod… but now clothing optional!
[/quote]
f I can bring my waist in more I simply won’t wear clothes at all.
Like, ever.[/quote]
so is all of T-Nation chipping in to bail profx out of jail for indecent exposure?
I first started working out in highschool for sports. I screwed around a lot and never had a passion for it back then (wish i would have)
Got more into lifting when I joined the military and started to really love it. Obviously the physique changes are addicting. I just really love lifting weights, sweating, working harder than other people, being strong/fit/athletic and of course, looking good.
Its nice to take your shirt off at the beach or the pool and be the best looking guy there lol (vain but true)