Why Don't You Push Harder?

Training Bodybuilding
121

I’m working on it and I’m a hell of lot better off than where I started and am still progressing.

I started off not even being able to push 95lb off my chest at 20yo. At about 3.5 years later that number has tripled and is still on the rise. Whenever I try to push it as hard as I can I end up getting hurt and regressing. I can’t even remember the last time I took more than a week off (yes I occasionally take a week off to recuperate for my joints).

I’m thankful I found this website. I’ve learned a ton from here and I give thanks to those who have experience under the bar and are willing to help those who have questions.

122

Who gives a shit if the next guy is pushing hard or not. Oh yes every once in a while ProfX needs to reassure himself when in doubt that he is really one of the hard-worker/winner/above average people. You are the man!

Maybe bodybuilding is not the end to everything.

I dont even know why I keep wasting time on this site. Even lift weight it is so fucking dumb

123

I told you X I’ll get there. My way on my terms and you may never qualify my success with your praise. But thats ok.

124

I think a lot of people are happy enough with whatever little progress they make. There is nothing wrong with sucking at physical fitness and working (even not that hard) to suck just a little less. Its a form of self improvement which I hope most of us are doing in at least some areas besides the gym. Right now I am in school part time for a masters degree, am I going for a PhD after that? Hell no. Among other reasons its just too much work and not worth my time. Does that mean I am not pushing hard enough and have given up?

125

[quote]anonym wrote:

[quote]Bricknyce wrote:
If everyone looks the same, then there is no average.[/quote]

If I get an 80 on every single math test this semester, do I not get a grade at the end?

Oh, and the guy in this video destroys your theory that one can’t be awesome at everything.[/quote]

In case people missed this, he really is the coolest guy in the world.

126

[quote]Bricknyce wrote:
I thank you for my compliment on my post, but it wasn’t a “rant”. I don’t really appreciate it when people express their disdain for people who simply want to be in shape and maintain their health and physique. According to that line of reasoning, people who exercise 5 to 6 times per week but isn’t looking to be jacked or run marathons are “not understandable”.
[/quote]

I understand that not everyone wants to get huge, and I know that doing so requires a lot of time in the gym and in the kitchen which most people don’t want to put in, and that’s fine. What I don’t understand is why someone would go to the gym 5-6 times a week and not try to make an improvement at SOMETHING at least to make it a slight bit interesting.

I can’t imagine going to the gym as someone who only maintains as being any more fun than doing my laundry or washing dishes, just something that has to get done. I think everyone would get more out of their gym experience if they at least had some sort of goal to strive for, however modest that goal might be.

127

Limiting beliefs. I think that’s what’s holding most people back. They don’t believe they can get 18 inch arms without steroids. They don’t believe they can keep going till there muscles aren’t moving anymore or eat until you start sweating. They hold themselves back on purpose because they’re afraid of giving 100% and not getting anywhere, they’re afraid of putting themselves out there and not have an excuse to pop out whenever someone asks them why they’re not getting bigger.

People have to realize that there is no limit, that there is always something they can improve on to get better results. Not everyone is born with ‘it’ but I certainly believe that you can cultivate ‘it’ through a lot of dedication. I have gone from weighing 162 lbs going ending my sophomore year in high school to going up to 206 by the time I began college.

Not all of those years were dedicated to bodybuilding but they were all dedicated to my body in some way and by relentlessly going forward I have been able to make continuous progess. Not at the rate I wanted to but at least consistently. Now I am at my all time high of 222 lbs 6 months after starting college and can only see myself getting bigger and stronger.

128

I want to push harder but she won’t stop complaining about her organs. Hyoooge penis ftl…

129

[quote]Bricknyce wrote:

[quote]behexen wrote:
I’m shocked by how many people don’t really care to push harder. The other day a 39 year old woman i work with was telling me how she is just content in keeping her figure how it was when she was younger. Not that she isn’t attractive as she is but I was surprised that she didn’t want to be “better” than before but only strived to look the same.
Another guy I work with was telling me how he doesn’t understand why I want to get big. That at 5’11 200lbs, i’m big enough and more impressive than the average guy. I couldn’t believe it, i asked him why he thought i’d bust my ass every night to just be average.

I’ve only been lifting for 2 years and although i’m no where near where you are X, i’ve made progress and would like to think i’m on my way. I respect all the hard work you’ve put in over the years and am glad that your willing to share your experiences with the rest of us.[/quote]

How old are you?

Ever stop to think and realize that some people attend a gym to simply stay in shape and don’t see that getting huge or in SUPERB (not average) shape provides them with little return on their investment. Examples: Their everyday needs and quality of life and deesires in life aren’t fulfilled by their strength and size (eg, attraction to opposite sex, relationships, income, social life, eTherefore, they put their energy and “hard pushing” elsewhere in life and the ones who really do give a shit about this (such as yourself) reserve high amounts of effort and time management for the gym. You and us here aren’t special because we attend a fucking gym and build muscle.

I myself made very good gains for many years and am now smaller and weaker simply because my desires in fitness, health, and LIFE changed. And yeah, this involves maintaining my physique and puttign effort into others areas of fitness and my life.

I just read an interview today in the Wall Street Journal with the CEO of advertising and PR giant WPP. This guy doesn’t have weekends! His life is split between NYC and London, UK offices and sometimes his Friday nights are spent on a fucking plane, away from his family and kids! He was asked about exercise and diet. His main concerns: not getting fat and keeping healthy. He has three squares a day and a measly three hours of exercise per week that he manages to fit in a killer schedule and while managing one of the biggest advertising and PR companies in the WORLD! So his interest doesn’t lie in getting physically better and better.

Most people don’t earn a living by getting bigger and bigger, and they don’t attract friends, build a family, or get laid from getting bigger and bigger.

There are hot shot lawyers, financiers, ad execs, and doctors who put in sixteen hour days while havign a wife and kids. They might not understand why you can’t or aren’t willing to put in the work to get richer and richer, just like they don’t understand why you’re trying to get bigger and bigger.

If it’s important to you, then it’s important! But don’t act like some pompous ass because you buy a 50 buck gym membership and step in a gym. [/quote]

I almost never post but this drew my attention. I am a young professional who has always put hard work into school and career to be at the top of what I do professionally. I used to have the mindset of “why dont these people do X like I do . . . they must be losers.” I once looked down at those that didnt strive for the 4.0 or top job but was quickly brought down to earth by getting called on it hard.

I am doing well by all regards but have had a lot less fun than many of my friends who lived in the moment instead of constantly striving for a future goal. Hell, one day the big guys or cut guys or whatever may regret not going out and drinking with the guys because they had to lift or couldnt eat X because they wanted abs.

The whole mindset of I am “better than x” is subjective and the question that all are attempting to answer is rooted in that subjectivity hence there are endless possible reasons.

Further, can we please put an end to the whole “this is a bodybuilding forum” etc. I enjoy learning from reading other people post but it is quite apparent that not everyone aims to use such knowledge for the same thing. This is not a club with dues, by-laws and requirements. This is simply a forum dealing with bodybuilding and all of its facets.

130

I didn’t read the whole 6 pages.
You’re stroking your own ego by pointing out how badly other people are doing with a question. That’s called ‘tacitly’ implying they’re not doing as well. Its clear you’re big, accomplished and knowledgable - therefore the question is clearly even more a put-on.
You know the answer mate, it’s pretty friggin simple - being big for most people takes consistency and hard work, and most people aren’t prepared to put that in.

131

[quote]CrushKillDestroy wrote:
I didn’t read the whole 6 pages.
You’re stroking your own ego by pointing out how badly other people are doing with a question. That’s called ‘tacitly’ implying they’re not doing as well. Its clear you’re big, accomplished and knowledgable - therefore the question is clearly even more a put-on.
You know the answer mate, it’s pretty friggin simple - being big for most people takes consistency and hard work, and most people aren’t prepared to put that in.
[/quote]

Bullshit. We just had a whole thread in Get A Life about colleges and the trend showing many more students than ever before are taking classes later in the day and lessening their overall class load. According to your own logic just displayed, any one of us who questioned why that is, is simply stroking our egos for asking.

Yes, this is a bodybuilding forum, as displayed by the words “bodybuilding” above that button when you hit it. How odd is the question of why so few actually have that as a goal if they post here?

You see, that is what this forum is supposed to be about…not a bunch of guys getting butt hurt because someone actually asked why their achievement in this pursuit is so limited.

This thread has been read over 4,000 times in less than one day all because I asked that question…so now the question is, why is so much emotion tied up and why are so many so defensive (enough to attract people who NEVER POST HERE) the moment someone questions where the muscle is?

Some of you spend thousands on supplements, spends several days a week in the gym…to NOT stand out?

Really?

Dude, to you and anyone else, I do not care if you think I am arrogant, if you think I have the biggest ego ever or any of that. My goal is to see more and more people make progress. That has been my goal since day one because being around people who strive for more causes everyone to do better.

However, clearly some of you don’t want this…and prefer to turn every single post I ever make into some opportunity to put me in my place.

Guess what, my place is just fine…and you don’t have the ability to put me in it.

132

[quote]CrushKillDestroy wrote:
I didn’t read the whole 6 pages.
You’re stroking your own ego by pointing out how badly other people are doing with a question. That’s called ‘tacitly’ implying they’re not doing as well. Its clear you’re big, accomplished and knowledgable - therefore the question is clearly even more a put-on.
You know the answer mate, it’s pretty friggin simple - being big for most people takes consistency and hard work, and most people aren’t prepared to put that in.
[/quote]

Not so much related to the post but more your avatar and username. You strike me as somewhat serial killer like.

edit - please don’t kill me. I’m sorry.

133

[quote]eagertolearn wrote:
I almost never post but this drew my attention. I am a young professional who has always put hard work into school and career to be at the top of what I do professionally. I used to have the mindset of “why dont these people do X like I do . . . they must be losers.” I once looked down at those that didnt strive for the 4.0 or top job but was quickly brought down to earth by getting called on it hard. I am doing well by all regards but have had a lot less fun than many of my friends who lived in the moment instead of constantly striving for a future goal. Hell, one day the big guys or cut guys or whatever may regret not going out and drinking with the guys because they had to lift or couldnt eat X because they wanted abs.

The whole mindset of I am “better than x” is subjective and the question that all are attempting to answer is rooted in that subjectivity hence there are endless possible reasons.

Further, can we please put an end to the whole “this is a bodybuilding forum” etc. I enjoy learning from reading other people post but it is quite apparent that not everyone aims to use such knowledge for the same thing. This is not a club with dues, by-laws and requirements. This is simply a forum dealing with bodybuilding and all of its facets.

[/quote]

Please go back to not posting.

You fucking suck at it.

And it’s obvious that this is yet another Brick screen name.

134

[quote]countingbeans wrote:

[quote]eagertolearn wrote:
I almost never post but this drew my attention. I am a young professional who has always put hard work into school and career to be at the top of what I do professionally. I used to have the mindset of “why dont these people do X like I do . . . they must be losers.” I once looked down at those that didnt strive for the 4.0 or top job but was quickly brought down to earth by getting called on it hard. I am doing well by all regards but have had a lot less fun than many of my friends who lived in the moment instead of constantly striving for a future goal. Hell, one day the big guys or cut guys or whatever may regret not going out and drinking with the guys because they had to lift or couldnt eat X because they wanted abs.

The whole mindset of I am “better than x” is subjective and the question that all are attempting to answer is rooted in that subjectivity hence there are endless possible reasons.

Further, can we please put an end to the whole “this is a bodybuilding forum” etc. I enjoy learning from reading other people post but it is quite apparent that not everyone aims to use such knowledge for the same thing. This is not a club with dues, by-laws and requirements. This is simply a forum dealing with bodybuilding and all of its facets.

[/quote]

Please go back to not posting.

You fucking suck at it.

And it’s obvious that this is yet another Brick screen name.[/quote]

Sorry it isn’t.

I don’t know who this guy is, nor do I have reason to post under several names detective.

135

[quote]countingbeans wrote:

[quote]eagertolearn wrote:
I almost never post but this drew my attention. I am a young professional who has always put hard work into school and career to be at the top of what I do professionally. I used to have the mindset of “why dont these people do X like I do . . . they must be losers.” I once looked down at those that didnt strive for the 4.0 or top job but was quickly brought down to earth by getting called on it hard. I am doing well by all regards but have had a lot less fun than many of my friends who lived in the moment instead of constantly striving for a future goal. Hell, one day the big guys or cut guys or whatever may regret not going out and drinking with the guys because they had to lift or couldnt eat X because they wanted abs.

The whole mindset of I am “better than x” is subjective and the question that all are attempting to answer is rooted in that subjectivity hence there are endless possible reasons.

Further, can we please put an end to the whole “this is a bodybuilding forum” etc. I enjoy learning from reading other people post but it is quite apparent that not everyone aims to use such knowledge for the same thing. This is not a club with dues, by-laws and requirements. This is simply a forum dealing with bodybuilding and all of its facets.

[/quote]

Please go back to not posting.

You fucking suck at it.

And it’s obvious that this is yet another Brick screen name.[/quote]

Did I miss your New York trip Beans?

136

Question for guys or girls that never plan on competing

Why don’t you push huder? Couldnt that be a question a guy who has built size and cut to contest shape ask you? Are you not the pussy in comparison to that guy? You make excuses much like the rest of the gym goers you hate so much, right?

Dont wanna wear a thong on a stahe
I love ice cream too much
Numbers are too complicated
Dont wanna lose what I’ve built
Dont have the time for cardio
I’m a bodybuilder whether or not I step on stage
I dont get paid for it
Too strict
endless additions

You guys love applying the term bodybuilder to yourselves with no record of competition. Then there’s the “this is a bodybuilding” forum" thing,even though there are very few bodybuilders here…?

Its great that you all have persevered through all the pain to build it. I commend and respect the hell out of all of you…mainly becaise I’ve done the same…but if you never intend on running the long diet and the other things that come with prepping ten how can you say you are not half assing too?

No disrepect intended so unclench your teeth right now.

137

[quote]Professor X wrote:

This thread has been read over 4,000 times in less than one day all because I asked that question…so now the question is, why is so much emotion tied up and why are so many so defensive (enough to attract people who NEVER POST HERE) the moment someone questions where the muscle is?

Some of you spend thousands on supplements, spends several days a week in the gym…to NOT stand out?

Really?

Dude, to you and anyone else, I do not care if you think I am arrogant, if you think I have the biggest ego ever or any of that. My goal is to see more and more people make progress. That has been my goal since day one because being around people who strive for more causes everyone to do better.

However, clearly some of you don’t want this…and prefer to turn every single post I ever make into some opportunity to put me in my place.

Guess what, my place is just fine…and you don’t have the ability to put me in it.[/quote]

I think the issue here is that it’s very unclear what exactly you’re trying to accomplish by continuing to post here. Since you clearly think that the vast majority of the posters are far below you in development, it seems unlikely that you’re here to learn from us (excepting possibly the T-Cell forum).

In fact, elsewhere you mention that you’ve been working with somebody much bigger and have found it to be both humbling and a great learning experience, which certainly matches a common opinion: if you want to BECOME better you need to train with people who already ARE better.

And, if you’re really trying to spread your experience to newer weightlifters your delivery mechanism sucks. Rather than providing constructive criticism about how people should behave, you 1) state that anybody not doing exactly what you’re doing is wrong and 2) people suck in general. Neither of these inspires people to listen to you.

There’s nothing wrong with tough love of the “Hey, you may be the biggest guy in your house, but in the world of weight training you’re just a shrimp, so eat more and lift more.” There is quite a lot wrong with coming in with the attitude that your way is the only way and people should either adopt it or stop posting.

Carry on.

138

[quote]ag918w35 wrote:

[quote]Professor X wrote:

This thread has been read over 4,000 times in less than one day all because I asked that question…so now the question is, why is so much emotion tied up and why are so many so defensive (enough to attract people who NEVER POST HERE) the moment someone questions where the muscle is?

Some of you spend thousands on supplements, spends several days a week in the gym…to NOT stand out?

Really?

Dude, to you and anyone else, I do not care if you think I am arrogant, if you think I have the biggest ego ever or any of that. My goal is to see more and more people make progress. That has been my goal since day one because being around people who strive for more causes everyone to do better.

However, clearly some of you don’t want this…and prefer to turn every single post I ever make into some opportunity to put me in my place.

Guess what, my place is just fine…and you don’t have the ability to put me in it.[/quote]

I think the issue here is that it’s very unclear what exactly you’re trying to accomplish by continuing to post here. Since you clearly think that the vast majority of the posters are far below you in development, it seems unlikely that you’re here to learn from us (excepting possibly the T-Cell forum). In fact, elsewhere you mention that you’ve been working with somebody much bigger and have found it to be both humbling and a great learning experience, which certainly matches a common opinion: if you want to BECOME better you need to train with people who already ARE better.

And, if you’re really trying to spread your experience to newer weightlifters your delivery mechanism sucks. Rather than providing constructive criticism about how people should behave, you 1) state that anybody not doing exactly what you’re doing is wrong and 2) people suck in general. Neither of these inspires people to listen to you.

There’s nothing wrong with tough love of the “Hey, you may be the biggest guy in your house, but in the world of weight training you’re just a shrimp, so eat more and lift more.” There is quite a lot wrong with coming in with the attitude that your way is the only way and people should either adopt it or stop posting.

Carry on.
[/quote]

Dude, shut the fuck up. The very fact that this thread has been read this many times in that time period would mean my delivery is better than most.

It doesn’t matter what you type if there is no audience.

Most of you responding now are posters never seen in this specific forum.

Is that too much over your head?

Yes, it probably is.

139

[quote]Ct. Rockula wrote:
Question for guys or girls that never plan on competing

Why don’t you push huder? Couldnt that be a question a guy who has built size and cut to contest shape ask you? Are you not the pussy in comparison to that guy? You make excuses much like the rest of the gym goers you hate so much, right?

Dont wanna wear a thong on a stahe
I love ice cream too much
Numbers are too complicated
Dont wanna lose what I’ve built
Dont have the time for cardio
I’m a bodybuilder whether or not I step on stage
I dont get paid for it
Too strict
endless additions

You guys love applying the term bodybuilder to yourselves with no record of competition. Then there’s the “this is a bodybuilding” forum" thing,even though there are very few bodybuilders here…?

Its great that you all have persevered through all the pain to build it. I commend and respect the hell out of all of you…mainly becaise I’ve done the same…but if you never intend on running the long diet and the other things that come with prepping ten how can you say you are not half assing too?

No disrepect intended so unclench your teeth right now. [/quote]

Dude, I likely will compete. I have trained as if that was a distant goal from day one. You would have to be a fucking idiot, however, to make that some claim out loud before actually getting to the point where you feel ready to do it.

Why do you think I went to and posted so much info about those bodybuilding contests?

However, I am just now at the size where I feel I could reach the level I am after. Getting my education and my career sidelined much of that.

The real question is, why would anyone in their right mind ignore the progress someone is making UNTIL they compete?

When I first logged in here, I was about 220lbs. I was nowhere near the level to be outwardly claiming competition. As a result, I am now bigger than most people are at their very first contest.

What did I miss? I have a career that pays well and still got big. Where is the downside here?

140

[quote]Bricknyce wrote:

[quote]K-Man32 wrote:

[quote]Bricknyce wrote:

[quote]K-Man32 wrote:

[quote]123watson wrote:
I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone in this thread, there are some good points. As K-Man32 said, as did I, this is a bodybuilding forum, correct me it I’m wrong but I don’t think there are CEOs, Lawyers, Docs, etc writing here. I by no means want to say they are not worried about health either, its just I think the focus should be on people who strive to be the biggest, baddest, and strongest guy around. What is holding them back? I am by no means there yet, I am going to be though. Well actually, is there an end? When you push harder, don’t you just want more? Add another x number of pounds to your squat, round out the shoulders a bit more. Do you have the fire? The will to drive on? For me this is sometimes blurred, but after reading some logs and watching the amazing videos of things I aspire to achieve, my goal becomes all to clear.[/quote]
Well, I wouldn’t go treading into what other people do for a living. Prof x is a dentist for example, a dentist that WANTS to get as big as he can. That’s the take home point, the CEO in brick’s post didn’t want to get big. The rest of your points i agree with, this thread is for people actively striving to get bigger. It’s also for the obstacles people run into/ ways to make time for it, etc.
[/quote]

I posted what I did knowing this is a bodybuilding forum! The thing is the guy I was responding to was talking about his interactions with people who are just regular gym goers (eg, 39 yr old lady who wants to MAINTAIN her figure and guy who doesn’t give a shit either way) and how he can’t understand why they don’t give a shit as much as he does about gym and muscle matters.

Did you read his and my post carefully?

If someone wants to get fucking huge, then they better be in this for the long haul and go to great measures to get to huge!

And yes, there are CEOs who are jacked. Uh, Dave Tate comes to mind! So does Dave Palumbo of Species Nutrition. Both are very successful in what they do and are friggin’ jacked!

Rick Collins, former T-Nation contributor and hot shot lawyer and author, who I met this past fall at the Hofstra Steroid Conference is bigger than 99.9% of people on here.

I thank you for my compliment on my post, but it wasn’t a “rant”. I don’t really appreciate it when people express their disdain for people who simply want to be in shape and maintain their health and physique. According to that line of reasoning, people who exercise 5 to 6 times per week but isn’t looking to be jacked or run marathons are “not understandable”.

It’s understood that if you wanna look friggin’ huge, you gotta do some grueling shit.

It’s also understood that people who want to be healthy and athletic and look decent nude aren’t average doofuses. [/quote]
I don’t know who your replying to, i mentioned to not tread on other peoples professions. Which means, don’t go around thinking that CEO’s and the such don’t strive to be/already are huge. That’s why i put up the professor x example.

I don’t have any hard feelings towards people wanting to be healthy or in shape.

But whatever, you win…this is the internet and people can derail threads by mentioning things that aren’t exactly on topic (you know, the topic is about striving to get huge) because everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I’m just going to keep reading and hope to get some more useful information/motivation from this thread.[/quote]

I didn’t post what I did to argue with you or “win”. I like your posts on this site and you seem like a good guy.
[/quote]
Truth is, you have some “pull” on this site. Meaning people tend to take in what you write.

I know, I know, it’s just an internet site but…if you start writing things off topic then there will be people reading your response, which in turn makes them more comfortable to write their off topic opinion too.

That eagertolearn guy a few posts up is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t carelessly write things like you did. He agreed to your point and provided his own point, which was even more off topic than yours. Good posts/stories, but in the wrong thread.

Anyways, Ive already posted more in this thread than some of the guys 3x my size have. So, im gonna stop cluttering it up.