What approach mentally do you take to getting lean?

[Demondosage]

Does it bother you if you were used to using 50 lb dumbbells for curls and then 5 weeks into your diet your using 25 lb dumbbells? Do you try to stay as strong as possible on your diet, or do you accept the fact that getting weaker comes with it, and not pay any attention to the poundages that get the job done? Personally I have found I do better adhering to the latter, and not giving a damn what the lbs are I'm pushing. I know people probably look over and think "oh yeah, its def all steroids, look man, he isnt even strong"

 

[Sworder]

I don't care about the weight on the dumbbell or barbell. Never have and never will. I am not in the gym to impress the other guys that are doing abs, bench and curls. I go for the pump, feeling it in the muscle and really contracting every single fiber. It's about giving the muscle the best training at the highest intensity. I don't know any of my 1 rep maxes and I don't care much about it.

 

[Millard]

Does it bother you if you were used to using 50 lb dumbbells for curls and then 5 weeks into your diet your using 25 lb dumbbells? Do you try to stay as strong as possible on your diet, or do you accept the fact that getting weaker comes with it, and not pay any attention to the poundages that get the job done? Personally I have found I do better adhering to the latter, and not giving a damn what the lbs are I'm pushing. I know people probably look over and think "oh yeah, its def all steroids, look man, he isnt even strong"

I use all of the above - each at a different phase of diet.

For example, given a 10-week diet, the first 3-4 weeks are great. I rapidly get leaner and my strength/energy INCREASES.

The next couple of weeks, strength noticeably diminishes especially in the upper body. I usuallly ignore poundages for upper body training but still try to lift heavy as possible on squats/deadlifts.

The final few weeks are miserable. I'm not lifting heavy. I have no energy. It's not fun.

Since I don't compete, I stop my diet after the second phase. I'm down to 6%, I feel/look great and still enjoy the gym.

Only if I were training as a means to an end (competition) would I consider pursuing third phase.

For me right now, it's all about the process. If I'm not enjoying lifting, what's the point?

 

[Ragin8]

I like to keep the weights as heavy as possible, although that is not the be-all-end-all factor. For me, it's mostly about what I see in the mirror

 

[Demondosage]

I use all of the above - each at a different phase of diet.

For example, given a 10-week diet, the first 3-4 weeks are great. I rapidly get leaner and my strength/energy INCREASES.

The next couple of weeks, strength noticeably diminishes especially in the upper body. I usuallly ignore poundages for upper body training but still try to lift heavy as possible on squats/deadlifts.

The final few weeks are miserable. I'm not lifting heavy. I have no energy. It's not fun.

Since I don't compete, I stop my diet after the second phase. I'm down to 6%, I feel/look great and still enjoy the gym.

Only if I were training as a means to an end (competition) would I consider pursuing third phase.

For me right now, it's all about the process. If I'm not enjoying lifting, what's the point?

Wow, I must say that I commend you for getting to that low of bodyfat and not during any sort of competition prep. I dont think I've ever been able to get that low unless there was a contest I was preparing for. And your right, the last few weeks are about the most miserable thing ever!! You walk around in a living hell just to shed off that last 1-2%. I dont miss it really

 

[Millard]

Wow, I must say that I commend you for getting to that low of bodyfat and not during any sort of competition prep. I dont think I've ever been able to get that low unless there was a contest I was preparing for. And your right, the last few weeks are about the most miserable thing ever!! You walk around in a living hell just to shed off that last 1-2%. I dont miss it really

The lean part is easy, the mass part not so much. I have my work cut out for me.

 

[PUMP THAT]

Does it bother you if you were used to using 50 lb dumbbells for curls and then 5 weeks into your diet your using 25 lb dumbbells? Do you try to stay as strong as possible on your diet, or do you accept the fact that getting weaker comes with it, and not pay any attention to the poundages that get the job done? Personally I have found I do better adhering to the latter, and not giving a damn what the lbs are I'm pushing. I know people probably look over and think "oh yeah, its def all steroids, look man, he isnt even strong"

I'm the same way, it's about how much u can lift, it's about achieving yoru goal.. getting lean takes both mental & physical sacrifices.

 

[PUMP THAT]

Wow, I must say that I commend you for getting to that low of bodyfat and not during any sort of competition prep. I dont think I've ever been able to get that low unless there was a contest I was preparing for. And your right, the last few weeks are about the most miserable thing ever!! You walk around in a living hell just to shed off that last 1-2%. I dont miss it really

^^ True

 

[mac111]

i much prefer to be pulling 4reps out of 250kg deadlifts than be sub 10%.

but then, its all horses for courses. i'd never adopt the bb'ing lifestyle, i like my power, strength and food too much lol

 

[Transhuman]

i much prefer to be pulling 4reps out of 250kg deadlifts than be sub 10%.

I like having the best of both worlds (y). I want to look like I can rep out 250kg deads and actually be able to do it.

 

[mac111]

I like having the best of both worlds (y). I want to look like I can rep out 250kg deads and actually be able to do it.

well i can see big thick abs, if that counts as 'in shape'

 

[MANWHORE]

I like food alot too but I eat pretty good food. That
is just something I usually did throughout my life.

I am more of an ectomorph so I have to keep
training or at least doing something to keep size
or I will shrink.

If I really want to cut, I have to increase my protein
intake and increase training frequency. I don't count calories
but if I was to go to 6% then yes I am sure I would have to and
it would be rough on me. I like my food and sleep.

As far as the weights I use. I go heavy sometimes, sometimes
I do alot of dropsets when bulking and cutting. I will go down to 20lb dumbells
even the pink ones if I had to. I never care what other people are
doing in the gym and I don't care if they admire me while
they are doing it

It's funny because I do get alot of looks from people
when I am at a gym long enough, cause I don't train very
long. They see me come in and 30min later I am leaving.
I really don't like public gyms. I don't like the guys flexing
in the mirror or walking around talking to each other like it's
a cool place to be.. I don't know, maybe it is. I just don't like
it, so I get in and out