What is your "WHY"?

[Bumpygooch]

What would you change now based on your experience and mistakes?

Sorry I missed this. I would definitely check my ego. Also, not be in such a rush, there’s only so fast you can go. I’d have eaten much differently as well. Got way too fat sometimes, cuts went on near 20 weeks, still never got lean enough, only to jump back on bulking. Wasn’t until after spine surgery that I decided to strip it all down regardless of how small I got/looked, I needed the weight off, then I started building back slowly eating correctly. But, that wasn’t until my early 40’s at the point. About 20 years wasted doing dumb shit.

 

[JesterBOB]

Now everything became clear. I've been trying to eat according to a planned plan, but I always break down. I do a lot of cardio, I eat little, maybe I break down here and there. Plus, in life, the nerves are solid, maybe it knocks out of action.

 

[SonhoDourado]

Grew up in a wrestling household. Training is something i always wanted to do as i wanted to look like all the wrestlers. My dad was lean and muscular and of course that played a huge role in wanting to emulate that. Have to mention The Incredible Hulk,Rocky/Rambo, and all of Arnolds movies i grew up watching. Once i started weight training at 13 and getting more involved in wrestling i started going to matches. Seeing some of those D-1 athletes was a site to be seen. Big, strong, athletic, and tough bastards.

In the 90's the bodybuilding magazines were great as its all we had. I'd scour every muscle and fitness or flex mag i could find. WSM replays on ESPN was also a good motivator as i looked at those men as the pinnacle of strength. When super Marius came on the scene i was really blown away cause he wasn't just strong..he was ripped as well.

I've now been training for 31 years and i love it no more than ever. I look at it as the ultimate fountain of youth. It makes me feel good and being strong makes life move enjoyable. I hope to continue till i am no more.

 

[buzzingonaas]

Started because I was sad. Went through a hard breakup and wanted to level up. Now I do it because I want to see what I’m capable of, what I can build if I put in 100% dedication and effort around the clock

 

[JesterBOB]

Grew up in a wrestling household. Training is something i always wanted to do as i wanted to look like all the wrestlers. My dad was lean and muscular and of course that played a huge role in wanting to emulate that. Have to mention The Incredible Hulk,Rocky/Rambo, and all of Arnolds movies i grew up watching. Once i started weight training at 13 and getting more involved in wrestling i started going to matches. Seeing some of those D-1 athletes was a site to be seen. Big, strong, athletic, and tough bastards.

In the 90's the bodybuilding magazines were great as its all we had. I'd scour every muscle and fitness or flex mag i could find. WSM replays on ESPN was also a good motivator as i looked at those men as the pinnacle of strength. When super Marius came on the scene i was really blown away cause he wasn't just strong..he was ripped as well.

I've now been training for 31 years and i love it no more than ever. I look at it as the ultimate fountain of youth. It makes me feel good and being strong makes life move enjoyable. I hope to continue till i am no more.

All these films at that time made an impression on everyone. And we wanted to be like heroes, Predator, Rocky, Kickboxer. It was a great time and many hit the gym because of tick movies.

 

[JesterBOB]

Started because I was sad. Went through a hard breakup and wanted to level up. Now I do it because I want to see what I’m capable of, what I can build if I put in 100% dedication and effort around the clock

I’m sure that you can handle it, it’s true that the gym gave many people meaning in life and the strength to fight in this life for their normal life.

 

[buzzingonaas]

I’m sure that you can handle it, it’s true that the gym gave many people meaning in life and the strength to fight in this life for their normal life.

Absolutely. I’m great now, but for a time it was what got me through the rough patch and really got me into the bodybuilding lifestyle

 

[JesterBOB]

Absolutely. I’m great now, but for a time it was what got me through the rough patch and really got me into the bodybuilding lifestyle

I completely understand you, since I myself was in such a life situation and the gym was my salvation and true friend.

 

[Louie_bat]

For someone who is late to the game, and past health issues aside. I started the journey to better myself and change my self destructive behavior. Teaches self discipline, confidence/ self-worth, and brings routine to this chaotic world.

 

[rufflesbaby]

For someone who is late to the game, and past health issues aside. I started the journey to better myself and change my self destructive behavior. Teaches self discipline, confidence/ self-worth, and brings routine to this chaotic world.

Sure does brother, there's nothin like It on earth.. sucks a lot of people look past It. better late than never, best wishes to you on your journey

 

[RedDog94]

I'm newer to being enhanced than most, plan on blasting and cruising, watching my health along the way, and making a life long commitment to progress. I think the "why?" Is an important question we should ask ourselves in many avenues of life.
My "why?" Is because making progress in the gym and my body gives me so much motivation and purpose that carries over to other aspects in my life.
I've been void of motivation, happiness, and direction much of my life. I really turned my life around a little over two years ago, I was making progress in some aspects a year prior to that after my second stint in rehab, but it wasn't until I completely cut the drugs out of my life that I was able to find some semblance of happiness.
There was still something lacking though, passion. I had no hobbies and very vague goals, and although I was doing better than ever before, I was lacking fulfillment.
As JesterBOB said, this lifestyle is my salvation.

 

[Ambitiouslabrat]

Was always a shorter guy 5”8 and always very dense and well built.

Never really lifted much in my youth because baseball was the only sport I played. My journey started in my early 30’s.

As I got older I went from being a short big framed guy to a short fatty. By 32 I Was almost 260 at just 5”8. Started to lift because I couldn’t tolerate what I looked like and hated cardio. I felt good after lifting. I felt good about myself. We can all say short and round is not ideal for ladies preferences which only weighed on my self confidence more as a charming face only matters so much.


My diet stayed the same, but I was seeing progress. As more progress came the more I wanted. Shifted diet and was getting a lot of attention from people telling me my journey inspired them. The wife seemed very receptive of the changes as did others which was a perk. But more than anything it changed my entire life for the better.

If 3 years ago you could’ve told me I could look like I do today I would’ve said no way and I would be happy. But as time has gone on the urge to look better and be stronger has only gotten worse.

More than anything lifting taught me dedication and discipline. Currently 197 @ around 22%BF and about to start my first cycle in the next week. Surprisingly no loose skin yet.

The day you lift you’re forever small, this saying resonates with me.





Currently about

 

[SpanishHulk]

I have always found muscles aesthetically pleasing.
At some point I wanted to look exactly like that.
That was the beginning.

 

[RichieRich610]

Why are you into Bodybuilding?
Are you in it for the health benefits?
To live longer?
To provide inspiration to others?
To impress the ladies?

Everyone has a reason and every ones reason is different. There really isn’t a wrong or right answer to this question.

Additionally, since getting into bodybuilding, has it become a life style change for the better?
Has it increased your focus?
Performance outside of the gym?
Is your mental clarity more precise?
Have you become more disciplined?

What is your “WHY”

I will start this off. I originally got in to bodybuilding because my kids were getting to the age that I could see grand kinds in the future and I wanted to be there when they came into the world. Since then, I do it more for me than anyone else. But I do love the increased libido and the increased mental clarity that even running a TRT level of Testosterone provides. Additionally, it makes me feel great when someone does point out that I have inspired them to work towards a goal and get more fit and healthy.

I was fat slow and on heroin and booze for years. I got sober and started to feel so good on the inside it felt insane not to make the outside match. And I realized being 40 and out of shape and falling apart is what’s expected of us and that’s fucking corny. I’m more useful to the people I love and folks who need help when I’m firing on all cylinders. This is a great thread man!

 

[NotNattyNotFatty]

It makes me feel good is the main reason I guess. I find that working out regularly helps with structurering my life. In the long run: I hope to bank as much myonuclei as possible. They will hopefully help me in my older years

 

[Push50]

I was fat slow and on heroin and booze for years. I got sober and started to feel so good on the inside it felt insane not to make the outside match. And I realized being 40 and out of shape and falling apart is what’s expected of us and that’s fucking corny. I’m more useful to the people I love and folks who need help when I’m firing on all cylinders. This is a great thread man!

“I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I don’t believe in wasting brotherhood on anyone who doesn’t want to practive it with me. Brotherhood is a two-way street.”

― Malcolm X

You have over come a lot and I am proud to call you a brother. We don’t always make the right choice but when we learn from the choices we make it will make us stronger.

 

[DECLAN]

Started to impress and get the ladies, kept going to flex on the bros. Now, I do it for myself and try to be fit for my kids.

 

[Ryuk]

For me it’s because I hate seeing myself skinny. It’s harder for me than most to gain weight/muscle, and I spent about 10 years of my life addicted to heroin, meth, or really anything I could get my hands on. Seeing myself skinny reminds me of how I used to be, granted I wasn’t as skinny as I was while using but still, I want to obliterate anything about myself that reminds me of the person I used to be whether it’s physically, or even mentally. Plus after abusing my body for about half my life I figure I should do stuff to take care of it so I can see my daughter grow up, and hopefully see my future grandkids too.

 

[T&H]

“I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I don’t believe in wasting brotherhood on anyone who doesn’t want to practive it with me. Brotherhood is a two-way street.”

― Malcolm X

You have over come a lot and I am proud to call you a brother. We don’t always make the right choice but when we learn from the choices we make it will make us stronger.

Just wanted to say awesome thread. Glad to see it still going.

 

[TestTrenPrimo]

Simply put, I was fat.

What really put me over the edge, my parents got the anti-fat stomach surgery, the name is escaping me, but they basically took the easy way out. That just kind of pissed me off, and I got to work. Then it turned into what it is now.