There have been many mistakes I have made through the years while trying to build muscle. I thought I would list my top 5 and share what that means.
5. Listened to the muscle magazines with regards to protein intake from bodybuilders
-never try to copy someone else's diet, learn what your body needs based on research and apply it
4. Listened to the muscle magazines with regards to training programs
-after years of getting frustrated with different programs which became stale I finally started looking into other options. Doing the same routine as the Pro's is not a recipe for success
3. Compared myself to my idols
-we all have individual genetic predispositions, muscle insertions, adaptability to training, structure's and morals. Be the best "you" possible and you will always be successful.
2. Counted on Supplements too much
- There were times when my diet and training were less than optimal and yet I expected great things because I found the latest supplement. Nothing replaces sound nutrition and training.
1. I didn't track my diet properly
-Nutrition is the single biggest factor in taking a trained athlete's physique from average to exceptional. I only wish I had taken this approach in my early years.
With all that said, all the mistakes I have made through the years there is something positive that has come of it. I kept pushing. I stayed in the gym even when i wasn't improving. One thing that I have learned about myself is that I love this adventure and no matter what I will always take part in strength and physique sports. After 20 years of lifting I finally feel like I am starting to get a grasp of the big picture and making gains consistently is no longer dumb luck or beginners gains.
Here is a little picture history to go along with it.
When I began lifting. 16 years old. 150lbs
Few years later, about 190lbs. Lifting more but baseball was priority.
Dreamer Bulk before prep. Red Solo beer cup and all. 240lbs. 2007.
Before and after first contest Prep. 2008
Second Contest season 2009
Third Contest season, 2012
I have come a long way over the years and I still feel I am improving. I plan to spend the next two years eating, lifting and doing everything optimally to ensure that progress is made. Just stick with it, even mistakes can be turned into something positive.
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12-14-2012, 07:30 AM #1
- Join Date: Aug 2007
- Location: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 48
- Posts: 7,812
- Rep Power: 13603
Mistakes in my 20's years in the gym
Contest Prep Coach
Paul@ProPhysique.com
Core Nutritionals/Outwork Apparel Athlete
NGA & IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
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12-14-2012, 07:33 AM #2
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12-14-2012, 07:38 AM #3
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12-14-2012, 09:27 AM #4
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12-14-2012, 09:53 AM #5
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12-14-2012, 10:02 AM #6
- Join Date: Jul 2011
- Location: United States
- Age: 33
- Posts: 881
- Rep Power: 568
Micro repped.
Pretty inspiring. Your strait ions are insane. And 20 years of trial and error is a long time, it's amazing that you stuck with it."The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that any army may win while it still has it's legs under it; the real test comes when all strength has fled and the men must produce victory on will alone." (Pressfield,1998, p.78)
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12-14-2012, 10:03 AM #7
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12-14-2012, 10:13 AM #8
- Join Date: Aug 2007
- Location: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 48
- Posts: 7,812
- Rep Power: 13603
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12-14-2012, 10:20 AM #9
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12-14-2012, 10:54 AM #10
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12-16-2012, 11:58 AM #11
Thanks fltallpaul,
I think the best knowledge is acquired through experience especially when its combined with sound science. I myself am a Physiologist and read many articles on the science of bodybuilding, but like you the most valuable knowledge that I can use in the gym comes from my personal experience.
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12-16-2012, 03:11 PM #12
- Join Date: Dec 2010
- Location: Moscow, Russian Federation
- Age: 34
- Posts: 341
- Rep Power: 224
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...941081&page=34
do you ever come in to respond? lol
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12-16-2012, 04:52 PM #13
- Join Date: Oct 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 36
- Posts: 659
- Rep Power: 258
What on earth did you do to drop that BF from your "dreamer bulk" if I can ask? I am not quite that bit, but I carry a pretty good muscle mass but have a somewhat similar sort of bulk as in that picture. I really struggle to get my BF down without "weeding" out muscle a huge amount.
Repped.Go big or go home!
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12-16-2012, 09:41 PM #14
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12-17-2012, 04:23 AM #15
- Join Date: Aug 2007
- Location: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 48
- Posts: 7,812
- Rep Power: 13603
Yes the best progress i have ever made has been since I learned to apply sound principles to what I know to be true of myself.
I have not, should I?
Getting body fat down from that point was all about the long slow process of contest prep. I lost 1-2lbs a week over the course of 20 weeks or so that first time. It's really difficult to lose that slowly and still live a compeletly normal life. You need to track your food with a food scale. You need to do cardio so that you are not losing muscle but enough that you keep fat burning progressing. Once you get lean there are issues with hormones that come in to play so you need a strategy for that period as well. Refeeds become very important toward the end and I had a great coach teaching me how to accomplish my goals. Most important you need to stick with it. There are days that suck, but the big picture must be apparent.
Thanks.Contest Prep Coach
Paul@ProPhysique.com
Core Nutritionals/Outwork Apparel Athlete
NGA & IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
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12-17-2012, 04:49 AM #16
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12-17-2012, 06:34 AM #17
- Join Date: Aug 2007
- Location: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 48
- Posts: 7,812
- Rep Power: 13603
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12-17-2012, 07:29 AM #18
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12-17-2012, 08:10 AM #19
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12-17-2012, 08:15 AM #20
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12-17-2012, 08:44 AM #21
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12-17-2012, 09:00 AM #22
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12-17-2012, 09:21 AM #23
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12-17-2012, 12:24 PM #24
- Join Date: Aug 2007
- Location: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 48
- Posts: 7,812
- Rep Power: 13603
You will get there!
Pretty stubborn lol.
Thanks Jason.
The lessons we learn are valuable though...you have not quit and that says something.
Yeah big things ahead!
Keep putting in the time and effort and it will happen. Thank you as well.Contest Prep Coach
Paul@ProPhysique.com
Core Nutritionals/Outwork Apparel Athlete
NGA & IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
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12-17-2012, 03:02 PM #25
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12-18-2012, 05:36 AM #26
- Join Date: Aug 2007
- Location: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Age: 48
- Posts: 7,812
- Rep Power: 13603
You can use a notebook and write it down, like a journal. You can also use the internet since you are posting here. Check out some of the free food journal websites. I like www.fitday.com.
If you have more questions on how to hit your numbers or just general questions email me Paul@ProPhysique.comContest Prep Coach
Paul@ProPhysique.com
Core Nutritionals/Outwork Apparel Athlete
NGA & IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
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12-18-2012, 05:51 AM #27
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12-18-2012, 08:34 AM #28
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12-18-2012, 08:38 AM #29
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12-18-2012, 08:42 AM #30
- Join Date: Jan 2010
- Location: Paducah, Kentucky, United States
- Posts: 8,878
- Rep Power: 90150
Awesome Job! Looking lean and mean... and I know the feeling after 24 years of training myself, especially with no internet in the beginning years...
Much respect!**PUREBLOOD FOR LIFE CREW**
-- A e s t h e t i c s C r e w -- E x t r e m e D i p s C r e w -- M i s c C a r C r e w ---
**2004 Acura NSX**2017 Honda Civic Type R, BADGE #357**
**2018 BMW X5M**2020 Toyota TRD PRO**
**Sandwiches are made in the KITCHEN......ABS are built in the GYM!**
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