What has bodybuilding done to your life?

fujiismydog · 06-23-2009, 06:04 AM

Just wondering how has your life improved in a positive light. When can you say 'Man training has paid off?'

ntrllftr · 06-23-2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fujiismydog

When can you say 'Man training has paid off?'

I'll let you know after July 18th.

24 Days to the Masters Nationals!!!!

KyleAaron · 06-23-2009, 06:50 AM

Lots of times. As you're improving you find yourself able to do things you couldn't before, you feel more energy, more alive.

Once improved, people - especially lover or spouse - notice and compliment you. And the improvement is also measured by what doesn't happen. As you hit your 30s you start to see friends become quite overweight, unable to walk three blocks without sweating, diaorrhea every day from a high fat diet, often having colds and flu, facing adult onset diabetes, constant back pain, can't play with the kids, too tired and weak and disgusted with themselves to have sex with their lover/spouse, maybe heart trouble in their 40s...

So the better condition is measured not only by what happens, but what doesn't happen.

Overall, endurance and weight training combined with a healthy but tasty diet lead to a better quality of life in those everyday things.

Guff · 06-23-2009, 06:53 AM

Every time I take my shirt off

Klayfish · 06-23-2009, 06:53 AM

From day one. You walk out of the gym...or your basement...or wherever you train...feeling good about what you've done. The next day the same thing. Combine that with a good diet and rest, and it really takes a "snowball" effect. Each day you feel better about it than the last.

Steve

Whiskeyjack · 06-23-2009, 06:53 AM

Well, as a young competing BBr it led to me getting a lot more feminine company. Now it makes me feel a lot better and I think of the points raised above by Kyle Aaron.

06-23-2009, 06:56 AM

When my daughter brings home boys and they crap in their pants when they see me.

I probably owe my family to bb. There is no way I would have had the confidence to approach my wife if I was 125 instead of 185.

Old-Time-Lifter · 06-23-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aneas

When my daughter brings home boys and they crap in their pants when they see me.

Aneas for the win.............. I second that one.

That's when you make sure you just happen to walk around the house w/o your shirt, pumped to the max. rofl.

JC480 · 06-23-2009, 07:33 AM

- maintains my weight
- transformed my body shape
- my mental attitude is always positive
- never depressed, never down
- never get sick
- turbocharged self confidence
- keep up with my son
- improve the quality of my life
- wife can't keep her hands off me...love waking up and my wife is rubbing my chest...the mystery of women's love of pectorals
- Been told alot I look younger than my age
- Women look (which is a nice ego trip)

Revmachine21 · 06-23-2009, 07:41 AM

When I found it easy to buy pants off the rack.

06-23-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Time-Lifter

Aneas for the win.............. I second that one.

That's when you make sure you just happen to walk around the house w/o your shirt, pumped to the max. rofl.

My daughters last boyfriend asked me how much do you bench. I said about 400 which is a giant lie. He was dumb enough to believe me.

joatmon · 06-23-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aneas

My daughters last boyfriend asked me how much do you bench. I said about 400 which is a giant lie. He was dumb enough to believe me.

You just "forgot" to tell him that it takes 2 reps, or 3 in my case, to get there.

StressMonkey · 06-23-2009, 07:52 AM

A lot of things mentioned above, but also a positive body image. I spent so long being unhappy with being so skinny. At the same time I was paralyzed by fear and also convinced myself that there was no way an unathletic guy could have any success at lifting.

Supfreak26 · 06-23-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guff

Every time I take my shirt off

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC480

- maintains my weight
- transformed my body shape
- my mental attitude is always positive
- never depressed, never down
- never get sick
- turbocharged self confidence
- keep up with my son
- improve the quality of my life
- wife can't keep her hands off me...love waking up and my wife is rubbing my chest...the mystery of women's love of pectorals
- Been told alot I look younger than my age
- Women look (which is a nice ego trip)

All of these. I love that I happily take my shirt off at the pool or lake. Just 2 years ago, I regretted those times. That was the main reason I started. The physical and mental benefits were a bonus.

And I'm not even close to where I want to be. I just joined a new gym that is geared specifically towards bb'ers so I expect to see huge changes coming soon. So freakin' pumped right now!

DeWayne340 · 06-23-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleAaron

Lots of times. As you're improving you find yourself able to do things you couldn't before, you feel more energy, more alive.

Once improved, people - especially lover or spouse - notice and compliment you. And the improvement is also measured by what doesn't happen. As you hit your 30s you start to see friends become quite overweight, unable to walk three blocks without sweating, diaorrhea every day from a high fat diet, often having colds and flu, facing adult onset diabetes, constant back pain, can't play with the kids, too tired and weak and disgusted with themselves to have sex with their lover/spouse, maybe heart trouble in their 40s...

So the better condition is measured not only by what happens, but what doesn't happen.

Overall, endurance and weight training combined with a healthy but tasty diet lead to a better quality of life in those everyday things.

When I read your statement I thought you was talking to me directly,, because this is where I was at.
I have lost 70 pounds so far and I have 70 more to go, but I will get there.
If I start feeling a little down, I come to the site to be lifted backup.
My hobby is my health now.
I love this site !

x-trainer ben · 06-23-2009, 08:20 AM

When the dc metro breaks and you have to walk up 100 steps and the big folks are huffing and puffing. I realize that the correct balance of endurance and muscle mass is key.

bodyhard · 06-23-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fujiismydog

Just wondering how has your life improved in a positive light. When can you say 'Man training has paid off?'

Made my penis shrink, don't do it, stay away from bodybuilding!

Bodybuilding has saved my life.

It has saved my life physically, but it hasn't done anything for me mentally I still am somewhat nutty.

IronKarate1 · 06-23-2009, 08:23 AM

Like others I am no longer embarrased to take my shirt off. I have gone from 220 to between 185 and 188 fluctuating. I am no where close to where I want to be, but it was a big improvement. My doctor was trying to put me on all sorts of cholesterol medication, and now I no longer need any of it. I went to the beach last weekend and had recently purchased a pair of Affliction Board Shorts, size 32 that I was able to sport with no problem.

Weightlifting has become my #1 hobby, followed by Karate and Golf. All of my hobbies are exercise related, which is a big improvement as well.

Old-Time-Lifter · 06-23-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aneas

My daughters last boyfriend asked me how much do you bench. I said about 400 which is a giant lie. He was dumb enough to believe me.

lol............. I love it.

Old-Time-Lifter · 06-23-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodyhard

Made my penis shrink, don't do it, stay away from bodybuilding!

Bodybuilding has saved my life.

It has saved my life physically, but it hasn't done anything for me mentally I still am somewhat nutty.

That's just an illusion John, it's because the rest of you is 'hoooge' from the 'Sell-Techie'.......

Oh, and that muscle ain't going to grow from exercise so you can knock off those isolation exercises now.

bodyhard · 06-23-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Time-Lifter

That's just an illusion John, it's because the rest of you is 'hoooge' from the 'Sell-Techie'.......

Oh, and that muscle ain't going to grow from exercise so you can knock off those isolation exercises now.

Damn and here I was attaching a 10lbs plate to it and doing erection reps...

Old-Time-Lifter · 06-23-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodyhard

Damn and here I was attaching a 10lbs plate to it and doing erection reps...

Wimp............ go for the 45's............

rofl

You've seen the vid's of the guys pulling trucks with their junk haven't you? Ouch!

jtroster · 06-23-2009, 09:08 AM

More self-confidence
No lower back aches
No knee pains
Lower blood pressure
Healthy cholesterol levels
Less gout.
Recovered from hernia surgery in 3 1/2 weeks.
More energy to work all day instead of getting sleepy by 2:00pm.
Able to lift mother-in-law's suitcase into trunk using one arm

XX400EX · 06-23-2009, 09:14 AM

Well lets see.... lol.
Before i started to train i was on pain meds for my back. I couldnt walk to the back of walmart with out my legs going numb. I didnt feel like doing anything besides my job. And i was fat slob.
Now im pain med free, I can walk the mall and amusemet parks no numbing. Lost alot of fat and still dropping. And even started karate too. Heck i feel better than i have in 10 years.

BergMuscle · 06-23-2009, 09:35 AM

OK, starting the list:
greater self-confidence
better self-image
just plain look better in and out of clothes
strength when I need it around the house or on the job (boxes of books are heavy)
being told I don't look over 50 (and sometimes over 40

)
pride in myself that is spilling over into the non-bodybuilding areas of my life (that may be #1)

BuckSpin · 06-23-2009, 09:52 AM

If you have seen my Before pics, I agree with Bodyhard: it has saved my life....literally.

Mrs. BuckSpin told me, after the transformation, that she had basically accepted the fact she was going to be a widow by the time she was 50. That is a cold, sobering dose of reality in the face.

I could go on & on about everything else, but all the time yet to come with my family is the real reward.

*secretly - is really enjoying having the hormones of being 18 again

*

Chris_T · 06-23-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtroster

.
Able to lift mother-in-law's suitcase into trunk using one arm

Haha. Good one.

joen270 · 06-23-2009, 09:57 AM

Its fun being bigger than most of your friends

pmartel · 06-23-2009, 10:03 AM

For me, less stressed.

Truly amazing.

Saw co-worker that was on vacation for a month and he couldn't believe how less stressed I look.

Also, less sick than I used to despite a bad cold I had 3 weeks ago. I blame that on co-workers NOT looking after themselves and an h/r dept that likes you there when you KNOW you should be in bed.

A friend had seen me and was shocked as he hadn't seen me since fall. said I looked 5 years younger.

So that's what working out has done for me

Minotaur · 06-23-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fujiismydog

Just wondering how has your life improved in a positive light. When can you say 'Man training has paid off?'

Well, I'm not a bodybuilder, nor a powerlifter. I'm just a regular fat guy who weight trains like a powerlifter. What it's done for me is cost me a fortune in clothes, going from a 38 to 48 jacket, and a 14 1/2 (S) size shirt to an 18 1/2 (XL-XXL) size shirt.

It's also gotten me comments and respect that set me apart from other guys. And fearful looks from some women and children.