help me turn my life around, PLEASE!!

[jimbob1991]

could someone please help me turn my life around?!

im a skinny 130lbs at 5'8".
i hate being so skinny but cant get
motivated to do something about it.
i enjoy running but hate lifting, so i keep saying
im going to lift but never do.

i have horrible habbits....
i dont lift, my diet is horrible, junk food, constent fast food. etc...
plus, i go to beed between 12am and 3am evernight
and wake up right before work which is either at 11am or occasionally 6 or 7am

could someone help me with advice
or simple ways???

[WarWithWeakness]

What about lifting do you hate?

[jimbob1991]

What about lifting do you hate?

tbh, idk. i just dont get into it.
i think if i could stick with it long enough
to see results i may begin to.
my friends tell me its because im lifting by myself
but i just want to start at home until i build a bit of a base

[BulmersOriginal]

i was 130 5'8 forever dude...you gotta lift just make it a habit. Once you start seeing gains you won't be able to stop...buy a digital scale, lift and protein...I started at home for about a year then joined the gym.

GIVE YOUR SELF 6 MONTHS BEFORE LOOKING FOR GOOD GAINS

I hated it too, and still feel like I'm 130 (mental thing)

[WarWithWeakness]

The reason I asked is because I honestly cannot comprehend the idea that lifting heavy things is not enjoyable.

Thanks to evolution, our bodies are designed for this and respond very well to it. It feels good, and I don't think this is normally limited to just labourers or athletes or certain personality types. If you are human and the theory of evolution is true, once you get your feet wet I seriously doubt you wont enjoy lifting.

Just don't get caught up on what you can lift (or more importantly, what you can't lift yet). Eat a lot (waaay more than you do now) and do any form of strength exercise and you will invariably get in better shape, I wont promise you that you will achieve much by next week or next year, but it will be an ongoing positive process for as long as you do it and within a couple of years it's fair to expect to stand out above a vast majority of people for your strength and build.



If you want to get bigger, you need to eat, a lot.
If you want muscle, you need to do some form of strength work (i.e. lifting).
If you do this, results are inevitable.
But your workouts should be enjoyable, and if they're not then fixing that (changing what you're doing, or your mindset) would be the first thing I'd suggest.

[jimbob1991]

The reason I asked is because I honestly cannot comprehend the idea that lifting heavy things is not enjoyable.

Thanks to evolution, our bodies are designed for this and respond very well to it. It feels good, and I don't think this is normally limited to just labourers or athletes or certain personality types. If you are human and the theory of evolution is true, once you get your feet wet I seriously doubt you wont enjoy lifting.

Just don't get caught up on what you can lift (or more importantly, what you can't lift yet). Eat a lot (waaay more than you do now) and do any form of strength exercise and you will invariably get in better shape, I wont promise you that you will achieve much by next week or next year, but it will be an ongoing positive process for as long as you do it and within a couple of years it's fair to expect to stand out above a vast majority of people for your strength and build.

thanks man...
i guess i just have a hard time starting.
i dont know much about lifting for one
and also i guess i just get bored
(prob because i lift in my basement by myself)

If you want to get bigger, you need to eat, a lot.
If you want muscle, you need to do some form of strength work (i.e. lifting).
If you do this, results are inevitable.
But your workouts should be enjoyable, and if they're not then fixing that (changing what you're doing, or your mindset) would be the first thing I'd suggest.

thanks man...
i guess i just have a hard time starting.
i dont know much about lifting for one
and also i guess i just get bored
(prob because i lift in my basement by myself)

[WarWithWeakness]

There's nothing wrong with training by yourself, but a gym atmosphere may or may not motivate you more.

For what it's worth, I've always trained by myself with a minimalist attitude towards equipment, if you've got a pull up bar you've got enough equipment and knowledge to achieve something. Add in equipment as you see fit to.

[noodles36]

Bro don't worry about it. Theres plenty of people who are as small as you in the gym. I was the same way. I had to get bigger at home in order to go to the gym. But found out i enjoyed going to the gym and lifting alot more. Throw on some music and try a pre workout supplement. I was about 155 10 months ago i was as high as 192. You just gotta work hard

[Gizmosbro2]

Im going to guess to you probably have no idea what you want to do with your life?

...You probably have some friends that like working out, and others that could care less. That being said. You need to ask yourself if this is just something you want, or something that is at the core of your being. If you simply want it for the vanity, and find no joy in the path it takes to get there, then perhaps lifting weights is not even for you. That is not to say that running and exercising in general is not beneficial. However, if it is a genuine desire. Then you need to stop questioning yourself and put the wheels in motion.


The truth of the matter is that nothing is just going to change on its own.

The reason i am saying this is becuase im going thru the same thing myself.

[UpInSmoke]

Just get out and do it, there's no easy way around it if you want to change your appearance. Although it does get easier once you get used to the routine and lifestyle. Read as much as you can, bodybuilding books, magazines, articles on this website. You gotta just suck it up and say how bad do I want this? It is possible for you to get big, or whatever you goal is, it just takes time, dedication, and consistency. As do most things in life worth doing. It all kinda carries over. Once you get used to it, it's very addicting. Especially once you start seeing changes. You just gotta stick with it and keep your spirits up ya know. Set goals and don't slack, do it right and you'll achieve what it is you want. The benefits outweigh the negatives of working out in my opinion. You gotta cut out the crap food? Big deal. Go to the gym and lift heavy? So what. Just think of how good you're going to feel when you reach your goal. Getting all swole and cut up for the ladies lol, or whatever your motivation is. Also, lifting alone does get boring. I used to workout at home for a while. The gym's better, people to talk to, females, and you'll more than likely workout harder because your around people.
Hope this helped. Just get to it man, and good luck.

[JMath]

Nobody can MAKE you do anything. You said you hate being skinny, but obviously you don't hate it enough. Obviously you hate doing the necessary work that you have to do to get in shape more. Nobody is going to change your eating habits, work ethic, or your passion to make a change in your life. You have to. If you truly are not happy with how you look YOU are responsible for changing it. So to answer your question, there are no simple ways. The only advice I can offer is to hit the weights and eat right consistently for 3-6 months NO MATTER WHAT! After 3-6 months it will just become a habit/your normal routine. If it doesn't, you'll be so pleased with the results you see after 6 months (assuming you actually stuck to your diet and routine) that it will motivate you to keep going to the gym. Besides that, nobody is going to make you change your life for you.

[selffirst]

First man...you state you hate lifting...if you attach the word hate to anything your likely to continue not to do it....If you truly want to maintain a consistent lifting routine your gonna need to change your negative thoughts referring to it...You say you only eat junk food....looking at your weight and age....I wouldn't worry too much about it...granted if you could focus eating more protein packed items example: instead of eating a burger and fries...eating two burgers...etc.... Make small changes that will fit into your lifestyle...Your sleeping habits....staying up late then rushing to work....That may be the root of your motivation...More sleep may bring about higher levels of energy lifting wise...Dude....you stating these issues shows deep down you want to change...Now that you have stated your intentions ....it's now time for action.....All the best....Self

[t1mt]

I don't consider myself an expert by any means, but it has always helped me to find a friend who has similar goals as you and workout with them. So basically, just find a workout buddy- no matter if they're stronger or weaker than you it's always good to have someone there with you.

[jimbob1991]

thanks everyone,
i really appreciate the posts.
i agree with everyone its just the lifting its self that i hate.
but maybe you are all right
i should just stop complaining and do it already.
i probably hate it because im not used to it
when i make it a routine and get used to it along with seeing changes
i will learn to enjoy it.
ive had a few people tell me they hated it when they started
but after a year they learned to love it and now its a must do in there agenda
would anyone else agree to that?

[mflem10]

You have to decide whether it's something you want. Think long and hard about it.

If you decide that it is, then the fact that you don't like lifting shouldn't matter one iota. Lifting is a means of attaining your goal. Nothing is going to be handed to you on a plate, you have to go out there and take it.

Also, set some short terms goals or ask someone to help if needed. It helps to work towards something.

If lifting itself is boring, find something about it that you enjoy. Get competitive with yourself. 'I'll bet I can add 3 lbs of muscle in <x> weeks' etc...

[Verbalcody]

Guaranteed if you start a strength training program for a few months, with your ipod, there will come a point where you reach a certain amount of weight that you are lifting you will look in the mirror at the gym after that incredible set and you will find all kinds of love for lifting and self respect, and you'll sort of flex a little and you'll know you're saying goodbye to the old you and you'll know that's the best feeling in the world

[switch87]

I'm having the same problem man. I want to get bigger but I can't get myself to lift. I spent $200 on supplements and bought a power rack for SS but it's just sitting there. We just gotta stop being bitches and lift. I'll try again next week.

[steven1977]

I think if you stick with it, it could turn into something you love. I started working out at home and I weighed 120 lbs.

And as I progressed, I got a friend to start working out with me and eventually we joined a gym. I felt a little out of place at first, but eventually just felt like I became part of that gym.

Do what feels comfortable for you. You don't necessarily have to start at home--you can start in the gym if you'd like. No one at the gym will be that judgmental when they see you working hard in there.

[PNel]

Honestly, get yourself a chin up bar that you can mount on a door frame. Start working out at home, if you aren't really all that into it start small. Do 20-30 minutes a day before you shower for work in the morning for a couple weeks. You'll feel stronger and get more into it mentally.

There are lots of exercises that you can do at home without a lot of equipment. Ideally you just need a chin up bar, a chair (who doesn't already have that?) and maybe a yoga mat if you don't have carpet and find the floor hard.

Do these to get started:

Normal/Wide/Decline Push-ups
Sit-ups
Planks
Tricep Dips off the Chair
Pullups and Reverse Pullups
Prisoner Squats (google it)
Calf Raises


Once you start feeling better about your physique, hit the gym. The only thing that will ever stop you is your motivation and that's often the toughest battle.

SET A GOAL AND FIGHT FOR IT MAN!

You'll also want to start eating better once you actually get into the gym and start on hour long workouts. Check out the Nutrition section of these forums once you reach that point.

Cheers and good luck. Looking forward to hearing about your progress!

PS: Sorry for the long post

[PNel]

Guaranteed if you start a strength training program for a few months, with your ipod, there will come a point where you reach a certain amount of weight that you are lifting you will look in the mirror at the gym after that incredible set and you will find all kinds of love for lifting and self respect, and you'll sort of flex a little and you'll know you're saying goodbye to the old you and you'll know that's the best feeling in the world

This.