Reached the goal. . . but it's not enough?

GunPowder · 09-26-2007, 10:05 AM

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

namtrag · 09-26-2007, 10:07 AM

I'll let you know as soon as I get to my goal of 180lbs and 32" waist at my navel... lol

I have never reached a goal, so obviously cannot be happy about it.

StartinOver-68 · 09-26-2007, 10:13 AM

Goals are overrated for that very same reason. Just keep pumpin', eh Red.

Whiskeyjack · 09-26-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunPowder

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

Unless you're going into competition (and even then), you're your own competitor, nobody else's; as in Desiderada, there will always be greater and lesser [bodybuilders] than yourself. Don't sweat it. If you've reached your own goal, and want to proceed, then do so. If not, maintain.

mtxpert · 09-26-2007, 10:21 AM

That's why you set short, mid and long term goals....

Short for me is 10% BF at end of this cut
Mid is 1 year out 10% BF @ 210LBM
Long is 5 year out at 10% BF @ 230LBM
Others include 32" waist with 55" chest (need to drop 4" on waist and gain 10" on chest)

StartinOver-68 · 09-26-2007, 10:25 AM

At my age I don't set long term goals, or even short term goals, hell I don't even buy green banana's

michaeljazz · 09-26-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeyjack

Unless you're going into competition (and even then), you're your own competitor, nobody else's; as in Desiderada, there will always be greater and lesser [bodybuilders] than yourself. Don't sweat it. If you've reached your own goal, and want to proceed, then do so. If not, maintain.

x2

namtrag · 09-26-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeyjack

Unless you're going into competition (and even then), you're your own competitor, nobody else's; as in Desiderada, there will always be greater and lesser [bodybuilders] than yourself. Don't sweat it. If you've reached your own goal, and want to proceed, then do so. If not, maintain.

My goal is to look like your Avatar.

jgreystoke · 09-26-2007, 11:10 AM

If you set strength goals, both poundage and reps, you'll feel better about yourself, if you're improving even a little bit. Same with measurements. That stuff is objective.

If you worry about how you appear to others, of course you will have self image problems. That stuff is purely subjective.

Do all the hard stuff for yourself, not others. Some are too easily impressed, some too hard. If you're wondering what THEY think, you'll never feel good about YOUR achievements.

Some of my goals:

Lifts:Rack pull 6 plates. Squat 3 plates ass to the grass. Dead hang chin bodyweight for 15 reps. These are short term goals.

Cold measurements: Arms 16", thighs 26", neck 18", waist 39". I'm almost ready to break thru' these barriers.

The goals are all objective, 'cos they are measurable, and not a matter of opinion. If you set goals like that, you'll know when you have reached them. Then if you make even a little improvement in only one lift or other now and then, or in even one measurement, you'll feel good all the time. You sure won't give a hoot about what anyone else thinks.

'Course I'd still go sleeveless if I had arms like your avatar shot, lol. But adding a half inch to your quads or 10lbs to your curl should be far more important to you than anything I think.

GunPowder · 09-26-2007, 11:20 AM

Yeah, I hear ya. . . and I'm all for the never-say-die attitude. Just wondering where you get the "self-affirmation" from? I can keep pumpin away forever cuz I enjoy it, but it also comes from never being satisfied. Time also takes it's toll. . . maintaining actually involves increasing the weight I lift. Sooner or later, I suppose, my joints are gonna give out. Ha! Maybe that's my answer, lift til my joints give out! Anyways, bro., thanks for the reply.

thomasale · 09-26-2007, 12:24 PM

I think one of the funny things about bodybuilding is that I know that I look alot better than when I started and yet i felt better about my looks before???? I guess with awareness comes critical thinking.

WizardGlick · 09-26-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Posted by StartinOver-68
At my age I don't set long term goals, or even short term goals, hell I don't even buy green banana's

farsscf · 09-26-2007, 12:44 PM

Goals are not finish lines, they are progress points. They help keep you motivated. You will never be done if you are like everyone else. Set goals and achieve them.

namtrag · 09-26-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasale

I think one of the funny things about bodybuilding is that I know that I look alot better than when I started and yet i felt better about my looks before???? I guess with awareness comes critical thinking.

Me too, I still think I look fat, 45 lbs lighter!

GunPowder · 09-26-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasale

I think one of the funny things about bodybuilding is that I know that I look alot better than when I started and yet i felt better about my looks before???? I guess with awareness comes critical thinking.

I think you're on to something there, bro. As I say to my younger gym buds, "to look at me, you wouldn't guess I knew so much about BB, huh?" lol . . . by the way, Tom, you look like you certainly know what you're talking about. Congrats.

Baldsnake · 09-26-2007, 03:45 PM

Yes I did reach it some 20 years ago. Damn near killed the old Snake but got it done. It took a year of gut wrenching lifting, carloads of protein, phamecuticals, marriage and family over sacrificed, and dedicated unselfish training partners. I was some 20 lbs. bigger than ever before or since on stage. Pic in avitar. Looking back I wonder why anyone with genetic geekness like mine would do that. I really do not have a rashonal answer.

It was more than enough. Anything more would have been destructive.

bodyhard · 09-26-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunPowder

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

I don't compare myself to anyone, the only person that could make me feel inadequate about my build is me.

I typically don't use mirrors as each can make you look different but I do take full body pics, front, side and back on a monthly basis to track my progress or lack thereof.

If I see something I don't like I use that as fuel to better myself.

Skidmarx · 09-26-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartinOver-68

hell I don't even buy green banana's

haha. Now that's funny man !

Captain Ahab · 09-26-2007, 06:26 PM

I compare myself now to the picture of the fat old man that I used to be.
There will always be someone bigger and stronger, so to compare yourself to someone or anyone else for that matter is setting yourself up for a huge disappointment.
Kind of like taking a quick peek over at the guy in the next urinal, sometimes for your own self confidence, you should just keep staring straight ahead.

Whiskeyjack · 09-26-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namtrag

My goal is to look like your Avatar.

Thanks. Hey, mine is too (ie. to get back into my youthful condition again).

user654415165 · 09-26-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunPowder

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

You are jacked and you are 50, you have nothing to worry about. I am 20 and I would be more then happy to look like you.

namtrag · 09-26-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeyjack

Thanks. Hey, mine is too (ie. to get back into my youthful condition again).

What were your stats at that time, if you can remember back that far! lol

EMISGOD · 09-26-2007, 07:09 PM

I have to constantly revise my goals as they usually prove not demanding or challenging enough...

If the goal is not good enough, fix it. It's the best way to keep pushing yourself.

redweston · 09-26-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartinOver-68

Goals are overrated for that very same reason. Just keep pumpin', eh Red.

Right On!

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartinOver-68

At my age I don't set long term goals, or even short term goals, hell I don't even buy green banana's

Just plan ahead, if you wanna eat one Thursday, buy em Monday!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunPowder

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

Man this thing never ends, and once you jump on you never wanna get off!! lol
Oh and--- keeponpumpin!-red

widebody195 · 09-26-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunPowder

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

Well, looking at your stats and pictures, you've got about 10% more muscle on you than I do, so I'm the guy you're describing in your post, if you had walked in and stood next to me in the mirror. So you're doing great.

The moral of the story? Just be happy with where you are now and the fact that you're still making progress. And visualize someday that you'll be that guy with 10% more muscle.

GunPowder · 09-27-2007, 12:53 AM

Where you guy's been? I think this is what I miss the most. . . a little levity from seasoned vets. . . all you guys, smooth. . . and ripped as well! Thanks.

paol · 09-27-2007, 07:41 AM

What if you DID?NT have your goals and progress points and ONLY looked at the guy with 10lb more muscle?

-That would be quite discouraging!

Joe Go · 09-27-2007, 07:49 AM

One of my drives is going home to see family. The look on their face is priceless when you make a 10+ pound weight loss change. The next thing you know the family drops small hints like, "Your dad started walking a mile today." Even though my family never says, "You look good" they know that I know I'm doing well.

b.spencer · 09-27-2007, 08:01 AM

You've got NOTHING to feel bad about. You look jacked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redweston

Man this thing never ends, and once you jump on you never wanna get off!! lol Oh and--- keeponpumpin!-red

More words of wisdom from Red.

Back when I started working out -- and the goal of wearing 36 pants seemed like an impossible dream -- one very wise hoss of a man told me, "It won't be enough." I asked him what he meant and he told me, "You'll get to your goal, and then you'll want a little bit more. It never ends."

I never understood that until I got to a 36" waist, then a 34, then a 32. I reached my goals, but I wanted a little bit more. It's not really fair -- and AI try not to -- to compare myself (working out for a year) to you guys who've been doing this for a long time. I'm competing against the old me, how much better can I make me now vs me then. That competition really doesn't ever end.

IR45N · 09-27-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunPowder

Have you ever been happy about reaching your goals, and you think you look great. . . and while you're standing in front of the mirror in the locker room, in walks a guy about your height with about 10% more muscle? All of a sudden you're not as happy about yourself anymore. . .

Q. How do you stay happy without giving in to the mirror?

Can't say there have been any big goals met but yeah, there are a few guys with noticeable (for anyone) better chests, shoulders, arms that PO me and make me think 'Why am I even doing this?' then I have to mentally hit myself up the side of the head and think 'You moron, you're 30+ years older than them FCOL!'. At least I can go & lift & not look like I haven't a clue and there has been some decent progress. Still, to be 24; just in the gym, again.