Poll: What is the biggest obstacle to your bodybuilding success?

John Prophet · 10-07-2007, 01:53 PM

What holds u back the most? Please explain

no need for me to lie....so far I havent found the resolve or character to eat correctly on a consistent basis. Seems impossible for me to do it plus work full time etc without someone to help me with cooking. At night, after working full time and training a client or two plus myself, I am ready for bed, not 2 hours of cooking for the next day.

bluedot · 10-07-2007, 02:04 PM

I would be really shocked if most folks here don't answer laziness or lack of discipline. I have no doubt that, even though I'm pleased with my progress, I could be better if I was more disciplined.

ThatArmyKid · 10-07-2007, 02:04 PM

i use2 be real lazy and eating every 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours has helped break out of that

but the thing that really holds me back is fancy routines that ti shouldn't be doing but i'm on track now

microsize · 10-07-2007, 02:06 PM

I've barely met people who were weaker than me when they first started lifting, and I have a hard time getting stronger. This is because I find it hard to eat properly, and because of bad genetics. I gain weight easily, though.

Also, when I ask people to guess my weight, most of them answer about 10-15kg below my real bodyweight. Does anyone know why this is? Demotivating as hell, to be honest.

olivierm · 10-07-2007, 02:08 PM

I have enough discipline to fuel 3 pro bodybuilders, but I lack time. I got plenty of time to workout, but I'd need more time to eat. I've got a ever changing schedule and it's hard to plan my meals ahead. My studies and job (I'm in a military college) are what gets in the way. Also, I'd like to add one to your list. Morals. When I look at those Mr. Olympia contestants, I keep thinking to myself I'd love to be like that, but I got very strong feelings against any drugs that I can't overcome (which is good in a way, but it hinders my bodybuilding progress).

bluedot · 10-07-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microsize

Also, when I ask people to guess my weight, most of them answer about 10-15kg below my real bodyweight. Does anyone know why this is? Demotivating as hell, to be honest.

This tends to happen to skinny folks who carry extra lot of fat around the center of their body. It's easy to hide 25 lbs of fat in your ass and thighs if you wear loose stuff. I don't know if that's you, but I know quite a few people like that.

hedleylamar · 10-07-2007, 02:17 PM

No question it's genetics. I'm a classic ectomorph. I work out like crazy but can't put on muscle. I keep a strict diet ensuring high caloric intake, but no matter what I eat, I don't gain mass. I've got muscle, but get very little ROI from workouts...

John Prophet · 10-07-2007, 02:19 PM

yeah, I left the drug thing off,lol. I could be THE most disciplined eater with the perfect routine etc and I will NEVER remotely look like the magazine monsters simply because I value my actual health too much to take all that crap.

That being said, avoiding drugs has nothing to do with my current lack of "success"...I simply have not discovered within me what it takes to NOT EVER eat out and to not crave carbs etc. I was eating fairly clean for a couple months but then I had to get a "straight job" on 1st shift and its just takes massive time and energy from me....I dont yet see how to NOT just take 3 servings of beanie weenies and sugared koolaid to work to eat, lol. BUT at least I REquit the soft drinks for the most part.

My hat is off to anyone who lives alone and works full time, does all the bill paying, all the shopping/clotheswashing and STILL manages to spend all that time preparing meals EVERY freaking day. U have my respect.

I am definitely a victim of the "illeat better tomorrow" mindset. Its tough when u work hard physical labor...because u hit that break room and u want that little "reward". After working hard u dont reallywant somedry piece of chicken

microsize · 10-07-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluedot

This tends to happen to skinny folks who carry extra lot of fat around the center of their body. It's easy to hide 25 lbs of fat in your ass and thighs if you wear loose stuff. I don't know if that's you, but I know quite a few people like that.

That may be it, actually. I don't have a very high BF%, though, but it does make sense.

Al Swearengen · 10-07-2007, 02:25 PM

other-- injuries and stress for me.

jl101882 · 10-07-2007, 02:30 PM

i think food is what holds me back. not having the money to buy as much good quality food that I want (I'm a student), and then not having time to get all my quality meals in every 2-3 hrs. I end up not eating enough throughout the day and resort occasionally to what is convenient b/c i don't have the quality food to eat that i should be eating. I have no microwave to heat up my chicken breasts when i'm at school 40-60 hrs a week. Discipline would probably be in there too, if I was totally discplined i guess i could find a way to do all that.

V.H.9.8.4. · 10-07-2007, 02:31 PM

my 3:

1) genetics - i am naturally an ecto, making it harder to gain weight. I am not using that as an excuse to being small, it is mainly my fault that i dont eat enough, i need to eat more

2) laziness/lack of discipline - sometimes i am too lazy to choose a high quality nutritional food, and will opt for ice cream or something not as good. I rely on protein shakes as too much of my protein content cause i dont want to find food, and my parents wont buy enough steaks/chicken etc.

3) other - need to eat way more

-VH

ironchest · 10-07-2007, 02:33 PM

Time - having the time to prepare and eat the meals that I should do.

Thomas_Uru · 10-07-2007, 02:37 PM

Money. I can't buy enough food as I wish I did.

Shaun1990 · 10-07-2007, 03:07 PM

Mines is laziness and genetics. I have piss poor genetics and, since I returned from holiday in the middle of July, I have been too lazy or too injured to string together a full week of proper, brutal and challenging workouts. Mainly laziness, as I believe that my genetics may still let me grow, but require immense dedication, which, sadly, I have not managed to have since the middle of July. I am also lazy in regards to skipping meals. I don't eat enough, but I blame some of this on genetics. I can't eat much, and usually feel quite sick in the mornings (I swear, I have been stone cold sober for months and months. Must be something else, like stress from school), therefore only eat a tiny, if any, breakfast.

quickups · 10-07-2007, 03:10 PM

It's really hard to find money to buy all the basic supplements and food on a college budget. Going to school full time plus work part time does affect me. You really need strict schedule in order to succeed. You also need to shop wisely if you are going to be successful.

So for me time+food are my biggest obstacles.

KnjazVovk · 10-07-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microsize

I've barely met people who were weaker than me when they first started lifting, and I have a hard time getting stronger. This is because I find it hard to eat properly, and because of bad genetics. I gain weight easily, though.

Also, when I ask people to guess my weight, most of them answer about 10-15kg below my real bodyweight. Does anyone know why this is? Demotivating as hell, to be honest.

No I don't know why that is. But I weigh 185 and look only about 165,

KnjazVovk · 10-07-2007, 03:21 PM

Genetics are for weaklings.

But needless to say I don't think I have the best genetics. Then again there's always going to those people who only eat fried oreos, do 10 kinds of curls and no squats, but still deadlift more than me at any time.

jdmalm123 · 10-07-2007, 03:59 PM

Eating enough.

My metabolism and schedule have always prevented me from eating to gain muscle. In fact the only time I make gains is when I dedicate myself to eating sufficient quantity of food. All other variables have remained the same (favorable) for years.

I was always able to go 6-12 hours without hunger so my body rarely cues me to eat. Also, I can have an obsessive focus on work, etc and will work or play through mealtimes.

I am also inherently lazy about food prep and actually dislike eating.
If Tic Tacs were flavorless, concentrated protein that required no chewing, I would be satisfied to eat only that.

Mook1e · 10-07-2007, 05:22 PM

TIME

I've got 4 great kids, an awesome wife, and an exciting career to juggle with working out and my other hobbies.

jdmalm123 · 10-07-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Prophet

I am definitely a victim of the "illeat better tomorrow" mindset. Its tough when u work hard physical labor...because u hit that break room and u want that little "reward". After working hard u dont reallywant somedry piece of chicken

This is where I think somatotypes play a role.

I put ice cream and whole milk in all my protein shakes...daily.
Today I had 4 slices of pizza and cake for lunch.

Tomorrow I will probably weigh less than today beacuse it wasn't enough food!

struck · 10-07-2007, 06:02 PM

Life full of stress. Chronic stress? Valid if applied literally, perhaps!

For all you trying to keep progressing, you need to cut down on stress in your life. A stressed mind + a stressed body won't go too well together in it's most basic sense. But how to manage stress is a different story. Sometimes it just isn't manageable.

John Prophet · 10-09-2007, 05:46 PM

yeah...I should have had "stress/life factors" in there as well

reminds me of something Iron Addict said. He was pre screening a client..asked him about his stress levels...dude was like "nah, no stress"

so the routine he gave him wasnt working...so they cut volume or whatever...nope, it still wasnt working.

SO Iron Addict went back thru the screening procedure again. He got to stress and dude said "nah, no stress" or "not much". So IA pressed him and it turns out dude was going thru a divorce and a lawsuit and moving his residence etc, lol. Yeah, no stress there.