It really amazes me how... (story)

[DannyboyXJ]

...some people can be so clueless when it comes to body building, fitness, general health, etc.

Yesterday at dinner, my friend (we're both 19; he's prob. 130 5'8"; skinny: me 15X, same height) asks me (with somewhat of an attitude):

Friend: "So why do you bother doing all this?" (when he saw me eating two pieces of grilled chicken while he had a hamburger and fries)...

Me: "What you do mean?"

Friend: "Like all this weight lifting, watching what kinds of foods you eat, watching all protein and crap; why does it matter?"

Me: I say something to the fact of getting bigger, feeling better both physically and mentally, it relieves stress, and that it's an addiction/hobby and/or battle with myself to see how much better I can get.

He starts saying that it's weird since hardly anyone else does this and basically acting like I was crazy for taking it so seriously. He's like, is it for girls?

I'm thinking umm, not really; sure it helps, but most chicks will take a guy that's cut with big arms versus a guy that's big and proportional (or so it seems)...

-----

I figured I'd share this all with you since it shocked me so much. I was kind of taken back since he had an attitude (like he was right) yet he knows next to NOTHING on the matter (probably hasn't seen a gym since his highschool gym coach forced his class to lift...)

After are little "discussion" I couldn't help but think of the great article: "What separates us from them."

Perfect example!

--Dan.

[accuFLEX]

When people bring this same topic to me, I tell them to take off their shirt. I say, if you do it all do it. Lets go for a walk without our shirts on.

If you have a solid body, try this. Im sure most people will either do it and have new found respect for you, or stfu and realize how ugly they really are.

[TwiloMike]

I hadn't had people ask me why I do it, but I have had questions about why I do it so regularly, frequently, with such drive, etc. That's mostly family and coworkers, though. My friends understand- they all lift also!

I lift to solve my problems- I take my problems to the dancefloor, and I'd be damned if I didn't look good solving them. :)

[mrelwooddowd]

I take my problems to the dancefloor

Like Justin and Britney during "the danceoff?"

[getfit]

Like Justin and Britney during "the danceoff?"
LOL!

[TwiloMike]

Like Justin and Britney during "the danceoff?"
Kinda, though shirtless, which is why it's so important to be a dedicated weight lifter. ;)

[Geeper]

Friend: "So why do you bother doing all this?" (when he saw me eating two pieces of grilled chicken while he had a hamburger and fries)...

Me: "What you do mean?"

Friend: "Like all this weight lifting, watching what kinds of foods you eat, watching all protein and crap; why does it matter?"


There are days I ask myself these questions... I don't need friends to bring it up.

Actually most my friends are very jealous of what I do and the dedication it takes. I can see younger folks crapping on it and thinking it's a lot of work for nothing, but when you start to hit middle age everyone around you starts wishing they had what it takes to do what we do everyday.

[TwiloMike]

I can see younger folks crapping on it and thinking it's a lot of work for nothing, but when you start to hit middle age everyone around you starts wishing they had what it takes to do what we do everyday.
Very true. My parents used to poke fun at me sometimes for getting too big or too fat or too something. Last year I got them to purchase gym memberships and since they started my father has become a total addict- he feels better, he moves better, etc. My mom is a tougher sell, but my dad no longer has any wise comments to throw at me (except about my waist line).

[DannyboyXJ]

There are days I ask myself these questions... I don't need friends to bring it up.

Actually most my friends are very jealous of what I do and the dedication it takes. I can see younger folks crapping on it and thinking it's a lot of work for nothing, but when you start to hit middle age everyone around you starts wishing they had what it takes to do what we do everyday.

Good point on the jealousy; that could have been part of his crap talking. He wasn't just "asking me why" but rather asking and telling me that I'm crazy for going 4-5 times a week and lifting...

I tend to not get much crap from family since my dad runs at least 4 times a week and used to lift heavily when he was my age. My mom just doesn't bother since she's lived with my dad's addiction of running/lifting for so long. Plus, I got my puny little brother (1" taller than me haha but 30lbs lighter) to start lifting. :thumbup:

And accuFLEX, next time, I'll try the shirt thing haha; I bet that would have worked quite nicely.

[BigRic]

Like Justin and Britney during "the danceoff?"
I think more American Wedding style.

[BigRic]

Double Post

[TwiloMike]

I think more American Wedding style.
I never saw that...

[Relentless]

I never saw that...

Stifler has a dance-off in a gay bar with a pretty burly gay dude.
Quite the scene.

[TwiloMike]

Stifler has a dance-off in a gay bar with a pretty burly gay dude.
Quite the scene.
Ha, now that you mention it, I did see that part. It's when they go wedding dress maker hunting. Hehehe...

"Like a virgin..." Not quite like that. ;)

Stiffler's puuurrrdy.

[silentdragonx]

I found out why im doing all this a week ago. I had not gone to the mall recently, I used to go a lot when I was chubbier.I remember wishing I was in shape in order for at least one hot lookin chick to check me out. Well last week I went in my "new form" and I have to say it feels DAMM GOOD! I noticed girls looking at me which would have never even glanced at me a year ago. And I also remembered the article and I fully understand what seperates us from them.

[Canadian Crippler]

Yeah my family is ******ed too. My mom tells me I have "megarexia", whatever the hell that means.

[getfit]

Yeah my family is ******ed too. My mom tells me I have "megarexia", whatever the hell that means.
megarexia n. a mental condition in which one perceives one’s body as too thin and desires to be ever larger

[getfit]

oh no Mitch, you're a mexgarexic :D

[Canadian Crippler]

I'm totally megarexic. She was right!

[Benji]

The training part i don't get questioned at but taking lots of protein shakes and constantly buying all my steaks,chickens protein bars etc they say 'why waste your money' or say 'why? Whats the point' Most don't grasp it. Maybe next time your mate eats a burger and fries say to him, 'why do you eat that ****? You do realise what it's full of right? - Trust me when i say these 2 grilled chickens are a hell of a lot better than the burgers even when not doing any training, fitness etc.'

[Gutz981]

When people say why do you do that to yourself? I used to try to explain my drive and dedication. At this point I just shoot them a look and say 'Cuz...'

Just is not worth it. Espically when they can't relate one bit.

[WBBIRL]

A good one (if you dont mind hurting their feelings) is:

"So I wont look like you do"

Most people have no conception of what big really is...

Their was this guy in our gym whos preparing for a bodybulding contest (or so I've overheard). Guy looks to me like hes about 200lbs and around 10% BF... looks good but isnt big. Not even really at all.

Every one around the gym is like... "I think he's ready" or "Why should he even go, he knows he'll win"

Im just shakeing my head at this point, because mainly the people who are saying this are the new years resoultion people who will be gone soon. And they are the ones who use the tread mill for half an hour or some other form of cardio.. do not touch one single weight, weigh themself before and after cardio and dont drink any water.

America is just starting to lower their standards, its not shocking seeing as how rampant obesity is these days. But thats good for the people who want to work at their health/body and become healthier bigger people. It exponentially raises their perception by the common person.

[PUMPER]

Ok...I wasn't going to even comment on this post...because I get so fired up that I say things I may regret later. Please keep in mind that I am one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in person. I also respect everyone on this forum and know that 99 percent of you are here for the learning experience and general enjoyment of a group who shares your interests and is the same type of person you are.

I will tell you straight up...no holds barred...from the hip...why your friend said those things to you...up front! No offence to him as your friend.

He is jealous...he is lazy...and has never dedicated himself to anything. He has never even considered looking as good as you or any member of this forum because he knows deep inside that he can never achieve anything more than punching a clock..."if he works??" and knowing how to order a beer!

His question was not to gain knowledge either...like people may say to you...oh he just is interested and wants to learn. He is attempting to make himself feel better by putting you and what you stand for down!!

I am a nice guy...but my response to my friend would have been/ and my friends know this up front/ Shut the F@%$ up you fat piece of S%#@.

A great peice of advice in this instance would be...Never worry about what someone says about you...only be concerned about how they truly think of you deep inside. He would love to have your talent and dedication, there is no doubt in my mind, your mind...or his!

[midee1]

Ok...I wasn't going to even comment on this post...because I get so fired up that I say things I may regret later. Please keep in mind that I am one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in person. I also respect everyone on this forum and know that 99 percent of you are here for the learning experience and general enjoyment of a group who shares your interests and is the same type of person you are.

I will tell you straight up...no holds barred...from the hip...why your friend said those things to you...up front! No offence to him as your friend.

He is jealous...he is lazy...and has never dedicated himself to anything. He has never even considered looking as good as you or any member of this forum because he knows deep inside that he can never achieve anything more than punching a clock..."if he works??" and knowing how to order a beer!

His question was not to gain knowledge either...like people may say to you...oh he just is interested and wants to learn. He is attempting to make himself feel better by putting you and what you stand for down!!

I am a nice guy...but my response to my friend would have been/ and my friends know this up front/ Shut the F@%$ up you fat piece of S%#@.

A great peice of advice in this instance would be...Never worry about what someone says about you...only be concerned about how they truly think of you deep inside. He would love to have your talent and dedication, there is no doubt in my mind, your mind...or his!

I like it!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

[DannyboyXJ]

I like it!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

Ditto. I totally agree. Still, he wasn't "fat" at all, but rather real small and scrawny.

Great posts guys, keep them coming.

I was shocked when he started harassing me about lifting since this is the first time it's EVER happened to me; I've been lifting consistently for over a year now; heavily since this past August (gotta love MU-Columbia's awesome rec. center!).

I guess it's starting to show haha.

--Dan

[offhegoes03]

yeah, honestly, it's sometimes not even worth explaining to people like that. I have friends who give me a hard time about always eating/drinking protein shakes. They also don't understand why I've cut down on my drinking to make gains in the gym. In the end, it's worth it. You'll know it and that's all that matters.

[TwiloMike]

They also don't understand why I've cut down on my drinking to make gains in the gym.
"It's because I heard your livers crying and wanted to spare mine the misery."
Whatever. There are people who enjoy bringing those who excel down to their own level. Don't let them do it.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Tell him to come to the gym with you for a month. Tell him that if he completely devotes himself to it for a month he will understand.

[J450n]

Tell him to come to the gym with you for a month. Tell him that if he completely devotes himself to it for a month he will understand.

If his original attempt at a put-down is anything to go by, then he won't, come end of the month he'll quit because he hasn't turned into a monster.

[Guido]

If his original attempt at a put-down is anything to go by, then he won't, come end of the month he'll quit because he hasn't turned into a monster.This is true. I've had friends who I actually managed to convince to train with me. They'd go willingly at first, even would get a bit competitive and would make good strength improvements. Then slowly, they'd start complaining about how sore they'd be afterwards. Then they'd start making excuses as to why they couldn't come. I'd call repeatedly and they'd not answer, or make up reasons why they couldn't come. After a month or so, they'd pretty much stop coming and give up. Then they'd have the nerve to mention how they weren't seeing the results they wanted, blah blah blah. Well, gee...maybe if they'd stuck with it for a while... Doesn't matter. Again, it's what separates "us" from "them".

[J450n]

^ I've had 5 'gym partners' do exactly that. 4 gave up after a month or so because the results weren’t coming 'quick enough'. The other decided he didn't want to get 'too big' and therefore only goes on a very casual basis. I'm beyond bored of explaining it.