T-Bone Chews The Fat

[Soldier]

I wanted to comment of #2. I ALWAYS perform better the more people are around me. When I'm jogging, if I pass someone I always seem to find my second wind. Even as a golfer, when someone is letting me play through and they whatch me hit my drive, I ALWAYS seem to nail thr crap out of it straight down the middle. I also play my best rounds when I get paired with other groups, but only if they are as good as or better than me.

I find the same thing true in the gym. A few weeks back I went in on a Saturday, and there were lots of people. Combine that with the fact that my wife was being "cranky" and pissing me off, and I had one of the best squat workouts I've ever had. I just felt so pumped up because I knew people were watching. My mentality is "You think you're training? I'll show you what training is!." When I'm alone, I just can't get going.

[T-Bone]

No. 4 - I started going to my gym about 4 years ago. Even though I knew my way around a weight room, it took me a long time really feel like I belonged there. (It was just me, I'm sure. The gym is pretty friendly.) There were lots of big guys lifting, and while I did not feel intimidated by them, I didn't feel like I measured up.

I watch people in the gym sometimes, I watch what other guys are doing and how they do it. It's a great way to study form, both good and bad. Eventually, as I began lifting heavier and making physical gains, my confidence increased and I opened up an and have since made a number of friends.

I looked around a couple of weeks ago and realized I'm now one of the "old timers". Most of the guys in the gym today joined after I did and the previous "old timers" have moved on.

Now to the point, I'll quote Soldier above:

I just felt so pumped up because I knew people were watching. My mentality is "You think you're training? I'll show you what training is!."

I also recently noticed that people are watching ME! Now, as I watch other guys lifting, I am way more critical of form and routine than before. I am doing things in the gym that others aren't doing. Deadlifts for example. There is only one other guy that I ever see doing them.

Makes me feel good and supercharged to be setting an example in the gym.

I know this post is fairly self-indulgent, and I apologize, but I find it coincidental that Soldier made his comments at the same time I was feeling it too.

I don't know guys, but I really feel like the tide is turning for me and my goals are closer than ever before. I'm excited and wanted to share it with everyone.

Jim

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by T-Bone

I don't know guys, but I really feel like the tide is turning for me and my goals are closer than ever before. I'm excited and wanted to share it with everyone.

Jim

It's a great feeling to know you're doing something well enough to the point where people want what you have. The next step in the process will be people coming up to you and asking you "what supplements you're taking."

[T-Bone]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

It's a great feeling to know you're doing something well enough to the point where people want what you have. The next step in the process will be people coming up to you and asking you "what supplements you're taking."

Wish there was fancy scientific name for Whey so I could dazzle them with doublespeak.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Wish there was fancy scientific name for Whey so I could dazzle them with doublespeak.

They will want to know "supplements", not supplements.

[T-Bone]

It's been a while, but I've had these thoughts rolling around for a long time:

No. 5 - I don't have all the answers, but I have learned a lot about lifting/programming in the last three years by hanging out here and next door, so I believe I have a legitimate voice when I talk lifting with friends.

I consider this forum, this little corner of the internet, to be my secret weapon. With what I have learned here, I have gained both strength and brawn, patience and discipline, and don't freak out every time I fail or miss a rep.

I get frustrated when I hear guys complaining that nothing is working for them. They always say, "I guess I'll go back to my old routine." Or, "I found this routine in a magazine that's supposed to get me ripped, but it's not working..."

I want them to break out of their tired old magazine routines and focus on the basics. I ask them, "What are you doing? Are you squatting? Are you dead lift/bench/OHP-ing?"

"Oh, I can't squat or dead lift and OHP hurts too much."

I want to tear my hair out! I try to educate these guys, but they always have an excuse. I don't like leaving my friends floundering in blind, stubborn ignorance while I get bigger and stronger, but whaddya gonna do?

I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to keeping plugging away 4 days a week. I'm going to keep logging here and soaking in all the motivation and info I can. I'm going to keep setting goals just out of reach so I push myself harder. And I'm going to be that guy that the 50 year old pot-bellied wannabes look at and say, "I should have tried harder."

That ^^^ might sound arrogant, but honestly, I feel proud of my progress so far and feel I have an edge over the other guys.

So, keep sharing all the great information, stories, tips and videos so we can all take pride in ourselves.

EDIT: By the way, I realize everyone has their own goals, so please don't think I expect everyone to do as I do. But I think you understand what I'm talking about.

[BendtheBar]

Thanks for the great post TB.

That ^^^ might sound arrogant, but honestly, I feel proud of my progress so far and feel I have an edge over the other guys.

You should feel proud. The secret mystery element that leads to success that most people miss is dedication and hard work. You've never been afraid to pick up a barbell, follow a program for months on end, and muck it out.

That is so refreshing for me to see, and it will never get old.

I love seeing people succeed. You have always been an inspiration to me, and that's no exaggeration. I absolutely love popping into a training log and seeing 2 things:

1) A person stuck to his program.
2) A person is making progress.

Not that changing programs is inherently bad, but it's so nice when you see someone find a program that is working for them, to the point where they ride it for a very long time.

You have always been no excuses. My hat off to you.

[MikeC]

Really enjoyed reading this T-Bone.