I know...get over myself...

J

jonyd1

0
Hey everyone. I am 20 years old, and on the skinny side - about 5'9, 135lbs...but very skinny. I would like to add a little bulk by lifting weights a few times a week, but I have a problem - I cant seem to get myself into the gym. I always tell myself - ok, just walk in, and get to work, but I am a little too self aware of my size.

I am basically asking for some advice. I only bench about 100lbs, and I know that no one else cares what I am lifting, or how I look, but I cant get it out of my head. I guess I am worried I am going to go lift, and get stuck not able to get the bar back up with 100lbs on it - kind of embarassing, no?

How can I blend in better there? Anyway, enough rambling and complaining from me. Hope you can help. Thanks...
 
We all start somewhere.. I have respect for anyone who pushes themself, if it take 45lbs to push yourself then so be it! If it's 100lbs cool! If more, awesome! You're there to improve, along with everyone else. No one will judge.
 
Don't mind. I lift 125lb x 8, but I started on 75lbs x 8. You need to push yourself and don't let anyone make fun of you, because if you let it get to you, you will become unmotivated. I understand your situation, but the best advice is don't let it bother you. The best thing you could do is ask for help instead of being a quiet, beginner lifter.
 
As long as you're lifting hard and lifting smart, you're going to get MORE than just ignored, you're going to get respect.

The lifting hard is up to you, lifting smart, well you can figure it out by hanging out with us. We roll hard, and we'll roll on those fools who laugh.
 
It's not about the weight.. it's about proper technique. A lot of the time spent in the gym is a mental battle at first. Getting used to things physically is also a gauntlet you must run.. BUT getting over selfconsciousness is something that a lot of folks have to do when they begin. There will always be dudes (or even dudettes) lifting more iron than you. As soon as you can phase out all the background noise and realize that you are there for YOU, you will realize that as long as you are working with the right weight, it doesn't matter what joe nobody is lifting.

Those who now snicker will shut up once you're thicker
by the way I am going to copywrite that sonuvab*tch.. genuis! ;)
 
I got a lil question bout benching. I'm still practicing my form /w the bar only and /w very light weights...but on other days, i'm hitting up the smith bench and pushin the weights I usually do. should I keep doing that? 2 days of focusing on technique and 1 of smith benching? (my workout schedule is 3x full body).
 
Some might argue that The Smith is hindering your tech. development. Honestly, I'd stay far away from The Smith machine. Ween yourself off if not just drop it all together. Technique really shouldn't take that long to develop, and your strength is not going to leave you if you stop lifting heavy for a little bit.
 
I would push that even more and say drop it all together. Get on that bench.. Even if the weights are lower, your core will be working thats what is most important in my opinion. :)
 
I agree with Lei. Read this post thoroughly and you'll understand the negatives of machines. Esp the smith for benching reasons.



As far as your gym situation.. noone will say nothing. Like it was said.. everyone starts somewhere, but the key of it all is starting. Your there to better your ownself.. not better them. I'd say get your form right.. and noone will say nothing. You can be 2 types of a person. You can be talkative where you can ask for help.. find a spotter usually its someone looking stupid walking around.. or you can be to yourself.. go there to get your shiet done.. and peace out. myself im the second person.. I walk in there with my hoodie over my head, got my headphones on, so even if someone were to say something I wouldn't hear it.. thats for there benefit. Suck it up.. it'll come more natural.. I'd be one to sit there and be like wtf is he doing with that bar.. rather than saying anything about how much weight he has on it. Gettin a buddy with you could be a big help.. Your both there gettin your junk done, and you can assist eachother. All is up to you.
 
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BRAHMA said:
I agree with Lei. Read this post thoroughly and you'll understand the negatives of machines. Esp the smith for benching reasons.



As far as your gym situation.. noone will say nothing. Like it was said.. everyone starts somewhere, but the key of it all is starting. Your there to better your ownself.. not better them. I'd say get your form right.. and noone will say nothing. You can be 2 types of a person. You can be talkative where you can ask for help.. find a spotter usually its someone looking stupid walking around.. or you can be to yourself.. go there to get your shiet done.. and peace out. myself im the second person.. I walk in there with my hoodie over my head, got my headphones on, so even if someone were to say something I wouldn't hear it.. thats for there benefit. Suck it up.. it'll come more natural.. I'd be one to sit there and be like wtf is he doing with that bar.. rather than saying anything about how much weight he has on it. Gettin a buddy with you could be a big help.. Your both there gettin your junk done, and you can assist eachother. All is up to you.
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Brahma, thanks for the shoutout! Read that link. And anyone who reads this should also check out LV's forum if you haven't already. It is a great community with some very detailed discussions.

Def. get your butt off the smith. And stop comparing yourself to others. You will never get a clear picture of success that way. Constantly compare yourself to you. Beat your own personal bests, not the guy's next to you.
 
stroutman81 said:
Beat your own personal bests, not the guy's next to you.
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This is my whole outlook when training and trying to achieve my goals. I started a thread yesterday and asked how people wanted their bodies to look after all is said and done and I think only one person said what I was looking for.

That person was malkore.

Be you and want to look the best YOU can. Not like somebody else.
 
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Exactly! We have to make the best with what we have. The sooner we realize this, the better off we will be. Unfortunately, the media and society this day and age does not make it very easy. A hard less to come by, but an important one.
 
In high school when I went to the local Gold's gym I felt the same way. At the time I was a constant 150 lbs and couldn't gain weight regardless of taking weight gainer and eating tons of carbs. Now at age 30, I am a stocky 195 lbs and have no problem gaining weight, but instead getting rid of the extra fat I have put on.

In retrospect now, I don't know why I was embarrassed. When I go to the gym now and see an 18 year old or younger kid there working out seriously, the only thing I think is "good for him" for being at the gym instead of in front of an xbox like his peers. When you get older, many of the people who have let them slip have similar hesitations to go to the gym because they are out of shape. But in either case, whether you are skinny or fat, at least you are THERE at the gym, working on it. The people with the great physique's at the gym got that way by going to the gym. If they are even somewhat mature, they are more concerned about their own workouts, and even proud of you for being mature enough to be at the gym working to improve yourself.

Good on you for improving yourself! Don't quit!
 
Find someone that will go to the gym with you. Sometimes it's hard to get started. The gym can be an intimidating place to be as a beginner. Having a training partner could help motivate you to be go to the gym consistantly, and after you spend some time there, you will see that there is no reason to be intimidated.
 
Lol, try being a 5'6 155 lb. 15 year old kid. Yep lol, when I worked at the Y I used the gym for free. The weight room was small, so we were all together, and I was the only 1 under 25, and without bulging muscles. But like they all said, I blocked out the thoughts of me being embarressed, went in, did what needed to be done and left.

To give you a little story here...
The first few weeks I went there, I tried not to say anything to anyone or get in anyones way. I basically was a ghost. So I was benching after a pretty rough day at work, but didn't think it would hurt my lifting. I was on the very last rep of my last set when I was at a point where I couldn't push the bar up. I was literally 2 inches under the rack, yet I couldn't reach it. I strained for about...10 seconds at least (felt like an hour!), not making a noise because I thought I could do it. Then all of a sudden I just see 2 arms lift it off me. The guy that was doing the incline bench next to me glanced over and saw I was struggling so he quickly racked his weight and jumped over to help.

Long story short after that I realised that I shouldn't be embarressed or anything because you're doing the exact same thing they are. I started talking to some of them and even got help from a few on my form. It was really beneficial.

In the end it pays off to not care what YOU THINK that others are thinking of you, because I guarentee you that most aren't looking over saying 'haha that guys so tiny'. They're concentrating on what they're doing.

Good luck, and fear nothing. =)
 
stroutman81 said:
Exactly! We have to make the best with what we have. The sooner we realize this, the better off we will be. Unfortunately, the media and society this day and age does not make it very easy. A hard less to come by, but an important one.
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Very true, I just thank god I am not a woman!, talk about media pressure!

As far as goals are concerned, I think that it works differently for different people. Some like long-term goals that keep them going, others (like me) like to just know at the end of the day that I gave it my all and then just a bit more.

Good enough for me.
 
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