Journey, Not A Destination
- Thread starter Steve
- Start date
Agreed, and thanks.
I think it's very easy to make this realization and push it under the rug. It's not that I'm stupid and it's not that I think everyone else is stupid. I do, however, think many of us, myself included, can fall victim of mental laziness.
So very true.
And I do realize this. But this inconsistency has gone on long enough. I'm not worried about myself.... I just need to regroup.
This said, would you agree that for some, negative short-term motion leads to negative long-term motion.
I mean these ideas can be applied to any facet of life.... but with regards to weight loss, I've seen people want to lose weight more than anything, yet, they're stuck in a permanent rut. It's like their minds got them by their balls and they can't make any progress whatsoever.
Hell, I've seen people come on here and say, "I've been on a plateau for 3+ years." I mean that's crazy to me.
Psychological intervention is a necessity for these people. Maybe not professional intervention.... but certainly some time dedicated to understanding what's going on up there in the old mind.
James2
New member
No, I completely agree with that. It's all about keeping the endgame in sight. With putting on muscle, as well as weight loss, it's easy to keep on going at the start when your squat jumps 90 pounds every time you go, or you lose 8 pounds in your first week.
But then, shit happens (as it always has and always will). People are too quick to say "well, see, I KNEW I couldn't do it", and go back to hittin' the cheetos while watchin' Maury. I am not looking down on this in the least, as I am a FIRM practicer of such a bad habit. What makes us want to fail when the first real test comes our way? I have no idea.
I do know, however, that having buddies or partners or people to turn to helps keep your head in the right place, and facing the right direction.
Anyways, sucks you're havin a rough go at it, but keep it up esé... gladiator tryouts are less than a year away.
Kodiak out
bethann1156
New member
I understand exactly where you are coming from Steve. I have been suffering from that (rut) for awhile now...but this week I think I am breaking free finally. For me, between the lull of vacation and the end of my BBC class, I became very overwhelmed with the chaos and stress in my job and other issues going on in my life and my focus on my weightloss and working out became too mentally arduous to deal with.
I will post more detail in my diary...I guess it happens to the best of us. Good luck getting back on track Steve. Though I am not 100% there...I am taking steps finally to get back.
CaseyAtMartin
New member
I know how you feel, Steve, at least a little. When I was training for the half I would constantly tell myself (especially when it got tough) that the "Enemy" isn't pain, or blisters, or blood, or tears. The Enemy is the voice in your head that tells you you can't achieve your dream. It's a constant struggle to keep self-doubt from creeping in everyday, but if you work at it everyday, you will eventually do things you never thought you'd be capable of, and you'll succeed with flying colors. I know you understand all this already, just wanted to add my personal experience in here. Good luck with all your goals.
bikinibound
New member
I know what you mean. The power of postive thinking really is underestimated. Weight loss, and just about everything else is 90% mental imo. My siggy used to be a quote from Henry Ford, "whether you think you can or you can't, you're right." So true.
My problem, and I've mentioned this before, is that I've got all kinds of great intentions, it's getting off my lazy duff and making it all happen that's the hard part.
My problem, and I've mentioned this before, is that I've got all kinds of great intentions, it's getting off my lazy duff and making it all happen that's the hard part.
Hey Steve, Whats your thoughts on these "weighted vest"?
Besides the fact that they are drastically over priced lol...
The negative joint impact that wrist and ankle "concentrated" weights have on the body is well known. However, how about a weight that is more spread out over the body?
Some of them look pretty cool too.
Besides the fact that they are drastically over priced lol...
The negative joint impact that wrist and ankle "concentrated" weights have on the body is well known. However, how about a weight that is more spread out over the body?
Some of them look pretty cool too.
James2
New member
If you're doing it for sport specific training, I think they're great. Same idea as parachute runs. I never had a specific vest, but I used to weight my hips with an old dive belt and weights.
If you're doing it just as part of a regular general program, meant to increase overall fitness, then I don't think it is worth it at all.
If you're doing it just as part of a regular general program, meant to increase overall fitness, then I don't think it is worth it at all.
James2
New member
As long as we're talking training talk here, I'd like to get your fellas' input on Manual Resistance, or towel sets. I used these bad boys all through college, when I had monstrous gains in pretty much every department.
Do they have a place in regular training, maybe towards the end of a cycle, when you're looking to peak? For instance, after a day of Deadlifts and RDL and Hammy curls, I might finish my last set of leg curls, and lay on the floor, and have my partner help me knock out 4-5 8 second up / 5 second down reps.
Just asking 'cause they used to be the thing (more than anything else) that let me know if I'd kicked ass during a lift that day.
Do they have a place in regular training, maybe towards the end of a cycle, when you're looking to peak? For instance, after a day of Deadlifts and RDL and Hammy curls, I might finish my last set of leg curls, and lay on the floor, and have my partner help me knock out 4-5 8 second up / 5 second down reps.
Just asking 'cause they used to be the thing (more than anything else) that let me know if I'd kicked ass during a lift that day.
James2
New member
Arright, cupcake... I just saw ANOTHER gladiator commercial...
I'm not joking when I say that I want to try out...
The only thing different I'd really have to do from my current training is to train a TON more grip strength.
We need to keep on this, so we can try out at the same time... It'll be like Master Blaster
I'm not joking when I say that I want to try out...
The only thing different I'd really have to do from my current training is to train a TON more grip strength.
We need to keep on this, so we can try out at the same time... It'll be like Master Blaster
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What channel will it be on?
Try to get one that fits well in your hand when you grip it. You want it to be the "Softer" type of plastic. The air inside will provide enough resistance so no need to get the hard plastic.
Seriously, I've been doing that for years and its paid off nicely.
Heres a quick tip. get a water bottle, drink the water, put the cap on, ensure its fairly inflated, than squeeze that biatch!
Try to get one that fits well in your hand when you grip it. You want it to be the "Softer" type of plastic. The air inside will provide enough resistance so no need to get the hard plastic.
Seriously, I've been doing that for years and its paid off nicely.
ExercisePhysio
Guest
I hear ya on the mental discipline part. Sometimes I think I have it and then other days im like "wtf am i doing???!?"
My workouts have sucked lately.
My eating habits are a-f'n-trocious.
My study habits are read and comprehend well for 20 minutes and then wander off either staring at girls or simply spacing out completely.
It's just blah. And obviously by graduating soon I have a lot of anxiety about performance and achieving what is so easy to daydream about but is a bit trickier in execution.
I'm certainly not at the type of mental discipline I need to be to have a successful practice and have a manageable life. I hate feeling so scatterbrained.
Michael
My workouts have sucked lately.
My eating habits are a-f'n-trocious.
My study habits are read and comprehend well for 20 minutes and then wander off either staring at girls or simply spacing out completely.
It's just blah. And obviously by graduating soon I have a lot of anxiety about performance and achieving what is so easy to daydream about but is a bit trickier in execution.
I'm certainly not at the type of mental discipline I need to be to have a successful practice and have a manageable life. I hate feeling so scatterbrained.
Michael
James2
New member
I like that one, never tried it before, but I will now...
When I needed grip strength before, I used to lay out a newspaper flat while I wasn't doing anything, and just take it page by page and roll it up into as tight of a ball as I could with one hand, then discard that ball and move on to the next one.
Or you could always do what Bruce Baumgartener does, and sit there with a thick rope, constantly twisting / working it.
Let's do it.
I'd change my training quite a bit. More power and speed work, less emphasis on hypertrophy, etc.
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I feel ya my friend.
My grip has always been there, I think b/c of my gradual but consistent use of heavier and heavier deads.
However, I have done some direct grip work before too.
Some thoughts:
Serious grip training should be limited to a couple of times per week. Many people don't realize the recoverability limitations associated with grip training.
Plate pinches. You get two plates and cup them together (so the smooth side is out) and pinch them with your fingers (flat against the sides) and thumb. Try two 10-pound plates, or three or four 5-pound plates. Whatever.
Sand digs. It's just as it seems. Buy some sand and dump it into a 5 gallon bucket. Dig in and start twisting your wrists around and bending them back and forth. Also open and close your fingers and grip the sand as hard as you can.
If you have access to a fatbar, these are always great for strength in grip.
Here's a great article by John Sullivan.... one of the great trainers in the industry: