By: Juan Resurreccion
It is rare to find an individual who aspires to be a bodybuilder. Most people choose a desk job, dream to be a famous musician, train hard to be a professional athlete, and others. Of course, it takes hard work and a little bit of luck to reach any goal you have in life but aspiring to be a bodybuilder is in a whole different level. Choosing the life of a bodybuilder is no joke, and any individual who does this must have courage, discipline and determination. That individual must also be head strong. After a few months of rigorous workouts, some people give up their dream of having top notch muscular proportions. This article will help you deal with difficult situations that might make you want to give up on bodybuilding.
The Grueling Workouts
Let’s face it, working out is not exactly a walk in the park. It’s physically and mentally tiring. A bodybuilder’s program, in my opinion, is three times more challenging than the average “get in shape” workout. Bodybuilders use heavier weights with shorter breaks in between sets so their muscles are constantly being ripped to grow bigger and stronger. The DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) a bodybuilder feels the next day after an intense workout is very painful. For example, the next day after a good leg workout, DOMS makes it difficult for a person to walk! As a result of the tough workouts and the painful DOMS, some people just give up.
Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean you should ever give up. When you see people at the gym working out hard, you should work out ten times harder than he or she is. Let people who are stronger than you be your motivation. Always have in mind that one day you will be bigger, more cut and stronger than that person. Whenever you pick up a weight, give 110% of your effort each rep. Keep in mind that after an exercise, you get stronger and will see your hard work pay off as long as you gave it your all. One set can be the difference between getting 1st or 2nd place at a contest. The feeling after successfully completing a tough workout is rewarding.
Following a Strict Diet
We all could live our lives without dieting. If only we could eat whatever we want and not have to worry about what it would do to our bodies would be incredible! Too bad that’s not the case. Any one meal that has 1,000 calories, 600 mg of sodium and 32 g of fat will have an effect on our body. With that one meal it won’t really show but over time, eating unhealthy meals like this often can get you to look like Santa Clause in a month. Honestly, one beer or one cup of ice cream will not get you fat. The habit of drinking every night and eating like there’s no tomorrow will. With all the delicious food that is around us, it can be extremely tempting to eat food that isn’t on our diet plan.
Dieting isn’t a laughing matter in the bodybuilding world. For bodybuilders, dieting is a key element to their success. Without dieting, they wouldn’t look as cut and as massive as they do during their competition. If anyone offers you a couple bottles of beer, don’t be afraid to turn down their offer. If they laugh at you, keep in mind that you’re going to be the one in the best shape when you hit the beach with your friends. They will envy you! The food that’s included in your diet plan may not always taste or smell the best but always remember that it is what your body needs! Your body craves for high protein, low fat and low sodium meals. Listen to what your body wants, not your taste buds! Also, it helps to drink an ice cold glass of water when you crave for something high in sugar or salt. The saying, “you are what you eat” is spot on in the world of bodybuilding. The next time you want to eat something, ask yourself a few questions first. Is this in my diet plan? Is there a healthier substitute? Is it really necessary for me to be eating this or are my taste buds talking to me? Always visualize the results of your training and dieting and you will not need more motivation to pursue bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding, in my opinion, is not a sport. It is the only “sport” that is active 24 hours a day because even when you sleep, your muscles are growing. Therefore, bodybuilding is a lifestyle. Choosing the lifestyle of a bodybuilder already makes you stand out above the rest. Bodybuilding is a lifestyle where your heart, mind and body are all put to the test.
