Motivation- good read

[saab]

I found this on another website- so I just copied and pasted. The person that posted this on the other website did the same saying he forgot where he got it or who wrote it- so if someone recognizes it let's give them credit. I read this and found it to be very motivating and made me want to just push harder. Hope you all read and enjoy! ---Time to go workout!

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""So, what are you doing for a living these days?" Bob asked me. We're sitting on the couch at one of those tedious holiday get-togethers, you know, the ones where you're supposed to be nice to family members you never see except during major holidays and funerals. I think Bob is my wife's brother-in-law's second cousin or something.

"I'm the assistant editor and a writer for Testosterone magazine," I say. Bob looks at me with a blank expression on his face, as if I'd just told him I sell handmade testicle warmers beside the freeway and was looking to open franchises across the nation.

"It's a bodybuilding magazine," I say.

Blank expression. Deer caught in the headlights. Ronnie Coleman doing trigonometry.

"Oh," Bob finally says, "I heard you were, like, one of those bodybuilder guys or something. So, what's that like, you know, working out every day and stuff? I just don't have time to lift weights all day, but I have been meaning to get rid of this beer belly."
He takes another sip of beer. "What do you suggest?" Sip.

At first I was a little offended. I wanted to grab him up and say, "You can't tell I'm a bodybuilder?! Look at my ass! Now, if that's not a nice round squat-built piece of sirloin, I don't know what is! You think that comes naturally? I can crack walnuts with this puppy!
Wanna see? Huh, punk? Do ya? Do ya?"

Then I realize this just might cause a scene and could cost me several Christmas presents. I was planning on returning any presents I got and using the money to buy a power rack, so I didn't want to jeopardize this gift getting opportunity. I also realized that old Bob probably had a certain preconceived image of a bodybuilder and I just didn't fit that image. I'm not gorilla huge; I weigh about 205 at 5'11" right now. (When I first started lifting I was a pudgy 159, so that's not too shabby.) Also, I wasn't wearing clown pants, a fluorescent string tank top, a hanky on my head and one of those little fanny packs. And isn't that what real bodybuilders are supposed to wear?

Bob continued to sit there drinking his Natural Light, smoking a cigarette and waiting for
an answer, oblivious to the fact that he'd come this close to seeing some serious walnut-
crunching ass power. I tried to figure out how I could explain to the average guy what the
typical T-Man does and why he does it. How could I get him to understand what it is we
do, how we feel, how we live? So I took a deep breath and told him something like this:

"Well, Bob, I guess you could use the term bodybuilder if you really need a label for what it is we do. Most of us actually don't stand on stage and compete, though. We lift weights and manipulate our diets so that we'll look good naked. Sure, it's healthy too, and we'll probably live a longer and more productive life than the average guy, but mostly it's about the naked thing. Truthfully, it goes beyond even that.

"Let's be honest here. We do it because of people like you, Bob. We look at you sitting there with your gut hanging over your belt and we watch you grunt and groan just getting out of a chair. Guys like you are our inspiration, Bob. You're better than Anthony Robbins, Bill Phillips, Deepak Chopra, and Zig f-ing Ziglar all wrapped up into one. We love it when guys like you talk about not having time to exercise. Every time we see you munching on a bag of potato chips, you inspire us. You're my shot in the arm, Bob, my living and breathing wake-up call, my own personal success coach.

"You want to know what it is we do? We overcome. We're too busy to train, too, but we overcome. We're too busy to prepare healthy meals and eat them five or six times a day, but we overcome. We can't always afford supplements; our genetics aren't perfect, and we don't always feel like going to the gym. Some of us used to be just like you, Bob, but guess what? We've overcome.

"We like to watch 'normal' people like you tell us about how they can't get in shape. We smile and nod sympathetically like we feel your pain, but actually, we're thinking that you're a pathetic piece of crap that needs to grow a spine and join a gym. You smile sheepishly and say that you just can't stay motivated and just can't stand that feeling of being sore. (For some reason you think that admitting your weaknesses somehow justifies them.) We listen to you bitch and moan. We watch you look for the easy way out.
Because of people like you, Bob, we never miss a workout.

"You ask us for advice about diet and training and usually we politely offer some guidance, but deep inside we know you won't take our advice. You know that too. We smile and say, 'Hope that helps. Good luck,' but actually we're thinking, 'Boy, it would suck to be you.' We know that 99% of people won't listen to us. Once they hear that it takes hard work, sacrifice and discipline, they stop listening and tune us out.

"We know they wanted us to say that building a great body is easy, but it just isn't. This did not take five minutes a day on a TorsoTrack. We did not get this way in 12 short weeks using a Bowflex and the Suzanne Somers' 'Get Skinny' diet. A good body does not cost five easy payments of $39.95.

"We like it that while you're eating a candy bar and drinking Mountain Dew, we're sucking down a protein shake. You see, that makes it taste even better to us. While you're asleep we're either getting up early or staying up late, hitting the iron, pushing ourselves, learning, succeeding and failing and rising above the norm with every rep. Can you feel that, Bob? Can you relate? No? Good. This wouldn't be half as fun if you could.

"We do it because we absolutely and totally get off on it. We do it because people like you, Bob, either can't or won't. We do it because what we do in the gym transfers over into the rest of our lives and changes us, physically, mentally, and maybe even spiritually. We do it because it beats watching fishing and golf on TV. By the way, do you know what it's like to turn the head of a beautiful woman because of the way you're built? It feels good, Bob, damned good.

"When we're in the gym, we're in this indescribable euphoria zone. It's a feeling of being on, of being completely alive and aware. If you haven't been there, then it's like trying to describe color to a person who's been blind since birth. Within this haze of pleasure and pain, there's knowledge and power, self-discipline and self-reliance. If you do it long enough, Bob, there's even enlightenment. Sometimes, the answers to questions you didn't even know you had are sitting there on those rubber mats, wrapped up in a neat package of iron plates and bars.

"Want to lose that beer belly, Bob? I have a nutty idea. Put down the f-ing beer. I'll tell you what, Bob. Christmas morning I'm getting up real early and hitting the iron. I want to watch my daughter open her presents and spend the whole day with her, so this is the only time I have to train. The gym will be closed, so I'm going out in my garage to workout. You be at my house at six in the morning, okay? I'll be glad to help you get started on a weight training program. It'll be colder than Hillary Clinton's coochie in there, so dress warm.

"But let me tell you something, Bob. If you don't show up, don't bother asking me again.
And don't you ever sit there and let me hear you bitch about your beer belly again. This is your chance, your big opportunity to break out of that rut. If you don't show up, Bob, you've learned a very important lesson about yourself, haven't you? You won't like that lesson.

"You won't like that feeling in the pit of your stomach either or that taste in your mouth.
It will taste worse than defeat, Bob. Defeat tastes pretty damned nasty, but what you'll be experiencing will be much worse. It will be the knowledge that you're weak, mentally and physically. What's worse is that you'll have accepted that feeling. The feeling will always be with you. In the happiest moments of your life, it'll be there, lying under the surface like a malignant tumor. Ignore it at your own peril, Bob.

"Don't look at me like that either. This just may be the best Christmas present you'll get this year. Next Christmas, Bob, when I see you again, I'm going to be a little bigger, a little stronger, and a little leaner. What will you be? Will you still be making excuses?
This is a gift, Bob, from me to you. I'm giving you the chance to look fate in those pretty eyes of hers and say, 'Step off, bitch. This is my party and you're not invited.' What do you say, Bob? Monday, Christmas morning, 6am, my house. The ball's in your court."

Okay, so maybe that's not the exact words I used with Bob, but you get the picture. Will
Bob show up Monday? I don't know, but I kind of doubt it. In fact, Bob will probably take me off his Christmas card list. He probably thinks I've got "too much Testosterone," like that's a bad thing. I think Bob is just stuck in a rut, and as the saying goes, the only difference between a rut and a grave is depth.

The way out of the rut is to make major changes in your life, most of which won't be too pleasant in the beginning. The opportunity to make those changes seldom comes as bluntly as I put it to Bob. Most of the time that opportunity knocks very softly. What I did was basically give Bob a verbal slap in the face. You can react two ways to a slap.
You can get angry at the person doing the slapping, or you can realize that he was just trying to get you to wake up and focus on what you really want and, more importantly, what it'll take to get it.

If you're a regular T-mag reader, I doubt you need to be called out like Bob. But maybe you've caught yourself slacking a little here lately. Maybe you've missed a few workouts or maybe you started a little too early on the usual holiday feasting, like, say, back in September. Just remember that the time to start working on that summer body is now.
The time to get rid of those bad habits that hold you back in the gym is now. You want to look totally different by next Christmas? Start now. This isn't because of the holidays or any corny New Year's resolutions either. The best time is always now.

Christmas day I want you to enjoy being with your family and friends. I want you to open presents, sip a little eggnog and have a good meal. But if you?re regularly scheduled workout happens to fall on December 25th, what will you be doing at six o'clock that morning?

That's what separates us from guys like Bob."

[arpeejay]

Written by Chris Shugart in Testosterone Nation, December 2004. Here's the link:

http://www.t-nation.com/article/feat...tmas_bob_1&cr=

Prior to March 2007, I always had a hard time maintaining motivation. Even when I was being good, I never felt like I knew what I was doing. And going to the gym when I'm feeling very stressed out does NOT make me calm down. Having a personal trainer and an appointment and wanting to be there to (a) learn and (b) have that opportunity for interaction and encouragement did the trick.

But for nearly six years before then I did NOT go the gym on a regular basis. From 1994 to 2001 my life partner, Jeremy, was also my lifting partner. In 2001, quite unexpectedly, he died, at age 30. Going to the gym afterwards wasn't so much painful as deeply, deeply disappointing.

All of which is by way of saying that if, say in December 2006, a few months before I hired the personal trainer, Chris had said those words (or even the watered down version thereof) I'd've probably thrown my drink in his face.

The Bob's of the world do NOT motivate me, although they do remind me how easy it is to let it all go to hell.

all the best & xoxo...

Richard

[GunMetalGrey88]

simply brilliant and inspirational I've realized as i read im lacking in areas like bob , i guess he's right the only difference is depth.

thank you for sharing that with the forums im going to use it for the rest of my life

[Mdlftr]

Originally Posted by arpeejay

The Bob's of the world do NOT motivate me, although they do remind me how easy it is to let it all go to hell.

all the best & xoxo...

Richard

I agree with Richard. As a fellow lifter in my gym said to me when we were commiserating in the locker room about our various injuries that impacted our abilities to lift and get bigger (back back, bad knees, misc. nagging injuries, the fact that we're not 18 anymore...etc. etc.),
"We DON'T compare ourselves to the average, below average, fat-slob-skinny-stick-with-a-pot-belly-out-of-shape-guy.

We're trying for something better here! "

aMEN to that!

Here's to all of us who somehow manage to keep our eyes on the goal, and come back to lifting and working out, despite "life, jobs, family or other committments."

Hearing about someone else who is a fat slob who doesn't care about his own health does not motivate me. Now, hearing about someone who perserves despite setbacks, who keeps coming back, and making gains--that's motivating!

Happy Fourth of July!!

Mdlftr

[hecad84]

This was an interesting read, and while I agree with the idea behind what the author said, I don't fully agree with what he said. Those who are into lifting/bodybuilding are into it because that is where our interest lies. Muscles, and the desire to build our own, is our hobby, our past time, our passion, our enjoyment. Someone who doesn't happen to share our interest isn't a bad or worse person because of it. They just happen to have other interests in life. I personally have no interest in sports, so when I'm around sports nuts, I definitely feel like an outsider. That doesn't make me a poor person compared to them. I like to think that we are all equally smart people, we are just smart in different subjects, and unknowledgeable in others.

This motivational post implies that there are only two kinds of people, that its only black or white when it comes to working out. You're either Mr.-I'm-So-Into-My-Body, or you're a lazy bum. As I think we can all relate, life is not as clear cut at that.

[saab]

Maybe I didn't read so deep into it as some of you did. I guess I found it motivational because I was once like 'BOB'. Drinking Beer and couldn't figure out how to get rid of the beer belly. Always wanting to be trim and buff but knew I couldn't do it. Well I guess when I hit close to 300lbs, over 40" waist, and pretty much no muscle, that I realized that all I had to do is get my lazy ass in the gym and eat right, that it may be possible to achieve my goal- or at least get away from being a lard ass. So I pushed back the beer and all the bad (but tasty fried high fat and so on..) foods, joined the gym and started getting to work. I worked out 5 days a week on average- had a trainer in the beginning- read magazines, internets and message boards to get new routines, recipes and such. After a year I was down to about 20. I kept going and going and got to 178 (i'm 6'2). Kept lifing and lifting and now I'm at 202lbs! w/ a 33" waist and 16.5" guns!

I found it motivational because now my buddies I ran around with who were fat like me (and still are) say they can't do it...and I KNOW it can be done with motivation and the right tools. They won't even let me help them- it's like they are afraid to do it- other than being obese- they are healthy. They are like Bob now and I'm like the other guy + being in better shape makes it a lot easier picking up the girls. Now whenever I see someone overweight at the grocery store and their carts are filled with Bakery items, potato chips, pop, cookies, and all the stuff that I only eat on rare occasion, plus they are out of breath pushing the shopping cart around because that's probably the only excercise they'll get for the day. I know how they feel . That's why I found it motivational when I read it- cus I see both sides of the story. Some of you may not- maybe some of you didn't grow up the fat kid- and maybe the girls (or the guys) did give you a second look. Some of you may be genetically gifted to be trim and put muscle on easily, not me. I know the feeling otherwise.

What I don't understand is if someone posts something that motivates them and hopes it will motivate others, that someone always has to be negative about it-saying it is not motivational to them... what gives?? I read it and it just made me want to keep going and not turn back into BOB. I have my goals and working step by step to get there and hopefully can help others reach theirs with anyhelp I can give.

Saab

[jackportd]

Nice post and Very nice information about motivation.The first motivation killer is a lack of confidence. When this happens to me, it?s usually because I?m focusing entirely on what I want and neglecting what I already have. When you only think about what you want, your mind creates explanations for why you aren?t getting it.This creates negative thoughts.The second motivation killer is a lack of focus.We normally think in terms of fear. I?m afraid of being poor. I?m afraid no one will respect me. I?m afraid of being alone. The problem with this type of thinking is that fear alone isn?t actionable.Instead of doing something about our fear, it feeds on itself and drains our motivation.

Interesting posts from everyone.

I wonder where the people who train regularly, have awesome size and muscle and perhaps even compete, find their motivation......we dont seem to think about that much

[rogerfeders]

According to me, music is the best way for motivation and Have you tried to explain myself? You own innermost feelings tried to dissection? Dreams, hopes, fears and passions? Unless you can understand yourself, you never understand the human condition can. Understanding of the human condition is that your ideas are deep and resonating. A deep knowledge and compassion will encourage you to people?

[er.ric]

Originally Posted by hecad84

I don't fully agree with what he said. Those who are into lifting/bodybuilding are into it because that is where our interest lies. Muscles, and the desire to build our own, is our hobby, our past time, our passion, our enjoyment. Someone who doesn't happen to share our interest isn't a bad or worse person because of it.

Exactly my sentiments.

[Zekmuscle]

Brilliant, think i'll post it on facebook. I almost wanted to cry towards the end, and I see 'Bob's' all over the place. I must admit to falling into the 'Bob' character mode now and again. But like the story says, pick yourself up learn and try again

[MarkusBrown]

"Let's be honest here. We do it because of people like you, Bob. We look at you sitting there with your gut hanging over your belt and we watch you grunt and groan just getting out of a chair. Guys like you are our inspiration, Bob. You're better than Anthony Robbins, Bill Phillips, Deepak Chopra, and Zig f-ing Ziglar all wrapped up into one. We love it when guys like you talk about not having time to exercise. Every time we see you munching on a bag of potato chips, you inspire us. You're my shot in the arm, Bob, my living and breathing wake-up call, my own personal success coach."

Urgh, so true, people making excuses and then eating and drinking like pigs in front of me ... I mean how do they NOT get it? Tough they do help me keep motivated, looking back to what I was and what I can be again if I miss my workouts and change the diet to what it was back then.