Helping out here and there

[SteelWeaver]

I had a very interesting experience today. One that showed me how far I've come, both as a human and in terms of bodybuilding. It was strangely gratifying.

It's rather a long story. In bare bones: I was a bit of a druggie by the time I was 16. In desperation, my mother started a Tough Love parents' support group, which resulted in my ending up in rehab for 6 months. It also ended up in her deciding to go back to university to study psychology, which she did, and now she works as a counsellor at various in and outpatient addiction recovery centres.

She invited me to talk about health, nutrition, weight training, bodybuilding, etc. at one of her OT groups today, to a group of young, recovering addicts.

I have to say that the response was very positive indeed. There were several people who were so keen that I ended up agreeing to go again and show them some actual moves, how to build basic programmes, follow a reasonably healthy eating plan, etc.

These are people who need structure in their lives, and what is more structured, whilst at the same time allowing for stress release, as well as a healthy channelling of addictive/obsessive/perfectionist tendencies, than bodybuilding?

OK, I'm no expert or pro or anything, but I know a bit more than they do, and hopefully I can pass on something useful ... Who knows, maybe some channelling could really help one or two of them actually stay clean once they get out.

This is an arena I hadn't considered when I thought about doing some personal training. Somehow it makes perfect sense.

Anyway, just wanted to share. Anyone else with this sort of experience?

 

[2Shy]

That's great, SteelWeaver! You may have hit on something here.

Weight lifting/overall fitness takes commitment. It's also an area where you see improvements quickly every time you realize you can do more reps or add more weight. So, they'd be adding success in their lives as an additional positive.

The only thing you might consider is watching them (or having your mom do so?) to make sure they don't start showing addictive behavior toward working out as opposed to committed behavior.

 

[makedah]

Steel, first of all it's wonderful that good things came out of your bad situation - good things for you, your mom, and now these kids.

I would agree with 2Shy that it could be easy to substitute one addiction for another. That might be something to watch.

I never had a drug problem - food was my opiate of choice (and availability). But I have struggled with depression, anxiety and self-image issues since I was a kid - for reasons that I believe are both organic (family history of mental disease/disorders) and environmental (abuse).

I've read that lifting weights helps to improve women's self-image and such moreso than cardio. I know I used to feel like an AMAZON when I was curling those 8-lb dumbbells. For people who feel powerless or feel that nothing they do matters - seeing progress with weights can be a great thing. (Esp. since newbies tend to progress quickly.)

 

[JJFigure]

Very cool! Good luck, and keep us updated.

 

[spatts]

That's truly beautiful, Steel.

Pay it forward.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Steel -- this is wonderful....and very much in the spirit of our discussion over email.

I think you have the enthusiasm, drive and know how to help in this way. I am sure it is gratifying and somehow you will be left with feeling - while you helped others, someway you got more from it than they did.

I would love for you to post more about this exciting venture. You are truly a good soul and this endeavor sounds most noble...very befitting to you.

 

[Puddles]

It's wonderful that you're willing to give of yourself both with your time and emotions for something like this. A lot of drug abuse comes from a lack of feelings of self worth and hoplessness. Motivating people with negative attitudes to care about themselves can be tough, but when they see progress, when other people give them positive reinforcement, and they start to feel physicaly better, they may latch onto this moreso than just staying clean because it's simply the right thing to do. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Sassy69]

Very gratifying feeling to pass on some of what you've found as your "satisfaction" in life to others - and also to see a spark of possibly that same interest that you've found in bb. Frankly its just kewl to chat w/ someone about something that has worked for you. I do agree that lifting can be another extreme for those people with "extreme" personalities, but with a little education and the right direction it can be a way out for some as well.

But either way, very kewl!

 

[FitFossil]

That's AWESOME SW! When I think of what training has done for me and my life (not just my body), I think how lucky I am. Even if you touch just one life, it'll be worth it, but I bet you'll touch many more.

 

[spatts]

(assuming they don’t drop a 45 plate on their head – LOL)

....oh. That explains it.

 

[makedah]

Anyone here on this board would ALL be considered classic cases of "obsessive, compulsive, behavior with boarder line tendencies towards self depravation, bodily harm, and BLAH BLAH BLAH....”

Yeah, but I'm crazy. What's yall's excuse?

But honestly, I was thinking in terms of exercise bulimia or body dysmorphic disorder. Stuff like that is just laying in wait for kids with self-image problems.

 

[SteelWeaver]

Thank you ALL for the positive support, and Lobo, I'm especially touched by what you said. Thank you I must say, though, you bring it out in people - to wanna be their best.

I knew I would get encouragement and support and advice here

I hear you on the advice. I know that feeling of wondering why one's student's/trainees just aren't getting it, and feeling it's all your own fault - you're nhjot a good enough teacher blah de blah. I didn't spend 8 years teaching unmotivated Japanese salarymen English for nothing, lol. I quickly found out in that environment that you go with whoever REALLY wants it, and deal as professionally as possible with the rest. And there were definitely times when I had to just stand back and say "I don't know". Then I'd set that for homework - find the answer, ha ha ha ha ha ha!

I think my own background will help me a lot in realising where they are coming from if there are upsets - I know how obsessively perfectionist I can be in some situations (learning to be less demanding, though), and how addictive behaviour feels. As well as how emotionally manipulative addicts can be. I was there, I did it to my family. Instead of becoming co-dependent, they made it awfully hard for me to be an addict.

As for being addicted to lifting/exercise, I agree with Lobo - better lifting than coke. And what's fabulous about lifting is that your body comes back and tells you in no uncertain terms if you're overdoing it. I had a pretty screwed up self/body image at the same time I was doing drugs, and for years after - when I think about it now - I WISH someone had come along and showed me lifting ....

I'll post again about how this goes - don't know yet how much time I will spend with them - but would at least like to cover the basics of lifting form and nutrition with them.

Thanks again all.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Bump -- so Steel what is the good word?

 

[SteelWeaver]

Thanks for the bump newgirl

Well, no major news, but I went out there on Saturday and talked to them about form, programme design etc, and we played with the very limited weight set they have. The truth is, what they have at the centre is inadequate at best, mostly because they don't have any heavy plates. They have a few 10s (kgs), but no twenties, and the rest are small. No Olympic bar, but one smaller bar which will do for now. A crappy, old, mostly broken multigym station. The really interested guys have requested the centre staff to provide them with some more plates. I don't know if this will be possible in terms of resources, but I'm thinking perhaps the university gym or some of the commercial gyms around town may be persuaded to donate a plate or two. (??) I intend to ask around, anyway.

I went through the main core moves, had them try them out, practice a bit, pointed out where they needed to improve, had them critique each other's form, etc. It was fun!

I'm going to send some articles on squats and deads to them with my mom, and go out again in a week or two to see how they're going.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Thanks for the update -- too bad there are limitations placed on people who wish to better themselves.