im getting really tired of the bodybuilding lifestye

[hard as rocks]

im not sure what too do anymore.im tired of having too watch what i eat everyday, im very carb sensitive.
im tired of all the mood swings, one day i feel like the king of the world, the next day i feel depressed and like total shit.
ive been in this game nine years, and its starting too take its toll on me.
the only problem is i cant imagine giving up the body ive achieved over years of strenious exercise and diet.
lately im just so burned out and never happy,i never feel like going too the gym anymore.(i used too love it) im not sure what too do anymore, since i have no reason too be unhappy.
i have a good job, a girlfriend and a loving family.
ive even tried taking a week off with no prevail.
anybody ever go through this and what have you done too overcome it.
thanks

 

[bigp3]

Take month or a couple months off bro and just have fun. Hell I took a couple of years off let myself get out of shape and fat as a mf'er it was fun,,,, lol. I would not suggest doing what I did but a month or two may recharge your energy. Jut forget about the diet and training for a while.

 

[muscleup]

I recommend taking a few weeks and living "normal"...Eat what you want, do not train, or even look at a bodybuilding mag...Just let it escape you for 2-3 weeks and I guarntee you well come back better than ever....Good luck

 

[guards]

a few months of rest deffinitely won't hurt you.


Why not change your choice of sports? Instead of focusing on bodybuilding, why not pick up another sport? Like kickboxing or motocross?


Just and idea

 

[SofaGeorge]

Bro, do you have chemical depression? Maybe I'm wrong... but I'm picking up on something reading between the lines here.

 

[Themachine01]

Im going through the same dilemma right now. Im just getting done 14 weeks of total dedication to get prepared for professional pics Im having done this friday. I trained as if I were competing. I have totally blocked out my friends, family, and even my girlfriend to some extent and it is now hitting me. My girlfriend is starting to get on my case and hasnt been very happy lately. I mean I havent taken her out for dinner in over 3 months, but that is all part of the game. I am now debating on what to do once these pics are done. I am trying to talk myself into really taking it easy for a while.

 

[muscleup]

Im going through the same dilemma right now. Im just getting done 14 weeks of total dedication to get prepared for professional pics Im having done this friday. I trained as if I were competing. I have totally blocked out my friends, family, and even my girlfriend to some extent and it is now hitting me. My girlfriend is starting to get on my case and hasnt been very happy lately. I mean I havent taken her out for dinner in over 3 months, but that is all part of the game. I am now debating on what to do once these pics are done. I am trying to talk myself into really taking it easy for a while.

well if your girl is really important to you then I would take a break for sure..." The lifestyle " is a hard thing at times especially for the other people in our lives...God bless them

 

[WelshInjectable]

A few weeks off like suggested sounds sensible, a holiday if its feasable, relax on the beach.

Machine - Be sure to post your pics wont you, its very motivational to see someones hard work.

 

[Stillgoing]

Im going through the same dilemma right now. Im just getting done 14 weeks of total dedication to get prepared for professional pics Im having done this friday. I trained as if I were competing. I have totally blocked out my friends, family, and even my girlfriend to some extent and it is now hitting me. My girlfriend is starting to get on my case and hasnt been very happy lately. I mean I havent taken her out for dinner in over 3 months, but that is all part of the game. I am now debating on what to do once these pics are done. I am trying to talk myself into really taking it easy for a while.

What you are going through is a VERY common response to a competition diet & training program. Happened to me after every show. Its mainly the diet. Low carbs fucks with your head like you wouldn't believe. Your body wants carbs so bad it has your mind play major tricks on you. It will do anything it can to try and get you to eat carbs. This is one reason getting really ripped is so tough. Bros that have never tried to get under 5% bodyfat don't understand this.

You will get your pictures done and eat a little bit and fill out again and you will feel great. Your strength will increase, you will feel much better and the whole world will look better to you. Then you'll look back with rose colored glasses and say, "that wasn't so bad, and damn, I like how I looked, maybe I'll do that again". Then you go through the whole cycle again. This is why so many bodybuilders never stay with the same girl, its tough on everyone around you....

 

[hard as rocks]

yeah this is effecting my whole life.my girlfriend, my job everything.
if it wasnt summer i would take a break, but my mind wont let me .
right after summer i will take a rest.

 

[Themachine01]

well if your girl is really important to you then I would take a break for sure..." The lifestyle " is a hard thing at times especially for the other people in our lives...God bless them

This was the first time I have put in full dedication for this period of time and I got a true look at the real bodybuilding lifestyle. My girlfriend of 4 years, who has been through everything with me, hasnt talked about leaving, my family has been bitching at me, even though they are very proud of my accomplishments, and my friends are now down to about 2, the ones I train with. It is a rough lifestyle and now I feel that I have accomplished this goal, getting prepared for these pics, and now I feel that I have to take some time off to get the rest of my life back to normal. I actually feel very selfish right now, everything, whether I want to admit it or not is about me. Everything. The thing that is mainly on my mind is whether it is all worth it? I am not going to get rich and famous from it. Of course I do it because I love it, but now I have other things in my life to take care of. Do you guys understand what Im saying, have any of you went through this? I would actually like to discuss this subject with anyone who has been through it. shoot me a PM.

 

[hard as rocks]

machine pm me .im the same way right now.im starting too feel like its not worth it.ive lost loving relationships because of my selfishniss and now im starting too realize that im doing all this for what.
im at the verge right now of wanting too be by myself.
i dont ever feel fullfilled anymore in life.
all i do is work and go too the gym and maybey go out once a month.
dam , i need a vacation

 

[pitbullstl]

I'm with you bro......If I don't get my pro card at my next show......I'm done.....I won't stop the gym entirely or go to the opposite extreme of eating whatever I want......but the constant dieting, training, and "supplementation" will come to an end......I am 28 now, been going strong for 9 years.....I might revert back to my old stomping grounds, and try the powerlifting circuit again......but that remains to be seen.......good luck with whatever you choose....peace

 

[Nelson Montana]

Sofa may be right in that there may be more to the way you feel beyond typical "burn out."

But if it isn't, this is how I see it:

You're at a point of diminishing returns and the zeal for constant improvement is waning. It happens to everyone and it's the reason 90% of the people who work out wind up quitting. You need to realize that you can't continue to beat up your body week after week and diet like martyer in order to look your best all the time. It's time to accept the fact that if you train sensibly and eat ike a normal person, you'll still look good, but not like you're ready for compitition.

When I was training for the NPC I thought the insane dedication to training and diet would futher strengthen my ability to remain strict. Instead, it had the opposite effect. I realized that the insane restrictions on my lfe were not worth the two percent lower body fat I'd carry. These days, I train 3-4 times a week for less than an hour a pop. I eat pretty much what I want. I enjoy my life and I enjoy my training. And the dames still check me out. That's what bodybuilding does for you. If you quit, you'll always regret it. Just take it down a notch.

 

[HGH man--Chargeback]

It's Summertime ,everybody gets that feeling. Cut back on training,eat sensible ,get plenty of sleep , take a break. After all you deserve it. If you've been training for 9 years,take a vacation from working out. That's all you need. If you think it's more see a Dr.

 

[hard as rocks]

i dont think i can ever quit, but i think ill take a notch down.
i need too be happy for a change, and drinking nasty protein shakes all day does not make me happy.
my body needs a rest and after this summer i will give it what it wants.
yes i do have chemical imbalance also which is too what your referring too but it never messed with my head the way it is now.
i think its time too go back on meds also.
i was on zoloft for awhile and decided too stop but maybey i made the wrong decision.
anyway thanks for al the support
i needed too rant

 

[liftingfreak]

i feel the exact opposite the longer i take off from lifting the more depressed and worthless i feel, i have to lift at a constant rate to feel normal

 

[FISHTALES]

supplement your training with some boxing or some martial arts, ittl give you new goals.

 

[High-Jacked]

First slightly decrease the intensity, then get your head on straight and suck it up like a warrior. By putting training aside for a few months you will be in the high percentage of people who get out of shape and never get back into lifting/training seriously again. Just think of all the other people out there in the same shoes that DON'T give up!

 

[scout420]

I deffinately advice to take a few weeks off.You dont have to let yourself get to be a fat fuck.But just relax forget about the gym and just relax.Having a good looking body and being in shape and having people admire you is all pointless if you are not happy!!

 

[Themachine01]

First slightly decrease the intensity, then get your head on straight and suck it up like a warrior. By putting training aside for a few months you will be in the high percentage of people who get out of shape and never get back into lifting/training seriously again. Just think of all the other people out there in the same shoes that DON'T give up!

I dont know if you have ever put in the dedication and preperation for an event for an extended amount of time, it is a different world then just everyday training and dieting. I am not considering quiting by any means, and needing a break from training is not giving up.

 

[High-Jacked]

I didn't mean that in a negative way, I understand as I have done two shows in the past.... maybe not as many as you have but I understand it is tough as shit, I was just trying to provide a little motivation for you...

 

[Themachine01]

I didn't mean that in a negative way, I understand as I have done two shows in the past.... maybe not as many as you have but I understand it is tough as shit, I was just trying to provide a little motivation for you...

I misunderstood, thanks bro

 

[Tomo]

If this lasts to long- could it be depression? -tomo

 

[hard as rocks]

well this year has been total hell for me.i was in a bad car accident last august and i havent been the same since.
im in constant pain which doesnt help my workouts or my mood.
ive been going through total hell.i had two eppiderrals and many test done because i have severe nerve damage in my neck.
im falling apart and thats not just an expression
anyway thanks for the support

 

[sk*]

I do what I like to do. Evaluate my goals and as of now I see working out to be beneficial for myself. It is possible that I will get warn out after a while, so that is when a break will be due.

Just take some time off man, weather it's a week, month, or a year ... rest your mind.

-sk

 

[Lestat]

I know exactly what you mean.. my case is a little different..

but for me I've been doing this consistently and seriously for 2-3 years.. i've made major gains and most people would say I look a lot different.

Thing is.. sometimes I look in the mirror and I really wonder what all the damn work was for.. because I don't see of feel a real difference.. all i see is flaws, fat, areas to work on... i go to the beach often and it seems like there are 18 year old kids that are bigger and more cut then i am...

I am bigger and stronger then I have ever been.. but at the same time I feel like I am no where near where I would ultimately like to be...

 

[hard as rocks]

bump this up one time

 

[elite hot topic]

lestat I am in ur same boat and I am only 21. My problem is I compare myself to pro's and fellas who have 10 years+ on me. I also have been through some falling out's with girl friends. I lost a girl that would do any thing for me. I stoped loving her for myself....

All I can say guys is that we are all here for the same thing. We all want to achieve goals with are very, very high... Which is alright it just makes life very difficult for us. I try to stay consistant and thats all I can do..

Good luck fellas.
E

 

[Silent Method]

What's up hard as rocks? I didn't read through all the posts but I'll give you my opinion. I'm sure this is the same advise many here have already given.

Take some time off. Not just a few days. Take a couple months off. Drop everything and be lazy. Eat whatevery you want. After those few months, go back to the gym for a week. I'd wager that you will be instantly re-addicted to the bodybuilding lifestyle.

Good luck.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

I tell ya, about two years ago I decided to take it down a notch as Nelson suggested. It is such a selfish sport and it aint like I am a future Mr. O, you know? I have two small kids that need dads attention and time and I am there. I hit the gym 3 times a week now for an hour each, I eat only when hungry, not when its "time" and I dont look at the mags. It only leads to endless self-criticism. Just got sick of it. I guess there just comes a point where appearance gets bumped down the list a notch or two. Not that I'm a slob now.....check the avatar

 

[Themachine01]

Heavy, you hit it right on the head. Your post is very motivating, maybe the most motivating post Ive read since Ive been on the board, maybe not so much in terms of motivating me to lift or train harder, but in terms of getting my priorities straight and getting my life together. It is very hard taking things down a notch when I have given so much over the past 7 or 8 years. Thanks Heavy.

 

[muscleup]

I tell ya, about two years ago I decided to take it down a notch as Nelson suggested. It is such a selfish sport and it aint like I am a future Mr. O, you know? I have two small kids that need dads attention and time and I am there. I hit the gym 3 times a week now for an hour each, I eat only when hungry, not when its "time" and I dont look at the mags. It only leads to endless self-criticism. Just got sick of it. I guess there just comes a point where appearance gets bumped down the list a notch or two. Not that I'm a slob now.....check the avatar

Image: http://prodtn.cafepress.com/5/4421345_F_tn.jpg

Great post bro...

 

[toilet hamster]

It sounds to me like you are depressed. Also, maybe you should look into more of a power-lifting routine and not worry bout a little gut if you know what i mean.