maintaining sanity in bodybuilding....

[needsize]

Normally I would have to admit that my drive to always get bigger and add more mass is bordering on obsession...if I am not dieting, I am almost always bulking, trying to get bigger...every now and then I will schedule a period where I try and train lighter, and give my body a break, and come off of everything, or cruise on a little bit of anavar.... But I am the first to admit, this constant drive, although it has gotten me pretty far, isnt healthy, especially not in the long run...
This time around I decided to just take this summer, and relax....no dieting, no bulking, no training real heavy...not try and make and changes to my body, just sit back and enjoy the size that I have built....although its never enough and I tend to feel small, this time around I dont care, I just want to relax for a while....I am following my contest training, so its not as heavy as usual, and more enjoyable, along with at least 30 minutes of cardio a day to keep my bodyfat where it is...
And the funny thing is, I not only feel physically more healthy, mentally I feel so much better...no pressure, I am just enjoying my workouts, not stressing about meals..I normally eat minimum 7 times a day, never less then 6, yesterday I ate 4 meals and had one shake, and didnt stress out about it like I normally would...man is it ever nice to not be stressing about everything I do...and funny thing is I look the same as I do when I am stressing about all the little things that go with bodybuilding....
I am already looking forward to bulking in the fall, but for now I am happy just cruising, for the first time ever....it just sucks that it took this many years of training(I turn 32 this year), to actually get to this point mentally

 

[DirkMoneyshot]

Good to see things coming into perspective for you

 

[BigRonWannabee]

Thats what this is all about, if it aint enjoyable it aint worth it to me. I admire your drive and dedication to this game NS, you were one of the first people to really inspire me wayy back before I ever joined this board. Like dirk said, great to see you gain some sanity and relax a bit, you've done quite well for yourself its high time you enjoyed it!

 

[right pumped]

Thats what this is all about, if it aint enjoyable it aint worth it to me. !

my thoughts exactly, not only in bodybuilding but in every aspect of life! It's all good needsize, balance is key!

 

[Little guy]

I did the same thing this past spring. Isnt life alot different and easier when your not worrying about fitting a meal in or leaving the house without your tupperwear container of meat and rice. I just took time off to finish up with school and enjoy life for a while be a normal college student for a while. I know exactly what you mean about feeling healthier also. Its kind of weird I planned on taking about another month off but one morning i woke up popped in road to the olympia the next thing i knew i was picking out my next contest and was on the phone with my trainer talking about what needs work and how im going to tackle the weak spots. Have fun enjoy it because before you know it youll be eating a peice of rubbery chicken and brown rice.

 

[needsize]

thanks guys...always surprises me to see that I was anyones inspiration....not with what I see in the mirror...but you know how that is
I am definitely looking forward to my next bulker...but for once am enjoying the time in between

 

[deadbeatrec]

this is what i have in mind right now. just finished up some igf and im about to relax for about a month. eat what i want (within reason) and be off of everything. i am comming back in late sept so im full on bulk in oct. i cant wait. i just realized that i need this because, im soooo fucking lumped up. i offically ran out of spots to shoot. fuck it, i need a break.

 

[Jusee]

Yep. Your mind needs rest just like your body. Relax and have as much fun as possible before you start up hard again.

 

[ManOfMuscle]

I have been doing sort of the same thing since I'm in between cycles. It's been great and I do feel a lot healthier mentally and physically. I'll try and keep the drive at bay until next cycle when I can be more motivated than ever.

 

[michael88]

by the way, i go a bit crazy when it comes to bb sometimes.

There was once i went so crazy before a contest that i resorted to jabbing a mixture of stano and testo p everyday. That was the worst thing i ever did.

But everytime the sport gets the better of me, i just back off, relax, and binge. I'll do other things i enjoy.

 

[Trevdog]

All work and no play makes NS a dull boy. Enjoy your vacation if you want to call it that. I strongly suspect you aren't giving anything up in terms of how you'll look the next time you step on stage.

Personally I made some concessions on what I was what I wanted to accomplish, what was realistic, and what I was willing to sacrifice quite some time ago. I had to find a balance that worked with my career, responsibilities as a father, etc. I'm not 100% of what I could be in terms of physique, but overall life is pretty damn good.

 

[Mudge]

Its always nice to kick back in chill, in various aspects of life every now and then.

Reduced stress as a whole, has a domino effect.

 

[federico]

obsession is always the key that makes the difference......Freud was obsessioned with psychology, Vangogh with painting, Arnold Scharz. with is body......great results are coming only with full dedication (obsession) but is important to understand eaven our sesults at the end, and enjoy them.

ciao

 

[rockape76]

i went to thailand this year at 115kg at 18-20% bodyfat (disgraceful)....the guys over there are ripped to the bone and hard as nails ...they train (muay thai)3 hours a day 7 days a week in 80 degree heat...on two plates of chicken and rice a day...no supps no powders and no gear.......most ten year olds could crack your ribs with one kick....
it changed my approach to training and life....i rejigged my training i still do strenght training 3 days the other 3 i do kickboxing.....i still watch what i eat but i discovered the world doesnt end if you dont get 300grams of protein a day........basically i stopped being anal about the whole bb thing and now i just enjoy it....................
and i look and feel heaps better.......