Mental Aspect

[Winter]

I'm sure this concerns some of you lifters out there as it concerns me a lot. Whenever I plan to go on vacation, I always never want to go no matter if its a few days or a few weeks because I really have a feeling that if I leave my home, I won't be able to keep up with my nutritional needs with the protein, carbs, fats and whatnot. On top of that, I am very, very concerned about losing ANY noticiable size and strength. I've had this problem in the past as well. I feel as if I'm caged and that I can't leave my comfort zone to do anything enjoyable.

One time I went to a casino with my family and I brought a tub of protein with me and lifted at the gym there and tried to eat my 6-8meals there as well. Sure this worked great because the casino had a very nice selection of restaurants for me to choose from and the weightroom wasn't half bad. I was very lucky, but on other trips to different countries or states is a very, very different situation.

Anyone else have this or am I totally insane?

Thanks in advance.

 

[huskyguy]

A couple of hints for travelling-there is nothing wrong with bringing your protein powder but there are good restaurants out there that make nutritious food that is not all that expensive. If you are concerned about not getting a training session in try to overtrain for two weeks before you go on vacation--Example full body workouts everyday for two weeks or intense heavy squatting more than 3 times a week. The break from training will actually help you increase your gains.

 

[Winter]

Overtrain w. fullbody workouts everyday? I don't know of that's the greatest idea IMO cuz I won't even be able to lift the next day if I go all out in one workout lol.

 

[AngryMuscles]

oh dear...I went through the same thing, bro. Only brought the powder though and the hotel gym is really not what you would like to train in but it is better than nothing...AND THEY GOT OLYMPIC BARS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! its quite simple...

a flat bench
a lat machine
no racks
max weight of dumbbells are 45(22.5 each)
10 tread mill machines
6 stationary bikes
and they had these rubber plates instead of iron.

I'm hanging on to my protein powder but leaving out a week or 2 of no work out works for me. it gives my body total rest and wanting to hit the gym more then ever. I say enjoy yourself !

 

[Winter]

I'm just so self concious and its just such a mental thing that I can't beat. I've been trying to beat it for some time now, but I just can't enjoy the vacation if there's no gym or tons and tons of food for me to chow on.

I get very irritated when I don't get my food & when I don't lget to lift.

 

[adidamps2]

when and if i take a vacation, thats what it is a vacation from everything. screw wts screw protien powders, screw it all. i take me some multi vit's thats about it. give your body that break from always eating and always lifting. my body usually responds quite well when i return form this.taking a break ussually helps heal and i would say 9 out of 10 times when i come back i break platues and move more wts in the gym.

 

[ManOfMuscle]

I'm the same way when it comes to being self conscious on the road. I think the biggest part of it is being out of your comfort zone you are more likely to get stressed by these types of things, which are actually pretty trivial. I will admit the perfect vacation for me is one where I have access to a gym.

 

[blackbeard]

your body might do well with a break from the diest as well as "normal" training

if its at all possible try to find a place and lift 3 days get in and out quick
best thing is to squat one day bench another and pull on the third
throw in some other parts here and there you can be in and out in 1 hour and youll still keep ur strength

 

[mister69]

when i go on vacations, i do few things,


I make sure to workout the day of the flight ...then workout the day i get back.

But if i am staying at a hotel i will make due with what they have.

If i am due for a break i use the vacation as my week off (time to let the joints heal up)

As for diet, i just bring my protein powder and my vitamins...and eat at restaurants. Or if i am staying at a friends house, i make sure to go food shopping.

WHen you are so used to your daily routine and your meals at certain times and your workouts at certain times it def feels weird not doing any of that.
Especially for myself becusae i have a long term goal and I have been trying to get as big as possible ..so gotta eat

Hope that helps

 

[Winter]

Thanks for all the replies guys. It really helps that everyone is giving in positive feedback that I understand and can do.

 

[jackcity10]

Im like that too, on a daily basis. Like if I miss one workout im depressed for the next day, or im mad the day i missed the workout. Anyways, a couple months ago, this guy came up to me in the boxing gym while I was hitting the heavy bag and said: "You know what your problem is? You worry too much." Of course I beleive that going 100% in training is a must, but he was right. mentally, i was worrying way too much, and not just in the gym. his words echoed in my head for the next couple of weeks and i noticed a huge increase in my ability to socialize well and have fun.
Im reading this book by Bruce Lee, the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, and his philosophy on fighting is to not experience emotion, just be nuetral. I tried this the other day in the gym and i was much calmer, but i missed the intensity I brought to each set. So maybe, to put this into practice effectively, we should create a balance of mental intensity and relaxation. While we arent lifting we should relax and "not worry" so much, of course while eating right, but then to balance it out we should go all out in the gym. As long as you go hard in the gym it is OK to relax while your not in the gym, and not worry about gains.

 

[Winter]

Thanks bro, I will try to loosen up a bit. I guess I am a bit too tense about lifting and eating correctly.

 

[toodles]

its not that big of a deal.