I was asked by one of my friends a couple of days ago on the reason I personally am into bodybuilding/getting into shape.. Besides the obvious health benefits.. she wanted to know what drives me. Well, read on...
Hmm. I don't think I've ever really put much thought into this before.. but let me attempt to analyze. I decided to first surf around the net to see what motivated the OTHERS to pursue a similar goal, and here are some of the answers I came across:
Some Reasons People Join the Gym:
1. I'm sick of being skinny as a twig.
2. People say I look sick and unhealthy.
3. When I wear a sleeveless or body hugging shirt, I don't look impressive in it.
4. A muscular man attracts chicks like magnets.
5. I wanna look as fit as the Americans. They're more beefier than the locals.
6. Bodybuilding makes a girl like you!
7. It gives me self confidence.
8. I wanna turn women on.
9. I'm tired of being fat and unhealthy.
Some are just amusing.. but if you ask me, I'd say that I could relate to reason #7 the most. I believe that lifting weights to improve your physique portrays to everyone that you possess a desire for Self-improvement, to become greater than you are, that you're disciplined, and are dedicated.
In case you didn't notice by now, most people with strong powerful physiques exude a type of confidence not seen in regular people (dont confuse confidence with arrogance.. some may push it and be arrogant instead.. but thats no good and they deserve to be spanked). They don't need fancy clothes to look good or to show off. Their physique says it all, and at the end of the day, it DEMANDS a 'subconscious' respect because you know when you see a bodybuilder with an amazing physique - you know that he's got what it takes to improve himself to such an extent. You know that he's gone through the struggles. He's got discipline, puts up with the pain, the task of watching his diet, etc.
Now back to me.. I think somewhere along the road, just for a short period of time, I did sorta do it to impress the opposite sex (come on.. get real - who hasnt?). But very shortly after that, I began to realise that it wasn't working (ha ha) - or perhaps I was meeting the wrong kinda women? Anyway... I realised that there was definitely more to being fit and looking good than attracting others - it was personal satisfaction. Now that's something you can't buy from your pharmacy or supplement store.
Honestly - I got involved into this 'world' not because I wanted to... In fact.. I dreaded stepping foot into the gym for the very first time. It was my mom who persuaded me to join the gym.. (guess she didnt have the heart to say to me - Son, you're FAT!). It was hot, the air was dry (it wasnt air conditioned), the treadmill (yes, there was only ONE) and the three bikes were rusty..the carpet smelled like something died underneath.. it was all wrong. How could I ever grow to like such a lifestyle? Boy was I wrong.
So I guess.. to summarise - I got into this without realising what was in store for me. But once I tasted it.. I just couldnt get enough. I always tell people to never give up for at least 3 months. If you do everything right, and persevere for JUST 3 MONTHS - I promise you will see results. If you don't, THEN you can walk away, and tell the whole world it didnt work (which I still believe will be because you did something wrong).
I guess I'm lucky to be where I am today, and I'm glad that today, I'm doing it for the right reasons. I guess at the end of the day, it also boils down to what motivates you. If it's the opposite sex you're after.. and that drives you, then by all means, go ahead. Its the results that counts. Always do whatever it takes to get you there (I'm not talking about performance enhancing drugs though, cos that's cheating yourself and robbing you of your health).
Josh Stone, also known as DM, is the author behind the site http://www.dailymuscle.com which offers the author's personal views on real-life fitness, bodybuilding, sports nutrition, cardio, fat loss, training information, and on all things that surrounds fitness. | |
