Posted on July 16th, 2009 | Comments (0)
Unreasonable expectations have proven to be a major obstacle for many who attempt to achieve muscle building or weight loss, as bodybuilding often becomes a pursuit of transforming into someone else, as opposed to maximizing the individual genetic potential that each of us has been born with. We may frequently see individuals on TV, in magazines, or on the Internet who have the bodybuilding physique we are working towards, so we somehow feel that by weight training and eating a certain way, we can develop a similar appearance, when in fact our physical makeup is unique to each of us, meaning that results others can produce do not in any way dictate that we are capable of the same, or, we may even be able to greatly exceed the bodybuilding results of those we admire. Yet, there is no way of knowing our personal potential without first following an effective diet and weight training workout plan to determine how our body responds.
The unfortunate downside of basing our own level of bodybuilding satisfaction upon achieving the body of another is that, although we may produce muscle building or fat loss progress that impress nearly everybody that we meet, in our own mind, we maintain a feeling of inferiority, since our standard is not based upon our individual accomplishments, but rather whether we’ve become the person we choose to emulate, and therefore, regardless of how impressive our progress appears to others, we constantly seek for the unrealistic dream, and eventually either abandon bodybuilding altogether, or choose to experiment with risky drugs or weight lifting supplements instead of altering our expectations to match our own potential.
It is true that genetics offer us a barrier which we all must obey, no different from one who wishes to become a basketball superstar but lacks sufficient height. Yet, in bodybuilding, few achieve their individual genetic potential not necessarily due to insufficient effort, but rather resulting from weight lifting and diet errors which plague muscle building or fat loss efforts. Certainly, when eating and weight training perfectly, genetics will then eventually lead to a plateau in muscle building or fat loss, and will also impact the overall rate of results, but most who feel genetics are curtailing any significant change actually are eating and weight training without the correct techniques, which is the true reason behind frustrating progress.
Unfortunately, far too many weight lifters continue to follow poorly constructed diet and weight lifting methodologies, and find themselves frustrated due to a long term plateau despite dedicated effort. Making matters worse are the unrealistic expectations created by our media, as seeing men and women on the covers of popular fitness magazines tend to make even the most successful natural physical fitness enthusiast overflow with envy, but what is hidden by the photos that so many wish to emulate is that the vast majority of those who are shown in such publications are using drugs such as growth hormone or steroids, which are extremely dangerous, offering health risks such as cancer, internal organ enlargement, and heart failure, therefore are not a legitimate option for those who have their priorities in order and wish to protect health and well being beyond any short sighted muscle gain or fat loss goal. It’s unfortunate that numerous young men and women are being indoctrinated by many images that are promoted as the definition of a desirable and healthy appearance, when in fact the techniques used to obtain such a temporary level of weight loss or muscle gain pose extreme health risks to those involved, and despite these realities, become a very powerful temptation for those who attempt to emulate the individuals they deem to be accepted and admired by our culture.
Muscle building or fat loss results are as unique as our personalities, and we should not try to transform into another in our pursuit of any muscle gain or fat reduction goal, rather forging our own personal road by maximizing the individual muscle gain or fat loss potential each of us has, and doing so through an effective weight training plan and bodybuilding diet. When we begin to view bodybuilding as an experiment in individual achievement, we then begin to finally embrace the improvements we make, as opposed to feeling unfulfilled due to focusing on the results of another. Without the chance of experiencing satisfaction with our own improvements, bodybuilding becomes a sustained pursuit of the unattainable, and can morph from a worthwhile pursuit into a stressful, detrimental hobby.
About the Author
Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a diet and weight training program teaching the exact techniques for muscle building without supplements or drugs. He also owns IncrediBody.com, an online fitness superstore selling protein powder at guaranteed lowest prices.
Article Source: Content for Reprint
You may also like:
Comments (0)
The following content represents the opinions of Fitness2Health.com users. It is not editorially reviewed for medical or factual accuracy and does not constitute medical advice.
