Do you ever. . . . .

[< <Samson> >]

Stop & think is this all worth it?

I have dedicated a very big part of my life to fitness for the past 2+ years & have gotten pretty far.


So far, I have figured out quite a few things on how it all works. This costs a solid car payment a month, not including time & effort.

My Bp has raised from the best to border line hypertension, it has been ever since I have started.


What, I get in return: My dick works when I am only on heavy gear & not just my maint. dose. Not, saying that it doesn't work at all but it's nothing like while on, which makes being off seem like just ehhh


My strength has climbed about 60%+ from start to now

I look better than I did over a decade ago & feel the same



I wind up thinking about it quite a bit, is it worth it? Am I getting enough in return? I am not sponsored or anything cool like that. No one pays me to do this. . . . . But, now it seems like a regular part of my daily life. I am walking pharmaceutical company. Yet, now it just feels natural.


Also after getting this far, I can't even really see how things would be if I stopped. "Normal" seems so far back - I know all of this shit is cutting my life span. Yet, I have tried my best to offset this by stopping all of my other dope doing, cutting drinking to an absolute minimum & quitting smoking.



Maybe it's just me - I dunno - - My woman approves & is totally cool with it. Yet, I know she'll live way past me. . . lol

[BG]

All the time. Im starting to get injuries left and right.....up and down. I was just thinking about the $325 food bill a week for just my wife and I. With these injuries now Im pretty much out of getting nationally qualified (was my goal that kept me going), so like you, im starting to do alot of thinking. Ill have to change gyms though and lose my training partner, because theres no way I can go easy in that environment, people expect to much from there.

[Black]

Yep, sure do. I've never really had a desire to compete in bodybuilding. I think today's top level bodybuilding physiques have turned me away from the sport. It also has recently dawned on me that I cannot be one of those mass monsters. I can be big and muscular, yes. But I do not have the genetics nor the muscular structure for bodybuilding. When I sit down and be honest with my body structure, I am more geared towards a physique competitor.

But that hasn't stopped me from trying to be huge, up until now. I put a lot of stress on my body trying to push it beyond its limits. I can feel my body telling me "this is too much weight for us". I feel unhealthy. Then I realize I really have no interest in competing, which then really makes me question how much this is worth.

My goals have changed. I told myself that if I am going to use anabolic steroids , it will only be for a competitive purpose. No more recreational use. So for the past 6 months or so, I've be focusing more on powerlifting. There is something a lot more satisfying lifting heavy weights in a competition than taking my body to an unhealthy bodyfat level and putting on that god-awful fake tanner and wearing a thong. Now, I have NOTHING against bodybuilding. I admire the hard work they put in and their bodies are amazing. Its just not for me.

*These are just my thoughts. I don't judge people for recreational use of steroids. To each their own.

[noon]

Good reading. Leaves a lot of thinking to be done for users of all kinds.

[ngtmarpete]

^ true that. This is a very tough road to walk down.

[austinite]

Being in shape is not just healthy for your body, but also for the mind. Life is just better when I'm in shape. I'm more successful at work, I get laid more often, flaws are disregarded and confidence is high.

Heck yeah it's worth it. I can't imagine letting myself go again.

[< <Samson> >]

Well, let's just say the juice did what I wanted it to do(I'm big, I get looks, people ask me dumb shit, I lift fairly high weight) & I always know I have a one up on the natural guy(@ least 95% of them).

But, I am sacrificing a bit in return. One of things I am sacrificing is a part of my health & life span. Just makes me really think about shit.

It's not one specific thing at all, just all of it put together & weighed out.

There is no safety it what we do. Safety precautions - yes. But, getting sauced is not healthy and safe by any means.

I just like the sauced guy walking my life's path much more than the average joe looking guy doing the same thing.

But, yeah - I don't think anyone can understand any of this until they have done it for a continues period of time & it already has become a part of their life.

[DAAS]

I think about it all the time. But in the end I go to the gym to unwind and release stress. So even if I am not making the best gains or don't push myself past plateaus its still worth it. Better than sitting at home wasting in front of an xbox.

[DAAS]

Well, let's just say the juice did what I wanted it to do(I'm big, I get looks, people ask me dumb shit, I lift fairly high weight) & I always know I have a one up on the natural guy(@ least 95% of them).

But, I am sacrificing a bit in return. One of things I am sacrificing is a part of my health & life span. Just makes me really think about shit.

It's not one specific thing at all, just all of it put together & weighed out.

There is no safety it what we do. Safety precautions - yes. But, getting sauced is not healthy and safe by any means.

I just like the sauced guy walking my life's path much more than the average joe looking guy doing the same thing.

But, yeah - I don't think anyone can understand any of this until they have done it for a continues period of time & it already has become a part of their life.

I think if you run the right gear and at reasonable doses it will extend your life and improve it.

[Hrothgar]

what else would you do?

[kronik420]

i never want to go back to the way i was before i started lifting....

[austinite]

i never want to go back to the way i was before i started lifting....

Hogtied to the bed post?

[kronik420]

Hogtied to the bed post?

lol what?

[David LoPan]

what else would you do?

You could marry some rich girl and have a couple of kids and then get divorced and take the kids. I call this the K-Fed way to let yourself go

[BG]

Thing is, I think a lot of you guys havent taken it to the next level, the level he is talking about.

[Honkey_Kong]

Thing is, I think a lot of you guys havent taken it to the next level, the level he is talking about.

Regardless of the level you're at, it should never be about competing at a nation/world level as your motivation for doing this stuff. It should still just be about you having the ability to change and sculpt yourself. The reward is contained in the action of doing it. If it's not fun or enjoying for you, you really shouldn't do it. Life's too short to be just doing something on a pipe dream.


Personally, I enjoy the challenge it gives me. Granted, I'll never be at a competitive level, but that doesn't mean I can't find enjoyment in the sport. I enjoy trying to be a little better than last week. I enjoy fighting myself when my body doesn't feel like going to the gym at 3am (as sadistic as that sounds). To me, this is just a hobby. It's always been a hobby and always will be one. That doesn't mean I don't get caught up in it though.

Remember, this is just a game. If it's not fun, don't do it.

[Euroholic]

Who cares op. life is about enjoyment. Would you rather die being massive and living a sik life or some old non aesthetic man who is like 60 full of wrinkles, grey hair etc.


"A weak man has doubts before a decision; a strong man has them afterwards."
Karl Kraus

[marcus300]

On a personal and emotional level bodybuilding has destroyed many things in my life what I will never get back and they still have a negative impact emotionally but on the opposite to that it's enriched my life so much it's hard to fully explain to the extent what it's really done for me on the positive side because it's that powerful.

On the health side again it's got its negatives and positives.

One thing is for sure it's who I am and what I do but Fuking hell it gets hard as you get older

[DSM4Life]

I have backed off a lot. I will probably never be at my peak again but in the end I am happy with it. With the all time/energy spent lifting, eating (preparing) and few injuries for me it just wasn't worth it anymore. I now enjoy my free time with my family, friends and hobbies and I can honestly say I am much happier. To each their own. I still workout but not nearly as intense as I use to.

[BG]

Regardless of the level you're at, it should never be about competing at a nation/world level as your motivation for doing this stuff. It should still just be about you having the ability to change and sculpt yourself. The reward is contained in the action of doing it. If it's not fun or enjoying for you, you really shouldn't do it. Life's too short to be just doing something on a pipe dream.


Personally, I enjoy the challenge it gives me. Granted, I'll never be at a competitive level, but that doesn't mean I can't find enjoyment in the sport. I enjoy trying to be a little better than last week. I enjoy fighting myself when my body doesn't feel like going to the gym at 3am (as sadistic as that sounds). To me, this is just a hobby. It's always been a hobby and always will be one. That doesn't mean I don't get caught up in it though.

Remember, this is just a game. If it's not fun, don't do it.

Thats how it starts, Im past the "sculpting" point, Im a body building not someone working out to look good in a shirt or at the beach, Im in the gym to look bigger and better then everyone....thats competitive body building. Its you vs them, it's the most selfish sport there is. At some point you take it to the next level then it turns into how far are you willing to go. At this point it cost, your health, money and majority of time in your life. You dont understand where he is coming from.

[BG]

I have backed off a lot. I will probably never be at my peak again but in the end I am happy with it. With the all time/energy spent lifting, eating (preparing) and few injuries for me it just wasn't worth it anymore. I now enjoy my free time with my family, friends and hobbies and I can honestly say I am much happier. To each their own. I still workout but not nearly as intense as I use to.

I truly feel this is what I need to do soon........

[BG]

On a personal and emotional level bodybuilding has destroyed many things in my life what I will never get back and they still have a negative impact emotionally but on the opposite to that it's enriched my life so much it's hard to fully explain to the extent what it's really done for me on the positive side because it's that powerful.

On the health side again it's got its negatives and positives.

One thing is for sure it's who I am and what I do but Fuking hell it gets hard as you get older

Well said my friend !

[Capebuffalo]

Blood pressure, higher cholesterol, prostate issues. Problems with relationships and friends. Did steroids give these to me? No. I had them prior to using them. Do they help with these issues. Hell no. The food. The prep. The eating. The shakes ( now due to time constraints). The isolation. The pain. The emotional roller coaster. ( high when your on top. low when you miss training. Lose size). The pinning. The cost. Time lost with family and friends. Constantly aware of any imperfection you perceive about yourself. The needing to change, add to , or cut constantly. Usually the first thing you think of when you wake up and the last thing you think of before you go to sleep. It is absolutely insane. This lifestyle is pure insanity. But when you do it for so long it's the only thing you know. I don't want anything else. I can't imagine any other way to live. Right wrong or other this life chooses you. You can't choose this life. It's to hard for someone to choose to live this way. What 5 % of the population lives THIS lifestyle? It's all just a trade off. What are you willing to give or lose? I know I can't. No I won't go back. I cannot imagine going back to normal. To average. I am aware of issues that will probably show themselves down the road. But damn... This is my life.

[< <Samson> >]

I feel very similar - I know it's seems like it shouldn't be this way. But, lifting and being a bigger size makes me feel more like me. I was never into any sports when I was young. This made me a real small kid. I was only 140-145 until the age of 20+. I always looked up to the bigger guys. And just never thought I could even come close.

When I got pretty serious in my mid 20's I barely got myself to 165-175. And just plateaud - I had no knowledge about anything. Just very very basic info - really now, I wish I never picked up the needle. I know I could have gotten to about 85% of where I am now with the most effort I could put in.

But, it all came together - I was too scared & never had a clue about aas. Out of nowhere it dropped into my lap. My woman said "no prob, I'll give you the shots".


Almost 2 and a half years later I am me on sauce. And after tasting the nectar there is no going back. Just trying to be as safe as possible. Not getting the biggest I can be as fast as possible like I have been for the last year.

Seeing all these guys roll through here & other boards amazes me. Guys cruise on more than what I cycle with. And just say fvck it - I wanna be big.


So here I am - saucing, lightly for life. I can't see it any other way. But, I do stop and think still - what if I didn't start. I see natural guys & think that would be me without the needle. I can't b them


Just been on my mind a bit. Nothing changed, now I just see & understand what can't be taught until you are here or farther down.

[diesel101]

I was always a fat guy and out of shape until 8 or 9 years ago when I started loosing wieght and working out. 4-5 years ago I started lifting hardcore and living the lifestyle I also started running gear.
It has transformed my body into something that at one point in my life I could only dream of.
I have no regrets or complaints about the work, food, money, time and sacrifice it takes to live this way. I feel my attitude and quality of life is 100% better now than ten years ago. I cannot imagine going back to the "old" me.

But I will admit I have not done this for 20 plus years like some of the other members so that may change a persons attitude.

[Rwy]

Like anything in life to take things to that elite level you have to go places the normal person doesn't want to and dont have the fire to ge there. If you aren't satisfied when you get there maybe you should shoot for other things that make you happy.

[Dtrain17]

I've missed out on a lot of things I could have had fun at, like parties ect, but I think we always convince ourselves (for those of us that are at this level) that this will have a higher payoff in the end. I think about it every week, it's like by the time it's the weekend, I have nothing to do because I'm not super close to my friends really and the gym and food only takes up so much time. I do have other hobbies but my friends aren't into them. Like going to the gun range/fishing, it's fun but not really alone (to me).

I started from nothing and got a pretty decent physique, but if I don't go for a couple weeks I feel depressed, and when I go and I think a lot of us are like this, we go all out and know, if we miss a meal why even go to the gym because you know you won't grow when it's hard to grow even with all your meals.