I Want to Compete

[Capebuffalo]

It's been 5 years since my last competition. I've competed twice and did well. I'm getting the urge to do it again. I remember how tough it was to get ready. I trained for 16 months for them and dieted 15 weeks. Then another 2 for the next show. I would pick a show next year to give me the time I feel I would need.

I will be 42 then. I'm married with a 3 year old. My business is booming. I have a hard time finding time now. Training,food prep and cost will mean a change in my lifestyle. And my families.

My wife and I got married 8 weeks out from the first show. She was supportive but said it wasn't any fun for her. (During my diet). I love spending time with my son.

Family comes first. And I know it would affect them adversely. But I'm not getting any younger and it will be harder on my body each passing year.

Anyone else dealt with this? If so was it worth it?

[Lunk1]

Sort of. Lets just say that at one time I was more married to work, achieving success and being the best in the profession. I worked for free on my days off after the wife and kid went to bed, I came to work hours early and stayed working hours late without compensation. I was achieving success rapidly...but at an unforeseen cost. I reached a position in my career that I had strived for and I had done it quickly. I then became nearly obsessed with being successful.

Then something happened that changed everything. I was hurt, bitter and depressed. After a short time I realized that the event had not hurt me personally, it helped me. I was able to let go and take work for what it was and reclaim the life that I traded. I realized how much I had neglected my family for numerous years. Even though they always supported my goal, they were taking a back seat to what I THOUGHT was important. In the end I was able to get back what was TRUELY important. I no longer had regret and things were more in perspective.

Moral....if you hobby or your career burdens the ones who love you, your priorities are twisted.

[AD]

I train during my lunch breaks on my short work days, and during my dinner breaks on long days. Mondays to Fridays. So I will still go home to my family as soon as work ends. Weekends are either rest days or cardio on the ex. bike at home. That's how I try to juggle gym and family.

But I will never compete. Don't think it's for me. I'll just aim for the title of the biggest guy in the gym.

Good luck for your show. Remember, you are supposed to be posing, not dancing

[Capebuffalo]

Sort of. Lets just say that at one time I was more married to work, achieving success and being the best in the profession. I worked for free on my days off after the wife and kid went to bed, I came to work hours early and stayed working hours late without compensation. I was achieving success rapidly...but at an unforeseen cost. I reached a position in my career that I had strived for and I had done it quickly. I then became nearly obsessed with being successful.

Then something happened that changed everything. I was hurt, bitter and depressed. After a short time I realized that the event had not hurt me personally, it helped me. I was able to let go and take work for what it was and reclaim the life that I traded. I realized how much I had neglected my family for numerous years. Even though they always supported my goal, they were taking a back seat to what I THOUGHT was important. In the end I was able to get back what was TRUELY important. I no longer had regret and things were more in perspective.

Moral....if you hobby or your career burdens the ones who love you, your priorities are twisted.

Damn Lunk. Very well said. I'm glad you got to that better place. I never want my son to think he's the second most important thing to me. It just like that "one last time" thing. There's no way to have your cake and eat it too. To compete, it would be to win not for the experience. And that would take a huge commitment.

[Times Roman]

It's been 5 years since my last competition. I've competed twice and did well. I'm getting the urge to do it again. I remember how tough it was to get ready. I trained for 16 months for them and dieted 15 weeks. Then another 2 for the next show. I would pick a show next year to give me the time I feel I would need.

I will be 42 then. I'm married with a 3 year old. My business is booming. I have a hard time finding time now. Training,food prep and cost will mean a change in my lifestyle. And my families.

My wife and I got married 8 weeks out from the first show. She was supportive but said it wasn't any fun for her. (During my diet). I love spending time with my son.

Family comes first. And I know it would affect them adversely. But I'm not getting any younger and it will be harder on my body each passing year.

Anyone else dealt with this? If so was it worth it?

Cape,

I just want to say I admire your dedication to the sport. 42 or even older is still young enough to compete. It just requires more effort for us older bulls.

Here's my .02 then I will step out, to allow others that have actually competed to have their say.

I think this needs to be a family decision. It definitely requires the support from your family, with all the goofy meals, the added expense, and the amount of time "daddy" will be away training. And yes, the added stress to the family. I've been in other stressful family situations other than BB where it was about me, and for me, with all the added stress, I wasn't always Mr. Sunshine, if you know what I mean. (My situation lasted three years, a HUGE family commitment).

So, I think that if your family gives you the green light, fan fvckingtastic, and go for it mate! And I'll be cheering for you too.

But, if your woman doesn't feel this is a good decision for the family, then you should probably respect that.

We both know that bulls much older than you still compete. Life isn't over if you feel you need to sit this one out.

Good luck!

---Roman

[Capebuffalo]

Cape,

I just want to say I admire your dedication to the sport. 42 or even older is still young enough to compete. It just requires more effort for us older bulls.

Here's my .02 then I will step out, to allow others that have actually competed to have their say.

I think this needs to be a family decision. It definitely requires the support from your family, with all the goofy meals, the added expense, and the amount of time "daddy" will be away training. And yes, the added stress to the family. I've been in other stressful family situations other than BB where it was about me, and for me, with all the added stress, I wasn't always Mr. Sunshine, if you know what I mean. (My situation lasted three years, a HUGE family commitment).

So, I think that if your family gives you the green light, fan fvckingtastic, and go for it mate! And I'll be cheering for you too.

But, if your woman doesn't feel this is a good decision for the family, then you should probably respect that.

We both know that bulls much older than you still compete. Life isn't over if you feel you need to sit this one out.

Good luck!

---Roman

Thanks TR. I think you and Lunk may have missed your calling. I've always made my decisions on my own and not asked for others input or thoughts. And that has always been a problem in the end. And now with others so closely involved it would be a family decision. Great point.

[diesel101]

I will agree with you cape family is more important than anything. When I bought the business my kids were 4 and 6 years old and for the next 8-10 years I worked day and night to make it survive and grow. I missed out on a lot of years of my kids life due to work and trying to have a successful business. I have achieved a lot of what I want out of life but it did have a cost and I will never get those years back. My biggest regret right now in life is not being there for my family like I should have been all of those years.

[DCI]

Weird having the same thoughts too, but I have never competed. Watching with interested.

[DCI]

I will agree with you cape family is more important than anything. When I bought the business my kids were 4 and 6 years old and for the next 8-10 years I worked day and night to make it survive and grow. I missed out on a lot of years of my kids life due to work and trying to have a successful business. I have achieved a lot of what I want out of life but it did have a cost and I will never get those years back. My biggest regret right now in life is not being there for my family like I should have been all of those years.

I'd never own my own business for the above, a lot of my friends have had their own business and they all have the same as you said. Even on holidays they are never fully switched off from work getting phone calls etc.

Now they are quite wealthy have a good bit more money than me but I have a better quality of life imo

[Capebuffalo]

I will agree with you cape family is more important than anything. When I bought the business my kids were 4 and 6 years old and for the next 8-10 years I worked day and night to make it survive and grow. I missed out on a lot of years of my kids life due to work and trying to have a successful business. I have achieved a lot of what I want out of life but it did have a cost and I will never get those years back. My biggest regret right now in life is not being there for my family like I should have been all of those years.

It's a fine line. I own my own business as well. I'll come home to get something and my son will say are you home daddy. No buddy daddy has to go back to work. It sucks.

My answer is getting clearer as well talk this through

[HitIt]

I see you answered your own question in your OP.

[derekkpapa1]

I too work list a ass 7 to 7 6 days a week give my wife and kids nice house in ground pool new car big yard vacations and any toys they wanted what ever I though they would want. Now my daughter is 14 son is 11 what the hell happened to me teaching them how to ride a bike or how to swim or helping with homework. It's time I will never get back like said above kind of sad.
If I had to do it again I would spend as much time with children as possible and concentrate on lifting and gym when they move out or start driving and don't want nothing to do with me.
Hard decision but you will hopefully have plenty time later in life for 50 and older BB shows

[Hazard]

Here's my view.....

I this is a passion and your family supports it..... Doit! You don't want to live with regrets..... From either decision. You know what it takes to do a show so if the 3-4 months of prep is okay with them..... Doit. Just make sure they understand how strict you need to be

[Capebuffalo]

Here's my view.....

I this is a passion and your family supports it..... Doit! You don't want to live with regrets..... From either decision. You know what it takes to do a show so if the 3-4 months of prep is okay with them..... Doit. Just make sure they understand how strict you need to be

The wife remembers all too well. My son would never understand.

Hell 45 isn't that far away. You guys suck. You're supposed to tell me hell yeah do it.

I'm just kidding. Thanks for all the great input guys. You're really insightful. If I keep on the path I'm on now and don't get fat and keep growing. I'll just have better muscle maturity by then. And should have some nice muscle on my active geriatric frame.

Moved to the back burner........for now. Again thanks.

[Bert]

Just do it without being massively obsessive. Remember, it's just for fun.

[Cuz]

Just do it without being massively obsessive. Remember, it's just for fun.

This is exactly why I don't ...I'm to afraid to lose and I'd end up killing myself trying to win...so ill just sit back and watch.

Cape good luck with whatever u decide on brother.

[ngtmarpete]

Follow your heart have no regrets!

[lovbyts]

It's been 5 years since my last competition. I've competed twice and did well. I'm getting the urge to do it again. I remember how tough it was to get ready. I trained for 16 months for them and dieted 15 weeks. Then another 2 for the next show. I would pick a show next year to give me the time I feel I would need.

I will be 42 then. I'm married with a 3 year old. My business is booming. I have a hard time finding time now. Training,food prep and cost will mean a change in my lifestyle. And my families.

My wife and I got married 8 weeks out from the first show. She was supportive but said it wasn't any fun for her. (During my diet). I love spending time with my son.

Family comes first. And I know it would affect them adversely. But I'm not getting any younger and it will be harder on my body each passing year.

Anyone else dealt with this? If so was it worth it?

I keep saying it's never to late and your never to old thanks to people like you. You are a true inspiration, especially for us old farts.

[Capebuffalo]

This is exactly why I don't ...I'm to afraid to lose and I'd end up killing myself trying to win...so ill just sit back and watch.

Cape good luck with whatever u decide on brother.

That's the thing if it was for fun I would just pick a date and get into condition. But if you compete you compete to win not for fun. You are staining up in front of hundreds being compared to others. I couldn't not be obsessive. And that's the reason I see now is why now isn't the right time in my life.

[diesel101]

I have great respect for anyone having the courage to compete no matter how they place.
But second place does suck!

[Capebuffalo]

I have great respect for anyone having the courage to compete no matter how they place.
But second place does suck!

Now don't get me wrong. As long as you put in everything you have it's a great accomplishment to just be competing. But to know you could have done more or done something different but didn't that's where you just went through the motions and you deserve to get beat. There is always someone better than you at this level and if you meet he will beat you. That sucks worse because you know there was nothing left that's all you had for that show. And 1st loser has a terrible ring to it.

[kelkel]

But if you compete you compete to win not for fun.

Hmmm. I always thought winning was fun.

[Capebuffalo]

Hmmm. I always thought winning was fun.

You know what I meant Kel. In today's society where every kid gets a participation trophy and scores aren't kept winning wouldn't be fun.

I have been waiting for your thoughts or input if you have some. Thought you may have wrestled with this.

[Giggle]

Hi Cape -
I just want to take the other side of this one. Why not talk it out with your wife? She may well be quite supportive when she hears how serious you are.
Besides, it's not like you are abandoning your family - your first post listed how you can train without affecting them too much. Other times, maybe you can include them in going to the gym with you, or involve them in cardio.

I competed for years (and maybe there's one more show in my future) so I'm thinking the same things you are! A lot of prep didn't affect them at all - I learned to squeeze it in early in the mornings, and how to order in restaurants.
Whichever way you choose - good luck! I'll be following along to see how it works out.

[GirlyGymRat]

Cape. U r a competitor. It's who you are. Have you not been thinking on this for awhile? Have the talk with the most important ppl in your life. your loving wife knows you best.

Is there a win-win scenario with the family that doesn't compromise your chances at first place?

[Capebuffalo]

Thank you ladies. We have talked. She remembers how self-centered and self involved I became and the medicine cabinet I traveled with. Giggle you know from the minute you wake up till the time you go to bed it's on your mind. Meals, training, extra supplements. Weight. Calculating cals. Then toward the end the fatigue. You don't want to go out. You don't want to play.

The more I've talked this out I know this isn't the year to start for a July 14 show. But maybe July 15. My son will be older. And so will I. And my figure how to keep everyone happy. I'm surely not saying never. Just later. From middle to light heavy would be a nice achievement for a 43-45 yr old.

[kelkel]

You know what I meant Kel. In today's society where every kid gets a participation trophy and scores aren't kept winning wouldn't be fun.

I have been waiting for your thoughts or input if you have some. Thought you may have wrestled with this.

I do know what you mean but I still have to F with ya a bit....

My immediate thoughts would be that you still have time. You are not to old to compete. Family does come first but part of making a family happy is that each member can seek self actualization to some extent. You need to do what makes you happy as long as it's not debilitating to your family. If you are not happy in life it can effect the entire family.

Look at it this way, you know you'll be eating multiple times per day whether you compete or not. You know you'll be training multiple times per week whether you compete or not. So, can you handle the other ancillary things that go with that? And I agree with the guys that support at home is a must for this to go well. And yes, I wrestle with competing again all the time. One day I'll pull that trigger.

[Giggle]

Sounds like a good plan - and you will do the right thing for all of you.
You have such a great physique and I'd love to see you succeed!

[Metalject]

I'm sure you know as well as I do that it's easy for people to say they're supportive of you competing, but as time goes on and it takes more and more of your time away from them, it's very easy for their opinion to change. I understand that's a bit of a negative, but you definitely want to consider the negatives as well and it seems like you are.

If you're not in terrible shape, and I'm assuming you're not, you might not need nearly as long as you think to prepare and do this thing. If you're still in good shape, I would bet you could reach your full potential in 6-8 months tops and that's including your diet for the show. Granted, that's going to be accompanied by some serious gear use. But the positive is fairly obvious, it means less time away from your family. The negative means a bigger risk in terms of gear use, but whether that's worth it or not is something you'd have to decide for yourself.

[Capebuffalo]

I do know what you mean but I still have to F with ya a bit....

My immediate thoughts would be that you still have time. You are not to old to compete. Family does come first but part of making a family happy is that each member can seek self actualization to some extent. You need to do what makes you happy as long as it's not debilitating to your family. If you are not happy in life it can effect the entire family.

Look at it this way, you know you'll be eating multiple times per day whether you compete or not. You know you'll be training multiple times per week whether you compete or not. So, can you handle the other ancillary things that go with that? And I agree with the guys that support at home is a must for this to go well. And yes, I wrestle with competing again all the time. One day I'll pull that trigger.

Thanks Kel. I'm not worried about time or age. So far I seem to get a little better each year. A hopefully that will last for years to come. You're right about training and eating. So probably just the last 15 weeks would be tougher. And probably just the last 8-10 weeks out of that would be where the issues may arise.

[Capebuffalo]

I'm sure you know as well as I do that it's easy for people to say they're supportive of you competing, but as time goes on and it takes more and more of your time away from them, it's very easy for their opinion to change. I understand that's a bit of a negative, but you definitely want to consider the negatives as well and it seems like you are.

If you're not in terrible shape, and I'm assuming you're not, you might not need nearly as long as you think to prepare and do this thing. If you're still in good shape, I would bet you could reach your full potential in 6-8 months tops and that's including your diet for the show. Granted, that's going to be accompanied by some serious gear use. But the positive is fairly obvious, it means less time away from your family. The negative means a bigger risk in terms of gear use, but whether that's worth it or not is something you'd have to decide for yourself.

You are absolutely right. Everyone is supportive till it's not fun for them any longer.

I'm not too far out of shape. This was me a couple of weeks ago.

[Metalject]

You are absolutely right. Everyone is supportive till it's not fun for them any longer.

I'm not too far out of shape. This was me a couple of weeks ago.

I stand by what I said then, I think you could do well in a shorter period of time without the need for a year plus of insanity. I'm sure like everyone does you're thinking you'd like to be bigger before you start dieting. My advice, (general) while you're trying to grow keep the calories at maintenance level or only slightly above and let the gear do the work in terms of growing. Yes, that would mean a large amount of gear...and continue those amounts during the diet. I don't know what you're gear experience is like so the idea of something like that might seem a little crazy or even scary...I don't know you. But look at it this way - more gear but a shorter time period of the insanity, more time with your family and in the end you know where you stand. Honestly, I wish I could get more guys to do it this way...the I need to bulk for a year or two and come on and off cycle repeatedly, it beats the crap out of you.

[Capebuffalo]

I stand by what I said then, I think you could do well in a shorter period of time without the need for a year plus of insanity. I'm sure like everyone does you're thinking you'd like to be bigger before you start dieting. My advice, (general) while you're trying to grow keep the calories at maintenance level or only slightly above and let the gear do the work in terms of growing. Yes, that would mean a large amount of gear...and continue those amounts during the diet. I don't know what you're gear experience is like so the idea of something like that might seem a little crazy or even scary...I don't know you. But look at it this way - more gear but a shorter time period of the insanity, more time with your family and in the end you know where you stand. Honestly, I wish I could get more guys to do it this way...the I need to bulk for a year or two and come on and off cycle repeatedly, it beats the crap out of you.

How have we never met? I like your thought process.i understand what you're saying. I won't add any significant muscle in 12-18 months. Any size I put on will be fat or water and will have to come back off. Last time I dropped from 205 to 164 at early weigh in. I won't be doing that again.

Damn every time I think I have an answer I get new info and start rethinking the situation.

[lovbyts]

How have we never met? I like your thought process.i understand what you're saying. I won't add any significant muscle in 12-18 months. Any size I put on will be fat or water and will have to come back off. Last time I dropped from 205 to 164 at early weigh in. I won't be doing that again.

Damn every time I think I have an answer I get new info and start rethinking the situation.

I think you are in about the same weight class as fireguy. Have you meet him?
Wow I cant believe it's been almost 2 years since he was here last. He is still competing I'm pretty sure. I will hit him up and tell him to post.
http://forums.steroid.com/members-pi...-out-pics.html

[Capebuffalo]

I think you are in about the same weight class as fireguy. Have you meet him?
Wow I cant believe it's been almost 2 years since he was here last. He is still competing I'm pretty sure. I will hit him up and tell him to post.
http://forums.steroid.com/members-pi...-out-pics.html

Ha ha I posted in that thread. Lol. Damn he looks good.
Thanks Bytes.

[gearbox]

Its as simple as "do what is best for your son". As the old bulls above have said, I have yet to hear anyone say they wish they competed more rather then spend time with their family. You asked this question, but you truly already know the answer.

[Capebuffalo]

I stand by what I said then, I think you could do well in a shorter period of time without the need for a year plus of insanity. I'm sure like everyone does you're thinking you'd like to be bigger before you start dieting. My advice, (general) while you're trying to grow keep the calories at maintenance level or only slightly above and let the gear do the work in terms of growing. Yes, that would mean a large amount of gear...and continue those amounts during the diet. I don't know what you're gear experience is like so the idea of something like that might seem a little crazy or even scary...I don't know you. But look at it this way - more gear but a shorter time period of the insanity, more time with your family and in the end you know where you stand. Honestly, I wish I could get more guys to do it this way...the I need to bulk for a year or two and come on and off cycle repeatedly, it beats the crap out of you.

I posted this last year
My first cycle was a mess. I had no information. I just did what a friend told me to do. It started off simple enough. Test E twice a week at 500 mg total. I didn't know what an AI was. Nor HCG at that point. I didn't know a damn thing about diet and training was of an average person. I did put on size. At that point anything bigger was better and I was hooked.

So dbol was suggested and I bought it happily and took it. I got bloated but strong so I was ok. Still eating shit. A while latter deca was suggested. Sure. More size but not what it should have been for the length I had been taking things.

Then it was suggested I try a show. Sure. So I wound up on test tren a mast winny clen t3 and a diuretic. I did very well in the show. But all this had taken a great toll on me mentally and physically. Finally I was coming off and doing a PCT.

Pct. Wow. Novla and clomid and hcg. Hcg was 5000 ius every 3 days for 15 days. It took over 6 months after pct to get back to almost normal. The biggest thing was my sperm. It was deformed. Made them slow and very few of them. This to finally was back to normal. After specialist and a lot of blood and doctors appointments. I was lucky.

I took over about 15 month off. I lost just about every little bit I had gained. So I started running hgh. This was back when it was real and easy to come by. Diet still sucked so I basically wasted a lot of money and time.

Then I found this site I didn't join for years. I didn't want to because I had done everything so wrong before. But I read and listened and learned.

I ran another test only cycle with a proper pct. Still no ai or pct. Diet was better but not great. Workouts were evolving for the better. Didn't keep anything.

A test and deca cycle. With an ai and hcg. Faster recovery. More gains kept. Diet much better.

A proper test tren a cycle. Two times with proper time and pct. More gains kept.

For the Most improved comp I ran test var tren a and mast.

I'm currently on a high test high deca cycle.

It took me years to realize diet is what makes or break so cycle. And a diet makes or breaks your gains. The importance of an AI is extremely important. And hcg for recovery. I still may pay for my ignorance later in life. That's the thing a mistake can haunt you years down the road. Simple and safe is the best cycle.

Before and now

[Dpyle]

I'm in a similar situation cape. Although I've never competed before, I want to so bad I can taste it, but with almost no support and understanding at home it's impossible to keep my mind right. It prevented me from my first show last year, and it's already looking like the same thing is gonna happen this year. In some ways it's made me resent my wife, but at the same time I love her and my daughter more. So for the time being my competing is just a dream, something a keeps me driven to push harder than i ever thought I could.

[Capebuffalo]

I'm in a similar situation cape. Although I've never competed before, I want to so bad I can taste it, but with almost no support and understanding at home it's impossible to keep my mind right. It prevented me from my first show last year, and it's already looking like the same thing is gonna happen this year. In some ways it's made me resent my wife, but at the same time I love her and my daughter more. So for the time being my competing is just a dream, something a keeps me driven to push harder than i ever thought I could.

Wow. It's tough. Some of my friends compete and their significant other competes as well. I used to think how great that would be. But now I'm wondering if we have it better because there is something else other than the lifestyle. How great is it to have someone who understands. But on the other hand how great is it to have someone who has other things in life to share with. I know you don't pick this lifestyle it picks you. But damn sometimes it's hard and confusing to be among the chosen few.

[Dpyle]

Wow. It's tough. Some of my friends compete and their significant other competes as well. I used to think how great that would be. But now I'm wondering if we have it better because there is something else other than the lifestyle. How great is it to have someone who understands. But on the other hand how great is it to have someone who has other things in life to share with. I know you don't pick this lifestyle it picks you. But damn sometimes it's hard and confusing to be among the chosen few.

It is hard, it's what ruined me last year, and already wearing on me this year. I do all the cooking in our house, and the battle is the ensuing guilt trip I get when I've spent time cooking her dinner and then sit down with my chicken and rice or whatever. She tends to go on about how it makes her feel bad that I cooked a meal that I'm not eating, or how it makes her feel ( fat, gross, and so on) because of the difference in how I eat. I love more than anything, but for the moment it is the main reason I haven't been able to go all in. She already struggles with depression, and I don't want to do anything to make that worse.