How many of you changed your bad ways and are now content with building your body?

[Angel of death]

The thread "how much money have you spent on your body" triggered something in my head when I saw answers like "its better then rec drugs, its better then this, that, etc." It makes me think there is a very real connection between those who have a "extreme" taste for life and are into bodybuilding.

I myself have a background of trouble I used to get into fights all the time and hang with the "wrong guys" and do rec drugs constantly. It seems as if many people coming from these eccentric lifestyles get into bodybuilding as their form of solace, and literally having a "larger than life" attitude.

Interesting to say the least

[StoneGRMI]

You'll find that most people on here do everything in excess.

[MuscleScience]

I never really got into anything bad, but BB keeps me from doing bad things. I stay in shape, eat healthy and working out helps relieve stress. I see people I went to highschool with and they are all fat slobs now. I do not want to be like that.

[rockinred]

The thread "how much money have you spent on your body" triggered something in my head when I saw answers like "its better then rec drugs, its better then this, that, etc." It makes me think there is a very real connection between those who have a "extreme" taste for life and are into bodybuilding.

I myself have a background of trouble I used to get into fights all the time and hang with the "wrong guys" and do rec drugs constantly. It seems as if many people coming from these eccentric lifestyles get into bodybuilding as their form of solace, and literally having a "larger than life" attitude.

Interesting to say the least

while there are always some that come from that background like myself, I don't see the correlation between bodybuilding athletes and drug users. Sure Anabolics are a banned substance so those who take in the US have to break the law somewhat, but I noticed it is a total different breed. WAAYY more conservative... Most dudes I use to hang out with and dope it up like you stated above would never have the commitment and dedication to focus on lifting as a bodybuilder/athlete.... i see more athletes that are obsessed with the way they look get into anabolics, not rec users.... I don't know maybe I was into some heavy stuff when I was a kid, but I don't know one that ended up getting into bodybuilding except myself.... I walked away from that when I went into the military for the most part...

[youngNhungry]

I used to be totally into partying to the max. But, earlier this year I decided that I would no longer take it to the extremes that I once did. I don't know if its a redication of faith, getting older and a little bit wiser, who knows. I'm not totally straight edge but, I don't drink anymore and have drastically cut back on the other extracurricular activities. I don't even miss the scene. I never new what I was missing out on.

[T_Own]

i'm probably too young to really answer this but working out and lifting has helped me stay away from things, and just to improve myself overall. being able to look in the mirror and be 40 pounds bigger and so much more lean than i was 3-4 years ago is motivation enough for me.

[Amorphic]

never much of a partier or substance abuser. aas keep me motivated to be healthy though and to be bigger and stronger than the average slob

[higherdesire]

I was trouble growing up. 10 years in the pen helped curb some of that appetite. I was always told if I found something positive to channel the energy into, things would be different. I now have that with my career and my health. I specifically decline to do things I used to would jump at because it would screw up my work out or effect my production the next day. I have to say that both have helped me.

[Matt]

^^ much the same, spent a number of years in jail, always wanted to fight anyone that was interested. Then i grew up, bbing keeps me focused and clean...

[DSM4Life]

You'll find that most people on here do everything in excess.

Hit the nail right on the head.

[MuscleSportMag]

Partying all of your 20s and much of your 30s makes it a lot easier to tone it down for your 40s. There's no way you can keep that up if you have any hope of looking good.

Those late nights and 4 AM diner stops catch up to you. I'm glad that I haven't had that to worry about for a while now. Was it fun? You're damn right it was, and so were the week-long vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico, Vegas, etc. doing nothing but drinking and carousing. If I even tried that today, I would probably end up in the hospital.

There's a time and place for everything. I suppose that I did that in excess, but seemed to have come out of it unscathed.

[Nicotine]

i went from 270lbs to 167. i weighed in today at 219!

but im on cycle

but, i have pics of what i looked like the last time i was at 220 when i was losing the fat...it's completely different......

my bad ways was horrible food, and i didnt respect myself much.....

[WOLFCRAFT]

The more I'm into working out the less I'm into drinking or other stupid shit.
I know if I'm hungover I can't hit the weights as hard, and I don't want to put poison in my body when it's trying to grow.
I still drink here and there, but nothing like I used to. And when I'm really serious, I won't touch the stuff.

[Chode Logan]

Keeps me in line for sure, sacrifice is less friends and "fun" but it's worth it...once in awhile I lose track and do something stupid which reminds me of how much better I feel when I'm more committed to training.

[firmechicano831]

With me it was probably age and maturity. I just want to be healthy and live and happy life.

[inky-e]

I was at one time a pretty insane individual....Outlaw biker...druggie...all around scumbag...The only drug I never used was X...kinda before my time...anyways...when I got sober and turned in my Colors...I gained lots of weight...pretty much I put down the coke spoon and picked up the fork..lol....a few years ago with my weight at 330 lbs and 5'11 ..I was unhealthy and depressed and just really fukked up.(without drugs)....so I did what I had to do to change things around...it was either do SOMETHING..or die....I got into working out and being the addict that I am...took it further than anyone expected...today I'm a personal trainer and help others reach their goals and live a clean and healthy lifestyle....in my wildest dreams..I never would have thought that I would be where I am right now...in the shape I am and also still sober....some of my friends from back in the "LIFE"..have kinda hinted that I could write a pretty compelling book about my life..my wife has also mentioned it..IDK about that...it might come back to bite me in the ass....plus I don't wanna look back at some of the horrible things that I did in any kind of way that seems like I'm proud of it...for the most part...I'm ashamed at the sub-human level of existance that I lived in. Those things are not what define me today.... I'd rather be known for who I am now..... a good father...husband...friend...law abiding member of my community...and as a Man that is willing to help others less fortunate than myself....I think in the grand scope of life...those things are most important.

[firmechicano831]

Well said Inky, I'm really happy to have you here as a friend and I'm thankful you choose the right path.

[higherdesire]

I was at one time a pretty insane individual....Outlaw biker...druggie...all around scumbag...The only drug I never used was X...kinda before my time...anyways...when I got sober and turned in my Colors...I gained lots of weight...pretty much I put down the coke spoon and picked up the fork..lol....a few years ago with my weight at 330 lbs and 5'11 ..I was unhealthy and depressed and just really fukked up.(without drugs)....so I did what I had to do to change things around...it was either do SOMETHING..or die....I got into working out and being the addict that I am...took it further than anyone expected...today I'm a personal trainer and help others reach their goals and live a clean and healthy lifestyle....in my wildest dreams..I never would have thought that I would be where I am right now...in the shape I am and also still sober....some of my friends from back in the "LIFE"..have kinda hinted that I could write a pretty compelling book about my life..my wife has also mentioned it..IDK about that...it might come back to bite me in the ass....plus I don't wanna look back at some of the horrible things that I did in any kind of way that seems like I'm proud of it...for the most part...I'm ashamed at the sub-human level of existance that I lived in. Those things are not what define me today.... I'd rather be known for who I am now..... a good father...husband...friend...law abiding member of my community...and as a Man that is willing to help others less fortunate than myself....I think in the grand scope of life...those things are most important.

Thanks for sharing that. It took me several years of being out of prison to shake the chains off. I finally came to the point where I wasn't trying to be a good ex-convict, and started doing things of out the desire to be a good human being. A regular citizen. THat was the next step for me. I was abble to leave alot of the shame behind then. It is a process though no? I can;t say it is over yet though. I get off of paper in 2011 and I really think that will be the next chapter of feeling as though I am off the hook completely for my crimes. Almost a final confirmation that I have paid off the debt. This started in 1988. I sometimes feel like the lone ranger bacause I have such a violent past. Now I have three kids and make a good 6 figure living honestly. A contibutor alas! I feel lucky! I am not sure where I was headed with this. I just got something out of what you said and wanted to share mine too. Peace.

[inky-e]

Well said Inky, I'm really happy to have you here as a friend and I'm thankful you choose the right path.

Thanks Firme...I'm glad we're friends too.

Thanks for sharing that. It took me several years of being out of prison to shake the chains off. I finally came to the point where I wasn't trying to be a good ex-convict, and started doing things of out the desire to be a good human being. A regular citizen. THat was the next step for me. I was abble to leave alot of the shame behind then. It is a process though no? I can;t say it is over yet though. I get off of paper in 2011 and I really think that will be the next chapter of feeling as though I am off the hook completely for my crimes. Almost a final confirmation that I have paid off the debt. This started in 1988. I sometimes feel like the lone ranger bacause I have such a violent past. Now I have three kids and make a good 6 figure living honestly. A contibutor alas! I feel lucky! I am not sure where I was headed with this. I just got something out of what you said and wanted to share mine too. Peace.

Thank you Brother.....I'm happy to hear that you have turned your life around too...its really never too late to do so...unless..well...you know..you're 6' under...and you're right its a process....not perfection. You know how it is after living a life of insanity....to change instantly isn't realistic...thats where we start the process...and its always changing..I guess if people like us were REALLY given justice instead of mercy...we wouldn't be sitting in a front of a computer now would we??..So now its about doing the right thing...and then..the next right thing. Congrats on everything Bro.

[higherdesire]

Tru dat. By the way you talk like a friend of bill w? Been there and moved on but the relationship serves me well to this day.