Two years ago I was a fat pastey slob of a man. Boy was I disgusted with my physique. It wasn’t hard to get motivated and stay focused while I did something about it. My first goal was to shed the fat. Six months later…goal accomplished. I figured now that I can see what I have (or don’t have)I can start building it back up…this time with muscle. This was the hard part because I was frightened to gain back the fat that I worked so hard to lose. I decreased the cardio increased my calories to maintenance level to minimize fat gain and really hit the weights. I made modest gains, but it didn’t take long before I realized that I had to eat big and gain some fat if I wanted to gain muscle. Looking back, it’s a no-brainer, but at the time it was a tough pill to swallow. It was excruciatingly painful to watch myself smooth out, but I just swallowed hard and vowed to fight the flab later. This past January it was time to wage war on the fat and get ready for the summer. The problem is that now I am used to eating big. Since I don’t look like a fat pastey slob of a man anymore there really isn’t this “disguted with myself” panic motivation that I had the first time around. It is way too easy to cheat with my diet these days becuse I know that I can get away with it to a certain degree. I only maintain focus for few days before I have a breakdown and let loose (usually on protein bars). I feel out of control and weak when I give in to my cravings. The funny thing is that I know what I have to do because I have done it before. Mental focus on diet was never an issue in the past. I just can’t seem to bring my mind around again and stay on track. I don’t want to sound like a spineless wimp with no will power, but this really is a hell of a mind game. Any suggestions for staying on track and maintaining my mental focus during times like these?
January to June is a long time to diet. Do you really need to diet this long? Give yourself one cheat day a week, it may help you control your desires. OK here are some things I do: When you know you are eating too much, watch yourself eat in the mirror, it looks pretty gross. Drink lots of water. Wear clothes that are a bit too tight. When hungry, brush your teeth,or have sex, or go to bed early.Eat smaller amounts more frequently ( Ex: 1/2 a protein bar 1hr the other 1/2 the next) Add stuff like lettuce to your tuna for more bulk. Increase the intensity of your workouts to burn more calories. Visualize World Peace (just kidding)You know what to do. See yourself ripped and don’t let the food win!
Great suggestions! I started to diet in January because I had a testosterone sucking moment…errr…I mean…I got married in early March and wanted to look good for the “fun in the sun” honeymoon. I figure it will only take me eight weeks to get as ripped as I want, but at the rate I am going maybe I WILL need 6 months! Thanks again for the tips and words of encouragement!
Kevo, you sound like a prime candidate to start taking some supplements! Take the fatburner of your choice, some T2, and start cycling Androsol use, and you should see some significant leaning out even if you don’t change your diet. One of the nice side benefits of taking supplements is that they force you to get serious about the rest of your bodybuilding efforts so that you don’t waste your money. Also, don’t forget about the use 5-HTP to combat carb cravings. Really, if you start adding healthy fat to your diet (maybe 30% of calories), eat healthy foods with some bulk to them, eat frequently, use 5-HTP, use ECA or a similar fatburner, and try not to deprive yourself completely, I think that you’ll have no trouble tightening up your total calorie intake. One other tip is to make a chart that will cover 8 weeks. For those 8 weeks, you will on a daily basis either consume maintenance calories or have a calorie deficit of about 700 to 800 calories. Make 3 boxes for each week and place it on your fridge or somewhere prominent. Each time you can hold yourself to the 700 calorie deficit, make a big “X” through one of the boxes. I also make 4 “bonus boxes” to cover 8 weeks. This way, you will have a calorie deficit of about 2500-3000 calories per week, about enough to lose a pound per week. You will be cycling your calories, so that you body won’t adapt. And you will not feel deprived, as you have 3 or 4 maintenance calorie days per week, on days of your choosing.
come on t-bro just remember, “WE OVERCOME!” whenever i feel unmotivated i re-read Atomic Dog issue 136 Strength Training, Bodybuilding & Online Supplement Store - T NATION
i hope this helps
Thanks Brian and Arkane. I have been putting some serious thought lately into adopting a more comprehensive supplement regimen and have been intrigued by the biotest product line. Now might be the time for some action. I absolutely loved issue 136 and have in a copy that I refer to often. Hell, rather sadly I used to be a “Bob”. Not to the letter of course, because I DID show up at 6:00am on christmas morning to do something about it and now I proudly call myself a T-man! Thanks for the advice. Now it’s time for me to just suck it up and OVERCOME!
Just remember there are two kinds of pain in life. The pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Nuff said?