Really questioning my 'self worth' in the gym...

**skelooth** · 03-16-2007, 01:37 AM

Now that I frequent a powerlifting gym.... if I go there, I am always the smallest and weakest guy there... there are guys there the same age as me, who have literally 20-30 lbs on me, and are cut. There are powerlifters there who have 100lbs on me that lift more weight than I can even budge.

Now that I frequent a gym at a large school of 20k students.... I'm still one of the bigger guys there... but certainly not the biggest, and still pretty flabby compared to so many guys.

It's rough.

I feel like I used to be in so much better shape. I am pushing myself hard, keeping my diet in line.... and even though I am making gains I feel so insignificant in the gym lately.... like I don't even belong. I feel like some kind of newb.

I haven't felt like this since 3 years ago when I first started lifting. I felt like I didn't belong, like I didn't know what I was doing, and like I was some kind of 'cruel joke' of a newb.

Really just ranting.

I want to say it's intimidating working out amongst beasts, but intimidating is not the word. It just makes me incredibly conscious of myself. It makes me realize how far I haven't come, and how far I have to go.

**romanaz** · 03-16-2007, 02:37 AM

we all get that feeling bro. Its what drives me, knowing that I can do better

**bubba g** · 03-16-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skelooth

Now that I frequent a powerlifting gym.... if I go there, I am always the smallest and weakest guy there... there are guys there the same age as me, who have literally 20-30 lbs on me, and are cut. There are powerlifters there who have 100lbs on me that lift more weight than I can even budge.

Now that I frequent a gym at a large school of 20k students.... I'm still one of the bigger guys there... but certainly not the biggest, and still pretty flabby compared to so many guys.

It's rough.

I feel like I used to be in so much better shape. I am pushing myself hard, keeping my diet in line.... and even though I am making gains I feel so insignificant in the gym lately.... like I don't even belong. I feel like some kind of newb.

I haven't felt like this since 3 years ago when I first started lifting. I felt like I didn't belong, like I didn't know what I was doing, and like I was some kind of 'cruel joke' of a newb.

Really just ranting.

I want to say it's intimidating working out amongst beasts, but intimidating is not the word. It just makes me incredibly conscious of myself. It makes me realize how far I haven't come, and how far I have to go.

Bro...... Prozac.... ask for it by name....lol

**madman911** · 03-16-2007, 03:05 AM

Definitely, I still feel out of place in the gym sometimes. I often get discouraged that I'm not all that far ahead of the throngs who barely know what they're doing. I look at myself and I usually hate what I see. That's a big part of why I bodybuild, I have a horrible self-image. I still hate the way I look more often than not and I feel weak because my lifts are not impressive by any standard. I won't ever stop trying though... the other choice is to let my low self-esteem win and descend into a pit of self-loathing. I won't let myself revert back into a truly fat and weak individual. I know I'm fighting the good fight, and I keep my eye on that next step in my self-evolution. I will get there, nothing short of death will stop me. I don't know how to live any other way.

**romanaz** · 03-16-2007, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madman911

Definitely, I still feel out of place in the gym sometimes. I often get discouraged that I'm not all that far ahead of the throngs who barely know what they're doing. I look at myself and I usually hate what I see. That's a big part of why I bodybuild, I have a horrible self-image. I still hate the way I look more often than not and I feel weak because my lifts are not impressive by any standard. I won't ever stop trying though... the other choice is to let my low self-esteem win and descend into a pit of self-loathing. I won't let myself revert back into a truly fat and weak individual. I know I'm fighting the good fight, and I keep my eye on that next step in my self-evolution. I will get there, nothing short of death will stop me. I don't know how to live any other way.

word

**DJSTARER** · 03-16-2007, 03:36 AM

bump to romanaz

this feeling is what keeps me F****** rediculous when I squat.

**romanaz** · 03-16-2007, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

bump to romanaz

this feeling is what keeps me F****** rediculous when I squat.

word, how do you think I keep on benching skel?

**BigZeke** · 03-16-2007, 04:43 AM

Gyms around here are a joke. They're more fitness centers than anything. I'm probably one of the top 5 strongest people at my gym and that's sad.
I want to find a real gym with people to challenge me. If only we had a gym like Westside Barbell, Quads Gym or Gold's Venice.

**romanaz** · 03-16-2007, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigZeke

Gyms around here are a joke. They're more fitness centers than anything. I'm probably one of the top 5 strongest people at my gym and that's sad.
I want to find a real gym with people to challenge me. If only we had a gym like Westside Barbell, Quads Gym or Gold's Venice.

word. I have Nazareth Barbell near me, but as far as I can tell, they aren't open when I have time to go up there. I really wish I could go up there as I really could use a reality check and lift at least around guys who bench what I deadlift for speed.

**Succio** · 03-16-2007, 05:06 AM

im probably one of the strongest people at my gym too...so that gives you an idea of how bad it really is.

its great though, i feel like a god since people stare at me like im a freak, but what they are really staring at is the most dedicated person in the gym.

i never feel discouraged because rarely does anyone do more weight than me, and if they do, its half rom, 99% of the time.

danman77220 · 03-16-2007, 06:14 AM

Hey Skel, I know the feeling. When I started Beginning Weight Training I was one of the biggest and heaviest guys... but also one of the weakest. I was 6', weight 175, and my maxes were:

Bench: 102
Squat: 155
Military Press: 85

It was bad. I was so embarrassed my first few weeks, especially since the biggest roider in my school was in there at about ~155 pounds putting up 315 on bench and repping 205 easy on military. All his buddies were there too. But I got better. I gained about 10 lean pounds by the end of it and I was a lot stronger, and I'm still gaining. Don't get discouraged, man. Whenever I see someone weaker than me I just think good for them for working at it. And I doubt I'm the only one like that.

**powerman2000** · 03-16-2007, 09:10 AM

One word for you skel...............................Epistane

**skelooth** · 03-16-2007, 01:15 PM

Is it really that good powerman? I've heard a lot of talk about it...

Oldrookie · 03-16-2007, 01:42 PM

My training partner actually used to work out at Westside Barbell. It was pretty intimidating when I first started to work out with him. He has squated 660, deadlifted 725 and benched 425 and my best are (after working with him for about 4 years 500, 475 and 325 but my guess would be I started at about 225, 300, and 235. I guess my point is I although it was intimidating, sticking with it and starting to work with somebody who is knowledgeable can have a profound impact on your progress.

**Jayhawkk** · 03-16-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

I want to say it's intimidating working out amongst beasts, but intimidating is not the word. It just makes me incredibly conscious of myself. It makes me realize how far I haven't come, and how far I have to go.

We've all been there I think Skel. At least I know I have. I make sure to have the proper music in my mp3 player to try and veto my thoughts of worthlessness.

03-16-2007, 01:37 AM	#1
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,205 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158	Really questioning my 'self worth' in the gym... Now that I frequent a powerlifting gym.... if I go there, I am always the smallest and weakest guy there... there are guys there the same age as me, who have literally 20-30 lbs on me, and are cut. There are powerlifters there who have 100lbs on me that lift more weight than I can even budge. Now that I frequent a gym at a large school of 20k students.... I'm still one of the bigger guys there... but certainly not the biggest, and still pretty flabby compared to so many guys. It's rough. I feel like I used to be in so much better shape. I am pushing myself hard, keeping my diet in line.... and even though I am making gains I feel so insignificant in the gym lately.... like I don't even belong. I feel like some kind of newb. I haven't felt like this since 3 years ago when I first started lifting. I felt like I didn't belong, like I didn't know what I was doing, and like I was some kind of 'cruel joke' of a newb. Really just ranting. I want to say it's intimidating working out amongst beasts, but intimidating is not the word. It just makes me incredibly conscious of myself. It makes me realize how far I haven't come, and how far I have to go. __________________ R I P

03-16-2007, 03:05 AM	#4
madman911 Metamorphosizing Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston Area Posts: 1,543 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 62	Definitely, I still feel out of place in the gym sometimes. I often get discouraged that I'm not all that far ahead of the throngs who barely know what they're doing. I look at myself and I usually hate what I see. That's a big part of why I bodybuild, I have a horrible self-image. I still hate the way I look more often than not and I feel weak because my lifts are not impressive by any standard. I won't ever stop trying though... the other choice is to let my low self-esteem win and descend into a pit of self-loathing. I won't let myself revert back into a truly fat and weak individual. I know I'm fighting the good fight, and I keep my eye on that next step in my self-evolution. I will get there, nothing short of death will stop me. I don't know how to live any other way. __________________ Millennium Sport Technologies Sponsored Athlete http://www.millenniumsport.net IMPC 2006 Novice Division Champ IMPC 2007 Open Division Champ Never underestimate the power of the bandana.

03-16-2007, 03:36 AM	#6
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 4,142 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 116	bump to romanaz this feeling is what keeps me F**** rediculous when I squat. __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America** Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

03-16-2007, 04:43 AM	#8
BigZeke Bringing Lat Flares Back Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hell Raisin' and Girl Chasin' Posts: 2,343 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 71	Gyms around here are a joke. They're more fitness centers than anything. I'm probably one of the top 5 strongest people at my gym and that's sad. I want to find a real gym with people to challenge me. If only we had a gym like Westside Barbell, Quads Gym or Gold's Venice. __________________ Eat like a horse. Lift like a demon. Sleep like the dead. Only cheat on girls, never on your workouts My Workout Journal "I like the color red because it's a fire. And I see myself as always being on fire." -- Arnold Schwarzenegger

03-16-2007, 05:06 AM	#10
Succio IronMass Sponsor Join Date: May 2006 Location: beastville Posts: 1,958 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 99	im probably one of the strongest people at my gym too...so that gives you an idea of how bad it really is. its great though, i feel like a god since people stare at me like im a freak, but what they are really staring at is the most dedicated person in the gym. i never feel discouraged because rarely does anyone do more weight than me, and if they do, its half rom, 99% of the time. __________________ SUPPLEMENTS.NET REP

03-16-2007, 06:14 AM	#11
danman77220 Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,030 Recipes: 1 Rep Power: 50	Hey Skel, I know the feeling. When I started Beginning Weight Training I was one of the biggest and heaviest guys... but also one of the weakest. I was 6', weight 175, and my maxes were: Bench: 102 Squat: 155 Military Press: 85 It was bad. I was so embarrassed my first few weeks, especially since the biggest roider in my school was in there at about ~155 pounds putting up 315 on bench and repping 205 easy on military. All his buddies were there too. But I got better. I gained about 10 lean pounds by the end of it and I was a lot stronger, and I'm still gaining. Don't get discouraged, man. Whenever I see someone weaker than me I just think good for them for working at it. And I doubt I'm the only one like that. __________________ Accomplishment tastes better than cheesecake. Stats(/goals): Age: 18 Weight: 193 BF%: 19%/8% Max Lifts B: Poop S: Pee D: Status: Gaining back strength and size after tonsillectomy My Training Log

03-16-2007, 09:10 AM	#12
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,226 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 203	One word for you skel...............................Epistane __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

03-16-2007, 01:15 PM	#13
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,205 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158	Is it really that good powerman? I've heard a lot of talk about it... __________________ R I P

03-16-2007, 01:42 PM	#14
Oldrookie IMPC Contestant Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 259 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 8	I understand My training partner actually used to work out at Westside Barbell. It was pretty intimidating when I first started to work out with him. He has squated 660, deadlifted 725 and benched 425 and my best are (after working with him for about 4 years 500, 475 and 325 but my guess would be I started at about 225, 300, and 235. I guess my point is I although it was intimidating, sticking with it and starting to work with somebody who is knowledgeable can have a profound impact on your progress. __________________ "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." --Steve Prefontaine

03-16-2007, 02:45 PM	#16
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,205 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158