blastthru23
Moderator
Over the last week or so, life has dealt it's cards in such a way that made it difficult to train with the intensity and duration that I strive to attain. The circumstances of this past period, got my mind to thinking of what it takes to run a successful cycle, and what came to mind as the most fundamental elements of success is discipline, for without it, I would just be sailing without any direction.
We've got our gear in hand, out ancillary on-cycle supports, and have our PCT drugs all in hand, and a box full of 3ml, 25g pins and 22g sharps, ready to go! We've meticulously planned our diets, and have designed a training split that fits with our work schedule, but it's hella tight. We've taken steps to inform our loved ones that for the next 8-20 weeks we'll be training hard, eating weird food, and getting home late. Probably no date nights either (but, that crazy libido you'll have will keep your little lady happy, hopefully). You've posted your cycle log, and a some bro's, have helped you make some adjustments and amendments to your cycle, and probably diet, and are cheering you on. You feel like its go time!
A couple of week or so goes by, and the compounds have taken full effect. I feel like the goddamn Hulk, Thor, or a Bad Ass Mutha Fucka in general. Then out of fucking nowhere, shit hits the fan. Work commitments increase, something happens to a close friend or loved one that causes the emotions to go nuts. Your son or daughter is home sick for a few days, and it's making it impossible to keep on that tight training regime that took hella time to figure out. Life's challenges don't stop just because I'm running gear. I have to meet them squarely, adjust, and continue on as planned, at least as best as one can.
When life gets tough, its quite easy to say, "fuck it, I'm going to in and out burger and eat whatever the fuck." Or, "fuck it, I'm burnt, so I'm going to go home a watch netflix, I'll make up for lost training time later." ('Later' rarely ever comes. Besides how can I fit calves and hams with back day?? That's complete insanity). These thoughts have crossed my mind many times, but I haven't given in to those bad ideas, though at times I though they were good ideas. However, I do recognize that balance is required too. So, maybe I will cut an exercise out of a routine I had planned for the day, but, I go nonetheless. I am not perfect, that's for sure.
Back when I was a "monk" in a Hindu ashram in India, a sadhu that I regularly visited to discuss philosophy, and among other things, the difficulties of conquering the mind. One day, I was tired, maybe even burned out on the rigorous schedule of ashram life (waking at 3:30 am and going non-stop till 10-11 pm. I managed to tool shed, so, often I had to wake up at 1 am for late night work projects). The sadhu told me that this is the most important time to keep practicing your meditation. If you give in to the laziness, you merely strengthen laziness. To conquer laziness, you must do the opposite. This principal is easy to apply to any activity that requires discipline, especially our pursuits in bodybuilding, strength training, power lifting, etc.
If you get a chance, go check out Calm's pre-contest log. Check out how she conquered her obstacles. It wasn't easy as she illustrated her frustration very clearly. But, look where she is at now! She is one helluva an inspiration, so fucking disciplined in her pursuit of the stage. I know many of us are not on that path, or at some point perhaps plan to go that route. But for now, we must practice discipline, for practice makes perfect, and perfect is success. Don't give in to the trifling weak minded shit that our society holds so dear. Fuck convenience, convenience doesn't make us strong, it makes us weaklings, and puts us on our way to the Home for the Useless (Ayn Rand's Anthem).
Nevertheless, we'll make mistakes along the way. Take note of those, and next time do it different. If you're plum tuckered out, go to the gym anyways, even if its for a half hour doing some arms, and abs, fuck it, you made it. And, more likely than not, I'll bet you stayed for at least an hour! So you want to eat a big fat drenched hamburger, go home, and make lean meat burger, maybe put a little olive oil or coconut oil on the bread (yes, go ahead, a slice or two of bread won't kill ya) to give it that flavor or texture. There, you've satisfied your craving (cravings are rather easy to satisfy, really. Kind of like dudes, not that complicated especially when it comes to bedroom activities). Kick your feet up, because you just won the battle. Maybe not the best fight you put up, but you won by decision, rather than KO.
