What seems to be Taiwan's Effect on Motivation and Lifestyle

Life Health & Fitness
1

My stay in Taiwan over the past two years has been an adventure but I must say that it has also knocked me out for the count when it comes to fitness.

I can’t believe that I once WAS a bodybuilder at 10% bodyfat and 290lbs. It freightens me that I can actually feel my health decline. Beer and cigarettes have become my stable instead of weights and cardio fitness.

I really don’t understand how or why I let myself decline in such a manner. Happiness perhaps? I often look back upon the days where I was lean and mucular, had a 500lbs bench press, 1000lbs hack squat and could cycle for hours.

To top it all off, I’m not an old man (27 years of age) and this is recent history. It’s not like it has been 15 years since. It’s frustrating to look at myself in the mirror or even climb a flight of stairs.

I keep telling myself to make a move but the only thing I can move towards is the fridge for a brew. Sickening and it always seems like something comes up either emotionally or financially (work) to steer me off course. Time isn’t a factor but psycologically something seems to stand in my way.

I might be ranting and for some of you that know the gym inside and out, like I used to (and still do in most respects) must be sayin to yourself “get up fatboy”. Easier said than done.

Any suggestions or tesitimonials?

I’ve never been this unhealthy.

2

A very drastic change for you, but I think you hit the nail on the head.

Figure out what that obstacle is, and what can be done about it. Anyone who could achieve your previous level of fitness has the potential to do this also.

Trust me, I think Taiwan can have a negative impact on some people. However, I’d be surprised if that was the full explanation for you. Do you think that Taiwan might just be a safe place for you to go through this drastic change, because it is away from home and people who know you?

EDIT: Forgot to mention - If you start doing some exercise again, every time you do, it will get easier and easier to motivate yourself to do it again. Funny cycle. Exercising makes you psychologically want to exercise more. Endorphines and all that stuff - healingsprings.com/ENDORPHINS.htm

3

Just keep jumpin’ back on the horse. I don’t know what body builders do, but I just started running everyday, then started swimming and doing the other exercises I like to do.

I was up 15 kilos from where I am now this time last year. Things start off real slow, but you’ll be lean and mean again in no time. It’s just getting over that initial hump (when you go to the track and can only do like 4 laps before wanting to go home :P).

4

“Trust me, I think Taiwan can have a negative impact on some people. However, I’d be surprised if that was the full explanation for you. Do you think that Taiwan might just be a safe place for you to go through this drastic change, because it is away from home and people who know you?”

You might have just sumed it up. I think about what you have mentioned and that could be the truth. Although I do like to remind myself often alone or with company that I was and still could bem that MONSTER I once was.

Sometimes when I arrived here I felt like an utter freak show. I would only venture out at night so I could avoid the constant harassment. Ya, sounds like fun to some but it can really get to you. Also I find more posetive attention even if people like to mention that I’ve gotten fat. I could sit here and jusitify anything at the moment.

The truth be told is that I’m not happy and I realise that sitting on a godforsaken website doesn’t change that fact.

Back home I was one of the youngest to be that size, strength and stature. It was accepted and propelled me to areas in life some people only sit around and dream of. Ironically that would be me. Dreaming of the past.

Interesting how life changes in an instant. Life is full of ups and downs and hopefully I can pull this around and make a come back. Almost want to WOW myself as much as others.

P’z

5

Now I think you’re getting somewhere. You’ll be much farther down the path when you can delete from that sentence the word “almost” and replace “as much as” with “more than”.

Sure, it’s possible to waste loads of time on this or any other website. It’s also possible to use it as an effective tool to help reach your goals. Through interaction with others, you might gain some crucial insight into how you got from A to B, and what the route from B forward might look like.

Good luck and keep the discussion going if it’s helpful.

6

It makes me feel good to talk about this.

Everytime I remind myself that at 18 I became a bodybuilder and say at 215lbs on a 6 foot 1 frame.

Timeline:

16 years of age: extremely over weight and hovering around 350lbs.

17 to 18 years of age: I dropped over 100lbs in 6 months time due to my constant enjoyment of sports and weight training. At 18 I became 215lbs down from over 350lbs.

18 to 19 years of age: I became involved in martial arts, mountain biking and other seemingly ego boosting endevours such as doorman work and street fighting.

20 years of age: My weight was up to a lean 260lbs benching 405 for 12 reps. 80lbs standing bicep curls for 8 . 315lbs behind the neck military (8 reps) press and a 615lbs free squat (10 reps).

21 years of age: hovering between 275lbs and 290lbs at a constant 10% bodyfat and an utter freak show in the gym. Both with the weights and within the community. Bodybuilding or otherwise. Competed in a strongman competition that took place in London, Ontario, Canada. Took 3rd but was the youngest competitor by 8 years. 20 participents.

23 years of age: dropped my weight to 245lbs and was lookin mean and more purportional. Strength was up but the stress on my body was starting to take it’s toll. Shoulder injuries followed but never operated on. Torn Pectorial muscle with needed rehab. Still lookin good. Had awesome abilities and actually more atheletic.

24 years of age: major blow within my life. Yet another family member passing. The last of my family actually. Ended up following my wife (ex wife as of now) to Taiwan. Started out my stay in Taiwan as a semi-bodybuilder and compared to most if not all, I was far beyond average. Both foreigner and local alike.

27 years of age: Alcohol has gotten to me. Smoking cigarettes! I’m hovering around 340lbs and deserve a diaper because that’s how appear in the mirror.

Truth is; I would have never have seen myself hit this point of decline. My health is suffering now and I’m comming to the realisation that I’m not a kid anymore. Bouncing back is a harder option than it was before. Overcomming injuries is tough.

I still have that inner gusto when I think about this but I fear as if it’s all futile. Why? Well, simply put I’m not fighting anyone but myself and I don’t see a need to get up and become a killer again. I feel relaxed about it. Possibly too relaxed.

Lookin for that motivation I once had. It would be nice. Something to fight for. To win.

Achievements:
100lbs Bicep curls for 8 reps.
365lbs behind the neck military press for 8 to 10 reps.
565lbs flat bench press
Dips could be done with a 100lbs weight strapped around my neck for 8 reps.
Tricep laying extension (French curls/Skull crushers) 285 lbs for 8 reps.
Hack Squat was around 1200lbs (no room left to put weights onto the rack) for 8 reps.
Leg Press: Room used up and I had a buddy of mine sit on the rack itself.
Lats couldn’t be tested. There wasn’t a machine that had enough weight. I literally had wings.
Standing Rows with Olympic bar was 405lbs for 8 reps.

If it wasn’t worth doing for 8 reps. I wouldn’t do it.

My buddy Ryan and I would laugh at people doing the “ego” sets of 1 to 4 reps. Bodybuilding was my life. I enjoyed the power and comfort of being that large. It was something many people couldn’t grasp. As many people that would make disrespectful comments upon passing me or even to my face, I would giggle. They didn’t know what sort of work went into that. It consumes you and also makes you a perfectionist in other interests such as: school or your job. Plus nightclubs were fun because every woman that says it’s disgusting 5 others would be saying : Oh My God panties melt off

Ha, I’m getting a kick out of reading my own post. The thoughts are the same but the action is not.

Time to hit the fridge. Nothing I can do right now. :blush:

7

A lot of people who have achieved impressive results in sports or the arts at an early age sink in their 20s when they reach a new level of competition for which they simply cannot compete. I remember a friend who was always the most talented singer in school. When she got to university and realized she was no longer the best, she could not cope and responded not with harder work and grit and determination to reach the top but by essentially giving up and coasting. You would not have expected this from this woman as she was extremely hard working and determined as a teen. But then our dreams and aspirations don’t always carry over into adulthood.

It seems that happened to you when you hit Taiwan. You said that you couldn’t even rank. Big ego blow. Did you think to yourself, “If I can’t be number one, I won’t be anything.”

It seems to me you have two choices: accept that you peaked in this arena and humbly move on, or still dream of greatness even while you ensure that it can never happen.

The latter option is really seductive. It’s not only a good way of protecting yourself (after all, as a fat man you can’t possibly be blamed for not winning a competition) but it still allows you to feel the occassional burst of motivation and call to greatness. Hell, you may even be inspired to work hard for a few months every year or two. You may roller-coaster like this for the next 10 years until real age makes the dream not longer even a possibility.

I suggest you stop the dreaming now and avoid wasting the next decade. You don’t seem to have the true motivation to win so give it up. Find a new reason for staying in shape though because you won’t be able to respect yourself if you are not.

8

I talked to you about six months ago on yahoo. You were in a funk much like this one and I remember telling you, “If you don’t think you can take the ‘heat’, get off the island”. I hope things are better now than they were then and I hope the hand is feeling better.

As far as lifting goes, I myself have recently trudged back into the gym. Weights are all horribly low, I’m a chunky bastard and I feel like the token fat guy working out, but it’s getting better. I’m heading to Taiwan in less than a week. If I’m in your area, I’d love to have a workout partner. PM me if you’re interested.

9

Monster,

I had one more thought about your situation that might be of use to you.

Your weightlifting accomplishments are something to be proud of. But that is what they are – accomplishments – good things that are finished and in the past. It is truly impossible for you or anyone else to maintain any given point in their personal history. Something will always change.

You can rightly look to your past accomplishments with pride. They should be a source of motivation for you, but not a road map to be followed back to that same destination.

Instead of making yourself feel bad for not achieving the impossible, why don’t you set a new goal. Why don’t you try to achieve something new? Something that is not a recreation of a point in your past.

Good luck,

Seeker4

10

I suspect that you are slowly realizing that you’ve been running on pure ego all this time and are beginning to see the shallowness of that. I could do this, I could do that, I was so bloody awesome you wouldn’t believe it…

Myabe now you can get into fitness for it’s own sake. For the sheer pleasure of it.

11

Bob and Mucha Man had really good points. I can’t even add to it.

As for Pissed Pookie and Seeker4 again quality but this isn’t a time for an easy going solution.

I’m going to have to do something about this soon or it will be a hell of a trip back. Well, it already is…but sitting here stagnant isn’t changin much.

12

I’m kind of a simple guy I admit but for what it’s worth I’d just try and remember how great you used to feel during and after a workout. It might not feel like that for the first couple of weeks but if you get started it will again soon enough and then exercise will be something you WANT to do.

13

get off your ass already.

Stop whining on the internet forum about this and go to the gym!

Weren’t you getting back in shape before? Why’d you pay for a gym membership if you’re not going to use it?

It’s not Taiwan that’s getting you down, its the way YOU are choosing to live. Maybe back home more people genuinely care about you and are supportive, so you don’t get down as easy. But you know you can do it. You’ve done it before.

So just go everyday. Re-establish your schedule. Whine about your muscles aching instead of you not being able to get up from your chair.

Or at least do something that makes you happy everyday. The happier you are with yourself/life, the easier it is to get back on track, right?

Also, if you end up with a hard lump for a liver at forty and can’t breathe anymore cause your lungs have harden coats of tar on them, I’ll have nothing to say but, “I told you so.” And no sympathy.

14

The trip back can be a very satisfying experience. I’m currently dropping just a little weight each week. Never done that before. I was a results guy. Need it now. The slow road makes more sense and I hope to even out soon without a rebound.

“Sitting here” is the thing. It’s the moment you decide to start instead of thinking about it that counts.

I hope we hear about the MONSTER action soon. I’d just about bet money you go back to bodybuilding. Trouble with that is there is never enough muscle and it becomes an obsession instead of a healthy lifestyle.

Just my opinion here based on 27 years of body building/ fitness training/ gym instructor/ Triathalons/ Marathons and tertiary education in the field and most importantly my own battles with the ups and downs of fat and fitness.

15

In terms of Behaviour Modification, you need to replace the behaviours you want to stop with healthier alternatives. Next time you feel the urge to grab a beer, drink a big-a$$ glass of water. Same with the smoking. Although smoking and drinking make you feel better at the moment, they rob you of the motivation you need to actually get in to the gym. Actually getting yourself into the gym is half the battle. Once you’re there, start low and go slow. You’ll begin to see the results and this should motivate you to keep improving.

Think about cutting out refined carbs as well and adding a few supplements like creatine and protein supplements. And drink water. LOTS and LOTS of WATER…

16

Damn! Your name suits you if this is true. :notworthy:

17

???

An easy-going solution? I’m asking if you need a partner to better torture yourself at the weightroom and you think I’m being easy going?

WTF?

18

[quote]An easy-going solution? I’m asking if you need a partner to better torture yourself at the weightroom and you think I’m being easy going?

WTF?
[/quote]

Naw man, don’t think that I didn’t appreciate the offer but I have trained for almost ten years. Within that time I’ve had novices or friends ask me to train with them. Each time I’ve done so, I get extremely annoyed when someone is yelling at me. The same in the reverse cannot be said. I notice lots of guys like to be yelled at like a Drill Sergeant and it works for them. For me I zone out and stare at myself in disgust or in admiration of how the weight and/or my phyique looks. At times I grunt and yell at the weights. Makes me look completely insane. I’ve kicked dumbells when I couldnt do that extra rep, dropped them to the floor or even tossed them.
No music either. I like to hear what’s going on around me. Odd.

I’ve never known a pro or even someone seriously obsessed with weight training to train with a partner unless they needed help for a spot on larger weights. I simply ask someone in the gym to help out. Babbling now. Thanks though.

19

Hey M0NSTER,

I don’t know if you’re getting back in shape or still moping. Sometimes I find when I’m losing the motivation to do anything, helping others gives me the encouragement to continue on. Kinda like your own relationships fail but you’re really good at giving others advice.

I could use some help at the gym.

20

[quote=“914”]Hey M0NSTER,

I don’t know if you’re getting back in shape or still moping. Sometimes I find when I’m losing the motivation to do anything, helping others gives me the encouragement to continue on. Kinda like your own relationships fail but you’re really good at giving others advice.

I could use some help at the gym.[/quote]

I could honestly and confidently give you sound advice but if you are looking to me to lead at the moment, well then I can’t be much inspiration. If you’d like, just post what you want to work on (areas) , what you enjoy doing, eating habits and daily schedule. I think I would be able to help set up something that could help ya improve. If you’d like to get technical; you could send me a photo (unflattering) so I can evalutate where to work on. When I first came to Taiwan I met with alot of guys with the same interest. They took some sound advice. I find alot of dudes here concentrate on chest and biceps more than anything else. Trick is to hit those least favorate body parts twice as hard. Most of the guys I see here resemble turkey’s. I could go on…but.