Such little progress...
bbell1985
Posts: 4,571 Member
I have been training my butt off for years. I've gotten lean, I've bulked and cut, I've maintained and recomped (maybe?), gained accidentally while training very hard...and in the end, sitting somewhere in the middle of my highest and lowest weight...I barely look any different.
I have had a coach. My training is progressive, and difficult and anal.
I barely look different from the first time I was this weight, even considering how hard I have trained over the years.
And to top it off, I'm really not that strong.
It's been 3.5 years since I've started all this. Will another year make a difference? Are my goals of strength and physique too conflicting? Or am I just genetically predisposed to a crap body that can only maintain it's weight on 1800 calories?
When I first made this thread it was called "so many years...so little progress". Maybe I'm just comparing myself to people who really HAVE been training so many years. Maybe it's just that I started so late and 3.5 years is nothing compared to 10...
Sorry guys. I'm so frustrated tonight.
14
Replies
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First if that’s you in profile you are hot. It’s easy to see you train and put most people out there to shame.
What have your goals been? Are they all body image ones? Those aren’t bad but hard to judge ourselves. Maybe look at some goals that are quantifiable by a log. I strength train and I can easily see progression every week. Hitting anew PR always is an advancement. I couldn’t tell body differences until others comment on it.
Will another year help? Maybe, maybe not. I can promise you if you don’t lift you won’t look as good down the road.0 -
First if that’s you in profile you are hot. It’s easy to see you train and put most people out there to shame.
What have your goals been? Are they all body image ones? Those aren’t bad but hard to judge ourselves. Maybe look at some goals that are quantifiable by a log. I strength train and I can easily see progression every week. Hitting anew PR always is an advancement. I couldn’t tell body differences until others comment on it.
Will another year help? Maybe, maybe not. I can promise you if you don’t lift you won’t look as good down the road.
Good lighting and angle.
My goals are sometimes training for powerlifting. Once a year I tend to want to lean out. Trust me...every workout for 3.5 years have been logged. My training is in an excel sheet and laid out in 9 week blocks. I don't see progression every week as I am not beginner enough to work in a linear fashion.
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Have you ever looked at The Hybrid Performance Method plans? I've been tempted, but haven't wanted to pay. But it really sounds like right up your alley. Strength of a powerlifter with the physique of a bodybuilder.
https://www.hybridperformancemethod.com/
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You know I think you look great, but I also know we are our own toughest critics and nothing others say can snap us out of that sometimes.
What is it exactly you are unhappy about physique wise? How do you want to look different.. specifically? Are you not satisfied with the amount of muscle you have? The definition you can see? Is it any area in particular? Who are you comparing yourself to? Do these people make their living in the fitness industry?
Also keep in mind, when you are already at certain level, changes can be smaller and harder to detect. You won't transform like you did in the beginning.. and if you have very specific goals.. you have to focus on them. For example if you wanted to look more like a bikini or figure competitor, you have to train like one and put your focus on that. It could be years and years of deliberate muscle building, sometimes at the expense of strength/powerlifting goals I would imagine.
In my case, my physique goals have definitely come at the expense of my strength. And I am ok with that for the most part because that is the path I chose.
If you want to stick to both bodybuilding and powerlifting goals at the same time.. that is perfectly fine. But just realize you may have to adjust your expectations.9 -
I am not sure what your goals are, but I looked at all your pics and you even looked good in the pic dated 2014. you have definitely made a lot of progress since then.
The only thing I think is you are your own worst enemy and expect a lot. I wish I had the same comparable body as you do for a man. I would be ripped, instead I am this pudgy guy who still needs to lose 40lbs.4 -
I think your body looks incredible. You look pretty much like my goal. But I understand where you're coming from. I've been lifting for 5 years now. I definitely look different than when I started, but I feel like I dont look like I lift. Friends I haven't seen in awhile always comment on my muscles, so I guess they're there, but it's hard to see it in ourselves. You look amazing.2
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I have the same frustrations.
My body doesn't seem to respond or look how, in my head, it should look, based on how much I do, and the effort it takes...
I get frustrated seeing other people who have been training for less time, not necessarily under optimal conditions, and seem to explode with growth. And hearing about girls eating mountains. I know comparing isn't good, and not really possible as you can't know what others do and how their body responds, but... Urgh.
I've kind of given up, and trying to find less physique based goals to focus on. I just want to be fit and healthy, and like what I look like every day. Investigating my long-term hormonal issues (probably brought about by training/dieting) has made me think that hormonally I'm not in a good position to try and grow muscle anyway. Just recently made steps to work on those issues, and I'll be interested to see if/when it makes any difference to my training and results.6 -
Hopefully this doesn't sound creepy...
You (and a couple of other women on MFP) are one of the reasons I started lifting weights. I saw your profile picture change over the last few years and I was really wowed and envious. Do not belittle yourself and just call it angle and lighting. We all have moments when we feel less than great about ourselves. Do not let these moments overshadow your achievements. You are f'ing awesome!6 -
So many things we want come at a price and many scarifies. For example, I'll be 50 this year, been lifting for about 4 years. Getting leaner for me would be great, but comes at a price hormonally and this affects my health to a great degree. Not worth it to me.
Also I don't power lift or do these super duper heavy weights, my bench press would make you laugh right out of your chair. I've improved and that's okay with me. This is not to say I don't feel weak compared to those that post all those huge amounts of weights they are lifting everyday because I do.
As far as looking different, I make small improvements each year. I bulk each year so I can eat more. Go ahead and laugh, but its true. I eat crap calories to maintain and I hate that so much, you and I are similar in height. Hearing and seeing these women that are eating 2000-2250-2500+ calories to maintain makes me feel ill. lol
I think I already exercise way more than the average person does and increasing that more will only have me tearing my body down and most likely working myself into over use injuries, etc.. So I kind of go the safe route but push my limits on a smaller scale. I have to train smarter not harder.
All this said, being happy with our progress and what we look like never comes from comparing ourselves to others, actually it has the opposite effect in how we should be feeling about ourselves. Its so hard not to, we are human after all, its taken me years to get to the confidence level I am at today, someone asked not too long ago 'who is your body goal twin'? I don't have one, I/we have our own uniqueness and genetics, not much we can do about that.
You never have conflicting goals, you just need to prioritize and set in the motion the best laid plan to achieve them. I have seen you progress over the years as well as other ladies here and so please don't ever think you you don't inspire other women. Just look at your profile pic, do you know how many women would love to look like you? Always keep this in mind and hopefully getting this off your chest (cause it does me) and seeing others replies lifts your spirits up, and yes another year will matter just set expectations within reach, set your own personal records, becoming more mentally and emotionally strong is just as important as strength goals are. I've seen this so many times "progress not perfection'.10 -
Honestly, I think the bigger issue is your own thoughts, expectations and attitudes about how you look.
Some of how we look is determined by genetics and we can only do so much about that. As others have said, you look great. Strong, fit. Just great! You discount that and say good angles and lighting but you have multiple pics in your profile. Self acceptance may be the issue that needs the most work.11 -
mom23mangos wrote: »Have you ever looked at The Hybrid Performance Method plans? I've been tempted, but haven't wanted to pay. But it really sounds like right up your alley. Strength of a powerlifter with the physique of a bodybuilder.
https://www.hybridperformancemethod.com/
I opened the page last night but fell asleep. I wrote the post while very cranky at 2 am.Will look!1 -
You know I think you look great, but I also know we are our own toughest critics and nothing others say can snap us out of that sometimes.
What is it exactly you are unhappy about physique wise? How do you want to look different.. specifically? Are you not satisfied with the amount of muscle you have? The definition you can see? Is it any area in particular? Who are you comparing yourself to? Do these people make their living in the fitness industry?
Also keep in mind, when you are already at certain level, changes can be smaller and harder to detect. You won't transform like you did in the beginning.. and if you have very specific goals.. you have to focus on them. For example if you wanted to look more like a bikini or figure competitor, you have to train like one and put your focus on that. It could be years and years of deliberate muscle building, sometimes at the expense of strength/powerlifting goals I would imagine.
In my case, my physique goals have definitely come at the expense of my strength. And I am ok with that for the most part because that is the path I chose.
If you want to stick to both bodybuilding and powerlifting goals at the same time.. that is perfectly fine. But just realize you may have to adjust your expectations.
I know this is true. I guess in the beginning while fat was coming off, I didn't have to consider it as much. I just lifted and ate less and seemed to look better and better.
What am I unhappy about? I guess the fact that I cannot for some reason be 130-135 lbs. That's when I look lean and good. I'm 5'4". That's still not even that small for my height and here I am, pretty well versed on nutrition and fitness, and I CANNOT DO IT. I am always fluffing up to 145-150.
I also want to eat more. Sometimes I feel like I'm broken.3 -
Hopefully this doesn't sound creepy...
You (and a couple of other women on MFP) are one of the reasons I started lifting weights. I saw your profile picture change over the last few years and I was really wowed and envious. Do not belittle yourself and just call it angle and lighting. We all have moments when we feel less than great about ourselves. Do not let these moments overshadow your achievements. You are f'ing awesome!
Really? That makes me smile. Or at least it will tomorrow when I'm feeling less pissed off.
I'm really glad you found lifting. Do you love it?1 -
So many things we want come at a price and many scarifies. For example, I'll be 50 this year, been lifting for about 4 years. Getting leaner for me would be great, but comes at a price hormonally and this affects my health to a great degree. Not worth it to me.
Also I don't power lift or do these super duper heavy weights, my bench press would make you laugh right out of your chair. I've improved and that's okay with me. This is not to say I don't feel weak compared to those that post all those huge amounts of weights they are lifting everyday because I do.
As far as looking different, I make small improvements each year. I bulk each year so I can eat more. Go ahead and laugh, but its true. I eat crap calories to maintain and I hate that so much, you and I are similar in height. Hearing and seeing these women that are eating 2000-2250-2500+ calories to maintain makes me feel ill. lol
I think I already exercise way more than the average person does and increasing that more will only have me tearing my body down and most likely working myself into over use injuries, etc.. So I kind of go the safe route but push my limits on a smaller scale. I have to train smarter not harder.
All this said, being happy with our progress and what we look like never comes from comparing ourselves to others, actually it has the opposite effect in how we should be feeling about ourselves. Its so hard not to, we are human after all, its taken me years to get to the confidence level I am at today, someone asked not too long ago 'who is your body goal twin'? I don't have one, I/we have our own uniqueness and genetics, not much we can do about that.
You never have conflicting goals, you just need to prioritize and set in the motion the best laid plan to achieve them. I have seen you progress over the years as well as other ladies here and so please don't ever think you you don't inspire other women. Just look at your profile pic, do you know how many women would love to look like you? Always keep this in mind and hopefully getting this off your chest (cause it does me) and seeing others replies lifts your spirits up, and yes another year will matter just set expectations within reach, set your own personal records, becoming more mentally and emotionally strong is just as important as strength goals are. I've seen this so many times "progress not perfection'.
But you could write a book. You are wise and rational. I am not.
You did bring something up here that I do want to address. I definitely don't have a "twin" or a body goal set by a fitness model I follow or something. I do like ME. I just want it to be better and better.2 -
I've been following your progress for about three years and I've seen a lot of changes in your progress pics. You have always been very hard on yourself but your friendw definitely see it differently. Believe us when we tell you how much improvements we see. You inspire a lot of people and just keep going. It's a mind game right now but you are doing amazing.3
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The key is consistency also to shock your body every 6 to 8 weeks change your exercise plan being consistent your body gets used to things and goes to a stalemate in the plateau. so once you shock them things will change it also depends on your body type whether your endomorph mesomorph or ectomorph if you decide what your body type is you can make a exercise regimen according to that that would help a big deal14
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Hopefully this doesn't sound creepy...
You (and a couple of other women on MFP) are one of the reasons I started lifting weights. I saw your profile picture change over the last few years and I was really wowed and envious. Do not belittle yourself and just call it angle and lighting. We all have moments when we feel less than great about ourselves. Do not let these moments overshadow your achievements. You are f'ing awesome!
Really? That makes me smile. Or at least it will tomorrow when I'm feeling less pissed off.
I'm really glad you found lifting. Do you love it?
I probably started about 3 years ago - but I really took my time getting going! The first 6 months I was really working more on balance/stability/technique more than strength. I did want to get a little more serious about it after seeing some of the awesome ladies on this site. It might not seem like a big deal to you but you went to a competition where you moved a lot of weight. That is very inspiring! Seriously - that is some super hero *kitten*.
At the moment I love deadlifts and glute bridges. I get really excited about adding weight to overhead press and bench press. I do not love squats - I do them but grumble about it.1 -
bigitalian6241 wrote: »The key is consistency also to shock your body every 6 to 8 weeks change your exercise plan being consistent your body gets used to things and goes to a stalemate in the plateau. so once you shock them things will change it also depends on your body type whether your endomorph mesomorph or ectomorph if you decide what your body type is you can make a exercise regimen according to that that would help a big deal
Sorry friend, but no. At least you reminded me that I do know the answer because it is not this. I just thought I was doing it (picking a goal, training with specificity, and a progressive overload).5 -
Hopefully this doesn't sound creepy...
You (and a couple of other women on MFP) are one of the reasons I started lifting weights. I saw your profile picture change over the last few years and I was really wowed and envious. Do not belittle yourself and just call it angle and lighting. We all have moments when we feel less than great about ourselves. Do not let these moments overshadow your achievements. You are f'ing awesome!
Really? That makes me smile. Or at least it will tomorrow when I'm feeling less pissed off.
I'm really glad you found lifting. Do you love it?
I probably started about 3 years ago - but I really took my time getting going! The first 6 months I was really working more on balance/stability/technique more than strength. I did want to get a little more serious about it after seeing some of the awesome ladies on this site. It might not seem like a big deal to you but you went to a competition where you moved a lot of weight. That is very inspiring! Seriously - that is some super hero *kitten*.
At the moment I love deadlifts and glute bridges. I get really excited about adding weight to overhead press and bench press. I do not love squats - I do them but grumble about it.
I don't think I moved big weight. That's the thing. I barely have a 225 squat. I hit 240 in the gym ONCE.
I need to get back into overhead press. Man that is a slow one.1 -
Hopefully this doesn't sound creepy...
You (and a couple of other women on MFP) are one of the reasons I started lifting weights. I saw your profile picture change over the last few years and I was really wowed and envious. Do not belittle yourself and just call it angle and lighting. We all have moments when we feel less than great about ourselves. Do not let these moments overshadow your achievements. You are f'ing awesome!
Really? That makes me smile. Or at least it will tomorrow when I'm feeling less pissed off.
I'm really glad you found lifting. Do you love it?
I probably started about 3 years ago - but I really took my time getting going! The first 6 months I was really working more on balance/stability/technique more than strength. I did want to get a little more serious about it after seeing some of the awesome ladies on this site. It might not seem like a big deal to you but you went to a competition where you moved a lot of weight. That is very inspiring! Seriously - that is some super hero *kitten*.
At the moment I love deadlifts and glute bridges. I get really excited about adding weight to overhead press and bench press. I do not love squats - I do them but grumble about it.
I don't think I moved big weight. That's the thing. I barely have a 225 squat. I hit 240 in the gym ONCE.
I need to get back into overhead press. Man that is a slow one.
That is pretty freaking heavy. I don't think I will ever get to the point where I can say I only squat 225!
1 -
Hopefully this doesn't sound creepy...
You (and a couple of other women on MFP) are one of the reasons I started lifting weights. I saw your profile picture change over the last few years and I was really wowed and envious. Do not belittle yourself and just call it angle and lighting. We all have moments when we feel less than great about ourselves. Do not let these moments overshadow your achievements. You are f'ing awesome!
Really? That makes me smile. Or at least it will tomorrow when I'm feeling less pissed off.
I'm really glad you found lifting. Do you love it?
I probably started about 3 years ago - but I really took my time getting going! The first 6 months I was really working more on balance/stability/technique more than strength. I did want to get a little more serious about it after seeing some of the awesome ladies on this site. It might not seem like a big deal to you but you went to a competition where you moved a lot of weight. That is very inspiring! Seriously - that is some super hero *kitten*.
At the moment I love deadlifts and glute bridges. I get really excited about adding weight to overhead press and bench press. I do not love squats - I do them but grumble about it.
I don't think I moved big weight. That's the thing. I barely have a 225 squat. I hit 240 in the gym ONCE.
I need to get back into overhead press. Man that is a slow one.
That is pretty freaking heavy. I don't think I will ever get to the point where I can say I only squat 225! 2 -
This content has been removed.
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I think with this journey sometimes it’s hard to recognize how far we’ve come and focus on how much further we want to go. I, like you, feel “stuck” at the moment..I have a progressive program and haven’t been training as hard as I have nearly as long as you...but you are more motivational than you think! I used to have a different account on here forever ago now where I saw your progress and followed you on IG (creeper!)..watching you push yourself with your compound lifts motivated me to do the same and go heavy! I think you not only look amazing, but think how you keep pushing on regardless if you feel you’re not making as big of strides as you want...you never quit..even if you scale back the aggressiveness..you never quit and it shows. Keep kicking *kitten*.4
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I think we've all been where your at. We are our worst critic. There are times I'll look at a picture of myself 5 years ago and wish I could look like that again. The crazy part is is that when I was in that picture 5 years ago, I wasn't satisfied and happy with my look. We will never achieve true happiness in our physique because it is a hunger that is coming from our vanity. It will never be quenched. What helps is to refocus and examine why you want to be in shape. Is it because you want people to notice you and see how great you look? If so, vanity will rob your happiness. If you want to be in shape to prolong your life and have more energy and feel better? Then satisfaction will come sooner. You look great in your photo and many many many women would wish to be in your shoes. Don't let vanity rob you of the joy you should have in the moment you are in. Just my thoughts.8
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Honestly, I think the bigger issue is your own thoughts, expectations and attitudes about how you look.
Some of how we look is determined by genetics and we can only do so much about that. As others have said, you look great. Strong, fit. Just great! You discount that and say good angles and lighting but you have multiple pics in your profile. Self acceptance may be the issue that needs the most work.
This! 3 -
Just wanted to drop by and say that you look amazing! Definitely where I would like to be at some point I am just as hard on myself- I have been lifting for about 3 years now and feel like I don't look all that different to where I started, so I know how you feel! 1
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I too have stuck to programs, I’ve lifted for almost 4 years and just not where I feel I should be. When I see women squatting 65-95 lbs at my gym with massive quads and butts I’m like wtf?!? I’m killing myself over here in the gym, eating 2500-2600 cals and no growth in my legs. Believe me I’ve tried every damn program imaginable. And stuck to them. I’ve just went ahead and realized it’s probably because I started lifting at 35 and never played sports or anything, and also genetics at this point and try to work on strength more than physique more these days. I guess we just have to keep grinding!! Don’t be too hard on yourself. You look great!1
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I feel for ya. . . I really do. I came to a similar conclusion maybe a year and a half ago about myself. Although I've never really lifted that heavy. I have a small frame and my little joints can't handle too much. HOWEVER I am very happy with the progress I've made with my upper body in particular. I was a definite pear shape before (now slightly less pear) and my upper body was soooo tiny and bony. I always looked shredded but with very little muscle, so more veiny and bony.
Do you have a hard time with body image in general? I know that's the case for a lot of people into health / fitness. I'm sure you've heard it before, but what about just focusing on continuing to improve your lifts without so much focus on how you look? (I know, easier said than done).
I've come to accept that I will most likely not be able to look like a fitness model. I enjoy lifting weights and after trying more of a heavy lifting approach, I've realized body building style training works better for me personally. At this point in time I'm not expecting to really put on any muscle, just maintaining what I have and that's fine with me!
Good luck to you in your journey! And stop that negative talk! You do not have a "crap" body and many people would love to look like you! 2 -
its_me_april wrote: »I feel for ya. . . I really do. I came to a similar conclusion maybe a year and a half ago about myself. Although I've never really lifted that heavy. I have a small frame and my little joints can't handle too much. HOWEVER I am very happy with the progress I've made with my upper body in particular. I was a definite pear shape before (now slightly less pear) and my upper body was soooo tiny and bony. I always looked shredded but with very little muscle, so more veiny and bony.
Do you have a hard time with body image in general? I know that's the case for a lot of people into health / fitness. I'm sure you've heard it before, but what about just focusing on continuing to improve your lifts without so much focus on how you look? (I know, easier said than done).
I've come to accept that I will most likely not be able to look like a fitness model. I enjoy lifting weights and after trying more of a heavy lifting approach, I've realized body building style training works better for me personally. At this point in time I'm not expecting to really put on any muscle, just maintaining what I have and that's fine with me!
Good luck to you in your journey! And stop that negative talk! You do not have a "crap" body and many people would love to look like you!
I think you would be amazed at how much you can lift if you really put together a heavy lifting program. 1 -
I have been training my butt off for years. I've gotten lean, I've bulked and cut, I've maintained and recomped (maybe?), gained accidentally while training very hard...and in the end, sitting somewhere in the middle of my highest and lowest weight...I barely look any different.
I have had a coach. My training is progressive, and difficult and anal.
I barely look different from the first time I was this weight, even considering how hard I have trained over the years.
And to top it off, I'm really not that strong.
It's been 3.5 years since I've started all this. Will another year make a difference? Are my goals of strength and physique too conflicting? Or am I just genetically predisposed to a crap body that can only maintain it's weight on 1800 calories?
When I first made this thread it was called "so many years...so little progress". Maybe I'm just comparing myself to people who really HAVE been training so many years. Maybe it's just that I started so late and 3.5 years is nothing compared to 10...
Sorry guys. I'm so frustrated tonight.
So I've made a lot of progress, and my goal was always to "get big" and while I've definetly gained mass compared to how I started, it seems as if it's never good enough. I think most people have that issue. It's important to learn to feel good about yourself and look at your pics from before and just realize how much you accomplished. At a certain point you just learn to maintain what you've got or make a new fitness goal. Don't be so hard on yourself you look great! Tons of Women would love to have your body, I think. But I also have difficulty trying to accept how I am and it's a constant self struggle. Also it's never good to compare yourself to others, we're all different, and NOBODY is perfect, we all have weaknesses and strengths.1
This discussion has been closed.
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