OK, Here's the secret......
mfinney
Posts: 314
I've had many of you contact me asking me questions about this and that. Whether it comes to diet, exercise, a combination of the sort. I don't claim to be THE expert, but I want to slowly maybe try to provide some good information for those who keep struggling, or feeling hopeless, down, not seeing results, etc.
I urge you, if you are already seeing results, then by all means, keep with what you're doing. This is for the rest of you:
I'm going to paraphrase a story I once read:
Sitting in a quiet room, I find the perfect metaphor for what we, as humans, do to ourselves so often. A few feet away breaking the silence, is the tapping against a window from a fly determined to find its way to the outside. It knows only its goal, but does not realize that it can never muster enough force to break through the barrier that stands between itself and the outside world it so desperately desires. Ten feet away, the door is open. All this struggling creature has to do is to turn from its current, futile attack at the invisible barrier, and it would achieve its goal of freedom. But, alas, it will not...and there it will eventually die on the window sill, because it wouldn't change its course.
That story fits so well doesn't it? I keep reading people's frustrations with doing this, doing that, working out for two hours everyday, eating 1000 calories, not seeing results. Plateaus, burn outs, and just loss of faith.....
Don't be the fly!!!!!! Change it!!! DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!! It doesn't take a scientist to understand that what you're doing isn't working when you fail to see results.... but so many of us want to beat ourselves to death against that invisible barrier.
People ask me... "How do you get arms?" "How can I shed fat?" ..... and some of them, when I give them advice, all they can do is doubt, doubt, doubt..... and that's ok, unless you really DO want to make a change.
I challenge you all, those who are struggling, to CHANGE SOMETHING! It doesn't have to be overly drastic right away.... but do some research, find out what the real experts say... that's what I did.
I, like many of you, spent mountains of time (too much) in the gym.... I too, didn't understand some sound nutrition principles... but I studied, I changed my thinking, and I am extremely proud of the body I have.
Now, here's the shocker --- I take at least 2 days off a week.... period. I don't spend more than 10 minutes working my arms, and I can maintain what I have with only 3 half-hour weight sessions a week if I don't desire to grow anymore.... Quit thinking that 9 hours of workouts and less calories than my 9 year old eats in a day is going to yield the results you are looking for.....
I urge you, all of you who say you give up, can't do it anymore, are losing faith, hit a plateau..... stop what you're doing. Take a week off.... YES, A WHOLE WEEK!!! Do not run, do not lift a weight, do not do any activity that is intentional exercise. And with this new "down time" for that week, find some resources and read, read, read.
I know sometimes it doesn't make sense.... we always think MORE is better.... well, in some cases, LESS is more.... Guys, grab a Men's Health Mag..... stop wasting your time on FLEX.... Women, do the same -- Women's Health, Shape, whatever. Spend the $5, and invest in your future. Stop buying into the concept that you have to spend a mountain of time to do this. Realize that it's much simpler than that. Realize that our bodies can, and WILL respond to the right changes, the right nutrition, the right exercise, and BELIEVE in what you read.... if nothing else, just TRY IT! If you're not getting anywhere where you are now, then how can it possibly hurt to try something new??
I sit in amazement everyday at some of the posts, and I feel for you... I really do. I know it must be miserable to do all this and watch some people succeed while you struggle and that's all it feels like you're doing. But I promise.... changes can be made that will get you your results, and I promise you that if you will just slow down life a little bit, invest in some knowledge, you can take it so very far, and start working smarter.
I know it works, because I've been there. I understand. I get it. I promise.
I wish you nothing but success, and I know there's a better "us" in all of us.
:drinker:
I urge you, if you are already seeing results, then by all means, keep with what you're doing. This is for the rest of you:
I'm going to paraphrase a story I once read:
Sitting in a quiet room, I find the perfect metaphor for what we, as humans, do to ourselves so often. A few feet away breaking the silence, is the tapping against a window from a fly determined to find its way to the outside. It knows only its goal, but does not realize that it can never muster enough force to break through the barrier that stands between itself and the outside world it so desperately desires. Ten feet away, the door is open. All this struggling creature has to do is to turn from its current, futile attack at the invisible barrier, and it would achieve its goal of freedom. But, alas, it will not...and there it will eventually die on the window sill, because it wouldn't change its course.
That story fits so well doesn't it? I keep reading people's frustrations with doing this, doing that, working out for two hours everyday, eating 1000 calories, not seeing results. Plateaus, burn outs, and just loss of faith.....
Don't be the fly!!!!!! Change it!!! DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!! It doesn't take a scientist to understand that what you're doing isn't working when you fail to see results.... but so many of us want to beat ourselves to death against that invisible barrier.
People ask me... "How do you get arms?" "How can I shed fat?" ..... and some of them, when I give them advice, all they can do is doubt, doubt, doubt..... and that's ok, unless you really DO want to make a change.
I challenge you all, those who are struggling, to CHANGE SOMETHING! It doesn't have to be overly drastic right away.... but do some research, find out what the real experts say... that's what I did.
I, like many of you, spent mountains of time (too much) in the gym.... I too, didn't understand some sound nutrition principles... but I studied, I changed my thinking, and I am extremely proud of the body I have.
Now, here's the shocker --- I take at least 2 days off a week.... period. I don't spend more than 10 minutes working my arms, and I can maintain what I have with only 3 half-hour weight sessions a week if I don't desire to grow anymore.... Quit thinking that 9 hours of workouts and less calories than my 9 year old eats in a day is going to yield the results you are looking for.....
I urge you, all of you who say you give up, can't do it anymore, are losing faith, hit a plateau..... stop what you're doing. Take a week off.... YES, A WHOLE WEEK!!! Do not run, do not lift a weight, do not do any activity that is intentional exercise. And with this new "down time" for that week, find some resources and read, read, read.
I know sometimes it doesn't make sense.... we always think MORE is better.... well, in some cases, LESS is more.... Guys, grab a Men's Health Mag..... stop wasting your time on FLEX.... Women, do the same -- Women's Health, Shape, whatever. Spend the $5, and invest in your future. Stop buying into the concept that you have to spend a mountain of time to do this. Realize that it's much simpler than that. Realize that our bodies can, and WILL respond to the right changes, the right nutrition, the right exercise, and BELIEVE in what you read.... if nothing else, just TRY IT! If you're not getting anywhere where you are now, then how can it possibly hurt to try something new??
I sit in amazement everyday at some of the posts, and I feel for you... I really do. I know it must be miserable to do all this and watch some people succeed while you struggle and that's all it feels like you're doing. But I promise.... changes can be made that will get you your results, and I promise you that if you will just slow down life a little bit, invest in some knowledge, you can take it so very far, and start working smarter.
I know it works, because I've been there. I understand. I get it. I promise.
I wish you nothing but success, and I know there's a better "us" in all of us.
:drinker:
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Replies
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Nice:flowerforyou:0
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woohoo!!!!!
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I'm glad you posted a thread. :flowerforyou:
What you're saying is completely true. I was the same way until you came to me with help last month. You've helped me out a lot. I haven't been on a plateau since. :happy:0 -
very well said - thank you0
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You said the truth so well, thank you
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Believe it or not I done mind taking some days off I only worked out 3days this week and Im on vaction from my job, And I zigzag my intake,just splurhing. And Im still seeing results, I shake my head to when I see all these post about during 3-6 hours at the gym ,just overly doing, and hes right sometimes less is better. Idk thats just my opinion I agree with you well said hands down no questions ask?0
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LISTEN TO WHAT THIS GUY SAYS!
I was one of those people that sent him messages asking for help and every single bit of advice has helped me get what I wanted to get. He knows what he's talking about and is really sincere about helping you when you ask for it.
Just want to say thanks bro, you've already helped me immeasurably.0 -
this is great and SO VERY TRUE!! !! as my psych tells me " if nothing ever changes, you will always get the same results"!!0
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well said...
but i would opt out of women's health. i thought it was an awful magazine. shape has been getting great reviews on here.0 -
Thanks, I needed to see this right now. I have been teetering back and forth for a few months. Finally I have gotten down, beating my head on a that damn glass for sure......so I lowered my cal intake and I am changing my diet (with help from my hypnotist-long story). So we shall see,
great job.0 -
Thanks.
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:flowerforyou: Bumping for Sunday reading0
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I'm glad you posted a thread. :flowerforyou:
What you're saying is completely true. I was the same way until you came to me with help last month. You've helped me out a lot. I haven't been on a plateau since. :happy:
that's awesome! i'm excited for you!!! congrats -- and don't forget to keep me up to date!!!0 -
LISTEN TO WHAT THIS GUY SAYS!
I was one of those people that sent him messages asking for help and every single bit of advice has helped me get what I wanted to get. He knows what he's talking about and is really sincere about helping you when you ask for it.
Just want to say thanks bro, you've already helped me immeasurably.
thanks, aaron.... i'm happy to help anytime. i appreciate your kindness.0 -
Thank you
I am glad I took the time to read this post!!0 -
Thanks for the post Finn......some sound advice/points
:flowerforyou:
P.S. I still think you are super human though....just fess up 
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Thanks for the post Finn......some sound advice/points
:flowerforyou:
P.S. I still think you are super human though....just fess up
:laugh: :laugh: don't i wish!!!!0 -
Great post Matt! :drinker: 0
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Great post Matt! :drinker:
thanks tam! 0 -
Thank you for this.
And that point about understanding nutrition, so very important. I have a long way to go, but I'm learning.
Nutrition is why I quit going to the WW meetings I used to attend. It became a group of people who spent the meeting talking about how the find the most crap/junk food for the least amount of points. :huh: That wasn't why I was paying $10 a week. I want to change my life. Now I'm reading Clean Eating magazine, and will pick up another book someone recommended here as soon as the 8 people in front of me at the library are finished with it! 0 -
Thank you for this.
And that point about understanding nutrition, so very important. I have a long way to go, but I'm learning.
Nutrition is why I quit going to the WW meetings I used to attend. It became a group of people who spent the meeting talking about how the find the most crap/junk food for the least amount of points. :huh: That wasn't why I was paying $10 a week. I want to change my life. Now I'm reading Clean Eating magazine, and will pick up another book someone recommended here as soon as the 8 people in front of me at the library are finished with it!
that is awesome! i know exactly what you mean about WW :laugh: not to be mean, but i've never seen a bigger joke in my life i don't think than that.... my grandma was avid about it, and knew right down to how many cookies she should have at the end of the day before bed.... she never lost a pound
i hope you find some good information and research and discover a way of eating that is not only healthy, but truly beneficial to you to help you achieve all your goals.
best of luck! :drinker:0 -
Awesome... Analogy... so simple... but yet change is almost the scarriest word in the dictionary...
Have you read the very small book.... Who moved my cheese? I think you will find this thirty minute read is exactly what you are talking about... I am motivate now, because it is working, however, I will keep in mind what works now, won't work later... I have been here before... this time it is a life time change!
Thanks for the inspiration!0 -
Awesome... Analogy... so simple... but yet change is almost the scarriest word in the dictionary...
Have you read the very small book.... Who moved my cheese? I think you will find this thirty minute read is exactly what you are talking about... I am motivate now, because it is working, however, I will keep in mind what works now, won't work later... I have been here before... this time it is a life time change!
Thanks for the inspiration!
i have absolutely read that book. they also have a video of it now on youtube....LOL pretty neat. simple, yet practical reminder of some good truths!!0 -
You're welcome!Great post Matt! :drinker:
thanks tam!
It's all so right too. I hate seeing people stress out trying to do what they think they should be doing and then quitting when something doesn't work for their body the way it did for someone else. It is often just trial and error to figure out what will work and taking the time to get in tune with your body.
I know it CAN be frustrating and I have been there too...but once I took a deep breath and just chilled.......is when I reached my goal...just because your body WILL catch up eventually as long as you treat it right and keep it guessing with exercise!! 0 -
Thanks, Matt! :flowerforyou:0
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NICE!! :flowerforyou:0
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thanks ladies! :drinker:0
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thanks ladies! :drinker:
So, you're saying it's OK to get loaded now and then
sweeeet
j/k everyone....0 -
Finn you are dead on proper! Thank so much.
I recently started using ARCtrainers in the gym, and dropped about 15 grams of fat from my diet on a daily basis and the results are remarkable.0
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