Swinging awkwardly through all the fail.

Or: Lessons from a hero; How I stopped worrying and learned to love the DOMS.

I originally wrote this yesterday as a blog post, because I had read quite a few forum posts mentioning how confusing a lot of this can be, along with a couple talking about feeling awkward and intimidated by the gym. The thought occurred to me this morning that as a blog it probably only got read by my friend list, all of whom are fierce in the gym, so it might not have had the impact I'd hoped for it. So I'm resurrecting it here. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger's life story over the last couple of years, and I just thought I'd pass some of that inspiration on.

Sometimes this whole process can seem intimidating. Between the gym, and the loads of conflicting information all over the internet (including our happy forum), it's easy to feel cowed, and awkward. Sometimes this is enough to convince us to quit.

Don't let it! The key to this whole process is perseverance! To get what you want, whether it's gaining muscle, or losing fat, getting stronger or going faster, you only get it by pushing through the awkwardness and confusion.


Don't be ashamed of it. We all have to start somewhere...to have that 'child phase'. You'll grow past it, I promise.

The guy up there started young. You'd better believe he had that awkward phase in the beginning just like you did. But he put the time in. He learned about nutrition and physical fitness. He set goals. He reached them. (He crushed them. He heard the lamentation of their women. heh) But then he set more.


Regardless of the religious implications, there is a verse in the Bible that I think fits well here. "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." 1 Corinthians 13:11

(Or as Arnold might say it, "Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer.")

We start out not knowing much, but we grow through pain, struggle, and confusion. If we will persevere, our knowledge will mature, and we WILL reach our goals...but not if we won't set aside our feels and fears. Be great...you can if you will!


"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." ~Arnold Shwarzenegger

Practical application:
1. Check the sources on information. Make sure the info has more backing than a couple of random blogs.
2. Become friends with Google. Learn how to use a calculator to set up your calorie/macro goals, track them, reevaluate every 5 pounds or so.
3. Learn how to exercise. Figure out what your goals are, learn the kind of exercise that will get you there, and don't be afraid to incorporate other kinds of exercise also to round out your fitness program.
4. Get gains. Acquire aesthetics. Kick *kitten*.