Throughout the history of man, there have been various leaders who've paved new paths for future generations to follow. Whether these paths were forged through failures or successes, people have benefitted and learned the best route to take toward creating whatever they desire.
You may have heard the question, "Why re-invent the wheel?" This is the same principle that allows us to avoid frustration, and save time when working toward a goal.
Click Image To Enlarge. People have benefited and learned the best
route to take toward creating whatever they desire.
In bodybuilding, this question can help us out a lot when looking for a place to start, but it can also deter us from our mission if we stick too rigidly to one diet or training principle without considering other options.
Before we can decide how to behave in times of stagnation and doubt, it's beneficial to know what not to do as well in that situation.
The 7 Deadly Sins Of Bodybuilding
The seven deadly sins were once a primary way to provide boundaries for people as they went about their daily lives. If any of the sins were broken it would result in failure, through violation of one's morals.
There are rules and regulations applicable to achieving any endeavor and the seven deadly sins of bodybuilding will help you to understand what not to do, and help make the experience a little smoother!
Click Image To Enlarge. The Seven Deadly Sins Of Bodybuilding will help you to understand
what not to do, and help make the experience a little mmoother!
1. Envy
We mustn't spend too much time in awe of those who are born with all the advantages!
Genetics are undoubtedly a large aspect of bodybuilding. You know who I'm talking about—the guys with tiny waists, broad shoulders, perfectly inserted enormous muscle bellies, mesomorphic structure and metabolism. These competitors can consume tons of calories without putting on the excess fat, as well as an ability to lose it all while still maintaining the lean muscle mass!
You can spend your days worrying, wishing you had these advantages, but so much time and mental energy coveting what others possess will get you nowhere. Do not resent your parents. If you have the ability to stand on stage at all, then that is a blessing in itself. In the same regard, worrying about who is on steroids will do you no good.
Nowadays in the eye of the general public, muscle equals steroids. Some people think there is no way a muscular physique could simply be the product of correct nutrition and hard work, so they make assumptions and let their jealously take over.
Everyone is born unique, so it's important to understand the various potential each person possesses. Therefore, don't worry about what cannot be controlled, and start thinking how you can better yourself.
2. Gluttony
We mustn't ruin all the hard work we put in to create the physique we envisioned with overindulgence. Through all the incredible workouts, measuring of food, following a plan to perfection, and all the work it takes to achieve your best condition. The process cannot be ruined in a week or two following competition day.
With the ups and downs, hardships, sacrifices, victories or defeats, you've spent months on end hitting your macronutrient totals, watching your friends and family enjoy all your favorite foods, and when your day in the spotlight is done you owe yourself whatever you desire, but it must be kept within reason.
Click Image To Enlarge. We Mustn't Ruin All The Hard Work We Put In To
Create The Physique We Envisioned With Overindulgence.
There are many ways to get around the predominant psychological cravings that can nag us unexpectedly in and out of contest prep. Turn on some music and break your focus on whatever the potential harm may be. If you must, have a diet soda, some peppermint tea sweetened with Splenda to take the edge off, or whatever works for you in the moment.
The cravings will not last long, so wait it out before you ruin your perfect week and see how you feel. It is much easier to maintain concentration when preparing for a contest, but it is also crucial to control unnecessary bingeing in the off-season. Contests are usually won at this time, when you should be growing.
When you no longer have a reason to diet, it's so easy to go berserk and attack the buffet's like a kid returning from fat camp! Everyone has heard the horror stories of post-contest "rebounds" some unsuspecting competitors go through. They often end up causing lots of physical stress, and psychological harm that is definitely not worth the temporary satisfaction the food brings.
Click Image To Enlarge. Author, Connor Lavallie: 'The Cravings Will Not Last
Long, So Wait It Out Before You Ruin Your Perfect Week.'
When all is said and done slowly add calories back in until your metabolic rate returns to keep your body fat in check, that way you'll find yourself with a leaner physique and every bit as much muscle in the end.
3. Wrath
We mustn't lose our cool when a contest doesn't go exactly as planned. When you decide to compete, you are also placing yourself in the hands of subjective judges. Not fulfilling your goals after months of perfect adherence to your plan may be one of the hardest pills to swallow, but it is one that must be taken with integrity.
A little chivalry on the competitive stage can go a long way because everyone is equal on that day. If it helps, make a list of everything you learned along the way leading up to your show.
Click Image To Enlarge. Make a list of everything you learned along
the way leading up to your show.
Include categories of decisions you made that will re-apply to your future experiences, and under those categories list everything that seemed to work for you, and the actions you may want to re-evaluate or toss out all together.
The key is to stay honest with yourself every single day along the journey. This will free you from any post-contest madness. If you can step outside yourself and take a look in at what you've accomplished I'm certain that the judge's unexpected opinion won't matter as much.
When you can tell yourself you gave everything possible, then everything else will seem miniscule, in other words. But whatever you do, don't forget that in the end anything can happen; it just depends on what the judges are looking for on that day...is there anything else you could have done? Let that answer be no!
4. Pride
We mustn't believe we are owed something just because we "worked so hard." Nothing is guaranteed, even if you may have put in ten times as much effort as anyone. Preparing for a show or not, it's required to do well. But it is not what you're judged on.
No one is in the gym with you at the crack of dawn tallying points for squats and deadlift numbers you put up, or recording the precision with your food intake. No one cares if you neglected your diet, skipped a workout or didn't practice a minute of posing!
Click Image To Enlarge. We mustn't believe we are owed something
just because we 'worked so hard.'
Only you can give yourself points for that. Thus, we shouldn't place our self-worth on how many trophies we are awarded. Instead, take a step back and evaluate your progress and the overall picture.
Did you make the necessary improvements? Did you live up to your standards each day? Did you cheat at any point? Could anything you have that was within your control have cost you this win?
If you were accurate in your evaluation and found the right answers to these questions then you'll be content without feeling like you're automatically owed something.
Also, we mustn't let our ego dictate our actions in the gym. This is a recipe for disaster. How many times have you seen people lifting way too much weight all the time while using terrible form?
Click Image To Enlarge. We Mustn't Let Our Ego Dictate
Our Actions In The Gym.
No one cares how much weight you're throwing around, so the thought of impressing someone shouldn't even enter your mind. Set your ego aside and train smart!
5. Sloth
We mustn't forget to be objective with ourselves when it comes to diet and training. There are critical times in which it is vital to know objectively, how much you're eating in case you find yourself in a standstill, unable to make further progress.
In order to ovoid being in a state of frustration, make sure to record your daily actions in the kitchen and gym. When you realize something went wrong, your daily records are priceless since they serve as evidence of your prior action steps.
Failure to put in the time to take down these recordings causes one to play the "guessing game" and your chances of correcting the lapse become worse. Negligence is not an option. Most things that are worth the sacrifices involve extra time and attention.
There are instances when being objective can seem tedious, but it is well worth it. You can always go "back to the drawing board" as they say, and fix the problem. So don't get lazy, take your notes, and record your progress along the way.
6. Greed
We mustn't believe in the adages "more is better" or "all or nothing." Both of these potential beliefs are a function of excess and impatience. Every bodybuilder must understand that moderation is the key to most diet and training principles despite the extreme results they're after.
Just because taking five grams of creatine monohydrate a day yields good results doesn't mean that 50 grams will have ten-times the effect. There are optimal amounts and ratios for almost anything out there; apply it to your own situation and reap the benefits.
Click Image To Enlarge. Moderation Is The Key To Most Diet And Training
Principles Despite The Extreme Results They're After.
At the same time, if you cheat on your diet, don't tell yourself "Oh, that's it...I've cheated, so I might as well eat the whole pie. Hey...pass that garlic sauce!"
A little bit of anything is not going to ruin your whole week; however the "all or nothing, I can have it all" attitude is ridiculous and completely destructive to your goals. Also, this excessive mindset in the bodybuilding world can often correspond to a lack of patience.
Making changes in one's physique takes determination, consistency, persistence, and a lot of time. Be patient. Learn to embrace the daily challenge before you and the changes you want will become a reality.
7. Lust
We mustn't use our focus and limited energy in the gym for uttering half-witted pick-up lines in between sets. Naturally, there will be fit, gorgeous women around the dumbbell stacks, power racks, and cardio equipment.
Click Image To Enlarge. We Mustn't Use Our Focus And Limited Energy In The Gym
For Uttering Half-Witted Pick-Up Lines In Between Sets.
The gym is hot, your testosterone is elevated from cranking out a new squat record, but don't do it! This person does not want to talk to you when you're sweating like a hog, and singing along to some heavy metal number every few minutes when the chorus begins. Sure, you can take notice, but that's it. Just get back to work. It's just not the time, or the place.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The "7 deadly sins" of natural bodybuilding serve as a guideline and a reminder to some of the unwritten rules in and out of the gym.
They are the tendencies most associated with our common slip-ups, but they can be avoided with some extra attention. Take what applies to your situation and make the right choice when the time comes!