johnmarshall12's picture
johnmarshall12
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+ 2 DEALING WITH SETBACKS!

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Setbacks are part of life much like discouragement. However, there is a difference and that is why they are two subjects.

Although there are differences, both are extremely difficult to overcome, and are the reason for the failure of so many people in unlimited numbers of activities in life.

Setbacks and discouragement destroy not only health or bodybuilding plans, but can include anything from romances, business, career, sports, or even friendships. Learning to deal with and overcome these inevitable obstacles is a growing process, and takes a while. Learning persistence and the will to win isn’t easy, but it is the best thing you can ever learn!

How many times have you seen people with less ability beat their peers who had more God given talent? There really is no price on determination; it is an intangible quality that cannot be measured. It is the difference between failure and success, so what is that worth?

There is no escape from these insidious parts of life. However, the good thing is no one else escaped them either. Therefore we really can conclude that the people who overcome them are the successful people.

Setbacks differ from discouragement in that they are usually more tangible, and less controllable. For example, while discouragement may be the result of purely emotional factors; setbacks are often the result of sickness or injury.

If a bodybuilder is doing well in the in and out of the gym, and everything is fine…it seems easy. This is true in almost anything. However, a car accident, the flu, an injury or something along these lines can suddenly turn the world upside down.

When the apple cart is suddenly upset; that is when the test is upon us. This is really the determining factor in whether or not we will make it. We need to look upon setbacks as tests; because they are! Pass the test…pass the course. Fail the test; it’s over!

Although the modern world may be more sophisticated in high-tech marvels, and our learning burdens have increased; it is far more acceptable to fathom excuses ranging from our mothers didn’t love us; to it’s genetic, or an addiction, ad infinitum.

OK, so part of it is society, but there were always people who are out of shape; it’s just more understandable and excusable now; right? WRONG! That’s the loser’s answers; unfortunately excuses don't cut it! If it’s tougher to overcome in a modern world; what other choice do you have?

You won’t be reincarnated in the Wild West as Wyatt Earp, and if you were you might get gunned down in the OK Corral. Plus a little strep throat could be as fatal as a 45-caliber bullet to the head! Of course there are benefits in our world that offset the negatives.

Winning is as much about attitude as it is about cholesterol, blood sugar, or blood pressure. Being out of shape is a choice. It is symptom of poor lifestyle choices, and the will to give in to discouragement and setbacks. That must change!

Regardless of the scenario you become like the “Energizer Bunny”; you keep going and going and…. OK you get the idea!

Obviously, there are times when it is prudent to stay in bed and recover from an illness. Never exercise when you are too sick; and there are times that it happens. Of course with good nutrition, and other good habits; it will happen less and less.

Injuries are inescapable though, whether they occur in the gym or from a fall or whatever. So coming back from sickness and injury is difficult. Plus it tends to be very depressing.

We not only look at the progress we lost; we have to evaluate how much we’ve regressed. Sometimes it seems like it will be impossible to get back to where we were prior to the injury.

Somehow I still believe that all the adversity in life makes us stronger when we overcome it, and if we think of it that way then it can be turned into a positive force for accomplishing good things.

Remember, regardless of the situation it’s when people quit that they fail. The minute you give up you’re toast! Regardless of what the project is…whether it’s work, bodybuilding, a relationship; quitting is “instant failure”.

Some people continue but their heart isn’t in it; that’s quitting; cause now they are going through the motions. The failure will occur; it’s just a matter of when.

DON”T QUIT!

dextetherdog's picture

That’s a great post man

herpjunkie111's picture

Very motivational post John, always look forward to seeing what you're going to post next.

zeusmarada's picture

Johnmarshall12, you've again crushed it. Great post! +1 brother.

I'll add my two cents to this theme, just for discussion, but not because I'm contrarian. In fact, what I wanna say goes hand in hand with this post.

Everything is an experiment. Gather the data, then proceed accordingly. Sometimes, IT IS OK TO QUIT! It depends on context of course, so please let me explain!

Let's start with an obvious example since this is an educational forum for healthy usage of AAS.

The reason the vets here on eroids preach starting with a cycle of test only at 500mg/week is exactly that mentality. "Gather the data. Change your lifting patterns. Tweak your diet. Dial in your sleep." Etc.

If you find that your nipples are always itching by week three, even though you're eating your greens and taking your AI's, then you don't need anymore data to know, QUIT that cycle. (This was my experience with my first cycle attempt. I aromatize like a mother fucker. didn't know that at first ''til I ran the experiment. Now I know and plan accordingly!)

Run your experiments. Gather the data. In this same vein, we preach time off from cycling because we already have the data from countless others who fucked up their endocrine systems from constantly staying on, or using harsher and harsher compounds, etc. The newbie doesn't need to run that experiment (if they have any wisdom) cuz the data is already there. Listen to us. Cycle smart, take time off, rest & recover. The experiments that we've all done has lead us to the advice we give. When young men follow our advice, THIS WORKS OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

Please trust our data. We're not lying.

On the second cycle and moving forward, we preach tweaking ONE chemical variable. Often times we'll preach do another test only cycle, but tweak other factors, like the ones mentioned above (lifting program, diet, sleep, blah blah). We preach this BECAUSE IT WORKS!!!

Yes, to the newbie reading this, being safe and playing it smart WILL GET YOU TO YOUR STRENGTH AND PHYSIQUE GOALS!!! Again, we ask, we beg you! Please trust our data.

Now I'd like to address my comment a bit further, IT IS OK TO QUIT.

Of course, this depends on context!

The old saying, "winners never quit" is pure bullshit. Winners quit all of the time!!! They run an experiment, and if the data is showing you different results, then readjust your approach. Sometimes that means quitting altogether. Whether it's a business that's failing, a relationship that's failing, or a lifting approach that's failing, if the context is appropriate, it is A-OK to quit!

(Caveat: Regarding marriage, or business, etc, I really do believe that mindset is everything. Exhaust all possible routes before getting divorced, or cashing in your chips, etc. Your marriage is worth saving, as is your health, both physically and mentally.)

This advice to "quit" falls in line with what Johnmarhsall12 is saying on this thread. So you failed, fuck it, learn from it and get back out there. It's called, "being a man." We constantly fall short of what we hope for. It's ok. Regroup, get a plan, and get back after it.

So my advice goes hand in hand with John's message: be tenacious, cuz no one's gonna do the work for you.

Sorry for the novel. (Those of you who've grown to know my writing style have been very patient with my "rants." Thank you for your grace. Me, Johnmarshall12, all of us vets, we're trying to help young men make good decisions regarding safety, but ultimately, quality of life. Tenacity wins over talent, every time. Ask us how we know.)

Be safe brothers, and stay focused on your goals. They're worth it, you're worth it, and the people who depend on your strength and health are worth it. ZeusM out.

Makwa's picture

Get Back up on the horse.
Had several surguries and other hospital visits that have kept me out of the gym for months at a time. Can't do much about it except roll with the punches.

press1's picture

Have you ever suffered any gym injuries that needed surgery mate? Just realised you could be the first member to make it to 4000 karma buddy - It would be thoroughly deserved too!

Makwa's picture

I have really only suffered one injury in the gym but it didn't need surgery. Happened this summer actually. I never lift heavy weight anymore and haven't for years. I know heavy is relative but I'm talking about a weight where you can do maybe 3x max before failure. I usually stick with a weight where I can get 8 or more reps before failure. Anyway I was training with a guy is going for the world record bench in his weight class and age (he is in Vegas right now competing, haven't heard how he did yet though). I was benching and heard a pop in my chest and obviously pain. I think what happened is I popped some cartilidge in my collarbone since that is what seemed to hurt. Took like six weeks to heal. Fortunately that is the only lifting injury that has occured. I don't lift heavy weights anymore. Learned my lesson already.

Lincoln's picture

Focus on what you still can do.

If you only interested in bodybuilding stuff.
Find more info on roids and how to stay safe, read about nutrition and workout strategies.

I also had time when I was dealing with some problems and found that ncbi website very interesting on many occasions. For some extra research (I don't mean bioscience by information)

Lincoln's picture

You only fail if you won't continue and give up. Else it's a lesson

Start to read some philosophy books. Helps a lot when religion is not for you! In most religion there is 1 awnser for everything... very limiting imo.

I can recommend some if people are intrested. Not only knowledge but how to use it in every day life.

helloBrooklyn's picture

What did you think of The Antichrist?

Lincoln's picture

Haha this has nothing to do with the antichrist. If I would recommend this I also would admit.

Christian/jewisch and Muslim people talk to the same God and by that , there is a kind of God that need worshiping. And people not giving anything about His creations and destroying them. I don't know if you know this but these religions have the same origin so they eventualy speak to the same God.

zeusmarada's picture

Hey brother, no need to hijack this thread with religious talk. There are places here to discuss such matters.

This post is about personal choices in the here and now regarding your body, your health, your energy. Mindset is key. Johnmarshall12 nailed it. Much respect for his pep talk! We all need a pep talk now and again, especially newbies who aren't yet accustomed to the fact that failure is simply a part of the process.

Those of us who've failed over and over know that it's about staying the course. Setbacks, injuries, they're inevitable. You know this, Lincoln!

How can you help a young man, whether atheist or hard core religious, when he hits an obstacle that saps him of his will to carry on towards his goal, especially if it's something outside of his control? Ideally, you'd (we all would) encourage him to take stock of what he can and can't control, then make a plan to move forward accordingly.

(In the end, that's all we can do anyways. Aint no magic pill that's gonna save us. Time works, patience works, and the systems we preach here at eroids regarding diet, exercise, AAS usage, mental focus, etc, they all work. It's why we sound like a broken record, preaching fundamentals over and over. It works.)

We're all a work in progress, and we're all fellow travelers to the grave. May we help each other as much as possible instead of hinder. You're a good cat, Lincoln. Don't divide people with your strength. You're strong! Use that strength to unite peeps, whenever possible, and lead by example. To me, that's a life well lived. I got your back.

Lincoln's picture

I am not preaching... and just wanted to add some for people who need to be reconnected with what's really important.

Not taking.over this post, I just wrote some small messages.

Bodybuilding is something people do but not what your are. So long story short there is more in life and focus on the things you can do. And if that's not bodybuilding, building your mind and help others with your knowledge about bodybuilding if you want to stay involved. It's all in the mind, body is just a tool.

I don't want to divide people that's what religion does.. I am not religious of any kind that has a name the opposite.

giardap's picture

just wanted to add some for people who need to be reconnected with what's really important.

Reconnect......Like when you dont use a luer lock syringe and push too hard on the barrel and the pin comes off squirting oil everywhere? All you wanna do it reconnect that shit and finish but you cant. its too slippy.

Wait.... this is a steroids forum on a steroids review site??? huh??

Ozninjaguy's picture

Different direction to what I would have commented - but the "just wanted to add some for people who need to be reconnected with what's really important" got me too.This dude is telling us what is really important? Like some Guru..WTF? Meh - let it slide mate..it's only the internet..have a great weekend.

helloBrooklyn's picture

Very good post. I’ll add one thing to it: if it’s an injury that happened in the gym and it wasn’t some bizarro fluke, learn from it. Injuries can be very valuable learning experiences as long as they can be bounced back from and aren’t career-ending