Unrealistic expectations have proven to be the downfall for many who pursue muscle building or weight loss, as bodybuilding far too often becomes a pursuit of becoming someone else, as opposed to maximizing the genetic potential that each of us has been granted. We may frequently see others on TV, in magazines, or on the Internet who have the bodybuilding physique we wish to achieve, so we somehow feel that by weight training and dieting a certain way, we can produce an identical appearance, when in fact our physical makeup is unique to each of us, meaning that results others can produce do not in any way indicate that we are capable of the same, or, we may even be able to greatly exceed the bodybuilding results of those we admire. Yet, there is no way of knowing our personal potential without embracing an effective diet and weight training workout plan to determine how our muscles respond.
The unfortunate downside of basing our own bodybuilding satisfaction upon achieving the body of another is that, although we may produce muscle building or fat loss progress that impress nearly everybody that we meet, in our own mind, we maintain a feeling of inferiority, since our own personal standard is not based upon how much we’ve achieved, but rather whether we’ve become the person we choose to emulate, and therefore, regardless of how impressive our results appear to others, we continually seek for the unrealistic dream, and eventually either quit bodybuilding completely, or choose to experiment with dangerous drugs or bodybuilding supplements instead of modifying our expectations to match our own potential.
Genetics provide us with a road block, which we must all obey, no different than someone who wants to be a basketball player, but not enough height. But in bodybuilding very few ever reach their individual genetic potential is not necessarily due to lack of effort, but of eating and weight-lifting mistakes that muscle or fat loss efforts plague. Certainly, perfect for eating and weight training, the genetics will ultimately limit future profits, and will also impact on the overall speed of the results, but most of those who believe genetic restriction actually a positive change on a diet and weight with no sense of the direction, which is made the real reason for disappointing progress.
Unfortunately, numerous bodybuilders continue to follow poorly written weight lifting and diet methodologies, and experience frustration due to a long term plateau despite disciplined effort. Making matters worse are the unrealistic expectations created by our media, as seeing men and women on the front cover of popular physical fitness magazines tend to make even the most successful natural physical fitness enthusiast overflow with envy, but what is not revealed in the pictures that so many desire to emulate is that most who are featured in such publications are using drugs such as growth hormone or steroids, which are extremely dangerous, leading to serious potential health issues such as heart failure, cancer, and internal organ enlargement, therefore are clearly not a legitimate option for those who have their priorities in order and wish to protect health and well being beyond any short sighted muscle building or fat loss goal. It’s unfortunate that many young men and women are being encouraged by many pictures that are promoted as the definition of a desirable and healthy body, when in fact the methods used to obtain such a temporary level of weight loss or muscle gain pose serious health risks to those involved, and regardless of these realities, become a very powerful temptation for those who attempt to pattern themselves after the individuals they believe to be admired and accepted by our culture.
Muscle building or fat loss results are as unique as our finger prints, and we should not try to transform into another in our pursuit of any muscle gain or fat reduction goal, rather forging our own individual road by maximizing the individual bodybuilding potential each of us has, and doing so through an effective bodybuilding diet and weight training routine. When we begin to consider bodybuilding as an experiment in personal achievement, we then begin to finally embrace the improvements we make, as opposed to feeling unfulfilled due to focusing on the achievements of another. Without the chance of experiencing satisfaction with our own transformation, bodybuilding becomes a frustrating pursuit of the unattainable, and can morph from a worthwhile pursuit into a stressful, detrimental hobby.