Feeling Down, and that’s OK
I’m feeling down at the moment, and it’s actually a good thing. Last night, I was really feeling my oats for some reason. I thought I was just half a pound shy of Ronnie Coleman or something, I don’t know what the deal was. I notice a "two pack" in the ab area, and the blubber there isn’t nearly as thick as it once was. That’s great. However, today I started realizing I still have a long, long way to go.
Am I being to hard on myself? Not really, and here’s why. I have to be realistic if I hope to have a shot in hell of succeeding at this. I could lie to myself and say I’m OK now, since my body fat is only at 23 % as of Sunday (It’s probably less now) and move on. After all, 22 is supposedly not so bad according to oh-so-many tables floating around. However, I still look like shit, and I have to remember that I do else I let The Animal get caged.
Instead, I felt blubber in various places and was motivated to kick my own ass at the gym tonight. Jenn hasn’t been feeling well, so I told her to take the day off and rest. I think her diet has gotten screwed, and she’s feeling ill all the time, so we’re going to try and fix that. However, I have to sieze it as an opportunity. I’ve got a killer leg routine worked out…so killer that abs are getting bumped to tomorrow night! Besides, leg lifts don’t work when your legs can’t move 
Sometimes, feeling down about some factor can be a motivating thing, so long as you don’t obsess over it. Instead, use it as fuel to push yourself farther than you ever have before. I’ll be thinking about the fat as I power up weights, envisioning the fat going away more and more with each rep.
I feel horrible about myself, and tonight I’m going to make my ass pay
August 9, 2007 at 11:49 am
Maybe it’s something in the water! I have been blue all day… feel like shit and tired. Tonights workout seems more like work. But have to go to work if you want to get paid!!!
August 9, 2007 at 1:30 pm
it’s any easy thing to feel down when you know you’ve done hard work and it somehow doesn’t show itself quit like you’d like it to. But, that’s where deremination come from. You might see that one little change and say, "wow, that’s great." That’s what keeps you going in the long run. Keep kickin’ it Tom!!
August 9, 2007 at 4:06 pm
We all go through this Tom - I have - dont beat yourself up over this –and look at the gains that you have made !!! when I started my BF was almost 40 % - I never thought that I would get to where I am now -
You rock Tom!!!
August 9, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Oh goodness do I share your sentiment!! You have those days where you look in the mirror and can smile, and then WHAM! You realize how far you still have left to go before you reach your goals, even if it really isn’t THAT far…but you’re right - it’s truly motivating! I love those days in the gym where I feel like crap about myself! Except I think I scare some of the other members because I don’t smile…
Hope you have a good, solid workout!!! =)
August 9, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Thanks folks! Yeah, it was pretty good. I had to rush a bit due to some time constraints, but I’m still going to feel it tomorrow!
August 10, 2007 at 7:44 am
Man you are doing a terrific job!! And you already know how I feel about being too down on yourself
You’ve been working out as long as I have now.. and as you know, it’s very easy for us beginners to allow that "down-ness" to turn into discouragement. Discouragement is dangerous.. because you know what comes after that. Be sure that you don’t allow discouragement to EVER creep in!
Stay positive about this; as much as you can.. and do all your @$$ kickin’ in the gym… not at the bathroom mirror!!
You’re making some great strides man.. and regardless of how it may look to you and Jenn sometimes; YOU TWO ARE WINNING THIS BATTLE!!!
Gitchoo Sum!!!
August 10, 2007 at 7:51 am
Now Tom. Do I have to take the soapbox away? You know everyone goes through it. I am flying high until I step on the scale. Then I get deflated like a balloon. I have to take a mental note of all the small changes that have been taking place. I also remind myself that I am moving forward at a turtle pace with the rabbits desire. Keep at it. Your turtle will bipass the rabbit. It has already been written.
August 10, 2007 at 8:42 am
Here’s the thing though, that down feeling was…for my training…a good thing. It keeps me from getting cocky and thinking I’m just about "there" when I’m not.
At this point, no down feeling will ever beat me…it jus gets converted into fuel
August 10, 2007 at 8:59 am
Wonderful way to dispose of the darkness. Keep converting negatives into positives and you will exceed your goals.
August 10, 2007 at 9:55 am
I hear you bro; now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!! ^5
How’s Jenn doing with that?
August 10, 2007 at 10:22 am
Good days and bad days I’m afraid. However, she WANTS to do it, and that makes a huge difference.