Emasculated at the Gym
So, I had my first training session where my trainer put together a three week resistance plan for me. This was the first resistance work I've done since surgery in May. The rest has been cardio stuff, mostly rowing.
At one point my trainer had me do a seated shoulder press with 10 pound dumbbells. 12 reps, 2 sets. By the middle of the second set, my golgi reflex kicked in! My arms started to shake and I just about lost the ability to lift those itty, bitty, teeny, tiny, weights... I felt so emasculated.
Where is my ability to lift? At 500+ pounds, I could have moved the freaking weight machine. Now, I can't even lift a small set of dumbbells. I am supposed to take this plan to my college gym and do it. I am mortified at the thought struggling to lift 10 pounds, around ripped 20-somethings doing 10 times that!
I don't know what I want from you guys. Just had to put this out there... get it off my chest... my chest that can't lift an f-ing thing!
Justin
Justin
Get the FACTS about the Duodenal Switch at www.DSFACTS.com
Yeah I'm a "20-something" and trust me...right now I couldn't lift an egg carton haha. I have a back issue though, so my problem is a little different than yours I suppose. But just b/c you couldn't lift it as many tiimes as your trainer wanted you to doesn't mean you won't ever be able to do so. Keep it up and you'll see the results shortly!
It's all about perspective Justin. The fact that you are no longer a 500 plus pound guy proves you have what it takes to get through everything. Had you walked into the gym at that size, you would have been judged based on that.
Now, you're walking into the gym, and to start you will be lifting smaller weights, but eventually you'll reach a point where you'll match what those guys are doing.
Having done that, you'll have reached a level of success far greater then theirs because you'll have had to work so much harder to do it.
Keep at it, and kick ass.
Now, you're walking into the gym, and to start you will be lifting smaller weights, but eventually you'll reach a point where you'll match what those guys are doing.
Having done that, you'll have reached a level of success far greater then theirs because you'll have had to work so much harder to do it.
Keep at it, and kick ass.
I dont' know, I rarely work out with more then 15 lb dumb bells....sometimes 20 at the most. I've seen people do more, I've seen people do less, the important thing when you start lifting again is not to damage your joints. People get into a whole lot of trouble keeping up with the person next to them. Like any sport, the best way to improve is to start wherever you are and build up slowly.
I had a trainer for over a year who would constantly try to push me (at 500 lbs) to do things that a 180 lb man was doing, and I still am suffering from the injuries I sustained under that training, which now hinders me from lifting more then 20 lb dumb bells in my shoulder presses.
Scott
I had a trainer for over a year who would constantly try to push me (at 500 lbs) to do things that a 180 lb man was doing, and I still am suffering from the injuries I sustained under that training, which now hinders me from lifting more then 20 lb dumb bells in my shoulder presses.
Scott
Justin,
I know the feeling. I'm getting into the gym about 2 or 3 times a week and it's a struggle to get the bike work done and a round of light work on the machines. I know it will come back but it is frustrating. The other thing I've noticed is that I don't feel like an alpha male anymore. There was a time not long ago, that I felt as strong as I needed to be at any given task. Now, I tend to look and think it over before I make a puny effort. The "Big Guy" is gone in more ways than one.
Jim
I know the feeling. I'm getting into the gym about 2 or 3 times a week and it's a struggle to get the bike work done and a round of light work on the machines. I know it will come back but it is frustrating. The other thing I've noticed is that I don't feel like an alpha male anymore. There was a time not long ago, that I felt as strong as I needed to be at any given task. Now, I tend to look and think it over before I make a puny effort. The "Big Guy" is gone in more ways than one.
Jim
Growing older is mandatory,Growing up is entirely optional.
Remember, It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Remember, It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
I hear you loud and clear, I have been suffering with the same thing.
I am working out with 2 guys, one of them is in his 60's he is doing 95 pound dumbells on the bench, and I have finally worked myself up to 40 pound weights. I absolutely feel worthless with what i can do on the weights.
Like you said previously I would have been able to move the whole weight rack, now I can barely move the little weights.
They say it will get better, so I'm not going to give up on it. The one good thing about doing the weights is that by switching up my workout, I was able to break a stall that I had been in for a while.
Good luck with this, you will get through it.
Scott
I am working out with 2 guys, one of them is in his 60's he is doing 95 pound dumbells on the bench, and I have finally worked myself up to 40 pound weights. I absolutely feel worthless with what i can do on the weights.
Like you said previously I would have been able to move the whole weight rack, now I can barely move the little weights.
They say it will get better, so I'm not going to give up on it. The one good thing about doing the weights is that by switching up my workout, I was able to break a stall that I had been in for a while.
Good luck with this, you will get through it.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Hey Justin,
At 500 pounds, I didn't even go near a gym unless it was next to a Burger King.
Anywho, I'm stronger and in better shape now than I've pretty much ever been. Probably even better shape now than when I played basketball and baseball my first couple of years in college. Especially cool since I'm a codger.
Keep working at it and your strength will come back and you'll be putting those "ripped 20-somethings" in their place.
Boner
At 500 pounds, I didn't even go near a gym unless it was next to a Burger King.
Anywho, I'm stronger and in better shape now than I've pretty much ever been. Probably even better shape now than when I played basketball and baseball my first couple of years in college. Especially cool since I'm a codger.
Keep working at it and your strength will come back and you'll be putting those "ripped 20-somethings" in their place.
Boner
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