Muscle101.com

Desire & Attitude

Attitude

Science

And I don't mean thinking you're hot stuff at the gym. I'm talking about brain power, positive thinking, imaging, dreaming, and desire. Do you think if you just drag your ass to the gym day after day, hating every minute of it, that you'll actually make gains? Not likely. So if enjoying it brings more gains than hating it, don't you think loving it passionately will bring even more gains? Seems logical enough.

Ever heard of the placebo effect? It's where people take what they believe to be potent drugs but aren't really, yet they still experience some of the benefits the drug would bring. This is, in my opinion, the most conclusive clinical evidence of just how powerful the mind is.

Success is a journey, not a destination!

But no matter what I write here, I can't give you desire. I can't really tell you how to have a positive mental image. Well, I can, just stop selling yourself short and recognize any and all gains you do make. But I think we all know what it means to have a positive outlook, some of us just can't break out of our old way of thinking.

I have noticed in my own training that when I workout without a specific plan or goal, my progress is mediocre. But when I think about what I want to achieve, and commit myself to it, planning each step of the way, I make some wicked gains.

I think one trick is to have short term goals, like putting 10 pounds on your bench in 2 weeks. That gives you 3 workouts to push extra hard, and two weeks to faithfully follow your diet and supplementation program. And it usually works.

Failing to plan is as bad as planning to fail

Start your planning with a specific goal. Not just to improve your body and workout regularly, but to lose that stubborn fat off your abs, or get that vein popping out of your thigh, or to reach a body weight of 200 pounds (with minimal fat, hopefully). Or aim to improve a lift to a specific weight.

The problem I have, as I'm sure others do as well, is I want it all. I want to lose fat and reach 200 pounds. Though I'm sure it's possible, it would probably be easier if I focused on one task at a time (not to the extent of 'bulking up' for 2 months packing on pounds of fat, followed by 6 weeks of heavy dieting!). Stick with a program for at least a month before you pass judgment or change your short term goals.

When you focus on one specific goal, and concentrate all your desire on that one goal, you tap into the awesome power of the mind. I'd almost bet that if you just thought about it hard enough, truly believe that whatever you did today would result in fat loss (and your diet wasn't atrocious), you probably would begin to lose fat. Convince your mind that you are ultra-fit, and your un-needed fat is just melting away, and it quite possibly will.

Well, maybe that is an exaggeration, or maybe not. I'm not a psychologist, but I believe in self-fulfilling prophecies. If you think something will happen, especially when it comes to your own body, there's a good chance it will.

Combine this power of the mind with a good diet, some discipline, regular exercise, and possibly some supplementation to help your body along, and your results will be nothing short of astounding. If you ever think 'I'll never lose this fat', or 'I'll just have to live with the fact that I'm a hard gainer', you've already lost. I'm not saying you have to be unrealistic in your dreams, but realize what your true potential is.

Here are some valuable tips on building self-confidence, desire and achieving your goals. I found most of these ideas in Bill Phillips' 'No holds barred' article in every Muscle Media:

Evaluate yourself, and take measurements so you can measure progress.
Set mini-goals, something you can definitely stick with like a strict diet for 2 weeks.
Write down a list of goals, both short term and long term.
Read this list often, like every night before bed and update it if necessary.
Read and do the exercises in this No Holds Barred article.
Be prepared to make sacrifices, identify what these sacrifices are so you can actively avoid temptation.
Learn from your mistakes.
Stop doubting yourself, other people just like you have built great bodies.
Be persistent, change doesn't come easily or quickly.
Avoid people who tell you you can't and surround yourself with people who tell you you can!
Hang up pictures of what you want to look like where you can see them all day long.
Whenever you think, 'it ain't gonna happen', stop yourself dead in your tracks, and tell yourself that's a load of crap, you can do anything, it just might take some time and effort, but it is possible!

I hope this helps you get set on the right track! Start believing in yourself and set achievable goals and your successes will gain momentum. One after the other, and before you know it, you have achieved more than you ever thought you could!

Last Modified:
February 10, 2000

Exercise is not without its risks and this or any other exercise program may result in injury. To reduce the risk of injury in your case, consult your doctor before beginning this exercise program. The advice presented is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counsulation. The developer of Muscle101.com disclaims any liability from and in connection with any information conveyed on this web page. As with any exercise program, if at any point during your workout you begin to feel faint, dizzy, or have physical discomfort, you should stop immediately and consult a physician.