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_daniil__2000_
_daniil__2000_ g Daniil Yushkov
34 Post(s)
34 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted

Recently I recovered from being sick for a week, my family blamed me going to the gym on my bike is what got me sick and then I got almost everyone else sick. When in reality the reason I got sick is because of a protein deficiency that caused me to be vulnerable to the virus that has been going around. I keep telling my mom that there is never enough meat and overall never enough protein sources for me to eat from. My mom listens to my older sister(she goes to college) who says that I only need the protein I get from normal meals(being pasta and potatoes) and well that leads me to have less than needed, affecting my overall health. The only way my mom seems to try and help is by buying protein sakes occasionally, my older sister finds it entirely unnecessary. My mom seems to not want to let me go to the gym just because I got sick once, it's cloudy with no chance of rain and she immediately says no to me going. Even though I told her that it is genetically beneficial to train before you are 20, she still seems to not be against it but not support it either. My mom is willing to drive to the store as long as I am with her but won't drive me to the gym, although she said that this week she wants to get back in the gym. I can't blame her for not wanting to drive alone since she has back problems, I continuously tell her that the best way to get rid of back problems is to train your back even if it is just conditioning. I don't know why but my older sister is completely against me going to the gym and claims that I have an obsession. My dad thinks that it's dumb that I am wasting time lifting when I can spend that time working, he legit sees me going to the gym as some sort of joke. The problem with me not going to the gym is that the equipment I have at home is not enough for me, a set of 10, 20, 40, 50lbs dumbbells is nowhere near enough, especially for leg day since I squat like 150-165 and I need a barbell for effective squats, I have no hamstring or quad machine at home and I lift like 300lbs on my calves and deadlift over 150lbs. Ive got plenty of other reasons why I perfer the gym but it seems as if nobody really cares, I know that I shouldn't listen to anyone who tells me that my training is useless, but when almost my whole family sees it as either useless or as a joke it becomes really discouraging and kind of leaves me disappointed, I always thought that family was supposed to be supportive but I guess I was wrong. I really wish I could just have a friend who enjoyed training as much as me and someone that would just listen and believe what I say. I really don't know what to do, this is the most disappointed and discouraged I have felt in a while. ☹

jmboiardi
jmboiardi p John M Boiardi
2.6K Post(s)
2.6K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
Posted By: _daniil__2000_

Recently I recovered from being sick for a week, my family blamed me going to the gym on my bike is what got me sick and then I got almost everyone else sick. When in reality the reason I got sick is because of a protein deficiency that caused me to be vulnerable to the virus that has been going around. I keep telling my mom that there is never enough meat and overall never enough protein sources for me to eat from. My mom listens to my older sister(she goes to college) who says that I only need the protein I get from normal meals(being pasta and potatoes) and well that leads me to have less than needed, affecting my overall health. The only way my mom seems to try and help is by buying protein sakes occasionally, my older sister finds it entirely unnecessary. My mom seems to not want to let me go to the gym just because I got sick once, it's cloudy with no chance of rain and she immediately says no to me going. Even though I told her that it is genetically beneficial to train before you are 20, she still seems to not be against it but not support it either. My mom is willing to drive to the store as long as I am with her but won't drive me to the gym, although she said that this week she wants to get back in the gym. I can't blame her for not wanting to drive alone since she has back problems, I continuously tell her that the best way to get rid of back problems is to train your back even if it is just conditioning. I don't know why but my older sister is completely against me going to the gym and claims that I have an obsession. My dad thinks that it's dumb that I am wasting time lifting when I can spend that time working, he legit sees me going to the gym as some sort of joke. The problem with me not going to the gym is that the equipment I have at home is not enough for me, a set of 10, 20, 40, 50lbs dumbbells is nowhere near enough, especially for leg day since I squat like 150-165 and I need a barbell for effective squats, I have no hamstring or quad machine at home and I lift like 300lbs on my calves and deadlift over 150lbs. Ive got plenty of other reasons why I perfer the gym but it seems as if nobody really cares, I know that I shouldn't listen to anyone who tells me that my training is useless, but when almost my whole family sees it as either useless or as a joke it becomes really discouraging and kind of leaves me disappointed, I always thought that family was supposed to be supportive but I guess I was wrong. I really wish I could just have a friend who enjoyed training as much as me and someone that would just listen and believe what I say. I really don't know what to do, this is the most disappointed and discouraged I have felt in a while. ☹

Daniil,

 

My only advice would be go with your passion. Many older generation adults and even some younger people today don't understand nor see the value in going to the gym because in many countries getting an education and/or a good job is more important. To them, lifting does not do either - you don't make any money and it does nothing to promote your education. However, the benefits of health, proper diet, and exercise do impact your education and job prospects. Being in top physical shape and health also makes your mind more clear and operate more efficiently (which helps in education) and helps the body work longer and endure more stress (which helps any type of job).

 

If lifting and going to the gym is truly important to you, don't let anyone (family or friends) discourage you or get in your way. Lifting at the gym is still productive time and keeps you from doing other less productive activities like playing video games or getting into trouble. Lifting boosts the immune system (as long as you don't overdo it) and promotes health not the opposite. Make the most with the food you have access to and try to eat as good as you can. Unless you are taking steroids, you don't need tons of protein or calories to put on decent size and strength. Training, eating properly, and resting are more important.

 

John

34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-) MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
Herculesinwyo
Herculesinwyo g Mike Roberts
146 Post(s)
146 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: March 3, 2018
Posted

Keep your passion and know this is only temporary, one day you will be on your own and living life they way you see fit. Hang in there man

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: _daniil__2000_

Recently I recovered from being sick for a week, my family blamed me going to the gym on my bike is what got me sick and then I got almost everyone else sick. When in reality the reason I got sick is because of a protein deficiency that caused me to be vulnerable to the virus that has been going around. I keep telling my mom that there is never enough meat and overall never enough protein sources for me to eat from. My mom listens to my older sister(she goes to college) who says that I only need the protein I get from normal meals(being pasta and potatoes) and well that leads me to have less than needed, affecting my overall health. The only way my mom seems to try and help is by buying protein sakes occasionally, my older sister finds it entirely unnecessary. My mom seems to not want to let me go to the gym just because I got sick once, it's cloudy with no chance of rain and she immediately says no to me going. Even though I told her that it is genetically beneficial to train before you are 20, she still seems to not be against it but not support it either. My mom is willing to drive to the store as long as I am with her but won't drive me to the gym, although she said that this week she wants to get back in the gym. I can't blame her for not wanting to drive alone since she has back problems, I continuously tell her that the best way to get rid of back problems is to train your back even if it is just conditioning. I don't know why but my older sister is completely against me going to the gym and claims that I have an obsession. My dad thinks that it's dumb that I am wasting time lifting when I can spend that time working, he legit sees me going to the gym as some sort of joke. The problem with me not going to the gym is that the equipment I have at home is not enough for me, a set of 10, 20, 40, 50lbs dumbbells is nowhere near enough, especially for leg day since I squat like 150-165 and I need a barbell for effective squats, I have no hamstring or quad machine at home and I lift like 300lbs on my calves and deadlift over 150lbs. Ive got plenty of other reasons why I perfer the gym but it seems as if nobody really cares, I know that I shouldn't listen to anyone who tells me that my training is useless, but when almost my whole family sees it as either useless or as a joke it becomes really discouraging and kind of leaves me disappointed, I always thought that family was supposed to be supportive but I guess I was wrong. I really wish I could just have a friend who enjoyed training as much as me and someone that would just listen and believe what I say. I really don't know what to do, this is the most disappointed and discouraged I have felt in a while. ☹

Awesome to see the support here for you Daniil!

 

Maybe you just need to find that friend you are looking for at the gym. That's the best place to find someone who is as passionate about lifting as you are, and who knows, you might even find someone a bit older than you that could even help you out by driving you to the gym.

 

My other suggestion would be to bike to the gym if you can. If you can't get a ride from family, take yourself. If you want to make things happen, sometimes you have to go out and make it happen yourself. I know it can't be easy to have a negative attitude around you, and that you are probably at the age where you can't go out all the time and do your own thing, but maybe if your Mom for example doesn't have to go out of her way to drive you to the gym, then it won't be such an issue? Just a thought.

 

Aside from that, if you can't go to the gym all the time, still make the most of your equipment at home. When it comes to eating, maybe offer to help your Mom cook and see if you can then decide a bit more on what food is going to be available. Family normally just want what's best for you, so even though it might seem frustrating at the moment, they probably have reasons just like you do, so you just have to do what you can to work through it.

 

Good luck man!

Need 1 on 1 coaching? Send me a direct message to learn more!
_daniil__2000_
_daniil__2000_ g Daniil Yushkov
34 Post(s)
34 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

Awesome to see the support here for you Daniil!

 

Maybe you just need to find that friend you are looking for at the gym. That's the best place to find someone who is as passionate about lifting as you are, and who knows, you might even find someone a bit older than you that could even help you out by driving you to the gym.

 

My other suggestion would be to bike to the gym if you can. If you can't get a ride from family, take yourself. If you want to make things happen, sometimes you have to go out and make it happen yourself. I know it can't be easy to have a negative attitude around you, and that you are probably at the age where you can't go out all the time and do your own thing, but maybe if your Mom for example doesn't have to go out of her way to drive you to the gym, then it won't be such an issue? Just a thought.

 

Aside from that, if you can't go to the gym all the time, still make the most of your equipment at home. When it comes to eating, maybe offer to help your Mom cook and see if you can then decide a bit more on what food is going to be available. Family normally just want what's best for you, so even though it might seem frustrating at the moment, they probably have reasons just like you do, so you just have to do what you can to work through it.

 

Good luck man!

Thanks for the support everyone.

 

The problem is that I do bike to the gym and my mom is still against it even though she doesn't ever drive me there. The only people I know who support me going to the gym are my older brothers but one is married the other is at work all day and is getting married in June, the one not yet married actually offered that I use his bike to get to the gym instead of my old cruiser bike, all I had to do was fix it up a bit, but it makes it much easier to get to the gym.

What sucks even more is that since my brother is getting married he wants to hand the gym membership to my older sister but she doesn't want to pay for it because we're going to be gone 2 months on vacation this summer. That means they will probably close the account and I won't have a gym to go to. I am kind of hoping they don't get around to doing it until April is over so that if they do close the account we'll probably have a month left before the membership ends, then I'd at least finish my program.

 

I often try to utilize the equipment that I have but it is kind of hard to progressively overload when you can bench 55lbs dumbbells and the maximum you have is 50lbs dumbbells. Also with my stubborn obliques I can lift 65lbs for an oblique crunch, then again don't have enough weight. Then my shoulder problem, I have to use a bar for shoulder presses or else I will worsen what I already have since using dumbbells for shoulder presses is what got me the problem in the first place. Yes I can utilize everything even with these problems, but I would really rather be focused on what exercise I'm doing rather that trying to figure out how to utilize progressive overload with my current equipment.

 

Helping my mom cook isn't really the best option, her view of helping is she tells me what to cook and i cook it. But the biggest problem when it comes to choosing what to cook is my older sister, she is taking culinary classes in college and you might be able to imagine what it is like to live with someone who sees themselves as a chef.

 

I don't know what I'm going to do but I really hope I could reach my goals before vacation and after vacation I'll worry about it more.

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: _daniil__2000_

Thanks for the support everyone.

 

The problem is that I do bike to the gym and my mom is still against it even though she doesn't ever drive me there. The only people I know who support me going to the gym are my older brothers but one is married the other is at work all day and is getting married in June, the one not yet married actually offered that I use his bike to get to the gym instead of my old cruiser bike, all I had to do was fix it up a bit, but it makes it much easier to get to the gym.

What sucks even more is that since my brother is getting married he wants to hand the gym membership to my older sister but she doesn't want to pay for it because we're going to be gone 2 months on vacation this summer. That means they will probably close the account and I won't have a gym to go to. I am kind of hoping they don't get around to doing it until April is over so that if they do close the account we'll probably have a month left before the membership ends, then I'd at least finish my program.

 

I often try to utilize the equipment that I have but it is kind of hard to progressively overload when you can bench 55lbs dumbbells and the maximum you have is 50lbs dumbbells. Also with my stubborn obliques I can lift 65lbs for an oblique crunch, then again don't have enough weight. Then my shoulder problem, I have to use a bar for shoulder presses or else I will worsen what I already have since using dumbbells for shoulder presses is what got me the problem in the first place. Yes I can utilize everything even with these problems, but I would really rather be focused on what exercise I'm doing rather that trying to figure out how to utilize progressive overload with my current equipment.

 

Helping my mom cook isn't really the best option, her view of helping is she tells me what to cook and i cook it. But the biggest problem when it comes to choosing what to cook is my older sister, she is taking culinary classes in college and you might be able to imagine what it is like to live with someone who sees themselves as a chef.

 

I don't know what I'm going to do but I really hope I could reach my goals before vacation and after vacation I'll worry about it more.

Well man, make the most of what you have, and do your best to look at the positives! Doing stuff at home and even on vacation, doing bodyweight stuff is still better than nothing. Why don't you ask your older brother if you can have the gym membership if you are the one who is going to be using it in the meantime?

 

And I guess having a sister going to culinary school isn't a bad thing.. must be lots of good food that gets made at your place! haha. Just do your best to fit that food around your macros, and keep in mind you're still young, you're still a teen - you can get away with eating more junk and not have it affect your physique too much becauses of metabolism and hormones and things like that.. plus if you are still training then you are at least putting it to good use. Obviously you want to be getting good food, but if you are getting your typical meat, veges and carbs, then that's good!

 

And to progressively overload when the weights are light, just use a slower tempo so that the exercises are more difficult - start doing more supersets and drop sets and cut your rest periods down to make it more intense and still beakdown muscle. Remember, growing isn't alwyas about how much weight you lift.

 

Keep your head up man!

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_daniil__2000_
_daniil__2000_ g Daniil Yushkov
34 Post(s)
34 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

Well man, make the most of what you have, and do your best to look at the positives! Doing stuff at home and even on vacation, doing bodyweight stuff is still better than nothing. Why don't you ask your older brother if you can have the gym membership if you are the one who is going to be using it in the meantime?

 

And I guess having a sister going to culinary school isn't a bad thing.. must be lots of good food that gets made at your place! haha. Just do your best to fit that food around your macros, and keep in mind you're still young, you're still a teen - you can get away with eating more junk and not have it affect your physique too much becauses of metabolism and hormones and things like that.. plus if you are still training then you are at least putting it to good use. Obviously you want to be getting good food, but if you are getting your typical meat, veges and carbs, then that's good!

 

And to progressively overload when the weights are light, just use a slower tempo so that the exercises are more difficult - start doing more supersets and drop sets and cut your rest periods down to make it more intense and still beakdown muscle. Remember, growing isn't alwyas about how much weight you lift.

 

Keep your head up man!

Yeah, bodyweight exercises was what I was planning for vacation. But I can't really have the gym membership because it's like $75 a month and I don't have money like that.

 

Well it's kind of funny that you mentioned progressive overload with a slower tempo and shorter rest periods, because I have already been doing that in the gym with my current program while still increasing the weight, I am now doing what used to be a 2 hour workout in 1:40 and even 1:30. I have also increased the amount of power in some of my exercises while avoiding momentum. I try to lift as heavy as I can and at the end of most workouts I feel as if I can do more, but I avoid it to prevent overtraining.

 

With the rate that I am at right now if I am to get to the gym for the rest of my program, I will probably reach and surpass some of my goals.

 

Also, quick question; my older brother was visiting the other day and recommended I lean slightly to foreward on my bicep curls to increase bicep activation, it seemed to work, but would consider it bogus or good advice?

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: _daniil__2000_

Yeah, bodyweight exercises was what I was planning for vacation. But I can't really have the gym membership because it's like $75 a month and I don't have money like that.

 

Well it's kind of funny that you mentioned progressive overload with a slower tempo and shorter rest periods, because I have already been doing that in the gym with my current program while still increasing the weight, I am now doing what used to be a 2 hour workout in 1:40 and even 1:30. I have also increased the amount of power in some of my exercises while avoiding momentum. I try to lift as heavy as I can and at the end of most workouts I feel as if I can do more, but I avoid it to prevent overtraining.

 

With the rate that I am at right now if I am to get to the gym for the rest of my program, I will probably reach and surpass some of my goals.

 

Also, quick question; my older brother was visiting the other day and recommended I lean slightly to foreward on my bicep curls to increase bicep activation, it seemed to work, but would consider it bogus or good advice?

Nice man you are making awesome progress then!!

 

With the bicep curls.. I wouldn't say leaning forward activates your biceps more per say, but it can help you lift a bit more weight and not use your back to much when you curl it up. If you lean forward slightly, then with heavier weight you can swing it up a bit easier without having to lean really far back, so it is good advice.

 

Now keeping your arms forward in front of your body, that would help you activate your biceps more. If you try curling your regular weight, but have your elbows and arms locked slightly out in front of you rather than by your sides, it will DESTROY your biceps.

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_daniil__2000_
_daniil__2000_ g Daniil Yushkov
34 Post(s)
34 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

Nice man you are making awesome progress then!!

 

With the bicep curls.. I wouldn't say leaning forward activates your biceps more per say, but it can help you lift a bit more weight and not use your back to much when you curl it up. If you lean forward slightly, then with heavier weight you can swing it up a bit easier without having to lean really far back, so it is good advice.

 

Now keeping your arms forward in front of your body, that would help you activate your biceps more. If you try curling your regular weight, but have your elbows and arms locked slightly out in front of you rather than by your sides, it will DESTROY your biceps.

Funny thing is when I do barbell bicep curls I can lift more weight when my elbows are in front of my hips than if they were in line with my hips. I don't know why, I can barely lift 40lbs when my elbows are in line with my hips, but if they are in front I can lift a good 60lbs and 80 if I am really hyped. Also it seems as if I can more easily curl out in front of me with my elbows in front of my hips. Plus my shoulders begin to feel uncomfortable if my elbows are in line with my hips while curling.

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: _daniil__2000_

Funny thing is when I do barbell bicep curls I can lift more weight when my elbows are in front of my hips than if they were in line with my hips. I don't know why, I can barely lift 40lbs when my elbows are in line with my hips, but if they are in front I can lift a good 60lbs and 80 if I am really hyped. Also it seems as if I can more easily curl out in front of me with my elbows in front of my hips. Plus my shoulders begin to feel uncomfortable if my elbows are in line with my hips while curling.

I'm talking more with the bar away from you - so not just having the elbows a little in front of your hips, more like having your arms out in front of you and not touching your body at all, and only bending at the elbow.. that might be what you are doing, and if it is, that's great work! But typically it's much harder if you are keeping your elbows locked. I kind of go over what I mean in this video.

 

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_daniil__2000_
_daniil__2000_ g Daniil Yushkov
34 Post(s)
34 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

I'm talking more with the bar away from you - so not just having the elbows a little in front of your hips, more like having your arms out in front of you and not touching your body at all, and only bending at the elbow.. that might be what you are doing, and if it is, that's great work! But typically it's much harder if you are keeping your elbows locked. I kind of go over what I mean in this video.

 

Yes i understood what you mean, and yes I try to keep the bar away from my body and I do get more bicep activation. I'm pretty sure the reason it is easier for me to do it "correctly" is due to my shoulder problem, whenever i feel something uncomfortable in my shoulders I tend to not lift heavier plainly from distraction. When my elbows are slightly in front of my hips I can lock them in place more easily by locking my arms against my lats, preventing contributions of the shoulders and keeping me more focused.

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: _daniil__2000_

Yes i understood what you mean, and yes I try to keep the bar away from my body and I do get more bicep activation. I'm pretty sure the reason it is easier for me to do it "correctly" is due to my shoulder problem, whenever i feel something uncomfortable in my shoulders I tend to not lift heavier plainly from distraction. When my elbows are slightly in front of my hips I can lock them in place more easily by locking my arms against my lats, preventing contributions of the shoulders and keeping me more focused.

Oh yeah I guess that could be it then! As long as you are getting solid bicep activation then you're on the right track 😁 ðŸ’ª 

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