I don't think so. I mean, it's not like I'm asking to own a penthouse apartment. Or have a job where I'm got an unlimited expense account. Or dine in the most fabulous restaurants. Or be able to shop in Barney's for all my clothes. I'm just asking to be able to look good without my clothes on.
You would think that would be simple. Read Men's Health or Men's Fitness magazine, watch what you eat, live a clean lifestyle, get plenty of rest, and workout in the gym. Listen to those personal trainers, magazine authors, motivational fitness speakers, celebrities who got fit for a movie role: follow X,Y & Z and you'll get pack on the muscle!
Like Mike Chang of Sixpack Shortcuts. Mike is a fitness personality with a great body (see screen grab). I would rob a bank for a body like his. And he does these videos that he posts on YouTube detailing the exercises that he does that got him the body he has. He has before and after photos on his site showing how fat he was and how fit he is now. He claims that all it takes to get results is to follow the things he does. And I'm sure it does work for him (obviously) and for other guys too.
But there are soooooo many people out there selling diets and workout programs and exercise equipment preying on people who are at their wits ends. Who are frustrated and annoyed that they haven't reached their goals. Looking for the magic pill, the quick-fix, the super personal trainer to help them get what they want out of their body.
Like myself. I keep working out, pushing myself to the brink, hoping for my body to finally turn the corner and surprise me with the physique I've been waiting for, but I look in the mirror after a workout and I don't see much change.
And I see those people with these amazing before and after, 3-month progress photos and wonder what the hell they're doing right and I'm doing wrong. I mean, I am RELIGIOUS in my devotion to getting the body I want. But somehow it still eludes me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the progress I've made since I was the 6ft 2inch tall teenager who weight a skinny 155lbs. I don't consider myself fat, but if I was standing next to my teenage self right now I could probably be considered chunky compared to the itty-bitty me back then.
I wonder if I was just dealt the crummy deck with my genetics. I wonder if my shoulder dislocation in high school weakened my right side and is forever holding my potential hostage. I wonder if the countless years of smoking and drinking and incorrect eating habits prevented me from getting there. I wonder if it's because I didn't try to workout sooner and now it's hopeless being in my, gulp, mid-30's (which I am allowed to say for another month when I turn 37 and will then be forced to say late 30's, but for now MID 30's it is).
The thing is, it could very well be ALL of those things. Just like how some people never lose their hair or can play sports or paint or do math in their heads or know what rug would look best in the hallway, I might just not be predisposed to getting big and muscled.
So all I can do is accept that my body is not that of an Abercrombie & Fitch model. Accept that I work hard(er) and I don't get the same results. I will go to the gym and know that I am doing the best work I can to make the changes that I want. I will know that I am doing the best I can, and I will keep doing that until... until? Hmm. I'm not sure. Is there ever an end to a fitness goal? When you reach one, is there another waiting in the wings? I guess I'll find out. Because I'm not stopping until I get what I want out of my body. I will try to change the things I can, because that's all I can do for now. Keep my eyes on the prize...
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