booneman77
Legend
I see he's wearing the patent pending OG anabolic dump trunks haha
USPlabs asks WHY dO you LIFT? Share your "WHY" story and WIN BIGLY!
- Thread starter USPlabsRep
- Start date
I see he's wearing the patent pending OG anabolic dump trunks haha
thorsdad31
Well-known member
Haha that's great. My 2 year old loves his hat also
Nice start them young
thorsdad31
Well-known member
Haha yeah he hates pants lol
MidwestBeast
Legend
booneman77
Legend
Not me. I fee so uncomfortable and exposed without pants haha. My worst night mare is getting into a fight naked...
Got into one after a toga party in college cuz some dude thought it'd be funny to rip my toga off... he regretted that quickly.
ChocolateClen
Well-known member
If you're in a fight then just mollywop them since your dick is already hanging out
MidwestBeast
Legend
Did you assert your dominance as the alpha by getting on top of him? lol
Funny story -- in college, a friend and I somehow came up with the most terrifying thing ever to encounter (and thus the appropriate response to do to any type of intruder/fight-provoker/etc.) would be running with one clinched fist pulled back ready to throw a punch while the other one is manually stimulating yourself. Seriously, I wouldn't want to fight that. I'd run as far and fast away as I could.
Colby.Strunk
Active member
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed this one. It's awesome to share a common interest with your loved ones!
Colby.Strunk
Active member
Inspiring story, thank you for sharing!
USPlabsRep
Board Sponsor
We'll end this inspiring thread this Friday.....
Colby.Strunk
Active member
I just finished reading each and everyone one of your stories. Proud to be on such a forum where people are united by a common cause. Thank you all for sharing your stories.
I wrote an entire essay that was published on "Why I lift" here is a quick portion that sums it up:
Adhering to a strict training schedule, diet, and surrounding myself with goal orientated individuals has definitely been a blessing in my life. Pushing past my limits has been rewarding. The rest of life just seems so easy; school, work and social performance is “up”. I am a very task/job orientated person and would like to think I apply the same passion as I do for weights in other areas of my life.
Lifting has been a healthy outlet for stress, anger and has put me in touch with others who share my desire and I have made countless lifelong friends. There seems to be a “tribal” bond with these I lift with, helping each other when we stumble or need someone to talk to. I have been more than impressed with what we have a team do for each other when times get rough.
I have done my very best to give back to the sport of weight training by writing various articles to help beginners, coaching those who ask for my help and encouraging team members. I also try to conduct behavior to be respectful and set an example for those who might look up to me just as those who I look up to.
I wrote an entire essay that was published on "Why I lift" here is a quick portion that sums it up:
Adhering to a strict training schedule, diet, and surrounding myself with goal orientated individuals has definitely been a blessing in my life. Pushing past my limits has been rewarding. The rest of life just seems so easy; school, work and social performance is “up”. I am a very task/job orientated person and would like to think I apply the same passion as I do for weights in other areas of my life.
Lifting has been a healthy outlet for stress, anger and has put me in touch with others who share my desire and I have made countless lifelong friends. There seems to be a “tribal” bond with these I lift with, helping each other when we stumble or need someone to talk to. I have been more than impressed with what we have a team do for each other when times get rough.
I have done my very best to give back to the sport of weight training by writing various articles to help beginners, coaching those who ask for my help and encouraging team members. I also try to conduct behavior to be respectful and set an example for those who might look up to me just as those who I look up to.
FireTitan
Legend
Thanks for sharing this!!
thorsdad31
Well-known member
Yours is a good read aswell nice to see every tough guy on here open up
MidwestBeast
Legend
Very well stated, Colby.
Some people just get it and others don't (but I don't have the mentality of giving up on them; just recognizing that they're not at a point to understand it just yet). The gym and fitness is about so much more than just the superficial. There are the health benefits physically, but so many more emotionally that accompany it. I honestly thrive in the gym. I feel like it's the place I belong more than any other (even though I'm very good at my job and working to get certifications/qualifications to be just as good at other things, too). And when I'm there, I can (usually) turn my mind off to all the outside things for those 2 hours (or however long I'm there). I feel like I can do anything.
But after that, the mental clarity persists, the energy continues to be released to my body and my mind and I just find peace with the world. The gym and nature are really the only 2 things that seem to do that for me. I had a moment 2 months ago when I was in Florida and out in the of ocean. It was a stormy day, but it was our last day there (only 2 days on a long weekend), so I refused to be kept from the ocean. It was only lightly raining; no actual storms left, as they had passed in the morning. No one else wanted to go with me, so I went alone (we were a block walk from the beach). As expected, there were maybe 5 people within view on the entire beach. I just walked out into the water and let the waves roll onto/with me. In that moment, I was at such peace that in my mind (as this was the same weekend as a hurricane, but it was on the Atlantic coast) I said to myself, "if I died right now, I would be okay with that." I know when people hear that, it feels very grim to most, but it isn't to me. In my faith, I'm secure with what's next. And I want to live and have so many more things I want to see and do in this life, but it was just a total moment of serenity when it couldn't get any more perfect. Anyway, the gym provides mini-bursts of that feeling to me on a regular basis.
Some people will question the amount of time you spend in the gym; as if it's too much. Yet, those same people have no problem watching 3 hours of television in an evening. And there's nothing wrong with that, either, but how is it somehow worse or selfish?
There's a stereotype that every person in the gym (particularly once they've reached a certain level of physical appearance) is conceited, only cares about how he/she looks, and quite possibly is arrogant. I'm sure those people exist, too, but it couldn't be further from the truth for me. I'm self-conscious. In addition to lifting for the reasons I've already mentioned, I also do it because I'm inwardly terrified of being fat. When others compliment me, it often takes me a long time to warm up to or even accept it, because in my mind I'm already tearing down all the imperfections I see. I'm a pretty large guy to most people who encounter me at 6' and 220+ lbs., but I'm more insecure a lot of the time than they would ever assume. That's partially why the Planet Fitness ad campaign makes me so angry. Just because someone looks strong from the outside, they're obviously dumb? How is it any different than making fun of an obese person at a restaurant? The logic plays the same in either case -- said individual has been at said location for longer than necessary and thus achieved the primary objective and there is no longer a reason to stay. But people would be absolutely up in arms and boycotting places that did that. It's been a while, but I can recall all the backlash some retail chains took because their ads or mannequins made overweight people feel wronged/judged/etc.
Anyway, the point of all that is just that those who are outsiders see things very differently most of the time than how we do. And they should be as open-minded as we are to everything else in this world. We're no different than the metaphor of the ocean -- the waters may appear calm on the surface, but they don't see all of the layers and chaos underneath.
Some people just get it and others don't (but I don't have the mentality of giving up on them; just recognizing that they're not at a point to understand it just yet). The gym and fitness is about so much more than just the superficial. There are the health benefits physically, but so many more emotionally that accompany it. I honestly thrive in the gym. I feel like it's the place I belong more than any other (even though I'm very good at my job and working to get certifications/qualifications to be just as good at other things, too). And when I'm there, I can (usually) turn my mind off to all the outside things for those 2 hours (or however long I'm there). I feel like I can do anything.
But after that, the mental clarity persists, the energy continues to be released to my body and my mind and I just find peace with the world. The gym and nature are really the only 2 things that seem to do that for me. I had a moment 2 months ago when I was in Florida and out in the of ocean. It was a stormy day, but it was our last day there (only 2 days on a long weekend), so I refused to be kept from the ocean. It was only lightly raining; no actual storms left, as they had passed in the morning. No one else wanted to go with me, so I went alone (we were a block walk from the beach). As expected, there were maybe 5 people within view on the entire beach. I just walked out into the water and let the waves roll onto/with me. In that moment, I was at such peace that in my mind (as this was the same weekend as a hurricane, but it was on the Atlantic coast) I said to myself, "if I died right now, I would be okay with that." I know when people hear that, it feels very grim to most, but it isn't to me. In my faith, I'm secure with what's next. And I want to live and have so many more things I want to see and do in this life, but it was just a total moment of serenity when it couldn't get any more perfect. Anyway, the gym provides mini-bursts of that feeling to me on a regular basis.
Some people will question the amount of time you spend in the gym; as if it's too much. Yet, those same people have no problem watching 3 hours of television in an evening. And there's nothing wrong with that, either, but how is it somehow worse or selfish?
There's a stereotype that every person in the gym (particularly once they've reached a certain level of physical appearance) is conceited, only cares about how he/she looks, and quite possibly is arrogant. I'm sure those people exist, too, but it couldn't be further from the truth for me. I'm self-conscious. In addition to lifting for the reasons I've already mentioned, I also do it because I'm inwardly terrified of being fat. When others compliment me, it often takes me a long time to warm up to or even accept it, because in my mind I'm already tearing down all the imperfections I see. I'm a pretty large guy to most people who encounter me at 6' and 220+ lbs., but I'm more insecure a lot of the time than they would ever assume. That's partially why the Planet Fitness ad campaign makes me so angry. Just because someone looks strong from the outside, they're obviously dumb? How is it any different than making fun of an obese person at a restaurant? The logic plays the same in either case -- said individual has been at said location for longer than necessary and thus achieved the primary objective and there is no longer a reason to stay. But people would be absolutely up in arms and boycotting places that did that. It's been a while, but I can recall all the backlash some retail chains took because their ads or mannequins made overweight people feel wronged/judged/etc.
Anyway, the point of all that is just that those who are outsiders see things very differently most of the time than how we do. And they should be as open-minded as we are to everything else in this world. We're no different than the metaphor of the ocean -- the waters may appear calm on the surface, but they don't see all of the layers and chaos underneath.
FireTitan
Legend
Wow, you Sir just got deep! Me likey
angcd3
Well-known member
Appreciate you taking the time to read them all..
Have always been hesitant about sharing my story here or anywhere.. I'm a pretty quiet keep to myself guy who always thinks everyone will be critical of me in some way.. but reading all of your stories gave my the confidence to finally post mine.. And I thank you all for that..
FireTitan
Legend
!!!
blueline438
Board Sponsor
Dang. Getting deep in here.
The Solution
Legend
Would you rather pay 25-30$ a month for a gym membership
or would you rather be a typical american spending 60-70-80$ on beer and cigarettes each week?
Choice is pretty easy here. I may be selfish because I like to workout, and spend hours in a gym. At least I am benefitting my body, mind, soul, and also getting some stress off my shoulders.
F' Sitting at home and on the couch for hours and feeling like a lazy american and enjoying my diabetes of eating TV Dinners and drinking 2 L of regular soda
blueline438
Board Sponsor
I like to sit at home and watch movies and eat popcorn and drink soda and eat cake. That's why I lift. Lol
justhere4comm
Banned
Well stated sir!
There is nothing more selfish than drinking to excess, smoking, and contributing to your own declination of health while with another person you are supposed to love, and they love you. The money lost, sick days, and time most of all taken away from them is incalculable, but I will offer up this selfish man's quest to bring that back around to a better place.
Former Smoker
I'm a former smoker. (Almost) I vape, but I was spending $150 / month on cigarettes, and decided to put $5.00 in the savings every day automatically to signify what I would have spent on cigarettes. I don't drink (Soda or Liquor) , never really did, but can see where that could really add up as well..
Join the gym!
I don't watch television except for Documentaries mostly, in the background while I create art work or communicate on these or other forums. We have date night and rent movies for $5-8 each and I'd rather spend the money on that, time with my love, and eat good food! (And, I don't stink of cigs)
I'm constantly thinking of how to improve myself, and it is a glorious endeavor to become addicted to. My good fortune is, my work gives me $300 per year towards a membership / reimbursement so my out of pocket for a 24/7 gym is $150 total per year.
What a great community to belong to!
I spend my money on supplements / and products to help me towards my goals, and loving it!!! Ever since I joined this group of amazing people both on Twitter, in AM, and other groups, I have found the most driven, kind, generous, and supportive people ever experienced. You all deserve a big hug from me. You are all my heroes.
Hyde
Legend
Hey at least you are know who you are and are honest about that lol
Driven2lift
Legend
Food indulgences are definitely on everybody's list if they're being completely honest, I'm sure of it
rascal14
Well-known member
My number one reason.
justhere4comm
Banned
Food is he fuel that permits me to grow and taste takes a back seat to results. That said, cheat days are so much better, knowing the following two weeks my body will reward me for that micro food vacation with a new and refreshed metabolism.
The Solution
Legend
You are just like me.
Love my Cheat meals!!!
Sunday after my show next weekend.. this is my agenda...
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
and breakfast here at BAKN In Pittsburgh:
Apple pie French Toast
Invalid Link Removed
Applewood Smoked Bacon Filled Pancakes
Invalid Link Removed
French Toast
Invalid Link Removed
FireTitan
Legend
:food coma
The Solution
Legend
After 6 months of dieting I am not sweating it
justhere4comm
Banned
bigguyn10ec
Active member
Great thread. Regardless of winning, I may post my reasons but not every man needs to cry while trying to pull off no shave November ha.
booneman77
Legend
you will, however be sweating like a mofo after that carb load! the carb sweats are gonna be sooooooo realllllll.
and so worth it.
MidwestBeast
Legend
Still got nothing on meat sweats 
KilaCali
Banned
First off, Thank You guys at USP for the quality supplements, overall support for not only customers and future customers but people in the fitness circle..
Why I Started and became obsessed with it and everything related to it and Why I Will Continue To Lift and Envelope myself in all things physical;
When I was 9 or 10 yrs old and I'm sure ALOT of people can relate, The Arnold & Van Damme movies were just coming out and for some reason I wanted to be both.. As a child at ages of 10-11-12 and up I used to walk around our 2 story house looking for ways to workout, doing pullups in doorways, pushups, curls, I would even walk up to the couch when my sister or mom would be on the couch and lift up one end of it for reps, I look back now and think DAMN I was actually kinda strong as a skinny little kid..
as I went on for some reason I just kept getting more hyped on the muscles and martial arts Arnold and van damme had and could do.. I would feel like Arnold or van dame and challenge my sisters friends who were all 3-4 years older and ALOT bigger then me to punch me in the stomache and wrestle and would surprise them. Awesome feeling for a kid who had virtually no friends cause we moved every couple months so we were always changing schools..
Come HighSchool gym class I loved it, the thing I killed due in part to me only weighing 125lbs being 5'7 and experienced in pullups I actually impressed the coach even with all the beast football kids, I broke off 20-30-40 pullups... I kind of fell out of it after a while though when I got introduced to marijewana and partying.. as time went on I always wanted to workout and get big. my philosophy was me being only 5'7 if I can bcome a mini hulk it would make up for the height advantage a lot of dudes had, I just never was able to take that next step..
At the age of 22 I was locked up in county for a LOT of serious felonies and spent almost 2 yrs in fighting the cae with a quarter million bond there wa no chance in hell I was getting out, of course right away I see some dudes that are pretty jacked and I actualy get along with 95% of people in so the meathead of the unit takes me under his wing, not your typical movie thing where he A. makes you think you guys are cool and rapes you or B. Gets you all jacked and rapes you cause there was a dude that used to do that out here, anyhow
Dude makes me a deal, if I order I little list of food for us to get big on and split a little with him he'll train me, though all they had was a dip bar pullup bar leg lift junglegym in our pod we would improvise and by the time I was to be sentenced and had my bond lowered almost 2 years later living on a **** diet but eating everything I walked out on bond going from 135lbs to 161lbs LEAN. everyone freaked.. another thing to mention is well I was in there it was something great to look forward to 5-6 days a week in there, had a perfect routine made the time FLY, and after I would finish I would feel amazing... anyhow
shortly after that I start realizing after doing some minor training in MMA and finally hitting weights for the first time since 15yrs old in H.S.
that I felt like Everything physical would be picked up in my brain almost immediately I could remember all the articles, books, papers, mags I read on every aspect of lifting and fighting, and when it came to drills, lifting, mma training, my muscle memory was amazing! the first thing in my life I felt like I was destined to excel in it if I put my efforts into it and stick with it..
That is one of my #1 Reaon "Why I Lift"
#2 Mood, Health, Longevity, Preparedness for Anything that requires all the abilities of being fit (ie. Work, Self Defense, Helping someone Out)
#3 Self-Confidence.. It does feel good when people talk about your physique no matter who it is, also in the PT/Rehab/Fitness world if your goal is to make a career out of anything in the fitness world looking in shape alone is a huge advertisement..
To make a long story short cause I'm thinking maybe it was a little too much already :-/
Lifting is an all around blessing to me when I wake up to going to sleep I am thankful for being able to succeed in any fitness or health test and seeing myself in the mirror from time to time reminds me of how far ive come in life and its something positive that took years of hard work with nothing special to help me get there other then pure motivation, determination, and occasionally some awesome workout partners or as we called it in jail and prison "a car" because were driving eachother in the gym.
There are ALOT of things that I am not proud of but I think lifting and getting to the point I am now has gotten me through many dark days in my life and allowed me the courage and confidence as well as sometimes a physical presence to help others in their bad days..
Thank you USP for the opportunity to apply for this fantastic giveaway and all considerations. I wish everyone the best and hope maybe my drawn out explanation was something you were looking for!
BloodManor
Well-known member
I lift because my life literally depends on it. Being a state police officer I have to deal with people who are bigger than me, stronger and more experienced at times. Even though I'm 6'4 250 I still had a few close calls. So me being able to put muscle a lot of people made sure I came home at night to my 7 and 3 year old.
I also do lots of dynamic stretching and mobility excersizes to make sure I can do anything that is needed of me.
I also do lots of dynamic stretching and mobility excersizes to make sure I can do anything that is needed of me.
justhere4comm
Banned
Stay safe BroPeaceOfficerinblue!
Colby.Strunk
Active member
Guilty...
DennisTheDane
Well-known member
Well it started back in 07...My lady left me... Then i went to the gym with a buddy... Went to the gym for a few months.. But my drinking went in the way..
And got in to a lot of trouble...So that was the end of that...
But a few years back.. I got a bad injury in my back..For i needed some rehab training. And that was it..Was hooked... For a while... Then my dad got cancer.. And i have a very bad temper..So i needed to blow of steam...And it seemed to do the job,going to the gym... So after a while getting used to lifting...
My fiance got cancer... And i went down a deep dark hole for a while... But again training was the answer...It got me out of ruff patches...
Thjere have been ups and downs..But i always seem to find my way back in to the gym,when things get to heated... So this year after a depressing period.. (>I was,what you might call. Stuck between a rock and a hard place) I went back to the gym.. And im gaining muscle and having fun again ! Its hard AF but i still go and i still fuack **** up!
And got in to a lot of trouble...So that was the end of that...
But a few years back.. I got a bad injury in my back..For i needed some rehab training. And that was it..Was hooked... For a while... Then my dad got cancer.. And i have a very bad temper..So i needed to blow of steam...And it seemed to do the job,going to the gym... So after a while getting used to lifting...
My fiance got cancer... And i went down a deep dark hole for a while... But again training was the answer...It got me out of ruff patches...
Thjere have been ups and downs..But i always seem to find my way back in to the gym,when things get to heated... So this year after a depressing period.. (>I was,what you might call. Stuck between a rock and a hard place) I went back to the gym.. And im gaining muscle and having fun again ! Its hard AF but i still go and i still fuack **** up!
MidwestBeast
Legend
That's a lot to have to deal with; can't pretend to imagine. Glad you've found a healthy outlet in training.
bwdill
Board Sponsor
Mirin that verse in the signature brotha!
Another good Psalm is 144:1......"Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight."
BloodManor
Well-known member
Great reasons in here
MidwestBeast
Legend
Can't remember if I ever shared this story on AM before or not, but I found that verse one night just feeling down (I was only like 11 or 12) and I just flipped my Bible open and that was the page it went to and the first verse I read lol (in the middle of a page; not even at the top or anything) and it just felt perfect. So from that point forward, I always wrote Psalm 34:10 under the bill of my baseball hats so when I played, I could look up and see it.
Really cool company out there if you've never heard of it is Shields of Strength. I wish so bad they had a Psalm 34:10 one, but they have necklaces of all sorts and I've got a weight plate with Phil. 4:13 on it that I've had for years now.
bwdill
Board Sponsor
That is an awesome story!!! I'll have to check out Shields of Strength.
Thanks brotha!
angcd3
Well-known member
Awesome story.. love Shields of Strength wear one of mine everyday !
angcd3
Well-known member
Hey bro dont know if you have checked it out lately but they have added quiet a few new verses to there things I don't remember seeing yours but i think at least one or two of them have a verse from Pslams...
Rocket3015
Legend
Nice promo !
Colby.Strunk
Active member
Great stories everyone! Contest is ending today. I believe USPlabsRep will be selecting additional winners!
justhere4comm
Banned
USPlabs asks WHY dO you LIFT? Share your "WHY" story and WIN BIGLY!
Agreed! Amazing promo for the wonderfully shared stories. This has been the most rewarding discussions I can recall reading.
I don't envy the task of choosing!
Thank you for creating this. USPlabsRep
Agreed! Amazing promo for the wonderfully shared stories. This has been the most rewarding discussions I can recall reading.
I don't envy the task of choosing!
Thank you for creating this. USPlabsRep