Is bodybuilding more hobby or serious task for you?

[Luv2Hurt]

Good reply, pretty much my mind set. I think that for me it is a simple case of priorities.
At 49 I am a lot more concerned about my house mortgage rate, credit score and vacations.I did a bunch of show from 1978-1995 and have some good memories that I cherish.

The ironic thing is that I ENJOY bodybuilding more NOW than in the years I wanted to  "go pro ".
For example, I am going to the Arnold next weekend. It is a lot more fun when you afford the air fare and a decent seat at the show, then going there on a shoestring budget

See ya at the show, Howard

I guess you can be passionate about vacations.  But credit scores and mortage rates??  Follow your heart, cause when its all over you will wish you did.

[Tapeworm]

I'm a pro and all of you have heard of me.  All you little fucks will pay for your insolence.

[HowieW]

I guess you can be passionate about vacations.  But credit scores and mortage rates??  Follow your heart, cause when its all over you will wish you did.

No , I actually hhave the opposite feeling and wish I had done more early in my life in terms of finances.
I am doing well now in terms of a credit score and while not rich, have some security.But I wasnted years , thinking that was not important. I was wrong. It took YEARS to rebuild my credit and develop a stable lifestyle.
I look back and think that blowing that off for my passion for the gym was really an excuse to act lazy, and irresponsible.

Branch Warren , Jay Cutler, etc is proof you can be a top bodybuilder and have a well orgnanized stable life.

[Luv2Hurt]

No , I actually hhave the opposite feeling and wish I had done more early in my life in terms of finances.
I am doing well now in terms of a credit score and while not rich, have some security.But I wasnted years , thinking that was not important. I was wrong. It took YEARS to rebuild my credit and develop a stable lifestyle.
I look back and think that blowing that off for my passion for the gym was really an excuse to act lazy, and irresponsible.

Branch Warren , Jay Cutler, etc is proof you can be a top bodybuilder and have a well orgnanized stable life.

Not advocating an irresponsible lifestyle at all and of course you need to have your priorities straight, I thought this goes without saying.

I m saying at your eulogy don't have it be:  "Howard was a responsible man, he left us with a 790 credit score and 0 late payments on his mortgage.....he lived a full life and chased his dreams."  That would be sad.  Now if they talked about all things you did that were fun and how you did the things you truly enjoyed and how you loved this or that i would say, "dude lived a good life"  Again not saying don't take of yourself financially but you cant take it with you and it will all mean shit when you are looking back on your life and cant do it over.

[HowieW]

Not advocating an irresponsible lifestyle at all and of course you need to have your priorities straight, I thought this goes without saying.

I m saying at your eulogy don't have it be:  "Howard was a responsible man, he left us with a 790 credit score and 0 late payments on his mortgage.....he lived a full life and chased his dreams."  That would be sad.  Now if they talked about all things you did that were fun and how you did the things you truly enjoyed and how you loved this or that i would say, "dude lived a good life"  Again not saying don't take of yourself financially but you cant take it with you and it will all mean shit when you are looking back on your life and cant do it over.

I agree 100% and that is why I enjoy going on vacations to the islands, cruises and out to dinner, etc
I still think that some use their "bodybuilding drive to be a pro" as an excuse to be a lazy gym bum.
I competed in aprox 40 shows over the years and judged plenty as well. As much as I enjoy bodybuilding to ths day, I don't think that competing in a contest can compare to the fun and joy I have gotten from a cruise or vacation in the islands, etc

[BayGBM]

Not advocating an irresponsible lifestyle at all and of course you need to have your priorities straight, I thought this goes without saying.

I m saying at your eulogy don't have it be:  "Howard was a responsible man, he left us with a 790 credit score and 0 late payments on his mortgage.....he lived a full life and chased his dreams."  That would be sad.  Now if they talked about all things you did that were fun and how you did the things you truly enjoyed and how you loved this or that i would say, "dude lived a good life"  Again not saying don't take of yourself financially but you cant take it with you and it will all mean shit when you are looking back on your life and cant do it over.

HowieW + a high credit score = Bay likey. 

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=193870.0

[Luv2Hurt]

I agree 100% and that is why I enjoy going on vacations to the islands, cruises and out to dinner, etc
I still think that some use their "bodybuilding drive to be a pro" as an excuse to be a lazy gym bum.
I competed in aprox 40 shows over the years and judged plenty as well. As much as I enjoy bodybuilding to ths day, I don't think that competing in a contest can compare to the fun and joy I have gotten from a cruise or vacation in the islands, etc

I hear yeah man.  I know it is crazy for almost anyone to think they are gonna be a pro BB, I find it hard to believe someone would focus everything on that.  Are there people who get away with that?  I'm sure they have to be very few and far between.  You have to be smart and be able to take of yourself

Heck yeah vacation memories rank right up there, thats living.

[BayGBM]

I hear yeah man.  I know it is crazy for almost anyone to think they are gonna be a pro BB, I find it hard to believe someone would focus everything on that.  Are there people who get away with that?  I'm sure they have to be very few and far between.  You have to be smart and be able to take of yourself

Heck yeah vacation memories rank right up there, thats living.

You said it!  A pic from my last vacation (in January).  Points to anyone who can name that location. 

[Tapeworm]

Buggery Bay!

[muscle19]

I agree with the above statement, I just turned 23 and I have a whole different look on life than I did couple years ago even. I'm getting married this summer, got my credit score from a crappy 630 to a 727 now from my fiancée helping me pay off my credit card debt! I love bodybuilding and I still juice. Def not crazy amounts and too some may be weak but I'm looking at long term. I have ole we my eyes in terms of goals and life itself. I want to be very successful like the rest of people out there but that comes first so I can support my future wide and kids someday. I love gear and the way I look but I also don't want health problems at 40 or 50 and not see my kids grow up or leave my wife prematurly. Luv2hurt put some sense in my head a couple months ago about life and I do thank him for that! Thanks bro I love the lifestyle an the eating and training/gear and will always do it but I have other priorities now and I have finally realized what is truly important in our very short lives

[The Squadfather]

I agree with the above statement, I just turned 23 and I have a whole different look on life than I did couple years ago even. I'm getting married this summer, got my credit score from a crappy 630 to a 727 now from my fiancée helping me pay off my credit card debt! I love bodybuilding and I still juice. Def not crazy amounts and too some may be weak but I'm looking at long term. I have ole we my eyes in terms of goals and life itself. I want to be very successful like the rest of people out there but that comes first so I can support my future wide and kids someday. I love gear and the way I look but I also don't want health problems at 40 or 50 and not see my kids grow up or leave my wife prematurly. Luv2hurt put some sense in my head a couple months ago about life and I do thank him for that! Thanks bro I love the lifestyle an the eating and training/gear and will always do it but I have other priorities now and I have finally realized what is truly important in our very short lives

damn man you sound like a beast you should post a picture.

[Tapeworm]

I love gear and the way I look but I also don't want health problems at 40 or 50 and not see my kids grow up or leave my wife prematurly.

Give it time.   

[Red Hook]

Top of the hobby list for me too.

I made it even more fun by discontinuing my waste of money on any kind of supplements except for some vitamins. No whey protein at all anymore. Only whole foods, feels much better from it too. You learn as you go along.

this sounds like me..supplements don't work

[Luv2Hurt]

You said it!  A pic from my last vacation (in January).  Points to anyone who can name that location. 

Key West?

[El Guapo]

265 pounds 6ft Perma bulker,Weak as shit.Need to lose 40 pounds to look satisfactory.Unless you are going to step on stage drugs are a waste.

holy crap on honest answere. Ive seen it all here now.

[technokc]

my priorities look something like this:

1)  drink beer
2)  finish college
3)  get pussy(don' tell my girl)
4)  get big(literally)
5)  GET BIG
6)  play dungeons and dragons

[Camel Jockey]

my priorities look something like this:

1)  drink beer
2)  finish college
3)  get pussy(don' tell my girl)
4)  get big(literally)
5)  GET BIG
6)  play dungeons and dragons

Replace playing dungeons and dragons with worship of Scott Alexander and you have my priorities.

[technokc]

Replace playing dungeons and dragons with worship of Scott Alexander and you have my priorities.

would you consider being a level 2 dwarven fighter if Scott Alexander was a level 15 elven barbarian?

[Gym dude]

My priorites are

1 Train my ass of in the gym
2 eat
3 Get big
4 play station
5 More Get Big
6 Post on Get Big when traveling

[Lifter4Life]

Im the complete opposite of you right now. Im young, and am looking at competing in the near future. I get more serious and more passionate about bodybuilding everyday. Nothing i look foward to more than going to the gym for another workout. Regardless of whether i make it in bodybuilding or not, i feel it will be something i always will do.

"Make it in bodybuilding" Give it up DREAMER

[Lifter4Life]

There is no incentive to be a pro; only health risks. Keeping it a hobby and focusing on lifes priorities like family, friends and making money is where i'm at.

[G o a t b o y]

Only an idiot takes bodybuilding seriously. 

[Vince B]

Next January I will have been bodybuilding for 50 years!

Bodybuilding has always been part of my life. I have done other sports including strength sports but looking big and muscular has always been important to me. I find myself always threatening to look good  next summer! If you own a gym you will appreciate why you don't feel like training most of the time. The internet is great for motivation but takes up too much time.

I don't consider using drugs or supplements as being part of the bodybuilding lifestyle. I wish I knew then what I know now. The ironical thing is the young guys at my gym don't believe me when I tell them how to train. I am convinced I could put 2 inches on my arms in 2 months if I started with 17 inch cold upper arms. The possibilities are endless but few have the vision or motivation to get huge naturally.

[Hedgehog]

Next January I will have been bodybuilding for 50 years!

Bodybuilding has always been part of my life. I have done other sports including strength sports but looking big and muscular has always been important to me. I find myself always threatening to look good  next summer! If you own a gym you will appreciate why you don't feel like training most of the time. The internet is great for motivation but takes up too much time.

I don't consider using drugs or supplements as being part of the bodybuilding lifestyle. I wish I knew then what I know now. The ironical thing is the young guys at my gym don't believe me when I tell them how to train. I am convinced I could put 2 inches on my arms in 2 months if I started with 17 inch cold upper arms. The possibilities are endless but few have the vision or motivation to get huge naturally.

So why don't you, big mouth?

[Vince B]

Next summer, maybe.