To really enjoy bodybuilding try the following things:
1. Do NOT take this sport too serious, sit back and watch, like a train wreck, it has some serious "off the wall" entertainment value.
2. Post on Get BIG ,but keep your sense of humor...it is an internet board c'mon.
3. Be serious about your own training and diet, but, if you obsess too much about what the pros do, you might be a stalker of sorts
4. Go to a local/regional shows when you can. The really bad bodybuilders and fitness/figure babes are often more fun to watch then the winners at these events
5. If you decide to compete, go in at your INDIVDUAL best, take pics and enjoy the process of watching your body change and look ripped, etc. Win, lose or get last, use the experience to make YOU better.
It may have been close, but 99% of the time if you placed low it was NOT politics, it was your physique lacking.
6. DRUGS have been a part of this game for over 40 years and will be for a lot more.
Don't worry too much about this issue, it will stress you and acomplish NOTHING. I should know, I have bitched and moaned like an old lady about drugs in this game.
Simply sit back and admire the pros and top national bodybuilders, without giving much critcal thought to how they got that way. Trust me, you will have a lot more fun if you just say "whatever" when it comes to the drug issue.
7. Don't take the idea of getting a pro card too serious . If you have the gentetics you will know it within a few years. It will be obvious, if NOT no amount of extreme drug use is worth it, even if it does produce a national level body, if you don't have the "look" you won't ever make a career out of it.A prime example is Dave Polumbo. Built a lot of rock hard muscle , but did not have the shape.
8. Have a decent career OUTSIDE of bodybuilding!
9. Train and diet on YOUR terms. YOU pay for your gym membership and YOUR food.
If somebody else doesn't like it, tell 'em they can pay for it and you will try things their way
10. Use the sport and lifestyle to help keep you fit , healthy and young at heart.
'nuff said, Howard