Who turned to iron to get away from the bottle?

[Mr.Bungle]

I got serious about lifting (more powerlifting than BB) to help focus my addictive personality on something else. And I was wondering if there were many others like me. And if there are what do you do when you get bored and or tempted to lose your focus?

 

[DarkWarrior]

The core reason for me to exercise or lift weights is my health, it started out as an addiction when I was about 16 to get huge but later on I realized how much it benefited me in all aspects of my life.
If I find myself getting bored,sometimes just a change in goals helps alot, other times a change in gym or who I workout around, basically I change my approach. Hope this helps and remember the pain you will experience by not working out!

 

[M21SL]

I feel lifting changed me for the better. I wasnt necessarily an alcoholic, but when i was younger drinking and partying was definitely the thing I looked foward to each weekend. Once i really got into lifting, I started to realize that I liked lifting more than partying, and I saw that drinking had no relationship with lifting. After lifting more I met more people who enjoyed the same things and also didnt need alcohol or drugs, etc. in their lives. Even with all the strain on the body I still feel that lifting has been a blessing in disguise for me. It has pulled me away from a road that could've turned into crazy habitual drinking, partying, possible drug use, who knows and got me in touch with great driven people who have helped me become a better person. Its amazing how much it can do not only directly but indirectly.

 

[tatteredxangelx]

It got me away from rec. drugs ...

 

[Pekkerwood]

While I can't say I started to get away from anything it certainly had that effect. While my friends are at happy hour, etc, after work, I am in the gym. It gives me that break between work and home, what some describe as the "third place". It is healthier and cheaper than just about any other option.

Pekkerwood

 

[irish_sd]

I lifted at age 13. Then got into alcohol and drugs and now have been clean and sober. I didn't use lifting as a substitute for those bad things. Lifting has always been constant, but I did less of it when I was using addictive substances. I get help for my addiction, that's the way I stay away from that stuff. If I just switch to something else, then I haven't really dealt with my problem. So for me, I deal with my problem. and that means asking for help from God, speaking to others with the same addiction, and taking a look at myself and my behaviors.

 

[Hellbilly]

yup, I got sober and got into BB. I'm now powerless over Bodybuilding and my life has become unmanageable.

 

[gordo14]

It got me..........

off everything. The bottle, the chemicals, and the street life. Hanging out starting shit. It keeps me straight, and out of jail. Best thing that ever happened to me, besides my seven year old baby girl. Been straight for about 5 years. Still drink on an occassion, but thats it.

 

[phoenix13]

pretty much

I am the healthiest, happiest, most stable and peaceful since dedicating myself to BBing lifestyle. It provides (mostly) constructive channels for the overwhelming energy, drive and intensity that flows through me. It also provides somewhat controlled environment for risk taking so that I can satisfy those urges without completely throwing caution to the wind. It helps me to be highly functional in a society/culture that I would otherwise be bucking at every opportunity.

So, yeah, it keeps me out of trouble and in respectful relationship with various substances. There's a lot of us out there. We're family for a reason.

 

[MAINEVENT]

I have to admit, before i even turned 21 i had started to get in quite a bit of trouble and it all revolved around alcohol. I saw quickly where it was leading me and decided to dedicate my focus to something 'healthier'.....or so i thought...lol.

Seriously, i hate to use the phase 'saved my life' but thats how i feel about it. Thats why i love this sport.

 

[samiam]

Here are my ideas

I got serious about lifting (more powerlifting than BB) to help focus my addictive personality on something else. And I was wondering if there were many others like me. And if there are what do you do when you get bored and or tempted to lose your focus?

I too have an addictive personality and find it a great asset to have a healthy activity to channel it towards. I recently went 92 weeks without missing a workout. I haven't necessary turned from the bottle to iron but I think the iron kept me from the bottle many times.

To answer the question in your post I think there are several things we all can do regain our focus. I don't know that there is any difference based on personality but with our personality it is probably easier to stay focused once we get the focus back. I too am interested to hear what others have to say about regaining focus.

Here are a couple of things that have worked for me:
1. Time off. Sometimes a week away is just what I need. if you force yourself to keep going then you make get really burned out. this is NOT an excuse to be slack at all. But maybe when you are on vacation for example don't try to find a gym to go to everyday. Just make sure you hit it hard when you get back.

2. Don't miss. Quite the contrast with #1 but sometimes in life, and lifting is no exception, you just need to do the right thing. Some people may say you shouldn't "go through the motions" but sometimes my best workouts are when I didn't feel like going. If you are going to take time off make sure it is planned in advance and also you have planned when you are coming back. Don't just skip cause you are lazy.

3. New supplements/cycles. For me if I invest money in a new supp or something like that I want to make sure I get my money's worth. I recently needed a boost so I started taking sus500 and tren250. I know Im not gonna miss workouts. I'm too cheap to spend $100 on supps and not workout.

4. Get a new partner. competion can be a great modivator.

5. Visit a new gym. Similar to #4. I always work a little harder to impress new people. If this isn't an option try a different time of day.

6. Compete. Can be with anyone even yourself. Can be just you and a buddy or a before and after contest of some kind. take #3 and post a log of your results on this site with PICTURES! Committing to post pictures on this site in one month would make me work a little harder.


I'm sure there are a lot more, but these are a few I use.

Any other ideas guys?

 

[Tough Old Man]

I did about four yrs ago..After living in Mexico for the past 13 yrs I found myself drinking beer and eating nothing but Tacos and burritos everyday..This took me from 235 lbs to a whooping fatass 310 lbs...So I found God and it's called Training.

 

[Thor]

SAME HERE

It got me away from rec. drugs ...

I was a heavy drinker, drugger but then when my daughter was born I knew I had to change so got serious and stayed consistent with bbing and completely gave up any and all partying. I am so glad that I did too because my life is so much better.

 

[MilitaryMuscle]

yeah, lifting changed my life for the better. It helped me focus on something when i was getting off everything and got addicted to a new kind of "high".

 

[Incoldestblood]

Much respect to you guys here! I can't say that I ever felt addicted to alcohol or anything, but I've had my fair share of excess. I'm 22 now and I can definitely thank you guys here with providing me with constant inspiration to be disciplined with my choices and live a clean, healthy life. You guys have taught me that bodybuilding is life altering, not just an activity. When most of the guys I know my age are out chasing tail, getting hammered and hitting up Denny's at 4 am, I've been in bed for a few hours getting ready for my 6am workout.

 

[Ashop]

I got serious about lifting (more powerlifting than BB) to help focus my addictive personality on something else. And I was wondering if there were many others like me. And if there are what do you do when you get bored and or tempted to lose your focus?

its a great way to let off some steam and put focus on postive venue.

 

[swole79]

I can relate to everything that has been said so far...

 

[asleep]

i
i was always a good kid and started training in high school. unfortunately while attending georgetown u. , i started using rec. drugs, and they quickly took control of my life. while i worked out regularly during my 10 yr addiction, the drugs ruled me.
after a couple dozen rehabs and putting together bits of clean time, and yrs. of battling addiction i managed to break free from that slavery only an addict knows. that horrible, dreadfully dark , lonely place.
training is, and always will be my number 1 medication. it helps me with my anger issues, and gives me a calmness that no pharmaceutical can.
great thread.