Body Goals: The Perfect Body
A friend recently sent me a picture of his body goal, it took me 9 years back when I only started working out. At age 17, I had one goal, having a six pack simply because I met Tony who had one and all I needed to do was a 100 sit-ups per day according to him. I did that until I had what some teased to be“hunger packs”. That's nine years ago but I wouldn't say I have 9 years experience in fitness.
In 2013, I thought it was time to put my “fine boy looks” to work so I enrolled for some training in a modeling academy. Although I had already started using a gym, trying to become a model only motivated me to work harder. Ty, our catwalk instructor at the time had pick Ivan over me as the guy with the best body in the class. Ivan had this v shape that seemed to be genetic. I wanted that, for me that was how a male model should look. So I began asking questions about the shape and gym mates and instructors told me to work on my Latissimus Dorsi, commonly called Lats.
I learnt quickly that pull ups and other back oriented programs would help me achieve my goals and I became obsessed. Till date, pulling up is an important program for me.
In 2014, I took workout seriously to elevate the effects of depression. I would hit the gym four to five times a week and on some occasions, twice a day. The eventual result was a “perfectly ripped body” that everyone admired. People began to ask questions like “Do you work your legs?” and then, a new body goal emerged.
I don't think we can stop setting goals in life. So it is with our body but if I can do it all over again, there are changes I would make knowing what I know now. That's the benefit you get from starting right rather than correcting an error or fixing botches . There are a few things I'd share with you here about goals but firstly, I'd like for you to see some of the mistakes I made:
The things I would change :
- I wouldn't do sit ups when I could have done crunches.
- I wouldn't work my chest every day.
- I would squat more often.
- I would train like an athlete.
As regarding your goals there are only two possible categories it would fall into:
- Leaning: For those who want to lose weight or mass, mostly desired by mesomorphs and endomorphs.
- Bulking: For those who want to build muscles or gain mass, always desired by ectomorphs and sometimes, mesomorphs.
There are different programs for people who want to lean up and those who want to bulk up but before I suggest all that, please bare in mind:
- Genetic Factors: if you desire a body type, bare in mind that genetics can hinder how you appear irrespective of how you workout. You will build your own muscles or lose weight and look your best self. You can't look like anyone else. Secondly, it's advice ably to observe your own appearance and see the God Given qualities you have. For instance, a guy who naturally has broad shoulders or the v-shape which I envied Ivan for shouldn't spend too much time pulling up like I did. Rather focus on other parts like your thighs which would require diligence.
- Cumulative Effort: One thing they always said at the gym in those my beginner years was “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. That's all I have to say. Do not disregard the power of cumulative effort, do your daily bit and you would achieve much more than trying to kill yourself in a day.
- Doing it Right: Most people quit workout not because of the pain but because they don't see results. The pain is worth it when you see results. As I was also told as a beginner, if you won't do it right don't bother doing it. It's a total waste of time. Use google/YouTube or ask your instructors or more experienced gym mates. You can also check my channel here.
Workout Suggestions
- Leaning: if you want to lose weight or mass, aerobics should be your best friend. Long distance or time lengthy aerobic workout can be helpful for mesomorphs. You can also use HIIT as an endomorphs or mesomorph. In weight training, isolation programs will benefit you more than full body programs so spend more time building isolated muscles. Isolated programs include: dumbbell curl for biceps or triceps, abdominal workout and most programs that use a pulley.
- Bulking: To bulk up , you should skip aerobics and isolation programs for full body programs and strength building programs.
Examples include squats, bench press, press up or push up, pull ups, dips, lunges and deadlifts. Follow my YouTube for suggestive videos.
On a final note, it is okay for your goals to constantly change as you achieve new feats. In fact, it is meant to be that way however, do not be extreme about your goals as to destroy your body trying to look like a certain person. As with everything, too much of anything is bad. Do You! I'd say look more like a Zac Efron than an Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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