Hi everybody,

My name is Deus ex Machina and I am 23 and am very new to working out and the last time I did anything involving physical work or otherwise was at least 4 years ago.

I am out of shape, however I am NOT overweight or "fat" and am mildly skinny. I did a few dozen push-ups over a period of 4 hours recently and it hurt both my arms like heck, sometimes I felt like I was going to puke afterwards, which is how I found this site according to the keywords I typed in using an online search engine. Strangely enough when I did a few more recently, my arms stopped hurting and instead my Pectoralis Major and Minor muscles hurt, maybe because my body interpreted my earlier exertion as "stretching", I don't know, I'm not an expert now.

I'm pretty much a computer junkie and have been ever since high school, in fact for those 4 years all I did after school was play computer games. My parents jokingly metioned that if I ever comitted a serious crime and got caught, they could identify me by the back of my head, yeah, that's how bad I was when it came to "doing nothing" through high school, and now I admit I seriously regret it.

One important fact I should mention is that I am Asian-American, specifically South Korean and adopted.

I did some research and looked a few things up, for example what the "norm" is for my height and weight according to my age and ethnicity, I don't know how accurate all this is on the internet, but please let me know if you know anything.

Is it too late for me to work out and get buff or whatever it is people say nowadays? I feel kind of embarrassed, (since when did that word have 2 r's?), anyway that I am 23 and am out of shape, again I'm not overweight or "fat".

I don't know too many Asians in American, kind of different I guess than from the term "Asian-American", maybe not, I don't know, and I haven't seen many where I live, except I know that maybe a 30/70 percentage of them are either overweight or skinny, and that includes I've seen throughout my entire life.

I read online that push-ups are most likely the best way to exercise, in that they don't require you to go the gym, which I consider good, because I am kind of an "anti-social type" person, they exercise almost the entire body, and they require little room to do, which is also good, because where I live it's a "limited space" place.

Basically what I am looking for is, "How do I, being Asian, get buff and strong?". Any help specifically regarding my ethnicity is much appreciated, but anything in general to what I have said previously, thank you too. I would like to get buff and strong, because seriously, how many Asians in America have you seen that are buff, strong, and muscular? Not many I bet. In fact, is it true that 2/3 of the people in American are overweight? In my opinion, that's pathetic...but so am I considering I can't even do 5 push-ups without collapsing.

For future reference, I also have possible Rheumatoid Arthritis in my feet, actually the half dozen pediatricians and doctors I've seen don't really know the problem in my feet...that's why I want to work and improve my upper body. I read upper body strength is most important according to my research over the internet, again I don't know if it's true or not, I'm not an expert, but what do you think about what I said? Thank you.

Deus ex Machina

P.S. - Yeah, it's just what it sounds like, I want to become from being a computer junkie to being ripped and strong, upper body exercises prefered, like supposedly push-ups, anything that does not involve working my feet at the same time, and not involving exercise machines or going to the gym. I would like something to do in private. I would mention I would also know what to eat, but I have taken up most of your time already, not to mention I could go on and on with paragraph after paragraph, rambling away, about what I used to eat, my doubts of eating, etc. Organic food will do fine for me, because I was raised on that, unless you think otherwise, I don't know. Thank you.

From what I'm reading here, bud, you're living a sheltered life....:eek:

The fact that you are Asian-American has no bearing on the case as far as your fitness goals go.

Does the name Bruce Lee ring a bell at all?

There are untold numbers of Asian-Americans who are getting buff and who are already buff.

This site alone has a fair share of Asian-American posters.

So let's get the Ethnic thing out of the way.


23 is not too old to begin. In fact it's vitually never too late to start.

If you have limited space and equipment, yes, pushups are good.

BUT......there's a ton of other bodyweight ex's you can do too. Even for pushups, there are many variations of same.

If you get creative, there are many things you can do to increase resistance on simple ex's.

For instance, when you do bodyweight squats, wear a backpack with some weight in it. You can also use a weighted backpack for pushups.

There are a lot of household items that lend themselves to getting buff.

The first ex you can do is raise your finger and turn the gaming computer off..:cool::tucool:

Whenever you turn it back on, select JSF out of the favorites box.

To HevyMetal,

Yes, I am STILL living a sheltered life, that's what's so pathetic. Despite my "social and health problems", I can't help it. I seem to think fate has it in for me and I have no destiny in improving my health, nonetheless I appreciate your somewhat sarcastic feedback HevyMetal.

Of course I have heard of Bruce Lee, I know what he looked like, I have seen some of his movies/filmed biographies, and even the countless merchandise of him, however I don't know his entire history. My opinion on Bruce Lee is that he was still pretty skinny, I mean for an Asian guy, sorry for bringing ethnicity back into this, but I want to be like "comic book superhero" buff. From what I have seen, apart from sumo wrestlers, ALL Asians turn out to be skinny, or rather skinnier, than compared to White people, for example. I believe it's genetics, heritage, or whatever you want to call it. Maybe it has to do with some Asian people, like the Japanese, eating mostly fish in their diet, I don't know. I'm not an expert.

Please tell me or show me a real picture of what you mean by an "untold amount of Asian people being buff". In fact show me a picture of somebody here, since you mentioned this site has a fair share of Asian people online.

With ethnicity aside...

I have nothing going for me, that's why I said I think my age is old. According to stereotype, most 23 year olds [I know] should be rich and have something major going for them, like a job as a lawyer, or something fancy. I got nothing :neener:

Agreed on the push ups, and yes, I do know there are multiple techniques, in fact one site I saw online had like 2 dozen steps for doing one...sorry no smile, but I suppose I can try to be "creative".

I heard wearing a backpack in general is a bad idea because it will put your spine out of place, I don't know if that "rumor" is still spreading, including even running or jogging is bad for the joints in the knees.

Lifting heavy furniture comes to mind, being part sarcastic and part serious.

I don't know if you meant for me to take that last suggestion serious or not, but I can't, even now I am playing an online RPG game, it's addicting and I can't help it. I have nothing else to do! Consider it bookmarked.

Deus ex Machina (see you can even tell that I'm a computer junkie from the name I chose)

Welcome! :)

Of course I have heard of Bruce Lee, I know what he looked like, I have seen some of his movies/filmed biographies, and even the countless merchandise of him, however I don't know his entire history. My opinion on Bruce Lee is that he was still pretty skinny, I mean for an Asian guy, sorry for bringing ethnicity back into this, but I want to be like "comic book superhero" buff.
Comic book superhero, not possible for anyone who is Asian? :whistle::D
25670
25671

From what I have seen, apart from sumo wrestlers, ALL Asians turn out to be skinny, or rather skinnier, than compared to White people, for example. I believe it's genetics, heritage, or whatever you want to call it. Maybe it has to do with some Asian people, like the Japanese, eating mostly fish in their diet, I don't know. I'm not an expert.
No, not ALL Asians (or any other race of people) turn out to be, well, anything. We could certainly have a debate about people from different parts of the world looking a certain way - on average - but the bottom line is EVERYONE is capable of changing his or her physique very dramatically.

By the way, fish is great for bodybuilding. :)

Please tell me or show me a real picture of what you mean by an "untold amount of Asian people being buff".
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=1752791 - that thread - "The one and only Asian bbers thread" - is almost up to 200 pages...

And speaking of bb.com, this guy - http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/MrAries/ - is someone who I've always thought had an incredible physique.

In fact show me a picture of somebody here, since you mentioned this site has a fair share of Asian people online.
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/member.php?u=7194

With ethnicity aside...
Good. ;)

I have nothing going for me, that's why I said I think my age is old. According to stereotype, most 23 year olds [I know] should be rich and have something major going for them, like a job as a lawyer, or something fancy. I got nothing :neener:
We all have something. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. And I know very few 23 year old lawyers. ;)

I'm sure you have a lot more going for you than you think. But we can get into that some other time. The good news is you're here, and you're trying to better yourself. I'm glad you signed up.

Agreed on the push ups, and yes, I do know there are multiple techniques, in fact one site I saw online had like 2 dozen steps for doing one...sorry no smile, but I suppose I can try to be "creative".

I heard wearing a backpack in general is a bad idea because it will put your spine out of place, I don't know if that "rumor" is still spreading, including even running or jogging is bad for the joints in the knees.

Lifting heavy furniture comes to mind, being part sarcastic and part serious.
You might want to go to www.google.com (http://www.google.com) and also use the search feature on this website and search for things like "bodyweight exercises." But to be honest I would like to see you join a gym. Is this at all a possibility? I think it would help you out in more ways than one. If your goal is mainly bulking up and having that superhero type of look, then I think the gym membership is even more important.

Of course, diet is important as well.

Have you read the sticky threads on this site? You said you have nothing to do, and that's why you're playing video games. Start with the sticky threads here, start reading, and start formulating a plan. Show it to us, or what you have so far, and we will help you out.

:gl:

Basically what I am looking for is, "How do I, being Asian, get buff and strong?".

For future reference, I also have possible Rheumatoid Arthritis in my feet, actually the half dozen pediatricians and doctors I've seen don't really know the problem in my feet...that's why I want to work and improve my upper body. I read upper body strength is most important according to my research over the internet

1. Being Asian doesn't mean anything to me one way or the other about your potential for getting buff and strong.

2. I don't know what you have to do about the Rheumatoid Arthritis.

3. For healthy people, lower body strength is more important. Legs and back for health and strength. Upper body is important too, but neglecting legs and back is a serious mistake.

By the way, Asians are not only capable of body building success. One of the greatest lifters in U. S. history is Tommy Kono:

Tommy Kono established world records in four body weight classes: lightweight (148 pounds), middleweight (165), light-heavyweight (181), and middle-heavyweight (198). Only two years after beginning Olympic lifting, he made the highest total of any lightweight lifter in the United States. Within four years of this first contest, he won the Gold Medal at the 1952 Olympic games in Helsinki, Finland. He was world champion every year from 1953 through 1959, which included a second Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He established 26 world records and seven Olympic records. As if that wasn’t enough, he also won the "Mr. World" physique title and was three times crowned "Mr. Universe." After retirement from lifting, he became the national and Olympic coach for Mexico (1966 – 1968) and for West Germany (1969 – 1972), and United States Olympic weightlifting coach in 1976.

http://cbass.com/IMAGES/Kono1.jpg

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=83206&rendTypeId=4

And don't forget Walter Imahara:

- many times World Masters Champion, holder of many World Masters Records, and Chairman of the International Weightlifting Federation Masters Committee. This photo shows his Masters World Record 90-kg snatch (55-59 age group, 64-kg class) at the 1994 World Masters Championships in Perth, Australia:

http://www.gaylehatch.com/walter.gif

And it's not just Japanese. The Chinese weight lifters have come on very strong in the past few years, and they are not fooling around for this year's Olympics either. For example:

W4sreZO98ss

Pick an Asian country, and Google "weight lifter" or "body builder" or "powerlifter" with that country and you'll get something.

This is because just about everywhere there is testosterone, you'll get someone who wants to move big piles of iron around. It's fun! Try it. You will see.

I seem to think fate has it in for me and I have no destiny in improving my health


At 23, you have not begun. I'm not kidding or speaking off the cuff. It's the perfect time to hook up. The first step, which I didn't take, is to improve the issues with self image that keep you feeling as if you have no destiny. Destiny is created as you believe in yourself. Working out is an exceptionally good place to start. Once you feel the confidence in your body, it spills over into the confidence in other areas. As an example, perhaps instead of merely playing video games, you begin to believe you can master the tools to create them, and you do. I did not do this with physical confidence, it left a void for me all my life. I do it now.

ALL Asians turn out to be skinny, or rather skinnier, than compared to White people, for example. I believe it's genetics, heritage, or whatever you want to call it.

Genetics for a given ethnicity do play a role. That is why I'm naturally a skinny person. But I'm white, many white people have this "problem". It's because of some lineage traced back to other skinny people somewhere. I've merely lost my method to trace backward, I haven't much clue what my ethnicity actually is anymore, so for me, there is no issue, my body is my body period. You have not lost that trace because of a higher preponderance of the body type within your ethnicity which you can still clearly define. I empathize fully though, skinny feels wrong. Because I didn't take the effort to workout and believed I was genetically bound to be skinny, I remained skinny. It did me no good in life. Good news is that anyone who works at it regardless of gender or background, is going to improve their physical state drastically. You WILL be buff if that is your goal and you work toward it.

Will you be a superhero greater than Bruce Lee? I doubt it because there are few to compare to him. I certainly would have preferred his company in a dark alley over several large white superheros, wouldn't you? He was exceptionally skilled, buff and somewhere down the line also an actor. Contrast that with how the cycle works for other "heros". This is a mind game but if an ethnicity paradigm slows you, selecting Bruce Lee as the example to override your self-doubt is vastly superior to selecting most other great "heros" I can sitting here. Personally, I have no hero to pattern myself after. I think it's better that way. I will work to my maximum, I'll be the best I can be and that is the ultimate. I will not be as large as other white guys. It's genetically unlikely, it's a meaningless and losing thought. I'll be way bigger than me two years ago though and that feels great. Comparison to other buffed men hasn't served me even though I've felt the urge and experienced it.

I don't know if you meant for me to take that last suggestion serious or not, but I can't, even now I am playing an online RPG game, it's addicting and I can't help it. I have nothing else to do! Consider it bookmarked.


I can't speak for Hevy but I bet it's that video games aren't a priority in life, they are fun, but they are small part of living. Small? My son and I are sitting here now, he's still on Exteel, I'm on JSF, we just finished the initial checkout of Shimmering Isle on the PS3. We are starting our workout in about 10 minutes. After that's done, we will get PWO food and our plan is to sit down at Army of Two PS3 and face the next level of difficulty. We will finish out the evening with taking Mass Effect (XBOX 360) a bit further and since he stays up a bit later than me, he'll hit Air Rivals before bed. The workout is our priority and the games are fine, it's how we enjoy ourselves. But... The workout IS the priority (as is the food to support it and eventually the sleep).

But trust me, you will have something else to do with:
1. Planning your diet for workouts
2. Planning and executing your workouts
3. Getting yourself so tired from your workouts that you want to stop playing and get to sleep.

As you start doing that, you will experience a change in yourself and other things will happen that magically start to take up time.

As far as working out privately, that's great, it's how we do it. You need a pull-up bar in one of your doorways. You need a barbell, plates and dumbbells. Look to second hand stores if money is an issue. You need a bench, the same thing applies. There are other very good exercises that make up for the lack of machines. Take two towels on a slippery floor, get into a push-up position with your hands on the towels, use the outward and inward movement of your arms to perform flys. Or take a chair and place it near your bed. Put your arms on it, your feet on the bed, suspend your butt holding your weight on your arms, drop yourself down till you butt almost touches the floor and rise up again. Excellent killer exercise for the triceps, no equipment. But frankly though, there are 1000s of free barbell and dumbbell sets out there from failed programs of others. Benches too.

You have great opportunity at your age to get started and take yourself to places that will amaze you. It will be a few months of hard work before you actually start to feel that fully but it WILL happen if you get going and keep at it. You've got a lot to do. Start with the Bulking sticky realizing that you will have to substitute some of the exercises (actually most till you get some weights). As you look at it, realize that the fellow who wrote it has the same body type as you and I. Skinny!

As to arthritis. Google "Arthritis Weight Lifting" and I'll let you form your opinions. You may find there are lower body exercises to ease the struggle with that and improve the outlook for the future. I don't know about that but it's worth the research.

I say go for it because you have everything to gain and you're going to love it. Look for a bigger you starting in small increments within just a few weeks. It's pretty damned exciting. I'll also mention that I am 5 months in and a lot more bulked than I was at 23 (or ever before). I'm 53. Had I started at your age, I'd be my own superhero... hell, I already am, but I'd have been a LOT further along.

1fastgtx,

Ugh, thanks for showing me an unnecessary example. His head looks either too big or too small.

No debate needed, but it does make sense regarding what you said about EVERYBODY being able to change their physique appearance...in more ways than exercise, but never mind that.

I haven't had fish in a long time, I don't even remember if I like fish.

I'll take a look at those links later.

Thanks, I'm glad I signed up too, in fact, I wasn't even sure if this was a reliable site, or what, I mean, with all the hype out there...

I think joining a gym is out of the question, like I said, I have next to nothing, no money, no job, no car, etc., but that's another part of my life I don't want to discuss, besides, I'm pretty sure my town doesn't have a gym.

Zenpharaohs,

If I were to explain my Rheumatoid Arthritis, it would be several paragraphs long, which I don't feel like typing now, maybe some other time, but like I said, doctors don't even know if it's really that, even my blood tests say I'm completely healthy, no AIDs, no diabetes, etc. On a side note, I used to eat a LOT of candy when I was a child, I'm surprised I didn't get diabetes, and I hope I never will, but it's not like I'm worried, I mean, I ate a WHOLE LOT OF CANDY, virtually everyday, behind my parent's back, that is when they weren't pushing me to eat healthy.

I suppose you meant upper AND lower body exercising is important, an equal amount.

Ugh, double post.

I read about your Tommy Kono facts, I don't know, sounds like an overachiever, besides, he's just ONE man, he doesn't really bring any relevance to ME. I need information about everyday, average joes like me.

Me lifting piles of iron? I don't think so, doesn't sound very appealing, or to be a good start for a beginner like me.

Eagle Tree,

What I meant was when I said that is exactly what I explained to my psychiatrist, I have the feeling there is some "mark on a chart" where I'm supposed to be at, to be "measured", you know, to see if I am "expendable" in life. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, I got a low self esteem, well I do, sometimes it's so bad, I don't even realize it, and I don't have a high opinion of the human race, just so you know.

Skinny feels wrong, you got that right, in fact, I've been trying to actually gain weight, even if it's just fat, but I can't for some reason, I'm ALWAYS stuck at a measly 130 pounds.

Yeah it is a mind game, and the ethnicity paradigm does slow me down, sorry to mention that word again, to tell the truth, I used to racist against my own kind, but I will assume talk like that is not welcome here.

Geeze, all those games, mind if I came over to your house and played them? Bet I could pawn both you and your son...just kidding.

I don't believe in magic, or rather, I shouldn't, but yeah I know what you mean.

Coincidentally, I have been thinking about getting a pull-up bar, but it's a money matter issue, and I got no money.

ADDENDUM

With all this aside, I'm just hoping becoming physically stronger will put me in a better mood.

I don't know about the rest of this, I sometimes get depressed and think maybe MY body isn't meant to be the "buff" type, maybe all I'm good for is being a "computer junkie". I would like compensate my intelligence and ego for more muscle. I know I'm probably going to get flamed for that remark, or at least what you viewers would think it implies, if any thought. Sometimes I think that maybe I'll be a nicer person if I was buff.

P.S. - To all for future reference regarding Bruce Lee and his "type", among the gruesome pictures, thank you people, I think you know who you are, even if I did ask for examples, they are invalid to use, even just an example, because, I mean, come on, the MAJORITY of Asian-Americans can not or are not possibly able to be near like them, including yours truly, besides, I bet some of them are fake, either photo-shopped or whatever, and they are actors, body-builders, they do that on a regular basis, what they do is not natural, what they are is not natural, no offense, they merely represent a minority, besides, I'm talking about ME here, I got a bunch of health problems, and I'm WEAK, different than from having a poor constitution, which I do not have thankfully. But like Eagle said, "ethnicity paradigm".

Deus ex Machina

I apologize everybody if anything in my previous reply resembled something negative. It's just today, I found out one of the more obnoxious and retarded tenants nearby where I live moved out and then they came back all screaming and swearing and I told them to "shut up " and he threatened everybody, so...

Deus ex Machina

I suppose you meant upper AND lower body exercising is important, an equal amount.

Me lifting piles of iron? I don't think so, doesn't sound very appealing, or to be a good start for a beginner like me.


Well, I didn't go into the amount of exercise, but in terms of volume, you should have about twice the volume for legs and back as you have for the upper body. It's actually quite simple.

Walk up the stairs on your legs. Easy, right?

Now walk up the stairs on your hands.

One of those is very easy, almost everyone can do it. The other one of those is nasty, and not many people can do it. Why?

Because legs are naturally much much stronger than arms. The lower body is bigger and stronger than the upper body.

So when you work out, you need to challenge the body - some people use the term 'overload'. Well what is a challenge for your upper body, is no challenge for your lower body. When you work legs and back, you naturally want about twice the volume as for upper body.

P.S. - To all for future reference regarding Bruce Lee and his "type", among the gruesome pictures, thank you people, I think you know who you are, even if I did ask for examples, they are invalid to use, even just an example, because, I mean, come on, the MAJORITY of Asian-Americans can not or are not possibly able to be near like them

Hey when youi're talking about Bruce Lee the MAJORITY of human beings are not going to get there. Do you have any idea what sort of work ethic it takes to get to that?

Don't sit around blaming your genes, or your averageness. Why not? Because it doesn't progress to anywhere. Sure you have genetic limits, who doesn't? But you don't have any idea what they are until you push your envelope.

And you ought to try working out. You say you would like to feel better. Well one big side effect of working out is feeling better, long before most of the other effects (like strength and size) show up.

I think you have it exactly right that discussing issues like Bruce Lee's physique, Tommy Kono's Olympic performance, what percentage of Asians look athletic, or whether 2/3 of Americans are overweight are completely pointless debates, and totally irrelevant to your situation.

The issue at hand is YOU -- your body, the way it currently looks and performs, what changes you'd like to see in these areas, and most importantly, what you're willing to do about it.

It doesn't take much to get started, just a little guts and determination to take whatever your body is capable of doing today, and conditioning it to progressively become capable of doing more.

Do you have an outdoor area in your neighborhood like a park you could walk to? Getting some exercise outdoors might do wonders for your overall mood.

Hey Deux Ex Machina,

I'm Korean and 23, just like you. You can look through my journal to see what I've been doing over the past month or so (since i started it). I think I have a picture of myself up on page 2 or 3. http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=41978

Please, for the love of god, do not use being asian as an excuse for your own shortcomings. This is one of the most common excuses I hear from other Korean people that I'm around. Yes there are genetic differences between people, but between everyday average people those differences are not that great. Unless you are comparing yourself to a pro football player or sprinter, the differences between you and the guy sitting next to you in class are not that much different. It's mostly hard work that separates you from others. That's the truth, it may be harsh, but it's the truth.

Let me give you an example, last year when I started lifting, this one guy introduced himself to me at the gym at my Uni. He was a korean dude, like 6 feet and I guess 170lbs. He told me that he had been lifting for 2 years and couldn't make any progress. He noticed that I seemed to have made lots of progress in a short period of time and asked me what my program was like. So I explained to him what I did (I had a squat day, deadlift day and push day at the time) and offered to call him up next time I went to the gym. I was lifting alone at the time and I thought it would be fun to workout with someone so that there would be some competition etc. Anyways, I told him to come the next day...guess what? He never showed up. He was lazy. After that, whenever I saw him, he'd complain about not getting gains, being weak etc. But honestly, it was his own fault.

But you're not lazy. You made the choice to come here and seem to be serious about it. There are tons of great resources, read the FAQ's to learn about diet and how to build an exercise program. Look through other people's journals to get inspiration, start a journal yourself.

I'm sorry if I seem a bit harsh, but I get this all the time from my cousins and other Korean people that I see. They all ask me if I'm on steroids or something like that because I've gained 20lbs over the past year. Everyone seems to think that they cannot do things on their own, that it's genetics or drugs or a trainer or some other excuse. NO! It's hard work. Look at the man himself, John Stone, if you read through his updates and see his pictures you can see how he did it on his own, his own research and with his own motivation.

You asked for some links to stuff you can do at home, here:
http://www.rosstraining.com/
http://www.beastskills.com/
http://stronglifts.com/

Please, for the love of god, do not use being asian as an excuse for your own shortcomings. This is one of the most common excuses I hear from other Korean people that I'm around.

That reminds me, There are these four Korean guys that come to my gym. One of them was a competitive Tae Kwon Do guy, and he is very fit and well muscled. He does upper body work with the most serious and effective attitude. His pals are not quite as dedicated, but they are serious and getting serious results. They are from Jeon Ju, or at least their favorite shirts are.

There are some Chinese Wu Shu guys in my gym, but they don't do the barbell and dumbell work that these Koreans do. The Koreans' upper body lifting program is impeccable.

zenpharoahs,

Funny you should mention that about the legs, because whenever I take a good, long look at my legs, they seem to be muscular, or something, I haven't measured the circumference, perhaps I should get a tape measure or something and find out, because my legs are thick and I find it strange. I mean I sure would hate to be on the receiving end if I kicked somebody. I don't know, perhaps their thickness could be related to some fat which looks like muscle, I don't know. I'm not an expert.

I suppose your 'overload' sentence makes some logical sense.

No, but I can imagine. Bruce Lee must have started when he was very young, I don't remember what I read in Wiki, then again, I don't trust most of the stuff from Wiki.

I'm not big on pressing my envelope, like I said I'm pretty weak and I can barely even do 5 push ups. I've been doing some push ups all day now, every now and then over an hour every hour and now both my chest and arms ache, it still doesn't hurt to type though, naturally.

Well feeling better is part of my "goal".

goonie,

Sure, it's EASY to talk about motivation, but for me to actually do it, I don't know. You see, I've pretty much given up half way through almost every project I took throughout my life: college, jobs, etc.

If only I was BORN with "guts and determination".

I have a beach, but I hate going outdoors, even though I should probably get a tan, and start brushing my teeth. I really let my health go.

new_grounds,

There's no picture of your head, not that I'm complaining or anything, but to get to where I look like you, that would take me years and years.

Okay, okay, hard work, I get that, even though that's not really my strong point.

No way, you're kidding, other Asian people use what I said as an "excuse"? I thought I was the only one. I thought I was the only hateful Asian to exist. Nevermind, forget it, it probably bothers you. Sorry.

Funny story, but I don't know.

Again, funny, because you look like you're on steroids, sorry. That's not funny.

Hard work, that's something I fail at, I always thought it was an excuse, like when my parents told me to work hard at a dead end job. Speaking of "hard work", you know, there are a lot shmoes out there who are having it easy without lifting a finger, and make millions! What is up with that!? I hate hard work, at anything, even as a gamer, even when playing Warcraft III, a strategy computer game, I hate those little annoying players who try to make "hit and run" attacks on my base, because that means now I have to rotate a new strategy and actually work hard to defeat them, different from what I usually do, rush to 2 heroes and hope for the best, which always works, nobody expects that strategy, which I do most of the time, and if HevyMetal is reading this, he can rest assured that I deleted the game from my computer and won't be playing that game any time soon.

I do kind of feel better, I thought I was the only Asian in the world making excuses, but that's probably a bad thing to say.

ABOUT ME IN GENERAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Yeah, I am still lazy, despite what you think new_grounds, even though I made the choice to come here, and I can't help using me being Asian as an excuse, it's all I've gone on in life, for the most part. I mean look, you people are talking to a guy who has virtually spent his WHOLE life on a computer, I know pretty much almost EVERYTHING about computers, I attended a special school for people naturally gifted in using, repairing, and even programming computers, the thing I hated the most is learning the ENTIRE history of CBC coding, everything from the really old Mac Apple II to what I'm using now. I dropped out. I have no will to finish anything I start. I'm a quitter. I can't help it and I don't know what's wrong with me. Whenever I sit down, the thing that make me the most self conscious is feeling the small ring of flat that forms around my abdomen. I mean, people think I'm skinny, I may look skinny, but I have a small ring of fat, and I hate it! As for my feet, it's like they have a mind of their own and they choose the time to be a pain for me, for example, when it rains, or when I get a fever, or whenever, they start hurting. I hate taking showers, for some reason they hurt when I take a shower sometimes.

zenpharoahs,
....whenever I take a good, long look at my legs, they seem to be muscular,

I'm not big on pressing my envelope, like I said I'm pretty weak and I can barely even do 5 push ups.

If only I was BORN with "guts and determination".

1. The heavier you are, the stronger your legs are, and possibly you don't realize by how much. Especially when people come in with the goal of losing a lot of fat, we always point this out because they usually don't realize that they have that one advantage - stronger legs because they are heavy.

2. If you don't press your envelope, you will get results that don't press the envelope. Simple as that.

3. You don't need guts and determination. Just start working out seriously. Lots of people who get great results are neither particularly courageous or determined. Just make a habit of intelligent workouts. It's like brushing your teeth. Do you need guts and determination to brush your teeth? No, you just grab the handle and shake it a bit. Same with iron. It's just bigger handles. It's more fun than you think; this is another reason why it's not a big guts and determination requirement.

I'm a quitter.

Hey if you're such a good quitter why not quit being down on yourself and quit resisting a positive change in your life? Learn to use your strengths. It you're good at quitting things, quit the negative ones. You'd be amazed how many people have trouble quitting things they want to avoid. Go over to the Fitness Challenge forum and read all about it.

I hate to say it... but you just need to try. DO SOMETHING, stop moping with every post you make and take some of the advice these people have given you.

Not everyone here is an expert, I know I am not, some just know more then others. What works for one isn't gonna work you someone else. The only thing that is constant with everyone is if you aren't willing to try something you probably aren't going to achieve much.

I hate to sound brash but this..

Okay, okay, hard work, I get that, even though that's not really my strong point.

and

Hard work, that's something I fail at, I always thought it was an excuse, like when my parents told me to work hard at a dead end job.

isn't going to get you very far. Hop of the computer ( i know about addiction, I played Everquest and World of Warcraft for 8 years straight pretty much) and go outside and walk.

new_grounds,

There's no picture of your head, not that I'm complaining or anything, but to get to where I look like you, that would take me years and years.

Sorry, I'm not comfortable posting my face on the internet. Does what I look like make a difference? And it doesn't take years and years


No way, you're kidding, other Asian people use what I said as an "excuse"? I thought I was the only one. I thought I was the only hateful Asian to exist. Nevermind, forget it, it probably bothers you. Sorry.
What's with the sarcasm? So far, you've seemed to insult a lot of people in this thread, when it was you that asked for advice originally.


Again, funny, because you look like you're on steroids, sorry. That's not funny.See above and no I'm not on steroids :blank:. If I was, I'd imagine I would be somewhere around 220 lbs instead of 185 and squatting in the 400-500's right about now.

Hard work, that's something I fail at, I always thought it was an excuse, like when my parents told me to work hard at a dead end job. Speaking of "hard work", you know, there are a lot shmoes out there who are having it easy without lifting a finger, and make millions! What is up with that!? I hate hard work, at anything, even as a gamer, even when playing Warcraft III, a strategy computer game, I hate those little annoying players who try to make "hit and run" attacks on my base, because that means now I have to rotate a new strategy and actually work hard to defeat them, different from what I usually do, rush to 2 heroes and hope for the best, which always works, nobody expects that strategy, which I do most of the time, and if HevyMetal is reading this, he can rest assured that I deleted the game from my computer and won't be playing that game any time soon.I'm pretty similar to you, I used to be a big gamer. I played WoW mostly and racked up a lot of time. I think I had 190 days played in 1.5 years and that's not including characters I deleted. What stopped me from playing was calculating my in game time and realizing how much stuff I could have gotten accomplished if I wasn't playing.

A lot of people have give you good advice and great examples and instead of shooting them down or being sarcastic, you could just try it out. Good luck

zanpharaohs,

Never thought of it that way, in fact now that I think of it, I once saw a documentary on this 500 pound guy, Asian, and he had these HUGE legs. I sure would have hate to have him step on my toes or something. He had some trouble working out with escriba sticks, but I was kind of amazed at how he pushed himself.

Now since what you said above seemed logical, I would like to know what you think of this proposal. I read on the internet, including on this site, that one should always eat and drink periodically before and after exercising, for example, wait 2 hours until after eating to work out or eat some something with lots of carb and drink lots of water after vigorously exercising. What I don't understand is this, it would seem logical to me that I could go on for a whole day without eating or drinking anything, because my body would be programmed to consume the "fat ring" around my abdomen, I mean it makes perfect, logical sense, doesn't it? I wouldn't need water. I keep hearing how water is essential to exercise, but I don't like to drink water because it goes right through me, just like everybody else. I mean, if say I were "GOD", I would design humans in the way that if one was overweight and had fat on them, the fat would be consumed by the body, through the brain's programming, until most of the fat is consumed, makes perfect, logical sense if you ask me. This leads me to believe, since that is not true, the human body is severely flawed.

Maybe you're right, maybe I shouldn't make excuses anymore. You kind of sound like mom with her nagging to get me to brush my teeth, I tell her it's too much effort, she says, "What the heck do you mean?". I mean I just want to crash, not bother to brush my teeth, change my clothes, clean my contact lenses, etc. I just want to crash at 3 AM, just like everybody else.

That last one about quitting made me laugh.

Apolon,

Now you sound like my dad, I need to do SOMETHING before I go crazy, or rather crazier.

Willing to try, again, easier said than done.

Wow, 8 years? Sounds harsh, and somewhat hopeful, if somebody like you, back then, could change, maybe I could too. The addiction is strong. I mean, I feel like I have to be the very best in those type of games. I get too much of a jolly making fun of lower level players than me. I love making fun of people online in those games. I can't help it! Like I said, I have a low self esteem. I need to break from the computer. I just don't know how, it's not simple enough to simply quit, to go cold turkey, or whatever it is you suggested.

Deus ex Machina

1fastgtx,

Ugh, thanks for showing me an unnecessary example. His head looks either too big or too small.

No debate needed, but it does make sense regarding what you said about EVERYBODY being able to change their physique appearance...in more ways than exercise, but never mind that.
I'm sorry you feel those examples were unnecessary. My point was just that there are Asians who have built extraordinary physiques. Certainly those two were in the minority, just like Arnold Schwarzenegger's physique is rare to Europeans. :) Again, only showing that many people from different cultures and walks of life have changed their physiques successfully.

And I know you don't want to see any more, but too bad. :p Here's an example of someone who is more along the lines of the "Average Joe" you talked about; he did this in 12-15 weeks:

25672

Yes, he made extraordinary changes, but I think his example is a little bit better than my other ones; again, more average and, well I guess what you might call "natural." :)

Thanks, I'm glad I signed up too, in fact, I wasn't even sure if this was a reliable site, or what, I mean, with all the hype out there...
I'm glad you're here. I think you have some things to sort out other than fitness, but I also think you'd be surprised at what other side effects happen if you start taking better care of your health. It really does often carry over into other aspects of your life.

And this is very much a reliable site. Again, we want to help you.

I think joining a gym is out of the question, like I said, I have next to nothing, no money, no job, no car, etc., but that's another part of my life I don't want to discuss, besides, I'm pretty sure my town doesn't have a gym.
What do you do for work? Do you have family nearby that can help? Maybe your parents would like to exercise with you? What about bodyweight workouts to get you started?

What I meant was when I said that is exactly what I explained to my psychiatrist, I have the feeling there is some "mark on a chart" where I'm supposed to be at, to be "measured", you know, to see if I am "expendable" in life. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, I got a low self esteem, well I do, sometimes it's so bad, I don't even realize it, and I don't have a high opinion of the human race, just so you know.
Nobody is expendable! Everyone - EVERYONE - is important in some way to this world.

Skinny feels wrong, you got that right, in fact, I've been trying to actually gain weight, even if it's just fat, but I can't for some reason, I'm ALWAYS stuck at a measly 130 pounds.
So what do you eat? Tell us what you are eating on a day to day basis. This is what we do all the time, and what we can help you with. Let's get started. Tell us more about your diet and how we can help you.

With all this aside, I'm just hoping becoming physically stronger will put me in a better mood.
It may put you in a GREAT mood. At least it does that for me. :)

P.S. - To all for future reference regarding Bruce Lee and his "type", among the gruesome pictures, thank you people, I think you know who you are, even if I did ask for examples, they are invalid to use, even just an example, because, I mean, come on, the MAJORITY of Asian-Americans can not or are not possibly able to be near like them, including yours truly, besides, I bet some of them are fake, either photo-shopped or whatever, and they are actors, body-builders, they do that on a regular basis, what they do is not natural, what they are is not natural, no offense, they merely represent a minority, besides, I'm talking about ME here, I got a bunch of health problems, and I'm WEAK, different than from having a poor constitution, which I do not have thankfully. But like Eagle said, "ethnicity paradigm".

Deus ex Machina
Again, I'm sorry if you didn't like my examples, I was only trying to help. The majority of Asian-Americans may not look like those guys, but the majority of African-Americans won't look like Ronnie Coleman, and the majority of European-Americans won't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger either. But the point it it's possible to change your physique no matter where your ancestors came from, I promise.

It's time to stop complaining now though. It's time to get started. Tell us more about your situation, what you have to work with. Do you live on your own? Can you buy your own (healthier) food? What about school? Do you still go? Can you use the gym there? Do you have any friends or family near by that might want to help you out? Maybe they would like to exercise with you? Did you try searching the forums and Google for bodyweight exercises? Have you read the sticky threads here?

Again, we want to help you. We can't force you to do it though. You talked a lot about a lack of motivation. I am bad with this; I don't know how to motivate you. If you don't want it, you don't want it. I hope you will at least try. I hope you stick around and try something, anything, to take care of your health and increase your self esteem. If nothing else, just devote at least a couple months to a solid program of health and fitness. After that time, there's a good chance that - when you see the positive benefits, physically and mentally - your motivation will increase and you will want to continue. That's what happened with me long ago anyway. :)

Good luck. :)

new_grounds,

No, that's fine, I don't have to see your face, I don't want to see your face, no offense. I understand, in fact, I kind of don't like posting personal information about myself, my age, weight, etc., but I did it in order for you people to help me. If I hadn't said it before, THANK YOU, and not just to you, to everybody. Thank you, for future reference.

Yeah, I know, I apologize for my sarcasm, I can't help it, it's what I'm accustomed to do, it's what I used to do, it's what I liked to do, I have a LOW SELF ESTEEM, how many times do you want me to say it? I got a jolly flexing my ego, instead of my muscles, which what I should have been doing in high school. I'm so pathetic.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the help, I want help, it's just that I'm too used to playing "mind games" with other "computer junkies", that's why I hate posting on f...f...forums, ugh, because I usually have a bad experience with other people, from the subject of anime to the show Stargate. I hate talking to other people, even online, I hate strangers, I hate asking for help, I hate admitting I have e...e...emotions, ugh. Most of all, I hate admitting I am a *** **** MORTAL, HUMAN BEING. To those of you reading this, I RARELY ever admit it, even in something as trivial being online, so applaud me. This really is historic. Ha ha. My ego is my fat. I used to think just because I knew a lot about computers, I was invincible, kind of like that guy in glasses in the James Bond movie Goldeneye.

Glad to hear you are NOT on steroids.

Exactly, I know what you mean, I mean, look at the internet and the articles regarding people quitting online RPG, all because they considered what they could have been doing with their time instead of playing some stupid computer game. It's a waste of life! I hate the gaming companies themselves, ironic in more ways than one, for example, I play their games AND I wanted to work to create those life sucking games. Now I don't want to have anything to do with computer games.

I apologize again for my rudeness.

Deus ex Machina

Never thought of it that way

Now since what you said above seemed logical, I would like to know what you think of this proposal. I read on the internet, including on this site, that one should always eat and drink periodically before and after exercising, for example

Maybe you're right, maybe I shouldn't make excuses anymore.

That last one about quitting made me laugh.


1. Of course not. If you had thought about exercise as much as the long term members of this site, you would be having a different life. But that's the point isn't it? You came here to ask us stuff so you could find out things we already went through the hassle of learning?

2. What I think of your proposal is that it is not important to worry about what exact program of exercise you might do; what is important is to not worry, and get exercising. When you are just starting out, there is no need for "optimal" exercise arrangements. What is needed is that you do exercise. Beginners can gain from almost any exercise program, even some really weird ones that experienced lifters would be wasting time with. We know this, and this is why we are not telling you "be careful, you have to set up these 900 conditions just exactly right or the exercise might not work!". No, we are telling you "go get started". Simple as that. At your stage of the game, exercise is effective. You probably have so many things you want to improve that you can make progress on something no matter what you do. If you would agree to do it before you come back with another post, I can tell you a useful workout you can do right now. And I don't mean like tomorrow. There is no need to discuss or wait. We probably will discuss and wait because you are being evasive, but you need to be told that you could be doing useful work right now as opposed to worrying about whether you are a quitter.

3. Sure you should stop making excuses. I expect you have a lifetime supply already. And as far as I am aware, making excuses does not have much metabolic impact, nor does it really load up any important muscle groups. You can also stop waiting for motivation for the same reasons.

4. Made you laugh, eh? Well that's a small metabolic impact, and a little muscular contraction. But it ain't a workout pal. Which is what you need.

It may put you in a GREAT mood. At least it does that for me. :)

Oh yeah. The cliche' for people who aren't sure if they feel good enough to work out - "when was the last time you felt worse after the workout than you felt before the workout?"

1fastgtx,

I see what you mean, that picture didn't burn my eyes, but 12-15 weeks? I don't feel like putting up with exercising for that amount of time! Are you crazy!? That's like regular army boot camp! No way!

I suppose so far it seems this place was different than what I expected it to be, for one, most of the suggestions are smart answers. I thought I would get lots of stupid flames and rants, like I do on anime on other sites. I like anime, but I hate most of the regular fans out there, they're...strange, they're not right in the head and it gives anime a bad name.

No thank you, I don't want to talk about my lifestyle involving work or my family. I just feel uncomfortable talking about how I'm basically leeching off everybody I know.

Like I said, I did some real push ups, some real exercise, today, and it's been years, in fact, I was so out of shape, I could only do 20 push ups throughout this entire day. That's pathetic.

Oh, oh no, I don't want to say anything more on the "expendable" comment, otherwise I could go on being self righteous, and how all people in prison should die, how all homosexuals should die, because being homosexuality is unnatural, and will eventually lead to the death of human race due to absence of breeding, see what I mean? I could go on and on and on and on and on. Besides, I don't think this kind of stuff is allowed on here, and I want to stick to the topic about me exercising and getting some muscle on my skinny self.

What do I eat? Junk food! I eat Little Debbie cakes, ramen, lots of ramen, pop tarts, bread, pepperoni, lettuce, apples, ice cream, great, thanks a lot, now I'm starting to get hungry, just kidding.

Well you know what? I just hope, if I ever have kids, I want to at least look like that guy in the picture you posted that I'm replying to, so that way I can have good breeding. In my opinion, we don't need any more bad breeding, but then again, I'm going off topic. I don't want kids, just mentioning the possibilities. Tomorrow I'm going shopping and I will be sure to buy some organic food and whether I live on my own is my business, no offense, I don't want to reveal too much about myself, not that it really makes a difference. I don't know.

Believe me, I want to try, but it's just, I lived a sedentary lifestyle for SO LONG NOW. I don't know how to live anything else except the way I grew up in high school. I thought it was the norm to be like me, for all Asians to be like me, skinny computer wizzes, that's the stereotype in the media that's going on around today. It's a fact. I'm sorry to bring it up, but it's all I know. It's all I know.

I had so much resistance today, my body is rejecting the push ups I did today. My body aches, I don't know what to do. If I can't even do 20 measly push ups, what else is there for me? Push ups are supposed to be EASY. I will take a look at the links later. Thank you.

Deus ex Machina

and how all people in prison should die, how all homosexuals should die, because being homosexuality is unnatural, and will eventually lead to the death of human race due to absence of breeding, see what I mean?

:doh:

goonie,

Sure, it's EASY to talk about motivation, but for me to actually do it, I don't know. You see, I've pretty much given up half way through almost every project I took throughout my life: college, jobs, etc.

If only I was BORN with "guts and determination".

I have a beach, but I hate going outdoors, even though I should probably get a tan, and start brushing my teeth. I really let my health go.


I think you're misinterpreting me on the "guts and determination" point, but honestly in a way I expected. When you say "but for me to actually do it, I don't know", well luckily I do know and I have proof to back me up. :)

Today (ok, yesterday maybe by now) something inside you made you go and do a few dozen push-ups, join a new fitness related forum, and start researching ways to get stronger. Why?

Ask yourself what made you go and do all that after what you described as 4 years of avoiding anything physical. How did you feel after your first couple sets of push-ups? You said it hurt some, but you went and tried to keep doing more anyway. Did you find yourself almost instinctivly trying to do more than you did on your first set? That's natural human instinct kicking in, and it's inside everyone of us whether you choose to believe it or not.

The "guts and determination" I was referring to was the willingness to do anything to get started, something you've already proven you have through your actions.

Something inside you is saying it's time to get stronger (physically and mentally), and hopefully you're listening.

zenpharaohs,

Yes, and it's easier to hear what you have to say.

Sticking with something sometimes appears to be more difficult than starting and in this case I suppose it's true.

Yeah, I suppose making excuses is just like complaining, it gets nothing done, yet I suppose perhaps some people like to complain, maybe I like making excuses and don't even know it, oops there I go again. Sorry.

Another laugh has escaped me.

goonie,

Wow, that's kind of scary, you nailed it, I did feel "compelled" to do more push ups. It was weird. As for my reason, I don't know, mabye I was just tired of doing almost nothing, maybe I got fed up with the obnoxious, retarded tenants where I live and I felt the need to "remove" them. I don't know what motivated me, it was like a feeling of precognition, or something, or it was just like "my time" to go exercise and stop playing games on the computer. It was almost like instinct.

I'm concerned however that I will lose the instinct and when it comes time to work out, I'll have to push myself. I feel things should come naturally, without effort, be easy to do. I hate having to do hard work, it sounds like I came full circle. I believe I said something like that earlier.

I bet my arms and chest will ache in the morning.

Deus ex Machina