Thread: "That last 10 pounds" Is it self esteem?

Hard to say, but humans frequently "want more" or "better." I never think that I look big, but compared to the average person I know I am, still though its just how I preceive myself versus someone who is 80 pounds lighter or whatever.

Just like a guy benching 480, maybe his goal is 500+ so he calls himself weak.

the last 10 lbs I have heard is simply a plataeu. If it's 10 lbs you need to gain, then it's time to alternate workout routines. If it's 10 lbs that you're trying to lose alternate your eating habits. For instance, lets say you've been dieting and you're now plateauing 10 lbs short of your goal. If you're on a carb diet, then designate one day of the week eating bread, pasta, etc. and it'll shock your body back into the routine. Same goes for other diets, be naughty just one day.

But yeah I guess it could be mental the reason that last 10 lbs is there. So close to the goal time may seem to go by slower (like being near the end of a school year) or you may become less motivated than when you're in the middle of the process and in the stage of noticing progress. That last 10 lbs is there for safety, to give you some leeway and make sure you don't gain the weight again. I don't see any biological reason why the body would stop improving because of a predetermined number you make up.

Like Mudge said, most of us will NEVER think we're big enough, cut enough, good enough, etc., but I guess that is what keeps us going, right?

If you felt that you had no room for improvement it would make training quite difficult, it would be nothing more than "maintenance".

It's similar to the person that has "everything" or has achieved "everything", how boring would that be? To live is to dream for that which you do not have, or have not yet attained.

Ever wonder why these actors that have literally 100's of millions of dollars continue to make movies? Obviously they have more money than they or their kids could ever spend in a lifetime, they can have or do just about anything they want, yet they keep on working.

Arnold is a good example, he is now on his third career! He was one of the most successful bodybuilders ever, the highest paid actor in the world ($30 million for T3) now he becomes the govenor of California!

Why? Becuase if he did not continue to improve and achieve new goals in life he would have nothing to live for. Same with the person that always needs to lose more weight, get more cut, get bigger muscles, lift more weight.

I agree with that, but those people are using their feelings for positive support of themselves. The people that I encounter are usually using these feelings to make themselves feel badly and discourage.

I guess it's the whole glass is half full or empty theory. I choose to make my glass half full therefore my last ten pounds is a challenge to be overcome. For some it is a barrier to block them.