Bodybuilding is finally over for me...

[Arnold]

I am 36 years old and I have been "bodybuilding" for 20 years, I have decided I am finally done with it.

As some of you know I am recovering from a pretty bad disc herniation in my lower back (L5/S1). For the past 6 weeks I have suffered more pain (mentally & physically) than ever before. I am finally getting better and I can actually get through the day without drugs, still in pain but its bearable. There is light at the end of the tunnel now!

This is my third "bad" injury in 3 years (2 back & 1 shoulders) and I am taking this one as a wake up call, obviously my body has had enough. My goal is to lose about 20lbs of muscle and get back to a 'normal physique', lean and muscular, but no bulk. I have been maintaining a lean 190lbs at 5' 7" for several years so I am thinking maybe around 165lbs, we'll see. I still plan to work-out, eat healthy, etc. but I will not be lifting heavy weights or anything like that, it will be working out for just health and fitness reasons.

Don't think I am just quitting and giving up, because that is not what I am doing. I am just quitting "bodybuilding", if that makes sense. It took me several weeks to come to this decision. I still plan on running IronMagazine and IronMaglabs, helping others, and all of that. I am just no longer going to have any focus on bodybuilding personally. I feel that if I continue on I am going to suffer more injuries, and possibly get injured to a point where I cannot recover. I have decided that my long term health is more important, and it will allow me to focus more on other things as well.

Furthermore, I am not implying that bodybuilding or lifting heavy is unhealthy, but after 20 years it does take its toll on your body, i.e. back & joints. I now understand why pro athletes typically retire in their early to mid thirties.

I just wanted to share this with everyone... Train hard and stay healthy!

 

[Squaggleboggin]

I'm sure this was a difficult decision for you to make, and the right one for you. Sorry to see you go. I'm glad you'll still be hanging around here to help all of us who have yet to acquire your knowledge and experience. I respect your decision and I respect your dedication and commitment to staying healthy even after injuries and leaving a career of bodybuilding. I wish you good luck on your quest.

 

[P-funk]

Tuff choice to make boss. Hope you have good health in the future.

 

[Arnold]

Sorry to see you go. I'm glad you'll still be hanging around here to help all of us who have yet to acquire your knowledge and experience.

well, since I own the site I guess I will stay.

 

[Jodi]

Rob

I wish you the best of health. I don't think any of us think you are a quitter. Many people here have chosen to steer away from bodybuilding and either live a clean lifestyle of diet and exercise or even just people that are runners or athletes in general. This doesn't mean you are a quitter. Instead it means you are smart to listen to your body. Good luck and feel better soon

 

[GFR]

Health is #1, hope you recover fully.

 

[Yanick]

wow sorry to hear that. i hope all goes well with you, and i hope you find other goals to work towards, remember its not all about the most muscle or the heaviest weight. Read that article that i posted in your other thread, its pretty inspiring if you ask me.

 

[Arnold]

maybe I will take the Clarence Bass route and see how ripped I can get.

 

[Dale Mabry]

For the past 6 weeks I have suffered more pain (mentally & physically) than ever before. I am finally getting better and I can actually get through the day without drugs, still in pain but its bearable.

I feel the same way wrt Foreman's post-whoring, although I still need drugs to get through the day because of it.

 

[LexusGS]

You're a good guy man, and I understand what you're doing. I want to thank you for making this site because it's been a huge inspiration for me. I wish nothing but the best for you man!

 

[Davo]

Best wishes

well your run finishes and mine just begins - i am late to the game at 31 and hope that i can get a few good years in - this site inspires me. everyone here is fantastic and a great help to me. many thanks

 

[soxmuscle]

tough decision, but the right one without question. you've accomplished alot. keep lifting, stay healthy, and good luck in the future.

 

[KEFE]

I think you are gonna regret this and start back in the future.

 

[Arnold]

I think you are gonna regret this and start back in the future.

absolutely not, I have had enough.

 

[Arnold]

well your run finishes and mine just begins - i am late to the game at 31 and hope that i can get a few good years in - this site inspires me. everyone here is fantastic and a great help to me. many thanks

Ronnie Coleman (current Mr. Olympia for the past 8 years) is 41 years old.

 

[b_reed23]

I wish you all the best Rob...and know that we are all here for you!

 

[cappo5150]

Good luck and a speedy recovery.

Can I take over your admin role on this site?

 

[shiznit2169]

We all come to a point where we just have to hang up our shoes

I wish you the best of luck rob. This site has worked wonders for many people, including myself to accomplish our goals.

 

[Tier]

Now you can devote your spare time to making new great supplements for us!

 

[PGT]

I wish you all the best with your decison and hope you fully recover.
Glad youll still be around for your advice.

 

[Pylon]

Sorry to hear you are calling it a day, but I'm sure your body will thank you now and in the future. Good luck with making the switch back to "mere mortal" size.

 

[TrojanMan60563]

I wish you the best....I gave up powerlifting for the same reasons...well not cause I got old...but the constant nagging injuries. I find less of that with bodybuilding since I don't have to lift at max to gain muscle. I think will can maintain much of your muscle if you keep eating right and lifting smart.

 

[kicka19]

i dont see how u can total cut lifting out of ur life, give it 6 months maybe a year and ull wana get back into the game, maybe not competing but trying to maintain, good luck

 

[Arnold]

i dont see how u can total cut lifting out of ur life, give it 6 months maybe a year and ull wana get back into the game, maybe not competing but trying to maintain, good luck

I did not say I was going to quit lifting, re-read my original post.

 

[kicka19]

I did not say I was going to quit lifting, re-read my original post.

i got ya, didnt read it fully, good luck anyway

 

[maniclion]

Look at it this way. Maybe you're not building your castle bigger, now your just building it more structurally sound. It's still building just not in the traditional sense of the word "bodybuilding".

 

[Mudge]

This is one big reason my volume is low, I can feel after awhile on a routine that I just can't hang with big volume, and I worry about the long term effects on my joints when they are under 3x the workload I could have otherwise done with a low volume workout. My shoulders dont always like me!

Best of luck to all!!

 

[The13ig13adWolf]

tough decision but definitely a good one. there's no such thing as quitting when you've given it your all for so long, more like starting a new chapter on a different road. echoing everyone else in that i hope you recover fully and reach your new goals. best of luck rob!

 

[The13ig13adWolf]

you're not building your castle bigger, now your just building it more structurally sound.

that's awesome, great analogy.

 

[BigDyl]

Sorry to hear that bro. I hope you can work through your injuries and achieve new goals. Who knows? A marathon runner, best selling author, or whatever you set your mind to?

Good luck.