Seeking psychosis

[DaMayor]

Alright fellahs, DaMayor asks you this....
How does one stay in 'the zone' throughout an ENTIRE work-out? I mean REALLY stay in that state of almost meditative, psychotic trance-like concentration where one isn't distracted by activity in the gym, fatigue, pain or that chick that insists on doing tri-cept extensions right in front of ya. I can handle great pain, but for some reason, when I get about halfway through my gig, I start to get fatigued, and then frustrated because I'm feeling weaker, then pissed off and ready to throw in the towel.
Downfall of working out alone?

 

[ALBOB]

The best way is to not even try. Whether you think it's a true sport or not, golf can teach you a lot about this subject. During a four hour round of golf even professionals can't keep their entire focus on the game. (With the possible exception of Ben Hogan.) What they do is concentrate on each and every shot AS THEY'RE MAKING IT but let their minds relax between shots. This saves them tons of energy because they're not wasting that energy trying to concentrate when it isn't really necessary. So, what I'm saying is, as you prepare for a set THAT'S when you need to really put your thinking cap on. In between sets go ahead and check out the babe doing the triceps extensions. I got a tip from Curtis Strange one time; when he'd come up to make a shot he'd get all the info from his caddy about distance, wind, pin location, etc. and make his club selection. As soon as he got the right club he'd focus on the groves of the club to get his concentration back. He'd use that to visualize the shot and then, when his mind was completely in focus, he'd step up and make the shot. Use that the next time you're in the gym, find an object (other than the triceps babe) and focus on it right before each set. Visualize what you're going to do in that set then step up and do it.

 

[Tank316]

Visualize what you're going to do in that set then step up and do it.

good one ALBOB.

 

[DaMayor]

Once again, Albob, your wisdom is appreciated. And by the way, golf, while perhaps not as flashy as some, is a helluva sport. I've played for years. (You were very fortunate to meet Curtis Strange.) After giving it some thought (at the gym) this evening, I have determined that my problem is two-fold. First, I need to quit worrying excessively about being 36, or older, or fatter...this only hurts my momentum. Secondly, I think I am expecting too much too soon. I always have, and perhaps always will, expect the best from myself, and maybe I'd be justified in beating myself up if/when I QUIT. But maybe I shouldn't beat myself up because some guy at the next station is ten years younger, or twenty pounds leaner,and I can't catch up to him, or others like him, as quickly as I used to. (Besides, due to pharmaceutical advances, I may be competing with more than just 'some guy')
I think my point here stems from the word I used in the first sentence.....Wisdom. Maybe the key here is drawing on the wisdom I do have. Aye! There's the rub! And of course, it wouldn't hurt to quit whining so much, eh? Thanks again, guys!

 

[Freeman]

Albob hit it on the head I think. You can't expect to constantly stay focused. Just before each set, pump yourself up, zone yourself out, whatever you have to do to get into "your" zone.

 

[Mudge]

Tricep, not tricept

I prefer to zone out, by talking a walk between sets away from what I'm doing, then go back to it after my rest period, and THEN pound away.

 

[Freeman]

As soon as I fing out the logistics of "talking a walk" I'll try that ASAP!

 

[Mudge]

Basically, if a certain corner of the gym is say 50 feet from wall to wall nearby where I'm doing incline presses, I'll walk wall to wall a few times slowly until my time is up. I much prefer this to sitting in the same spot, so basically it kind of keeps me awake a bit more, and 'fresh'. Some people will do other things like bicycle kicks or something, but their intention is keeping an elevated heart rate...

 

[Freeman]

true, I was just knocking you for saying "talking a walk" in your previous post

 

[Scotty the Body]

Originally posted by Mudge
Tricep, not tricept

I prefer to zone out, by talking a walk between sets away from what I'm doing, then go back to it after my rest period, and THEN pound away.

I do the same, I keep my log and water bottle on a table in the middle of the gym, after my set I walk over, take a sip write down my reps completed in the set and walk back for another set.

 

[Mudge]

Originally posted by freeman1504
true, I was just knocking you for saying "talking a walk" in your previous post

Yeah, I do a set, then I go home Keeps my mind off the workout ya know?

 

[Freeman]

Yeah exactly. Takes a while to finish a workout, but hey...at least your not in the gym forever..they say anything over an hour is too much....

 

[Mudge]

Yep, or even 45 minutes, I am usually 30ish - 45 minutes, maybe 50 but not really hour long. GH levels drop off and yada yada.

 

[DaMayor]

Thanks for the spelling correction there, Madge .

 

[ALBOB]

Originally posted by DaMayor
Once again, Albob, your wisdom is appreciated. And by the way, golf, while perhaps not as flashy as some, is a helluva sport. I've played for years. (You were very fortunate to meet Curtis Strange.) After giving it some thought (at the gym) this evening, I have determined that my problem is two-fold. First, I need to quit worrying excessively about being 36, or older, or fatter...this only hurts my momentum. Secondly, I think I am expecting too much too soon. I always have, and perhaps always will, expect the best from myself, and maybe I'd be justified in beating myself up if/when I QUIT. But maybe I shouldn't beat myself up because some guy at the next station is ten years younger, or twenty pounds leaner,and I can't catch up to him, or others like him, as quickly as I used to. (Besides, due to pharmaceutical advances, I may be competing with more than just 'some guy')
I think my point here stems from the word I used in the first sentence.....Wisdom. Maybe the key here is drawing on the wisdom I do have. Aye! There's the rub! And of course, it wouldn't hurt to quit whining so much, eh? Thanks again, guys!

I'm gonna answer this by paraphrasing a cliche: Weightlifting isn't a destination, it's a journey. Enjoy the ride.

 

[askjoe]

You have to learn to love the process - essential for success in anything. Pain can equal pleasure - focus on the fact that the discomfort you're feeling while working out is making you bigger and stronger - make it real.

You'll start to truly grow when you can cross this mental barrier.

Askjoe
http://www.onelastrep.com

 

[DaMayor]

Thank you, gentlemen. DaMayor is now on a new mission. Let's hope future questions do not address recovery.