1. #1
    Musclechemistry Board Certified Member Board Certified MD
    drtbear1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    5,663
    Rep Power
    2147489318

    Default Fear of Losing Muscle

    The Fear of Losing Muscle Mass


    by Anders JP Eskilsson
    Many of us who start with bodybuilding or weight training will sooner or later get notifications from our surroundings about our weight gain and increased muscle mass. Our friends, colleagues and family can clearly see that we are progressing in our training and that we are putting on some muscles. Many people are quite impressed and questions about training are also starting to come up more frequently. For example, what you should eat or not, or what exercise is good for this or that particular muscle group. Additionally, the classical question “How much do you bench?” is a granted one for certain. This whole package belongs to the territory of stepping into the world of bodybuilding.

    The physical recognition people receive from the outside world because of training is a generally good feeling, of course, a feeling which boosts the self-esteem and also builds and changes parts of our identities.

    Then as time elapses our new physical presence is gradually growing more and more into our character. We are more or less aware of this deeper transformation which is occurring since we started to train. Nonetheless, we can for certain see that the numbers on the bathroom scale are increasing and the mirror is witness to our positive physical progress. Conclusively the perception from people around us is different now since our new lifestyle is becoming one with our identity.

    However, after months and years of successful training there will sooner or later be a backlash scenario. The time when something such as an injury, illness, coming off a cycle, getting into a new relationship, or just low motivation will interfere with our new lifestyle. This lay off can be shorter or longer, of course, but most of the time people get back into training after a while. One thing is certain, though, the time will come when the numbers on the scale will begin dropping, and it may have a psychological impact in one way or another, some more than others.

    In addition to the layoff people around you will now start to take notice your weight loss. You may encounter comments like “Damn how small you have become” or “I didn’t recognize you at first,” or “you’re so much smaller since the last time I saw you”. These remarks are generally not meant to harm anyone; the people around you see what they see, but it can still be hurtful to hear that you have gotten smaller due to the lay off from training.
    These comments aren’t always easy to cope with, especially if there isn’t anything else that people really identify you by. Because now you are the previously huge guy who’s small all of a sudden! And this can really feel shitty; it’s like your persona is cut in half or even more in some cases. It also hurts because of all the hard work, food and money spent on your physical project. Moreover, losing muscles due to whatever reasons can be pretty rough mentally, especially if you are a young guy, in the first stages of life, and molding your identity.

    What’s important to realize is that identities are fundamental for anyone to work properly throughout their lives. Identities which, for example, can include being a passionate teacher, a musician, or a politician, the list goes on. The interests you love and that you in return get identified by. I am thinking about an interest or a job that we love to do, because who wants to get defined by or connected to something they don’t love.

    Additionally, I believe that the people who don’t seem to get bothered or anxious from losing muscle mass are for are those who have passions besides bodybuilding. In addition, some of the best bodybuilders in the world from Arnold to Lee Haney, Kevin Levrone and Jay Cutler, all have great interests or passions besides bodybuilding; everywhere from being a musician to having a great passion for football, business, to acting, and politics.
    I personally have never been a believer in putting all of your energy in more or less only one field or interest in life and clearly none one of the men mentioned previously have either! That doesn’t mean that you love bodybuilding less just because you have other things that make you tick through life, of course. I actually believe that it can strengthen and balance your skills and love for a particular passion if you combine them with others on the side.
    For these reasons, look outside of the world of training and find other interests that you can identify yourself with and that makes you feel creative and gives you happiness. We have to dig deeper. We are so much more than just a face or muscles. This might be easier said than done for some of us, but keep the words in your mind and works towards this important principle.

    Last words, one thing is certain, there will come a day if it not has arrived for you already… a time when you are faced with losing muscle mass, and when you do, be prepared. The solutions this article provides are the importance of a variety of interests besides bodybuilding. You can’t let your physique define your whole persona, because if you do then the day when you get out of shape or lose a few pounds of muscle, well, you may find that see yourself as half the man you used to be.
    Thanks Presser, BEASTZ6 thanked for this post
    Likes beachbody, Presser, yellow snow, BEASTZ6 liked this post
     
    Get It Done!

  2. #2
    Registered User Board Certified Psy.D

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    458
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Some years ago there was an article in Mus. Dev. Mag. about this. I think it was titled "Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive"? The conclusion was that they are not addictive, but maintaining muscle mass was physchology addictive. You work hard and take these drugs to attain good muscle size and it is very difficult to lose back. But large muscle mass is hormone dependent and you can't keep this large muscle mass without using these hormones. One possible exception is guys 18 to 23. Their own hormone level is high enough and their genes help them keep this muscle mass for awhile. But sooner or later everyone loses back.
    Thanks drtbear1967 thanked for this post
    Likes Presser, yellow snow liked this post
     

  3. #3
    Registered User Board Certified Psy.D

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    458
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Here is a good example of losing muscle mass. Coleman before and after.

    https://youtu.be/1sqMUE_BY7Q
    Likes Presser liked this post
     

  4. #4
    Musclechemistry Board Certified Member Board Certified MD
    drtbear1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    5,663
    Rep Power
    2147489318

    Default

    Sooner or later, youth and mass both fade.
    Likes Presser, BEASTZ6 liked this post
     
    Get It Done!

  5. #5
    Presser's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    41,683
    Rep Power
    2147525352

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by drtbear1967 View Post
    Sooner or later, youth and mass both fade.
    Its such a shame that youth is wasted on the young
    Thanks drtbear1967 thanked for this post
    Likes EMW14, BEASTZ6 liked this post
     
    Fear of Losing Muscle

  6. #6
    Musclechemistry Board Certified Member Board Certified MD
    drtbear1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    5,663
    Rep Power
    2147489318

    Default

    Amen
    Get It Done!

  7. #7
    MuscleChemistry Guru Board Certified CPH

    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    1,060
    Rep Power
    2147484718

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Presser View Post
    Its such a shame that youth is wasted on the young
    Herd dat! Lol
    Likes drtbear1967 liked this post
     

Similar Threads

  1. The Fear of Losing Muscle Mass
    By akn in forum Bodybuilding Steroid & Training Articles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-03-2015, 11:23 AM
  2. losing muscle while dieting
    By mickdoo in forum MuscleChemistry Discussion
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-26-2011, 10:08 AM
  3. Losing too much muscle!!!
    By tilla52 in forum MuscleChemistry Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-28-2007, 10:02 AM
  4. losing 2much muscle
    By TheElmo in forum MuscleChemistry Discussion
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-21-2005, 05:36 PM
  5. Clenbuterol and losing muscle
    By Chaps in forum MuscleChemistry Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-12-2005, 04:24 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Log in

Log in