Stay Natural?

[Original_N2Deep]

Please help Brothers:

I have been debating whether to stay natural or go with some chemical assistance for quite some time. My first inclinations were to stay natural and one day compete. I would never compete in non-tested bodybuilding as I am not interested in putting my body through what is necessary.

I am 23 years of age, 6 foot 180 lbs 8-9% bf with small joints and mediocre genetics. I am not a newbie to training (5 yrs) and I most certainly qualify as staying natural long enough to know the value of training and diet in the equation. I do not know if I am being honest with myself in hoping to compete one day which requires genetics and perfect training/diet. Wish I had pictures to show in order to help assess if one day it looks like I will be able to compete naturally in the sport. In looking at natural organizations I am not that impressed as most contests appear to be hosted in a high school gym with 75 people in the audience attending. To compete on the level of the musclemania and the team universe is absurd and left to those with the un-heard of genetics and determination.

Another debate is whether I will be able to look in the mirror and be as proud of my accomplishments knowing I am being assisted by "gear". If a relative or friend comments on your size can you confidently talk about the training or do you shy away hoping not to embark on any steroid discussion or accusations. This mental block has been imposed from staying natural and convincing myself to go through the workouts with slow results compared to the chemically assisted athletes. A I am better than those that "use" attitude has been developed in order to stay natural.

I am on the fence with this issue and would greatly appreciate a discussion on this topic and any experiences with this type of issue someone may have had or are currently having.

 

[Beezers]

If you dedicate your life to bodybuilding then you've earned the right to to use AS without the consent or approval of anyone. Genetics can only get you so far. For those of us who do make this a lifestyle we shure as hell better get every ounce of muscle we can. Nobody can decide for you. You know this. What is the advantage of being natural? Why won't you be able to look in the mirror and be proud of you gains while on a cycle? Chances are you will have put more effort and soul into those gains than any of the ones you achieved naturally. Just because you use AS does not mean the gains are not earned. They most certainly are. The most common misconception about AS users is that it's liquid muscle or "magic" muscle. It isn't. These people busted thier ass harder than any normal person could imagine. They pour sweat daily and endure excrutiating pain to better thier body. They take time to make it to the gym and give it every ounce of soul...no excuses. No lazy asses here. AS users are remarkably disciplined with thier diets. Most joe scmoes could never dream of having the will power to eat the way we bodybuilders do. AS is a right we have earned through our hard word and unmatched determination to our strict lifestyle. No one can deny your gains would be true...not even you. And one more final point I'd like to make. The Musclemania and Team Universe competitors...they arn't natural...surprise!

 

[Yellowbomber]

even the fitness chicks aren't natural

 

[Original_N2Deep]

Great Reply Beezers

 

[liftsiron]

If you need to do so much soul searching to decide, leave the juice alone until you are ready.

 

[bbigman2000]

what can I say bro, if you want good gains fast then I say you can grow at 4lbs a month of muscle on AS, and 2lbs a month natural. make your own mind up bro.

 

[pgerardone]

You talk about steroid like you are trying to decide if you should become a career criminal. It is ridiculous. If you use steroids you will not look at your gains and feel like you do not deserve them because you will then realize that anabolic steroids are not the be all and end all of bodybuilding. You will work hard if you take them or not. Difference is if you take them you may reach your goals where if you don't you will not. The truth about bodybuilding is without drugs most can not even build a decent physique. The body rebels against any muscle growth by tearing it down. AS's stop this from happening and allow us to grow beyond what nature would allow. What is wrong with using as's for this purpose? I think if you are serious about training you should take them, why not?
BTW about the team universe, those guys use as much as the guys at the usa and nationals. The TU is the biggest joke going, so don't let them fool you into believing the guys are competing drug-free.

 

[Original_N2Deep]

Very true I do make it sound like becoming a career criminal. I am just hoping to stimulate some disccusion on this topic as I need to make a decision rather than second guessing myself. I do believe I have put "natural" on a moral high horse but it helps to keep myself motivated with the slow process of natural training. Good input guys

I have several Skip LaCour videos and I do believe him to be natural as crazy as that may seem. Crazy genetics yes and determination. he is spot on with training and diet and has been able to string it togethor for 10 plus years. Also weighing 190 lbs and muscular before picking up a weight seems to help also.

 

[natural-mike]

I truly have to disagree with several responses here. Personally I advocate you stay natural, secondly I advocate you do not make this a life - long goal, you would be better suited for another career as only the pro level earns respectable income and to reach that level, you need AS. I believe, natural lifters i.e. myself, dedicate themselves to diet, bust their ass in the gym all the same, the only difference is the growth rate.

Stay natural and save all that money, money better used for something else. I'm no innocent preacher, I've done drugs, been arrested etc. etc., my point is you may not need to go do AS to reach acceptable levels of bodybuilding in your eyes.

Brothers no need to flame for this response as I am dropping my 2 cents, and I advocate natural training.
Peace and Good Luck,
Natural - Mike

 

[natural-mike]

I truly have to disagree with several responses here. Personally I advocate you stay natural, secondly I advocate you do not make this a life - long goal, you would be better suited for another career as only the pro level earns respectable income and to reach that level, you need AS. I believe, natural lifters i.e. myself, dedicate themselves to diet, bust their ass in the gym all the same, the only difference is the growth rate.

Stay natural and save all that money, money better used for something else. I'm no innocent preacher, I've done drugs, been arrested etc. etc., my point is you may not need to go do AS to reach acceptable levels of bodybuilding in your eyes.

Brothers no need to flame for this response as I am dropping my 2 cents, and I advocate natural training.
Peace and Good Luck,
Natural - Mike