Unrealistic expectations have proven to be the downfall for many who attempt to achieve muscle gains or fat loss, as bodybuilding far too often becomes a pursuit of transforming into someone else, as opposed to maximizing the genetic potential that each of us has been born with. We may frequently see individuals on TV, in magazines, or on the Internet who have the bodybuilding physique we are working towards, so we somehow feel that by weight lifting and eating a certain way, we can develop a similar appearance, when in fact our physical makeup is specific to each of us, meaning that results others can produce do not in any way indicate that we are capable of the same, or conversely, we may even be able to exceed the bodybuilding success of those we admire. Yet, there is no way of knowing our own individual potential without first following an effective diet and weight lifting workout plan to determine how our muscles respond.

The unfortunate downside of basing our own muscle gain and fat loss satisfaction upon achieving the nearly identical physique of another is that, although we may produce muscle gains or fat loss progress that impress nearly everyone that we meet, in our own mind, we sustain a feeling of inferiority, since our standard is not based upon our individual accomplishments, but rather whether we've become the person we wish to mimic, and therefore, regardless of how impressive our progress appears to others, we continually seek for the unrealistic dream, and eventually either quit bodybuilding altogether, or decide to experiment with risky drugs or weight training supplements instead of modifying our expectations to match our own potential.

Genetics offer us a barrier which we all must obey, no different from one who wishes to become a basketball player but lacks sufficient height. Yet, in bodybuilding, very few ever achieve their individual genetic potential not necessarily due to insufficient effort, but rather as a result of weight lifting and diet errors which plague muscle gain or fat loss efforts. Certainly, when weight training and eating perfectly, genetics will then eventually lead to a plateau in muscle building or fat loss, and will also impact the overall speed of results, but most who feel genetics are interfering with any positive change actually are dieting and weight lifting without any sense of direction, which is the true culprit behind frustrating progress.

Unfortunately, numerous weight lifters continue to follow poorly written diet and weight training routines, and experience frustration due to a perpetual plateau despite disciplined effort. Making matters worse are the unrealistic expectations created by the media, as seeing men and women on the covers of popular fitness magazines tend to make even the most disciplined natural physical fitness enthusiast overflow with envy, but what is not revealed in the pictures that so many desire to emulate is that the vast majority of those who are featured in such publications are using drugs such as steroids or growth hormone, which are extremely dangerous, leading to serious potential health issues such as heart failure, cancer, and internal organ enlargement, therefore are not a legitimate option for those who have their priorities in order and wish to preserve health and well being far beyond any short sighted muscle building or fat loss goal. It's unfortunate that numerous young men and women are being encouraged by many photos that are marketed as the definition of a desirable and healthy appearance, when in fact the methods used to obtain such a temporary level of muscle gain or fat loss pose extreme health risks to those involved, and despite these realities, become a very powerful temptation for those who try to emulate the individuals they believe to be accepted and admired by society.

Muscle gain or weight loss results are as unique as our finger prints, and we should never try to emulate another in our pursuit of any muscle building or fat loss goal, rather forging our own personal road by maximizing the individual muscle building potential each of us has, and doing so through an effective weight training plan and bodybuilding diet. When we begin to consider bodybuilding as an experiment in personal achievement, we then begin to finally relish in the improvements we make, as opposed to feeling unfulfilled due to focusing on the achievements of another. Without the chance of experiencing satisfaction with our own improvements, bodybuilding becomes a never ending pursuit of the unattainable, and can morph from a worthwhile pursuit into a stressful, redundant hobby.