Would Bodybuilding count as an EC

[axp107]

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Not competing..

But I devote a lot of time to it. Supplements, bulking up.. cutting down cycles. Setting new PRs. It takes a lot of work and effort. Not to mention, its a very healthy lifestyle. Would you think stating this would be a "negative." Would they frown upon it?

 

[jochi1543]

I do it, but I listed it as "working out and lifting weights." There are definitely negative connotations associated with it: mainly obsession with one's looks and 'roids. Given that I'm a female, which amplifies it all, I chose to put a more temperate spin on it.

 

[bluesTank]

Only if you do it to the extreme and it is a significant portion of your life.

An admissions dean told me directly not to put "working out/going to the gym/running (non-competative)" on your EC's. She said, "you wouldn't put eating healthy on your ECs would you?" Which is true I guess.

 

[axp107]

Thing is, I'm not just a recreational lifter. I mean everyone lifts.. who doesn't?

I definitely have more than enough to talk about during my interview to show that I'm dedicated.

 

[reine1jb]

I do a lot of lifting also, very serious about it eat like a bodybuilder, take supplements like a body builder, plan on doing a show sometime before medical school. While there are some negative connotations to bodybuilding, I think that the endurance and willpower needed to live the true lifestyle of a body builder says a lot about someones character... I think being able to be extremely disciplined in something and also passionate about something could show medical school admissions people that you have the determination and strength needed to get through medical school and its challenges

 

[Dedikated2liftn]

Damn right, finally a thread I can really relate to!!! lol

 

[Husky85]

I'd only put it in if you compete. Anything you put in your AMCAS is fair game for interview questions, and you'd want to have something (like a competition) to talk about.

So why don't you just enter into a competition or two before interview season?

 

[MossPoh]

I do a lot of lifting also, very serious about it eat like a bodybuilder, take supplements like a body builder, plan on doing a show sometime before medical school. While there are some negative connotations to bodybuilding, I think that the endurance and willpower needed to live the true lifestyle of a body builder says a lot about someones character... I think being able to be extremely disciplined in something and also passionate about something could show medical school admissions people that you have the determination and strength needed to get through medical school and its challenges

While I agree to some extent. You can't look at this from your viewpoint. Look at it from the viewpoint of someone who is NOT a bodybuilder and what they would see. There are many a bodylifter that gives a negative view on it simply based on how they act in the gym. Those guys that strut around with their excessively torn tanktop thinking they are god's gift. So, it could really really backfire on you. I'm a fairly serious lifter, and used to be more serious but it still makes me cringe to some extent when I hear a person say they are a bodybuilder. Many times those supplements have never actually been proven to work. Of course..I was on the powerlifting side of things, so maybe that is why I give a hardtime. 😉 Either way, do a competition or just fine a way to work it in during an interview...but I think putting "bodybuilder" on your EC can be kind of decieving.

 

[Dr. Syzygy]

Does sleeping count as an EC to? I do, do it outside of the school curriculum. I devote a lot of time to it too, about 49 hrs/week

 

[reine1jb]

While I agree to some extent. You can't look at this from your viewpoint. Look at it from the viewpoint of someone who is NOT a bodybuilder and what they would see. There are many a bodylifter that gives a negative view on it simply based on how they act in the gym. Those guys that strut around with their excessively torn tanktop thinking they are god's gift. So, it could really really backfire on you. I'm a fairly serious lifter, and used to be more serious but it still makes me cringe to some extent when I hear a person say they are a bodybuilder. Many times those supplements have never actually been proven to work. Of course..I was on the powerlifting side of things, so maybe that is why I give a hardtime. 😉 Either way, do a competition or just fine a way to work it in during an interview...but I think putting "bodybuilder" on your EC can be kind of decieving.

whats that called when you judge someone without meeting them based on only a small number of people within that specific population??

stereotyping???🙂

I know what you mean though I have seen bodybuilders like that but trust me not all of us walk around thinking we are "gods gift"

 

[achamess]

This is a very good question. I did two NPC competitions in high school when I was very involved in my training and dieting. I enjoyed those experiences very much, and I am certain that the willpower, dedication and knowledge required to succeed in achieving superior body composition goals would help someone succeed in just about any other endeavor in life as well. The so-called "intellectuals" in my school often scoffed at what I was doing, but I contend that the entire path of manipulating your body to become something it really doesn't normally want to become requires serious intellectual strides as much as physical. For example, I doubt I would have ever become so intrigued with science if I had not seen the power it gave me in reaching my body goals. If I were in an interview today, I would happily explain how, while bodybuilding is no longer a part of my life, the invaluable intellectual gains and character development that a seemingly "vain" activity gave me make me the person I am today.

With that said, because every Tom,Dick and Harry goes to the gym or has a gym membership, and would like you to believe he is the paragon of maniless, I would heed the advice of the other posters and omit it unless you do some kind of competition. It's really unfortunate that you can't just do something; you have to be recognized by somebody else in order for it to count, but that's how it goes I guess.

Best of luck

 

[jochi1543]

I do a lot of lifting also, very serious about it eat like a bodybuilder, take supplements like a body builder, plan on doing a show sometime before medical school. While there are some negative connotations to bodybuilding, I think that the endurance and willpower needed to live the true lifestyle of a body builder says a lot about someones character... I think being able to be extremely disciplined in something and also passionate about something could show medical school admissions people that you have the determination and strength needed to get through medical school and its challenges

Yeah, problem is, "laymen" just think it's all 'roids. I'm not lean, and definitely not "freaky," and yet if I had a dime for every time someone (usually a man) asked me if I were on 'roids, I'd have my med school tuition covered. Heck, my own mother has asked me before! 🙄

 

[reine1jb]

Yeah, problem is, "laymen" just think it's all 'roids. I'm not lean, and definitely not "freaky," and yet if I had a dime for every time someone (usually a man) asked me if I were on 'roids, I'd have my med school tuition covered. Heck, my own mother has asked me before! 🙄

Haha I know what you mean I've definitely been asked that question more times than I can count....

 

[blasterx]

Yeah, problem is, "laymen" just think it's all 'roids. I'm not lean, and definitely not "freaky," and yet if I had a dime for every time someone (usually a man) asked me if I were on 'roids, I'd have my med school tuition covered. Heck, my own mother has asked me before! 🙄

One time my mom actually looked up the supplements I use (basic whey protein!) to verify that they weren't roids lol.

 

[jochi1543]

One time my mom actually looked up the supplements I use (basic whey protein!) to verify that they weren't roids lol.

My mother thinks whey protein IS roids.🙄

 

[reine1jb]

One time my mom actually looked up the supplements I use (basic whey protein!) to verify that they weren't roids lol.

That's what I hate about people's preconceived notions on taking supplements....supplements do not have to be roids, growth hormones ect...I use basic whey protein, creatine and a pre-work out mix that basically contains vasodialators and caffeine none of which contains anything illegal nor anything that a college athlete couldn't use....

 

[CTtarheel]

YES . . . bodybuilding is just like any other sport and if you spend a lot of time on it you should definitely report it. People are going to ask you in interviews what your hobbies are anyway, and this is definitely something to talk about. You can even tie bodybuilding into the reasons that medicine interests you.

As I always say, any time you don't account for is time that you're either sitting on you ass watching TV or out getting drunk.

 

[doinmybest5840]

No. Don't list it. Why? Here's a general string of thoughts for someone not involved in the world of weight-lifting and bodybuilding*.

Bodybuilder --> HUGE --> Arnold Schwarzenegger --> Funny accent --> Kindergarten Cop --> Terminator --> Governator --> Republican --> Conservative jackass --> Bad physician --> Bad medical student --> Bad applicant --> Rejection.



*Disclaimer: I am not in any way affiliated with bodybuilding. Nor do I agree with or condone thinking as is described above. This is just an example of what might and could happen. Perhaps it could also be used as a means of entertainment. 🙂

 

[reine1jb]

No. Don't list it. Why? Here's a general string of thoughts for someone not involved in the world of weight-lifting and bodybuilding*.

Bodybuilder --> HUGE --> Arnold Schwarzenegger --> Funny accent --> Kindergarten Cop --> Terminator --> Governator --> Republican --> Conservative jackass --> Bad physician --> Bad medical student --> Bad applicant --> Rejection.



*Disclaimer: I am not in any way affiliated with bodybuilding. Nor do I agree with or condone thinking as is described above. This is just an example of what might and could happen. Perhaps it could also be used as a means of entertainment. 🙂

Wow you have really persuaded me not to body build anymore, i wouldn't want an adcomm having such a negative image of me before i even meet them
NOT!!!

hahahaha again you just proved my point from above, i think you basically just defined a stereotype for me...ignorance never shows much reason

 

[doinmybest5840]

Wow you have really persuaded me not to body build anymore, i wouldn't want an adcomm having such a negative image of me before i even meet them
NOT!!!

hahahaha again you just proved my point from above, i think you basically just defined a stereotype for me...ignorance never shows much reason

That's why I said it was not my opinion and it was for entertainment. Nobody would realistically think that unless they were totally ignorant. I admire anybody who has the kind of discipline it takes to be a true bodybuilder.

 

[reine1jb]

oops...yeah i reread your disclaimer at the bottom right after i posted my reply...sorry for the misunderstanding...

 

[jochi1543]

Wow you have really persuaded me not to body build anymore, i wouldn't want an adcomm having such a negative image of me before i even meet them
NOT!!!

Yeah....just load up on some nice bacon grease and fatten up a bit, then the adcom will take you seriously...😛 JK.


Are any of you bb'ers in this thread female?

 

[87138]

Nice to know there are other bodybuilders (not just recreational lifters) on this site....I never would've guessed!


I didn't put it on my AMCAS, even though I do devote SIGNIFICANT time to it (hell, it's not just a hobby, it's a way of life for me.....the eating, etc). I've never done any shows, and even though it might seem impressive that you've been able to swing a 4.0 or damn near close while remaining very very dedicated to bodybuilding, I figured it was better left off the app. If anyone asks me about my hobbies or interests besides what's on my AMCAS, I can always discuss this with them.

 

[Mister Pie]

I used to go quite a lot to the gym myself but I decided not to list it. Unless you've won a competition or done something very unusual with it, I wouldn't list it. Even then, there are just some things that you might not want to list because of the stereotypes associate with it, even if they DID take up a lot of your time.

 

[Nasem]

I used to to do ALOT of weight lifting....
Yes when I was in high school, the mentality was "the bigger the muscle the more chicks you pick" blah blah blah...., that mentality stayed with me until 2 years ago lol....

Im turning 26 next month and Honestly, I stopped heavy weight lifting simply because I don't want my joints to suffer when I hit the age of 40 and above. Instead, I turned to lower-weights and more reps (I'm much happier with benching 135 on 30 reps than 275 with only 2 reps, but then again, everyone has a different mentality).

Oh yeh you asked a question about putting this in your application.... hmm.... I wouldn't say "body building" cause it sounds like a muscle head.... but I would defenetly mention that you like to exercise and be healthy

 

[questionstoask]

Not competing..

But I devote a lot of time to it. Supplements, bulking up.. cutting down cycles. Setting new PRs. It takes a lot of work and effort. Not to mention, its a very healthy lifestyle. Would you think stating this would be a "negative." Would they frown upon it?

there is nothing healthy about it. i dont like bodybuilders.

 

[tank2k7]

Very interesting talk from all people involved. I have thought about this question myself many times before, and have nearly had a stroke due to anger at the unfairness associated with how we bodybuilders choose to live our lives. That aside, a few things I would just like to toss out there...
1. My roommate used to tell me, "dude, you have to be the biggest applicant for med school in the whole country." I told him no way, but still have not met any big premeds, its quite good to know that a few of you are out there.
2. To the girls who said that they live the bodybuilding lifestyle, will you marry me? I have decided that the only type of girl who can ever understand me is a bodybuilder or fitness/figure girl.
3. I say list it and talk about it, regardless of stereotypes that someone may or may not have about it. It is part of our lives, we are proud of it. Any med school that does not want me because of something that is a huge part of who I am, is a med school that I do not want to go to. I know that being a doctor is important and everything, but even more important is being true to yourself and not changing who you are to just get into med school. If someone really wants to get to know me, bodybuilding is gonna come up, I guarantee it.
4. If anyone is planning on taking a break from the stress of applying to med school and is going to go to the Arnold this year, stay in touch with me and we can meet up there. I have gone for the past 6 years and am convinced you will not have a better time in your life.

That is all for now. Stay true to yourself, and remember, eat big to get big.

 

[87138]

there is nothing healthy about it. i dont like bodybuilders.

Translation: I don't know what bodybuilding is. My only exposure to it is seeing the front pages of the steroid-enhanced physiques of pro-bodybuilders on the front of Flex and M&F at the grocery store checkout line.


The irony here (about the nothing healthy statement) is that bodybuilders eat ridiculously (and I mean RIDICULOUSLY) more healthy than the vast majority of anyone else you'll meet.

 

[questionstoask]

Translation: I don't know what bodybuilding is. My only exposure to it is seeing the front pages of the steroid-enhanced physiques of pro-bodybuilders on the front of Flex and M&F at the grocery store checkout line.


The irony here (about the nothing healthy statement) is that bodybuilders eat ridiculously (and I mean RIDICULOUSLY) more healthy than the vast majority of anyone else you'll meet.

lol. considering i snatch more than most bodybuilders deadlift. ok.

 

[jochi1543]

2. To the girls who said that they live the bodybuilding lifestyle, will you marry me? I have decided that the only type of girl who can ever understand me is a bodybuilder or fitness/figure girl.

4. If anyone is planning on taking a break from the stress of applying to med school and is going to go to the Arnold this year, stay in touch with me and we can meet up there. I have gone for the past 6 years and am convinced you will not have a better time in your life.

That is all for now. Stay true to yourself, and remember, eat big to get big.

2) Sorry, I don't like big men....I do like men who are in shape, athletic, and would participate in fitness activities with me, but I just don't really care for the male bodybuilder's physique much.

4) I've never been to Arnold, but always wanted to go. However, there just never seemed to be enough reason for me to come near Columbus - and it's too far from me for it to make sense for me to go JUST for the Arnold. But with (hopefully) upcoming interviews this fall, I might end up in the area, and then I'll go.

 

[questionstoask]

2) Sorry, I don't like big men....I do like men who are in shape, athletic, and would participate in fitness activities with me, but I just don't really care for the male bodybuilder's physique much.

pwned!!👍

 

[87138]

lol. considering i snatch more than most bodybuilders deadlift. ok.

Even worse: A powerlifter with a grudge against bodybuilders.

Anyway, it'd be better if this thread didn't turn into some stupid fight. We can both agree to disagree.

Edit: In regards to the "pwned" comment, most powerlifters fit jochi's description even less than bodybuilders would. Ok, I'm done now, seriously...🙂

 

[jochi1543]

pwned!!👍

I don't see your point. I'm just saying I personally don't care for size and vascularity in a male, but we all have different preferences for the opposite (or same, whatever floats your boat) sex. There will be other women who will say they dislike short or small men and LOVE the bodybuilder physique.

 

[questionstoask]

Even worse: A powerlifter with a grudge against bodybuilders.

Anyway, it'd be better if this thread didn't turn into some stupid fight. We can both agree to disagree.

do you think powerlifters snatch?? but anyway, i am leaving.

 

[questionstoask]

Edit: In regards to the "pwned" comment, most powerlifters fit jochi's description even less than bodybuilders would. Ok, I'm done now, seriously...🙂

yeah powerlifters should take a hint also.

 

[shantster]

While I agree to some extent. You can't look at this from your viewpoint. Look at it from the viewpoint of someone who is NOT a bodybuilder and what they would see. There are many a bodylifter that gives a negative view on it simply based on how they act in the gym. Those guys that strut around with their excessively torn tanktop thinking they are god's gift. So, it could really really backfire on you. I'm a fairly serious lifter, and used to be more serious but it still makes me cringe to some extent when I hear a person say they are a bodybuilder. Many times those supplements have never actually been proven to work. Of course..I was on the powerlifting side of things, so maybe that is why I give a hardtime. 😉 Either way, do a competition or just fine a way to work it in during an interview...but I think putting "bodybuilder" on your EC can be kind of decieving.

I agree that "bodybuilding" does carry some sort of stigma associated with it. I always associate it with obsessively large, obviously on steriods, men. But if you say that you "lift," I just think that you're trying to be healthy and keep in shape, or even possibly train for something.

 

[Nasem]

One more comment I have... since this thread went sooooo off-tangent lol

Just keep my a 180-190 lbs with my 5'11 frame, keep my 17 inch arms, and this is most important, NEVER let me lose my 6-pack and i'll be a happy guy till I die..... Topping this off with a 2000 calori diet for 6 days a week (7th day, you break all rules, welcoming pizza / beer / and chips), 1 to 1.5 hrs for 5 days of week worth of biking / minor weight lifting (not bodybuilding or powerlifting).

 

[reine1jb]

lol. considering i snatch more than most bodybuilders deadlift. ok.

that depends how much do you snatch??

 

[87138]

that depends how much do you snatch??

Most certainly less than I deadlift🙂.

 

[Dr Durden]

I think bodybuilding would be better fodder for secondary essays or interviews. You'll get asked "What makes you unique?" and "What do you do in your spare time?" ad nauseum. Spinning the discipline and dedication involved would probably go over really well.

But back to the snatch discussions...

 

[Meatwad]

This thread is useless without pics of your wheels.

Chicken legs = no interviews.

 

[87138]

This thread is useless without pics of your wheels.

Chicken legs = no interviews.

I wouldn't post mine since they've been posted on another messageboard (a bodybuilding related forum....real tough to guess there), and I don't feel like cross-identifying myself. But, suffice it to say, my legs are certainly not a weak area. 😛

 

[Meatwad]

I wouldn't post mine since they've been posted on another messageboard (a bodybuilding related forum....real tough to guess there), and I don't feel like cross-identifying myself. But, suffice it to say, my legs are certainly not a weak area. 😛

Haha, the "post your biggest cheat," thread is the best place for a laugh, ever.

 

[jochi1543]

I wouldn't post mine since they've been posted on another messageboard (a bodybuilding related forum....real tough to guess there), and I don't feel like cross-identifying myself. But, suffice it to say, my legs are certainly not a weak area. 😛

Ahahahaah, love the posts about not finding pants that fit.....(won't quote so no one can google).

 

[87138]

Haha, the "post your biggest cheat," thread is the best place for a laugh, ever.

The best ones are the posts that include pictures of said cheats.

 

[jochi1543]

Young grasshoppa, that's why you must have different usernames on different forums...

 

[87138]

double post

 

[87138]

Young grasshoppa, that's why you must have different usernames on different forums...

I do, actually. I originally posted under this moniker on bb.com, but switched not long after that. If you'll notice, I didn't have many posts on there under that name, and no recent ones.

 

[jochi1543]

I do, actually. I originally posted under this moniker on bb.com, but switched not long after that. If you'll notice, I didn't have many posts on there under that name, and no recent ones.

Sorry, I was too distracted by semi-nude pictures to take such things into consideration.


I don't post on bb.com now, though I used to post on there a little bit back in the days....but I kind of got sick of the same crowd. I remember this one chick who was trying to gain mass after overcoming anorexia, but she just couldn't force herself to eat more than 1500 calories and stop doing 2 hours of cardio daily, so she obviously wasn't getting anywhere. I just checked out the forum a few months ago - now she's thinking about clen. I mean, I'm far from perfect myself, but if you've made zero improvement in like 3-4 years, that should be a sign, no.😴

 

[87138]

Sorry, I was too distracted by semi-nude pictures to take such things into consideration.


I don't post on bb.com now, though I used to post on there a little bit back in the days....but I kind of got sick of the same crowd. I remember this one chick who was trying to gain mass after overcoming anorexia, but she just couldn't force herself to eat more than 1500 calories and stop doing 2 hours of cardio daily, so she obviously wasn't getting anywhere. I just checked out the forum a few months ago - now she's thinking about clen. I mean, I'm far from perfect myself, but if you've made zero improvement in like 3-4 years, that should be a sign, no.😴

It's been about two years since I posted seriously on that site.....in fact, without checking I couldn't tell you the last time I actually did post on there. I took a long hiatus much for the same reasons as you. The neuroses of those people often rivaled (and often exceeded) that of SDNers, particularly when it came to nutrition. It was like a plague that would invade your thinking and pretty soon you were almost as bad as the next person.

I think I know who you're talking about with regards to the young lady. Actually, maybe not, since I can think of a few posters who vaguely fit that description. Either way, I'm glad I spend very little time (if any) there anymore.



Edit: Also, the incessant use of "bro" on that site turned me off of it . . .