Want gains fast? Here’s why that mindset guarantees disappointment and what successful lifters actually do instead.

You just started training. It’s been three weeks. You bought expensive protein powder. You’re hitting the gym four times a week. You’re working hard.

Yet when you look in the mirror, you see basically no difference.

“This isn’t working. Maybe I need a different program. Maybe I need more supplements. Maybe I need… steroids?”

Sound familiar?

This is the thinking that destroys most beginners before they ever make real progress. The desperate search for instant results, the impatience, the unrealistic expectations.

I’ve seen it play out hundreds of times over the years. Beginners start with massive motivation, train hard for a few months, then disappear when the “magic results” don’t materialize fast enough.

In this brutally honest article, I’m going to explain why the obsession with instant results guarantees failure, why so many young lifters fall into dangerous traps trying to speed up the process, and what actually works for sustainable, long-term muscle growth.

This isn’t what you want to hear. But it might save you years of frustration and potentially dangerous mistakes.

Let’s get real.

The Instant Gratification Problem

Through our forum and the emails I receive, one pattern is absolutely clear: the majority of beginners are young, and they all share one characteristic in common.

Impatience.

Everyone wants to know:

• What’s the best training program?
• Which supplement is most effective?
• What diet brings the fastest results?

They want near-instant gains. Unfortunately, the reality of bodybuilding is completely different from what they expect.

The Harsh Truth About Progress

Rapid results are practically impossible to achieve, even with the use of anabolic steroids. Imagine, then, trying to achieve them with mere supplements!

The mistake lies in expecting a miracle. In believing there’s a secret formula that will bring muscles in a short time.

Common questions from desperate beginners:

“How many pounds of muscle will I gain after finishing this expensive tub of whey protein I bought?”

“If I train hard for two months, will I look like that Instagram influencer?”

“What supplement will give me results the fastest?”

The truth? One or two tubs of whey won’t make the dramatic difference they’re hoping for.

Significant gains come from months, or even years, of:

• Consistent training
• Progressive overload
• Proper nutrition matching your goals
• Adequate rest and recovery

And only after all of that does supplementation even matter. That’s right, supplementation comes last, as a complement, not as the main element.

The Pattern I’ve Observed Over Years

With years of experience in bodybuilding, I’ve witnessed many “generations” of training partners and gym acquaintances.

The pattern repeats endlessly:

Many start full of motivation. They sign up for a gym membership. They train for a few months with intensity and dedication.

But as time passes without the dramatic transformations they expected, they quit.

Here’s what I’ve noticed without exception:

Everyone who quit was among the most impatient. Those who wanted fast results. When they realized rapid gains weren’t possible, they became discouraged and gave up.

The ones who succeeded? They were the patient ones. The ones who viewed training as a lifestyle, not a sprint to some finish line.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Bodybuilding is a long process that requires patience. There are no shortcuts that actually work.

The Daily Measurement Obsession

Another massive red flag I see in impatient beginners: unhealthy obsession with measurements.

Problematic behaviors:

Measuring yourself daily to see if there’s been any gain. Checking arm circumference every morning hoping to see growth.

Weighing yourself every single day to track whether you’re up or down a pound, completely ignoring normal water weight fluctuations.

Taking progress photos every week and getting discouraged when they look identical to last week’s photos.

This isn’t a healthy approach. This is obsession fueled by unrealistic expectations.

The Right Mindset

Instead, transform bodybuilding into a lifestyle.

If your goal is to have a strong, healthy body, you need to be prepared to maintain this routine throughout your entire life.

Some people believe that once they achieve their desired physique, they can “move on with their lives” and leave bodybuilding behind.

What actually happens?

After a few months away from the gym, they lose everything they worked for. Without the continuity of proper diet and training, it’s practically guaranteed you’ll lose muscle mass and, especially, strength.

So why the rush?

What’s gained rapidly is generally lost with the same speed. Each stage in bodybuilding has its maturation time, and respecting that timeline is essential to avoid disappointment.

The Dangerous Shortcut: Steroids

One of the biggest problems affecting impatient beginners: those who seek dangerous shortcuts and end up resorting to anabolic steroids without proper knowledge and preparation.

The typical story:

After only two or three months of training, they’re already considering substances like Winstrol (stanozolol) or Anadrol (oxymetholone), believing they can gain 10kg in a short time.

This is yet another illusion.

Why Steroids Don’t Work Without the Foundation

Using anabolic steroids without the foundation of:

• Correct nutrition
• Well-structured training
• Professional guidance
• Years of natural training experience

Is risky, ineffective, and a complete waste.

These young people risk their health, believing that Winstrol, for example, will help them “get shredded” or “get defined,” but they don’t understand what they’re putting into their own body.

I’ve seen countless young lifters start a steroid cycle based on:

• Recommendation from someone at the gym
• Advice from an “instructor” who barely has knowledge about these substances
• Something they read on a forum
• What they saw an influencer do

What Actually Happens

The typical steroid disaster for unprepared beginners:

1. Initial phase: They start the cycle. They experience increased strength and water retention. They feel invincible.

2. Reality sets in: Because they don’t know how to eat properly or train adequately, they make minimal actual muscle gains. Most of the weight is water.

3. Post-cycle crash: As soon as they stop using the steroid, they lose all the “gains” (which were mostly water anyway). They’re left disappointed and often worse off than before.

4. Side effects appear: Hormonal changes, acne, loss of libido, liver problems, gynecomastia (breast tissue development), testicular atrophy, and more.

5. Disappointment compounds: Not only did they risk their health, but they also didn’t achieve the expected gains. They wasted money, risked serious side effects, and are now more discouraged than ever.

The Bigger Problem Nobody Talks About

What many don’t understand is that the process of hypertrophy and muscle building is slow and depends on multiple factors working together.

Steroids don’t fix:

• Poor training programming
• Inadequate nutrition
• Lack of consistency
• Insufficient sleep
• Poor recovery practices

Professional bodybuilders who successfully use steroids have:

• 5-10+ years of natural training experience
• Complete mastery of nutrition
• Perfect training techniques
• Professional medical supervision
• Genetic advantages
• Often, this is their full-time job

A 17-year-old with three months of training experience has none of these.

Using steroids in this context is like trying to drive a Formula 1 race car when you just got your driver’s license last month. You don’t have the skills, knowledge, or foundation to handle it safely or effectively.

Why Impatience Guarantees Failure

Let’s break down exactly why the “instant results” mindset destroys your chances of success:

Reason 1: Unrealistic Expectations Lead to Premature Quitting

When you expect dramatic results in weeks or months, and reality delivers modest changes over that timeframe, you interpret this as failure.

The thought process:

“I’ve been training for two months and I’ve only gained 3 pounds. This isn’t working. I’m wasting my time.”

The reality:

Gaining 3 pounds of lean muscle in two months is actually excellent progress for a natural lifter. But because you expected to look like Chris Hemsworth by now, you’re disappointed.

The outcome:

You quit, convinced that training “doesn’t work for you.” You never give yourself enough time to actually see the compounding effects of consistent training.

Reason 2: Impatience Leads to Program Hopping

The impatient lifter:

Finds a program. Follows it for 3-4 weeks. Doesn’t see dramatic transformation. Abandons it for a “better” program.

Repeats this cycle endlessly, never giving any single program enough time to actually work.

The reality:

Almost any reasonable program works if you follow it consistently for 6-12 months with progressive overload and proper nutrition.

The problem isn’t the program. It’s the lack of patience to see it through.

Reason 3: Desperation Makes You Vulnerable to Scams

When you’re desperate for fast results, you become the perfect target for:

Supplement scams: “This new pre-workout will add 20 pounds of muscle in 30 days!” (It won’t.)

Training program scams: “This secret Bulgarian method will triple your gains!” (It won’t.)

Dangerous substances: Prohormones, SARMs, or worse, sold with false promises and hidden dangers.

The supplement industry loves impatient beginners. They’re willing to spend hundreds of dollars on products that provide minimal benefit, hoping for that magic solution.

Reason 4: Rushing Leads to Injury

Impatient lifters tend to:

• Use too much weight too soon (ego lifting)
• Skip proper warm-ups to save time
• Ignore pain and push through injuries
• Use terrible form to lift heavier weights

The result:

Injuries that set you back months, sometimes permanently. The desperate attempt to speed up progress ends up completely derailing it.

Reason 5: You Never Learn the Fundamentals

When you’re focused on shortcuts and quick fixes, you never learn:

• Proper nutrition principles
• Correct exercise technique
• How to program training effectively
• How to track and adjust based on results
• How to make this sustainable long-term

Without these fundamentals, even if you somehow achieve results, you can’t maintain them.

What Actually Works: The Long-Term Approach

Stop looking for shortcuts. Start building a foundation.

The First Year Reality Check

Here’s what realistic, optimal progress looks like for a natural beginner in their first year:

Muscle gain:

• Men: 15-25 pounds of muscle (maybe 10-15 of fat too)
• Women: 8-12 pounds of muscle (maybe 5-8 of fat too)

Strength gains:

• Squat: Bodyweight to 1.5x bodyweight
• Bench press: 0.75x bodyweight to 1x bodyweight
• Deadlift: 1x bodyweight to 2x bodyweight

This is EXCELLENT progress. This represents life-changing transformation.

But it takes 12 months of consistent effort, not 2-3 months.

The Proper Foundation Approach

Phase 1: Months 1-3 (Learning Phase)

Focus: Master basic movement patterns and build the habit of consistent training.

Training:

• Full body workouts 3x per week
• Master squats, deadlifts, bench press, rows, overhead press
• Focus on technique, not weight
• 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps for most exercises

Nutrition:

• Learn to track calories
• Hit protein target daily (0.7-1g per pound body weight)
• Eat in slight surplus for muscle gain (+300 calories)

Supplements:

• None required
• Maybe creatine and protein powder for convenience

Expected results: 3-6 pounds of weight gain (mix of muscle, fat, and water). Technique dramatically improved. Consistency habit established.

Phase 2: Months 4-6 (Building Phase)

Focus: Increase training intensity and volume. Refine nutrition approach.

Training:

• Continue full body or progress to upper/lower split
• Increase weights progressively each week
• Add volume (more sets)
• 4x per week training

Nutrition:

• Track consistently
• Adjust calories based on rate of weight gain
• Meal prep to ensure consistency

Expected results: Another 5-8 pounds of weight gain. Noticeable muscle development. Significant strength increases.

Phase 3: Months 7-12 (Optimization Phase)

Focus: Continued progressive overload. Nutrition dialed in. Consider first cut if needed.

Training:

• Upper/lower split or push/pull/legs
• Progressive overload on all main lifts
• 4-5x per week
• Intensity and volume both increasing

Nutrition:

• Mastery of tracking
• Ability to adjust based on goals
• Possibly first cut to reduce body fat if needed

Expected results: Another 6-10 pounds of muscle. Visible physique transformation. Strength at impressive levels for a beginner.

Year One Total Transformation

After 12 months of consistent, patient training:

A male beginner might progress from:

• 150 pounds at 20% body fat → 175 pounds at 18% body fat
• Squat: 95 lbs → 225 lbs
• Bench: 75 lbs → 165 lbs
• Deadlift: 135 lbs → 315 lbs

This is life-changing progress. You look completely different. You’re dramatically stronger. You’ve built a sustainable foundation.

But it took 12 months, not 12 weeks.

The Information Is Available (If You Want to Learn)

Here’s something most impatient beginners ignore:

The information you need to succeed is freely available. You don’t need secret programs or expensive courses.

What you need to do:

• Read evidence-based resources
• Learn proper nutrition fundamentals
• Master basic exercise technique
• Understand progressive overload
• Be patient and consistent

There are no secrets. Dedication and discipline are the main factors leading to success in bodybuilding.

Advice for Young Lifters Just Starting

If you’re young and just beginning your bodybuilding journey, here’s my advice:

1. Let Go of the Rush

Stop obsessing over how fast you can get results. Focus on building a solid foundation.

The physique you want isn’t going anywhere. It will still be there to achieve whether you rush or take your time.

But if you rush, you’ll likely:

• Injure yourself
• Waste money on useless products
• Potentially damage your health with steroids
• Get discouraged and quit

If you’re patient, you’ll:

• Build sustainable muscle
• Develop healthy habits
• Avoid injuries
• Actually achieve your goals

2. Educate Yourself Continuously

Learn about:

• Proper nutrition (calories, macros, meal planning)
• Effective training (progressive overload, program design)
• Recovery (sleep, stress management)
• Supplementation (what works, what doesn’t)

The more you understand, the better decisions you’ll make.

3. Train With Consistency

Consistency beats intensity every time.

Training perfectly for 2 months then quitting produces worse results than training adequately for 2 years.

Show up. Do the work. Trust the process.

4. Maintain a Proper Diet

You cannot out-train a bad diet. If nutrition isn’t in place, nothing else matters.

Track your food. Hit your protein target. Eat appropriate calories for your goal.

5. Understand This Is a Lifelong Commitment

Bodybuilding isn’t a destination. It’s a lifestyle.

You don’t “finish” bodybuilding and then move on. If you stop training and eating properly, you’ll lose what you built.

Embrace this reality. Make it part of who you are.

6. Avoid Comparisons

Stop comparing yourself to:

• Influencers who’ve been training for 10 years
• Enhanced athletes using steroids
• Genetic outliers
• People with different body types and starting points

Compare yourself only to your past self. Am I stronger than last month? Do I look better than six months ago?

That’s all that matters.

7. Stay Away From Steroids (For Now, Probably Forever)

If you haven’t mastered the fundamentals of training and nutrition, steroids are:

• A waste of money
• A risk to your health
• Ineffective without the foundation
• Completely unnecessary

Most people never need steroids to achieve an impressive, healthy, strong physique.

If you eventually decide steroids are right for you (and I’d strongly discourage it for 99% of people), that decision should come after:

• 5+ years of natural training
• Complete mastery of nutrition
• Achieving near-genetic potential naturally
• Proper medical supervision
• Full understanding of risks and protocols

A 16-year-old with 3 months of training has none of these.

The Bottom Line: Patience Wins Every Time

The faster you want results, the more likely you are to:

• Get disappointed
• Make dangerous decisions
• Waste money
• Quit entirely

The more patient you are, the more likely you are to:

• Build sustainable muscle
• Develop lifelong healthy habits
• Avoid injury
• Actually achieve your goals

Bodybuilding can and should be an enjoyable, rewarding journey.

Celebrate small victories. Focus on long-term progress. Enjoy each stage of the process.

This is the secret to achieving not just a healthy, strong body, but also a more disciplined and resilient mind.

The choice is yours:

Rush, get disappointed, quit, and look the same in five years.

Or be patient, stay consistent, and transform your body over those same five years.

Which sounds better?

STOP CHASING INSTANT RESULTS. START BUILDING REAL FOUNDATIONS. TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.

Ready to build real muscle the right way, without wasting time on shortcuts that don’t work? Get a proven, science-based training and nutrition system designed for long-term success. No gimmicks. No false promises. Just the truth about what actually builds muscle and how to do it sustainably. Your patient, consistent future self will thank you.