Kyle Cox

Male

20

TX

I'm a paintball ref.

Feb, 2005

I started working out regularly at the age of 15. My friend Evan (Whomper107 on bodyspace) basically got me started in it. I remember going to his house one night with two other friends. Evan and my friend Michael were on his bench press out in the garage, both maxing out at an incredible 135 (hey, it was incredible at the time). I had never touched a weight in my life, and Evan had just begun working out. I remember being laughed at by Michael because I couldnt even rep it once. That's when I decided I was going to get stronger. The desire for size came later. At the time I was probably 5'8" 145 pounds. I have now reached my maximum height at 5'10" and am weighing in at 185 lbs (i say 185 because i fluctuate between 185 and 189 depending on how much I've eaten, etc). Before my shoulder dislocation I maxed out at 210, but felt like I could do a little more. Michael is now a father at age 18 and still maxes out at 135.

I love it because weight is one physical thing about your body that you can actually change. I am only 5'10", and am an incredibly self-concious person when it comes to my height. I would KILL for just a few more inches, just to be able to have that massive frame that bodybuilders desire. My size though, is something that through hard work and determination you can actually alter, and that fascinates me. The fact that one can go from a scrawny pole to a beefy bodybuilder is incredible; it is a show of dedication and willpower that I admire.

Bodybuilders dont actually motivate me. What motivates me at the gym is actually a few of my favorite Mixed Martial Arts fighters. When I'm running on the treadmill before I lift and I feel like stopping early, I just think of how much harder than me the guys in Pride (Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Filipovic, Kevin Randleman, etc) and other fight organizations are busting their asses every day to be the people that they are. Weighing myself reguarly also helps keep myself motivated.

I have a horrible memory. I wish I had kept logs of my accomplishments so that I could put them here, but honestly my life has been a complete jumble the last four years. In february of this year (2007) I dislocated my shoulder and then re dislocated it the next month. After surgery, I lost much muscle mass due to my inability to lift upper body. However, this helped me to focus more on my legs, which I always did half-ass at the gym. My quads are larger than ever, and definately my strong point (which isn't saying much). I love going to do legs now, and that mental attitude change in my mind is an accomplishment of its own.