Last Visit: Yesterday, 8:34pm Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload: Oct 22, 2009 5:49pm Last Profile Update: Nov 7, 2009 8:04pm Last Blog Post: Nov 5, 2009 3:45pm
Overall Goal: Have a body that people look at and say, "Hey, he works out!"
Fit Status:
It's Sunday, must be abs day!
Motivation Level: 10/10
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
DA
Sex:
Male
Age:
45
Location:
Occupation:
IT Guy
Personal Website:
Primary Gym:
Home Gym
College:
High School:
When I Started:
Oct, 2007
How I Started:
I was always a chubby sort and was teased unmercifully in elementary school about it. I was also clumsy as a kid so sports participation was pretty much out. Things improved as I got older -- lost the baby fat somewhat, wasn't as clumsy, etc. -- but by then sports were out of my life until after college so I had no outlet for burning off the fat or being fit.
I dropped some weight in college (no car, lots of walking!), but still was by no means fit & trim, and I chunked up even more again after college. I'm blessed with a decent frame so I never looked quite as fat as I really was, but despite the big frame I was never particularly athletic looking, either -- I've never seen my abs, yet. I took a conditioning class in college and was introduced to lifting, but not for size, and while I liked it, I didn't stick with it after the class ended. I was too intimidated by the jocks in the weight room and too unsure of my own ability and potential to go it alone w/o the support of the class instructor... those elementary school bullies really affected me.
Shortly after college I got enough courage to play hockey in an adult (beginner) league and that helped to keep the weight down, but there were too many juvenile-acting NHL wannabees in that beginner's league that there was sometimes no room on the ice for all the egos out there! Between that and not having enough time and money to pursue both hockey and a masters degree (had to to keep my job!), I dropped out of the hockey and got chubby again.
Years later (too many years later) I started doing some lifting on my own and saw some very modest changes. I did the usual buy-the-cement-weight-set-and-hope-for-the-best that many have done, but I spent far too long not really knowing what I was doing, and never sticking at it with any kind of a routine. I think like most guys starting out in BBing I thought that after three half-hearted workouts I'd be ripped and awesome... yeah, right. So I didn't make any big gains; I just toned up a bit -- though not that you could see it under all the fat... see my early "progress" pix! I also wasn't eating right, which of course doesn't help at all, so the BF% never went down and slowly kept climbing. Talk about a formula for failure. I finally discovered bb.com and found real workout plans and made the commitment to sticking with a decent routine and minding what I eat and I appear to be finally on the road to making some progress.
Why I Love It:
The pump, and seeing the progress in the mirror and in pix. It's a physical activity I can do myself and not have to put up with or rely on others (and their attitudes) like in the hockey league. I have also found that it is a great stress reliever and a lot of frustrations get pounded into submission with each rep.
How I Stay Motivated:
The mirror, progress pix, and comments from other BodySpacers!
BB Accomplishments:
So far I've dropped over 20 lbs of fat, and gained several lbs of muscle, and have had a few BodySpacers tell me that my progress has been an inspiration to them. For someone who was always the tubby kid that got picked on, that is just awesome.
Forum Signature:
"I may not be as big/buff/ripped/awesome as many BodySpacers, but I look a whole lot better than 90% of the general population" -- Me.
Have a body that people look at and say, "Hey, he works out!"
Goal (Long):
I didn't want to fall into the trap of most people my age (and younger!) where the body just keeps getting bigger and bigger -- or more accurately: wider and wider. I also didn't want to be just another fat computer geek. I was headed down that road and finally decided it had to stop. I am not necessarily looking to be like a fitness model, but who knows! After 30+ years of being, um, overbulked, I never thought I would have made the progress I have already!
Here's a kid who's had some obstacles thrown at him and where most people would use those obstacles as excuses for poor choices in life, he's turned them into reasons for making positive life choices with one hell of a committment and dedication to BBing.
Do you have any type of chronic disease or condition?
Yes
What is it?
I am prone to lower back pain
How does fitness help you with your condition? What do you have to do differently in your program since you have this condition?
Since I have been working out I have had fewer episodes of my back "going out" and the few times that it has happened, it hasn't been as bad and I have recovered faster. I attribute it to a more conditioned core. When everything is normal I don't have to do anything differently in my routines. When the back pain flares up I have to modify some routines, in particular anything with the abs. But, so far I have had only one bout a year, and they were relatively minor compared to some that I had before I was lifting when I was flat on my back in pain for a week.Since I have been working out I have had fewer episodes of my back "going out" and the few times that it has happened, it hasn't been as bad and I have recovered faster. I attribute it to a more cond...more
- Updated Feb 21, 2009 8:02pm
Since you've been working out, taking supplements and eating right, how often do you get sick (cold, flu, etc.)?
Rarely
- Updated Feb 21, 2009 7:57pm
What is your cardio exercise plan?
In the winter I generally do no cardio... other than snow shoveling! During the summer I spend some time on the bike and also swimming. Nothing major or serious, only 4-5 miles at a time on the bike running errands, and maybe 10 mins or so swimming each evening when I'm at the cottage. No, it's not intense, but it is better than nothing.In the winter I generally do no cardio... other than snow shoveling! During the summer I spend some time on the bike and also swimming. Nothing major or serious, only 4-5 miles at a time on the bike...more
I discovered an unexpected benefit to all my lifting and diet minding this week... it helps me in my relatively new "hobby" job which at times requires me to get into small spaces and climb ladders and hoist things around.
My "hobby" job is some part-time work I do as an assistant pipe...
