Connor

Male

17

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

HIgh School Student/Pizza Chef

Sep, 2008

When I was younger, I was so skinny that when I started playing baseball in kindergarten, they didn't make children's baseball pants that were small enough in the waist for me. As a result, I had to wear a ridiculous blue dress belt with my uniform. I actually still have the belt. I stayed skinny for a long time, not until well into puberty did I start to 'fill out' at all. That didn't even make any difference. It wasn't until about 8th grade, when I started more competitive baseball, that I realized that I wasn't just skinny, I was pitifully weak. Even at that, I had no idea how to change that. I knew people worked out to get stronger, but I had no idea how, so I designed myself a push up routine that I would do every other day, increasing the number of reps in a pyramid fashion. I basically taught myself about exercise, increasing resistance, recovery, rest between sets, intensity. I had no idea that all this stuff that I was 'discovering' was an actual science. When I found out, I was dumbfounded. It wasn't long after that that I started working out more seriously, using the high school weight room. I felt so awkward. Think of the situation. A puny, weak 120 lb. freshman with social anxiety disorder, trying to squat and deadlift next to the 200 lb. senior football players because I actually knew that those were the important exercises, not the dumbell curls and tricep kickbacks that my classmates were doing, trying to get 'huge'. I actually gained some respect from the upperclassmen for this. They taught me stuff about weightlifting and eating as I would ask questions. I had moderate success during the school year, getting ready for high school baseball. I didn't really lift over the summer between freshman and sophomore years, I mainly concentrated on increasing my speed, another weak link in my baseball game. When I got back to school, I lifted the same as I did before, not experiencing much success, but definitely progress over what I had been. This ended up preparing me enough for the baseball season to win the spot of backup 1st baseman. I was a go-to pinch hitter, and because of my now improved speed, I was always a threat on the basepaths. I had a mediocre season (.230 BA, on pace to tie our team leader for RBI's had I had enough at bats.) Now, this summer, I have gotten way more serious. No more Mr. Nice Guy. I will get big. I will get strong. I will wipe the floor with anyone who doubts me next season.

It gets me ready for baseball. I also love the fact that you're not relying on anyone else but yourself to get the job done. Let me explain: In baseball, If I hit a two out double, but then the guy behind me strikes out, it's not my fault that we didn't score in that inning. If I walk into the gym and don't push myself as hard as I can, and I fail at getting stronger, it's all on me. I always played team sports as a kid and this is my first attempt at a personal sport. I never thought I would, but I love it.

I set goals about every 4-6 weeks and work like hell to get them. Then I set bigger goals and work even harder. I sometimes listen to music while I work out. I'm not a fan of headphones (While working out) because the cord gets annoying, but I like blasting music in the background. If I can't do that, though, I just keep it silent. I like to look on BodySpace to see the success of people with similar goals. That helps me keep myself on the straight and narrow in my training.

Some girl once told me that I have "Nice guns for a skinny white guy." No joke. I laughed my ass off. I guess that's more accomplished than at least some other guys.

Right now there are parties to go to, friends to hang out with, girls to chase, phone calls to make, books to read, emails to send, sleep to be had, errands to run and TV to watch. The only thing that matters, though, is that right now, you have something to prove, and your competition is training.