How I got started bodybuilding / working out
I was an active child, not athletic though, spending my time outdoors riding bike, playing street hockey, and the regular playground stuff. My parents weren’t big on TV and the video game age didn’t start until I was in my late teens by then my outdoor habits had been established.
I graduated high school at 130lbs and a 29” waist. I couldn’t gain a pound if it meant my life. I don’t know who was on the cover of the first Muscle and Fitness, but it inspired me to pick it up. Bodybuilding looked like way to gain size, worth a try for sure. I read that magazine cover to cover and each issue after. Family Fitness was my first gym membership. I worked out hard and although I read about nutrition I did not follow what I read. Despite this I managed to gain 10lbs of muscle at 140 no competitive bodybuilder for sure. Encouraging though because the difference was noticeable and not only could I see it so could those around me.
Marriage is when things started to change although at the time I didn’t see it. Newly married with a busy social life, my career finally starting to take off. World Gym was now my workout spot often going out for drinks and appetizers afterwards. Bought a house, a child on the way, expenses creeping up, time to start working out at home to save some money.
When my daughter was born a gift from heaven she was (and still is). I couldn’t wait to spend time with her. She was in my arms as soon as I got home. I had a son next, full of mischief and charm (and still is). I have no regrets, life has a way of sweeping us along mixing the good times with the bad, molding us as people, and Life, well, had molded me into a bit of a donut. Yep, I had gotten fat, didn’t even know I could.
There is always that moment when you realize you need to make a change, looking down at my belly hanging over my belt was that moment. My workouts were from home regular and consistent at first I only had free weights not even a bench later I purchased a home gym. I now had to watch what I ate using portion control as my guide over the next few months I brought my weight under control going from 190 down to around 157. For a number of years my weight stayed in and around this. I had become an avid mountain biker enjoying all the trails the Rocky Mountains had to offer.
Unfortunately my marriage was unraveling. We were growing a part and the friction was damaging. If you had asked me at the time how I was doing I would of said I was fine, but as anyone who has gone through a divorce knows it is hard both physically and emotionally. Not surprising once again my fitness began to slip. I worked out off and on but without heart. It was my son that reignited the fire in me, asking me to go to the gym with him and workout. I hadn’t been it a gym for years but walking through the door was like being welcomed by an old friend. We worked out hard and we were rewarded with results. The before pictures that I have posted were taken after only a few months of being back at the gym.
My son’s schedule is such that we are no longer able to work out together, but I’m grateful for the fire he reignited in me. I’m now studying to be a personal trainer and learning more about nutrition so I can make even greater gains. Gotta love the fitness!!!!

I love the results, I love the burn, I love the power, I love the energy, I love the strength, I love the fitness, I love the endurance, I love the explosiveness, I love the constancy, I love the motivation, I love the people, I love making goals, I love reaching the goals.