I actually started in January 08, on a Bowflex, because I was a fat POS and I hated myself. Worked out consistently on that thing until June when I popped my shoulder out of it's socket and ended up with a torn labrum. Got surgery on that in January of 09, and all of my progress that I had made from Jan 08 to June 08 was obviously shot. I started lifting in a real gym in May 09 with a ton of pain in my shoulder, but I worked through it. I don't consider it "starting" until May 09, even though it was more like a restart.

I love the natural high I get from it, and the stress relief it provides. On top of that, seeing yourself progress every day in the gym is awesome especially knowing with every rep you're getting better than someone else in the world.