I used to play a lot of sport when I was younger such as rugby, basketball and running, as well as a weight-lifting routine by my rugby teams strength and conditioning coach. I was seeing big increases in my strength and size despite being very tall and skinny as a kid. So much so I was getting BIG stretch marks on my thighs! Now that's what I call obvious progress...However, a bad case of osgood-schlatters disease in my knees swiftly put that all to an end. That was when I was roughly 15/16 and put me out of serious physical exercise until about 19/20. I tentatively tried going to my university gym to see if my knees were any better and I guess they were but I had no clue what I was doing. Furthermore, the party lifestyle of university took priority in my younger years of uni and I figured I'd just get away with it without it taking a toll on me, being naturally fit and slim.
During my uni exams in April 2012, I had a long hard look at myself and suddenly seen my body for what it was. Sure, in the grand scheme of things I was average BF% but my long limbs and under-developed upper body typical of an ectomorph were less than ideal. As I've always been a high achiever, I knew it had to change. I thought if I could start the process of getting fitter, stronger and bigger during the busiest and most stressful time of the year (exam period), when I was most likely to fail, I knew I could live this lifestyle during any other period of my life.
5 months in, my BF % has went down and I've still gained ~15lbs of presumably muscle! My chest, shoulders and arms are bigger and at the same time I've gained more abdominal definition. The changes aren't drastic due to my 6ft 6 frame but it's been enough to have sent me completely fitness crazy. I'm determined to hit my goals and I'm genuinely excited about the process of doing it! The gym my favourite part of the day and hope it stays that way!
I love the mental challenge to squeeze that last rep out. I like the structure that needs to be maintained in your life in terms of diet and workout routine, and I like seeing the gains that come out of the hard work I put in.