I have been cycling for years, but just started frequenting the gym consistently about 10 months ago. I was making rapid progress, until a quack put me on a useless/completely unnecessary med that drained my energy and caused me to gain weight. I've been working diligently to get back in the game. I listed my start date as August 2012 because that is when I felt my energy return to roughly where it was about ten months before. I consider this a new beginning. I feel unstoppable.

Working out is the most honest endeavor you can pursue. You get back what you are wiling to put in.