I'd been lifting weights and keeping fit casually for many years, but have never set specific goals. I've always had a soft belly and would love to get that lean muscular look, as well as lift heavy. For a few months at the end of 2009, I started keeping track of what I ate and tried to get lean. I reached about 14% BF and could start seeing definition in my chest and upper abs. This was great motivation, but I wasn't doing weights properly (I had NEVER done legs for example!). I joined BB to learn more and started Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" in January 2010.

I'm a geek at heart, so keeping track of calories, macros and how much weight I'm lifting is enjoyable. It's great to have a constant project to work on and to set both short-term and long-term goals.