At 32 years old with a hobby of running (4-8 miles 3 to 4 times per week) I looked in the mirror and saw that I basically had the body of a 9 year old boy, thin scrawny and to boot it was pale. I weighed myself at 9st3lb (129b). At all of 5'7" tall I kind of felt that I had allowed myself to become insignificant. In that moment I developed a huge motivation to improve myself, get bigger and bring myself a presence and confidence.

I completed Shaun T's 'Insanity workout'. I gained no size as it was all HIIT cardio, but I got a glimpse of abs and tiny pecs. I could see the person that I wanted to be staring at me trapped in this tiny body. In MAY 2014 I picked up a copy of 'Body Beast' home DVD. I completed that program but found my rapid strength increases along with limited equipment to be restrictive. In Oct 2014 I joined they gym (more of a lifestyle gym than pure weights). I have continued to be motivated by the atmosphere but can see that my time there is also limited. I am rapidly working towards the higher end of the limited free weight range and will soon be looking to progress to a big boys 'weightlifting' gym.

At the risk of sounding pretentious:-
*When I enter the gym my mind set changes. I become focused, alone and immersed in what lies before me.
*Next comes the internal struggle between mind and body. The body is in pain, the mind is screaming the command to push through and conquer. Achieving the last rep (or 3) brings a huge satisfaction and self belief - 'I can do anything I set my mind to'.
*My muscles swell and the blood flows, even though it's temporary I feel big. I can taste the goal that I'm working towards
*As I leave the gym I can see in the mirror that for now I've gained size. I feel a satisfying fatigue, and return home to drink my shake. i can almost feel the muscles going straight to work on repair.
* People I know comment on my larger size or more muscular appearance - I then feel great about the fact it's working.
WHY DO I LOVE BODYBUILDING? - It's the ultimate expression of self improvement, self worth and self belief. It's conquering what you think in the moment that you can't, but push through and achieve it anyway. Plus, lets be honest women like muscles too!