I actually started bodybuilding working out in 2000. Most of my youth was spent eating and watching tv. Physical activity never appealed to me. The worst thing I could do was sweat. Well switch turned on and I started hitting the gym in early 2000. I quit a year later. Stress: death in the family, MBA, Shift work, I could make any excuse. The truth was I was ignorant. I felt if I worked out hard enough I could eat whatever I wanted. I did like the feel of the pump, I did like to push myself, but I also loved pizza. I ultimately focused on eating and just existing until I finally blew up to 380 pounds. I was constantly out of breathe. Body parts hurt. I was actually diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis as one point. None of which panned out. It was all my body telling me I was too damn fat. I've tried all the diets. But the exercise wasn't there. Until maybe 3 years ago. Two years into my relationship with my now Fiance, I saw some friends who where heavy and their wedding photos. They looked bad. I may be being mean, but she looked like a big white blob and he looked like life fatty arbuckle with his top hat and cane. I told my Fiance that that wont be us. So we started working out with DVDs of Insanity. It sucked. And I had a few false starts. But in 2011 I completed insanity 3 times. I could never do it like they do on the dvd, but I always went my own pace, but pushed myself. I noticed that I got better at it. In 2012 I completed a round of p90x. I still can't do a pullup to save my life. Thats my goal for this challenge. A pull up. In 2012 I went down to 270lbs. I felt great, but I started getting bored with the dvds. I noticed no real muscle growth. The way I see it, I'm going to have loose skin, why not stretch it out with lean muscle? So I joined a gym that my company offers a free membership to. I was kind of leery, I prefer working out by myself, with the shades closed in the dark, keeping my jiggleness to myself. It had been almost 10 years since I set foot in a gym, but I'm hooked now.....

Why I love it?
I love the noticeable progress of hard work in.
I feel more alert
My stamina is amazing
I love the pump in my biceps
I like the attention I get-I'm the that fat guy that can hold his own
I love researching all the new innovative ways to tweak my body
I work at a very pessimistic place. Someone told me whats the point, we are all going to die anyways, my response "I want to die like Jack Lalanne, peaceful in my sleep."
So I love working out because I finally see that this all meaningful. That taking care of yourself will lead you to a full and wonderful life until my inevitable, and hopefully peaceful exit.