Upon retirement from my last job on May 31, 2011, I began dieting and working out in what I considered to be a last-ditch attempt to take back control of my health, body, and ultimately, my life. Bodybuildinig and powerlifting were old passions of mine and I began my quest with a return to these in mind. As of May 28, 2011, after years of neglect, my body weight had ballooned to a staggering 433 pounds (and I was even bigger, over 500 lbs., at one point in previous years!). In fact, my adult body weight has fluctuated wildly over time within the range of 187 to over 500 lbs. due to obsessive eating and inactivity for years at a time. On the bright side, I am a very hard (sometimes obsessive) trainer once I set my mind to it. If you're going to obsess, let it be with something that's good for you! I began with meal replacement shakes two times per day while eating a good, healthy evening meal. I walked/jogged for cardio as much as my arthritic knees would allow. By late August I was able to clean out my very well equipped, old home gym and add in weight training again for the first time in 13 years. I did not start out with a beginner's routine. I picked up from the very beginning with advanced routines and a 4-day split. In late January, 2012 I began a bodybuilder's diet consisting of 5 small protein meals per day. As of today (December 2, 2013) my body weight is down to 256 pounds. Really, my work and progress in the gym doesn't seem all that much more difficult to come by as I suspected it would be due to my advancing age. I am really confident that I can still get into the best shape of my life. I am on the challenging mission of fat/weight loss concurrently with adding lean muscle mass. It will take a while but I am well on my way! I feel very fortunate to be in overall excellent health considering the abuse my body has sustained over time. Even my knees are feeling better, allowing me to perform heavy back squats! My improved health and body will allow me to train at the intensity level it takes to meet my lofty goals. Yes, I am a 'heavyweight' but I refuse to remain a fat one! Success begets success. I am just getting started.