My Gym Story:
Change in lifestyle: I am 6 feet 1 inch and was 150 pounds. I was really scrawny looking. I decided I did not want to be "little" anymore, so I looked into lifting at a gym.
Determination: I quickly found out that I didn't know squat (no pun intended) when it came to lifting, but I did know how to curl. So, for the first six months of "lifting", I watched, as everyone did random exercises until I had them memorized. I did arms' every day until my first bench day lol (smh).
Being Positive: I soon found an "expert", he had cuts and good size. In order to lift with him on a daily, I was asked to be able to bench 135 lbs. So, for an entire week, I practiced flat bench pressing 135 lbs until I could do ten repetitions.
Friendship Support: I eventually found my first actual lifting partner, He made it easy, he always had a daily routine for us to complete. As a reward for going to the gym that day, we would play a couple games of racket ball. (I lost every game).
Fast Forward Through the Dailies: This became a daily routine for (5) years.
Mastering: As life continues people move and I found myself on my own. At this point, I started to create plans, understand muscle groups, and visualize the attack on my own body. I can't recall how many times I have revamped my form, exercises, or diet to have a better result. But, as I did, I notice the gains starting to press through my skin, and loved it!
As my awareness and curiosity grew, I learned to adapt. Basically troubleshooting myself, realizing where my "mistakes" were.
Motivated: Don't get me wrong, some days its really hard to go to the gym, but the self-gratifying feeling of "the pump" and walking out of the gym was absolutely exuberating!
Pay it forward: Eight years in total, I started noticing that a lot of people were asking me the same questions I had. Of course, I'm going to answer. Honestly, if I could go back in time I would ask myself "what the heck are you doing?!" Form over weight wasn't a thing back then, it was more, go big or go home.
Why: I created this for only two reasons. First, I made this for when I am older. I am scared of being one of those people who say "back in my prime", and then I don't have any pictures of my accomplishments. My grandpa swears his neck was 32 inches around and it gets an inch bigger every time he tells the story. Secondly, if anyone can take motivation or create a workout plan using any material I provide, it would make me proud to know I could help.
Well, good luck and remember, even heroes start at the beginning.
-itskillakill