When I first started many many many years ago, it was because I hated running and had sports coach wreck a knee on me. So I found a way to stay active and not destroy my joints.
Now let's fast forward a bit. I jointed the military and boot camp is not bodybuilder friendly... I stopped lifting. Following this time and then onto my new base I had an opportunity to start lifting again... But I did not start. I let depression and the state of feeling sorry for myself take over (I had a lot of negative stuff going on in my life at this time).
I met my future husband here so there was light at the end of my dark tunnel. Shortly after we were married our first child came along and I opted out of my military career to say home for my baby. Good family choice but it did not do my body any favors. I was 134lbs when I conceived, when I delivered I was 198lbs. There was no binge eating during my pregnancy in fact I couldn't eat much at all. I thought my body would recover...It did not.
For a lot of years I hovered around 178lbs. I took up belly dancing since my weight was so heavy and I was feeling so embarrassed about the way I looked I couldn't go to a gym now. Belly dancing gave me that feminine feeling again and it got me active again I dropped to 154lbs. I was also horse back riding almost 60 miles a week. I felt great!
As with all military life styles orders soon followed... We moved to the winter wonderland of hell. I found myself depressed again. Hiding from the sub zero temperatures, and my horses became barn bunnies. Riding became a luxury I could barely get a chance to do. I no longer danced. I took up writing. It was a great diversion from the world around me. Our second child came into the world at this time. Happy time amongst all the gloom...My weight increased up to 182lbs. I got frustrated and started working out at home on the few machines my husband had bought in homes of starting a home gym to keep in shape since going to a gym during icy conditions wasn't safe. I dropped down to 175lbs. Even started riding more on those nice days... Then a freak accident with one of my horses landed me in the hospital... working out stopped and the depression came back.
Retirement fast upon us, we left that wintery hell and moved home. I hovered at 178lbs. Started swimming with my mother and bike riding with my husband. We moved to our own place and joined a gym. Lifting is back in my life and I don't want to let it go ever again. As of this post I am back down to 163lbs.
Who knows? Perhaps my long lost competition goals may be dusted off and revitalized in the near future.