I have worked out with free weights since the age of 13 when I started lifting as a thrower in junior high school and for basketball. That continued through college. I fell off the wagon for a little while, then decided to train for marathons. I got a lot leaner, lost almost all of my strength but kept a decent amount of the lean mass. Unfortunately, the fat came back.

It helps a ton with stress! I sleep so much better when I workout regularly. Insomnia has been a problem at various points in the past, and regularly working out has been the one thing that has always helped.