My dad has been into weightlifting for as long as I can remember. As a result, there was no shortage of weight equipment and fitness magazines in our home gym. In fact, my first experiences with free-weights and resistance training (as unimpressive as they may have been) were before I started school.

While in h.s I would spend the summer months lifting weights, only to abandon my efforts when classes restarted.

When I graduated from h.s, I started my annual summer workout blitz but never ended it. I pressed and squatted my way through college, gaining my "freshman 15" the right way....and here I am.

1) Helps me to relax
2) Creates discipline and self-esteem
3) Makes me feel good about my chances of aging gracefully.