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2003/09/22, 11:38 AM
Wanted to see if anyone had any good success stories to share. Thought it might help motivate us newbies.
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Taking it one day at a time...
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2003/09/22, 02:28 PM
People know my story in increments. 12 years ago I was homeless with 3 kids in a shelter. I went through years of poverty before that. Needless to say there was no gym for me and we ate simple but pretty healthy. When I was 35 I developed a hypothyroid and started gaining weight. I moved here to Canada after I lost my home at 38 and started over. By the time I was 42 I had a hysterectomy which put me into surgical menopause and I went up to 145 lbs on a five foot two very small frame. I was out of shape and approaching middle age fast. I did not feel good physically or mentally. I would have some post traumatic depression from my experiences but never went on medication. Well I am doing much better financially in Canada and the fact that I receive free health care as all people here do helped alot. I took the bull by the horns when I was 46 and joined Weight Watchers. I lost 25 lbs. I was going to the gym and was fat and firm. Well since changing my diet and doing weights and cardio I changed big time. I am 49 now and change my program every six to eight weeks. I do weights , cardio and yogalites (that is a pilates/yoga mix). I look 30 years old and feel amazing. I have energy to spare and depression is a thing of the past. There are a million benefits to exercise besides the looks. Learn to deal with your reality whatever that may be and work with what you have. Never compare yourself to others. there is always someone who is prettier, healthier, skinnier, younger, smarter etc... Who cares??? Just do your personal best and commit to yourself. Good luck.
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2003/09/22, 04:50 PM
Every day I stick to my eating plan and make it to the gym is a success for me. Up until I was 43, I was a fad dieter and a sporadic exerciser. Was overwieght most of my life and pretty miserable about it. Lifting weights and coming to terms with depression have changed my life. Thank God I found the nerve to walk into that gym!
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~Victoria~
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
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2003/09/22, 06:19 PM
I was a fat kid for 18 years of my life. I think the most I weighed was 225 lbs just after xmas of 2000. All I did in my spare time was play video games ( I lifted a bit, but never the right way). I got a job at the local grocery store pushing out peoples groceries. It was the most activity I did in a long time. When I noticed I had dropped 20 lbs in only a month, I decided to take it a step further cuttung out all crap from my diet, and throwing cardio into my life style. In only 3 months I went from 215 to 165 lbs. This was great in all, but I gave myself terrible eatting habits. I was so afraid of getting fat again I practically starved myself. Not until my first semester break from college did I learn about diet. I slowly changed my diet, increased my calories and when I got back into college I went full force in my diet and lifting using all the knowledge I gained. I went from 160lbs to 170lbs in 4 months, no supps. Then I broke my wrist. Crappy, huh?
Getting through this was pretty tough on me (I really loved lifting). I was down all the time, and even depressed. BUt some how I managed to keep myself fit. I used the next 8 months to trim back down to 160 lbs (a healthy trim down) and work on areas I was avoiding (abs and legs). Though at the end of it I was hating abs, legs and loathing cardio.
Over the last couple months I slowly got back into lifting, doing things that didnt use my wrist. It was tough seeing how much I had lost. But I kept on going. Finally when my wrist was good enough to do most of the workouts I used to do I join the WHC and starting taking supplements (whey, glutamine, creatine). I am on week 3 at the WHC and I have nearly regained everything I lost. I am 170lbs again and glad to put that behind me.
Remember, no matter how hopeless it looks, never stop trying, never give up. You will be surprised in your own abilities.
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- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
~Brad~
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2003/09/23, 10:52 PM
I am 22 and only 5'2" tall...after a 3 year relationship with an ex-boyfriend who I became WAY too comfortable with...I had made it to about 145-150 lbs...NOW I am 123 lbs and only 17% body fat (was 22%)...I just ate right (keeping a food/workout journal still..helps a lot) and worked out by just walking at first and now I have a gym membership and can do just about every machine (and have a new better boyfriend who is very supportive)...I feel great knowing that I did this the hard way, but I know that like me you too will gain success from your hard work and achieve you weight goals too!! Good luck =)
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2003/09/30, 06:36 PM
I have sort of a success story for the hard-gainers. When in high school and the first year of college I lifted quite a bit, but I could never gain weight like I wanted to. I ate constantly and still could not gain. Starting in January of this year I looked towards my diet a lot more than I ever did before. I started eating 6-8 meals a day, cut back on the alcohol consumption, and took in between 4 and 5 thousand calories a day. I have since picked up the intensity of my workouts and my body has thrived. I have gained 40 pounds since January, and I feel great about my body. I am now coming off a 7 week break due to a torn muscle, but I'm looking forward to continuing my success.
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Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
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