One year of lifting pizzas, setbacks and triumphs. (+pics)

LiftAllThePizzas

Last year on Dec 1st I stepped on a scale and didn't like what I saw: 205 pounds. I also didn't like how I felt, because I was insulin resistant, eating would practically put me into a coma, and running up one flight of stairs got me winded.

I started "eating less" and lost a few (newbie) pounds, but knew that wasn't going to last forever unless I was willing to be really hungry. I'm not, screw that! So on Dec 18th I signed up for MFP (to count calories) and started logging my food.

Progress at six months:


Those "recent topics" links on MFP are evil. They sucked me into the forums, where (thanks to the mean bullies of MFP) I ended up reading about strength training, saw the promises made by Strong Lifts that progressive lifting will make you stronger and decided to give it a try, because I was never physically strong.

Progress at six months:


So I bought a cheap barbell with plastic/cement weights for $20 on craigslist and started Strong Lifts. Within a week I was hooked on strength training, and my only complaint was that I had to wait two days before my next workout.

Progress at nine months:




I also did plenty of cardio in the form of things that are fun and keep me interested: swimming, playing kinect games, and when spring came, biking and kayaking.

The strength training worked, and did a lot more than I ever expected of it! My performance at all the cardio things improved. I had been riding bikes forever but only had a cruising speed of about 12 mph. After strength training my cruising speed was over 16 mph. The big hills that used to destroy me were almost easy. The same happened to my kayaking. (Except there are no hills.:laugh: ) And my diving improved, because it takes significant strength to hold a tuck, pike, or open pike position against centrifugal force.

In October I discovered an inguinal hernia (on the front, south of my waistline) which turned out to be a congenital weakness that had been there all along. Six weeks ago I got it fixed with surgery, and this week (on my MFPiversary) I am finally able to start lifting heavy things once again.

So it's now one year later and I feel better at 44 than I did at 34. I regret nothing because here are some of the cool things this body can still do:

Cranquistador

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

BamaBreezeNSaltAire

WAY TO GO!!!!!! Awesome job and proof that MFP bullies are just tough love! Congrats to a job well done!

_KitKat_

Awesome job, and I love the gifs

jamk1446

Cool! I like all your gifs. You need to add the upside down pullup circus move thingy. It's fun to see what you're going to do next.

Otterluv

YIPPEEEE!!!! Well done!

DymonNdaRgh40

Wow!!! Such amazing progress!!! Congratulations!!!!

LiftAllThePizzas

Cool! I like all your gifs. You need to add the upside down pullup circus move thingy. It's fun to see what you're going to do next.

Ooh, I forgot that one... the "what did his poor neighbors do to him" gif. :laugh:

kyleekay10

You are amazing!

benniesmother

best success post ever!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT ! you are awesome man.

CynthiaT60

I like the "lifting pizzas" part. Who needs a gym? :bigsmile:
But seriously, congrats. And the shorter hair looks good too!

jofjltncb6

In...

...and yay.

Cranquistador

Cool! I like all your gifs. You need to add the upside down pullup circus move thingy. It's fun to see what you're going to do next.

Ooh, I forgot that one... the "what did his poor neighbors do to him" gif. :laugh:

my favorite.

jjennyb4

You are truly AMAZING!!!!! :happy:

Mia_RagazzaTosta

Love it!

_SABOTEUR_

AMAZING!

_SABOTEUR_

Cool! I like all your gifs. You need to add the upside down pullup circus move thingy. It's fun to see what you're going to do next.

Ooh, I forgot that one... the "what did his poor neighbors do to him" gif. :laugh:

my favorite.

Someone wiv skillz need to superimpose the cat gif where he peeks up from under a window so it's staring at Pizza's *kitten*.

:laugh:

disneygallagirl

just awesome!!!! yay you! love the diving

Ophidion

Awesome work man, well done!!

Achrya

Cool! I like all your gifs. You need to add the upside down pullup circus move thingy. It's fun to see what you're going to do next.

Ooh, I forgot that one... the "what did his poor neighbors do to him" gif. :laugh:

I love this one, and the diving ones, most of all. And the pull up ones. And the...well. All of them. They're all my favorites!

Can't wait for all the gifs of you killing it in all the ways in the coming year!

sunshinenjjr

You are amazing!!! I have to say this is my favorite success story that I have seen so far. Love the videos. Congrats on your success. You really inspire me.

hmjohnson25

Wow. Super awesome!

LoraF83

:flowerforyou: :happy: :smokin: :glasses: :bigsmile:

AllonsYtotheTardis

Awesome work!! And the gifs are so much fun - we get to see your successes in action!

DavPul

Great work!

ssaraj43

Excellent!! :drinker:

lbetancourt

your supported headstand is impressive. that takes quite of bit of strength! congrats!

LiftAllThePizzas

Cool! I like all your gifs. You need to add the upside down pullup circus move thingy. It's fun to see what you're going to do next.

Ooh, I forgot that one... the "what did his poor neighbors do to him" gif. :laugh:

I love this one, and the diving ones, most of all. And the pull up ones. And the...well. All of them. They're all my favorites!

Can't wait for all the gifs of you killing it in all the ways in the coming year!

I'm still aiming for handstand pushups. Maybe I will get to make a gif of that this year. :bigsmile:

tageekly

So. Much. Awesome.

Also, your poor neighbors...

mamma_nee

Greaaaaaaaaaaaat work !!! You did well !!

kayveebee7

How inspiring! Wonderful!