What Lifting Heavy Did For Me

I thought it was about time for me to get around and tell my fitness story. I used to be big into strength training back in high school when I ran track and played football but after school ended and work began, I let things slip.

I started my journey way back in January 2011 as I hit my tipping point on the scales. I always told myself I would never see 200 on the scales so when I saw 199, I knew it was time for change. Even moreso than the weight, I was completely unhappy with the way I looked and how unhealthy I started to look. I started back to the gym doing pure cardio on the elliptical because my knees can't handle running. I stayed steady with that for about a year but only lost 9 pounds total. I realized that something else needed to change so I started watching my portion sizes a little better. I lost about another 10 pounds but not how I wanted to so I lost my motivation and stopped going. After gaining some of that weight back, I decided to get serious again on my birthday in September 2012. I changed up my routine and stopped doing cardio and went back to pure weight lifting. I continued to watch my portion sizes and dropped all sodas and sweet teas for water.

I don't know what it was with the switch from cardio to weight lifting but the weight just started falling off of me. So now 10 months after I made that switch, I am 24 pounds down (and completely happy with my weight now) and so much stronger and confident. As an example when I first started lifting, my bench press was at 205 but my current max is now up to 300! I feel so much better about myself and enjoy walking around the beach instead of just wanting to stay in the shade.

And without further or due, my progress pics (: