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

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: