makiphile
02-12-2007, 07:41 AM
Well, I am the type of guy that historically likes/needs to pick dates to meet goals. Like new years resolutions, etc. However, I think that just sets a person up for failure. I am 34 years old and have been lurking for a long time. Next month, I get to officially join the ranks of the "Over 35" gang here. I had been planning to use my birthday as the day to start this thread and post my pics, but history has proven to me that those "dates" just don't work. That is, everytime I have reached a milestone, it was because I just woke up one day and did it. Quiting smoking being the most successful - now nearly 7 years removed.
So I am posting in this "Over 35" forum against the rules and hope the moderators will allow this exception as I will be 'one of you' in just a few weeks.
I started working out nearly a decade ago after surviving a pretty serious car accident. I was almost instantly hooked because the gains in mass and general transformation came almost instantly and with a very limited understanding of bodybuilding as a science. Heck, a guy at my gym had to tell me that I would make more gains if I took a protein shake - I had no idea!
So I was single, professional and 25. I had very few responsibilies outside of work and was at the gym every morning at 4:30 AM. I was working out for about 2 and 1/2 hours every morning (1 hour cardio amd 1 1/2 weights). Though I didn't know it then, I was very careless throwing weight around. Other wiser gym members tried to educate me on proper form, but I was young and indestructible - their advice went in one ear and out the other. I was making incredible gains so what did they know? I was still smoking when I got to my best physical condition with approx 10-12% bodyfat. I was just a few months away from pressing 315 pounds (cheating form of course) when I quit smoking. That had an immediate effect on my diet and as a result, I became somewhat discouraged and a little less 'obsessed' and that was the closest I ever got to my 315 goal.
Then, I met the woman of my dreams and spent a year traveling and having fun. I still maintained an active lifestyle and worked out fairly consistently, but nowhere near like at my peak interest from say 1999-2002. Shortly thereafter, I got married and immediately started a family (not necessarily in that order). I still maintained a level of activity at the gym, but when son #2 was on the way, there was no way I could maintain my gym membership. I gave it up completely and opted to just ride bikes when afforded the opportunity or roller blade, etc.....but realistically (with two in diapers) my workouts came to a screaching halt. About a year ago, I had to shop for new, 36 inch waist pants (after many years as a 30-32). It was a very discouraging awakening. I bought one pair and decided "that's it, I am going to get back in shape and get back into those 34's and then 32's." I re-activated my gym membership after effectively taking 2 years off.
Even though I was "taking it slow", I never really corrected my issue of "poor form". Within two weeks, I injured my rotator cuff doing incline presses while flaring my elbows. Though it did not require surgery, it did necessitate several months off. In that time, I moved to a new home with an area in the basement that was perfect for a home gym - I started collecting used gym equipment. I did find a great cable-crossover machine and after a few months totally off, I began rehabbing the shoulder. I had to start with these (to me at the time) incredibly embarrassing light weights. Internal and external rotations (yawn). Eventually, I got the shoulder back to where I could do my "pull" exercises with little or no pain and my "push" exercises with very light weight.
Within just a few weeks, I started experiencing excruciating pain in my elbows - never had this before. I think the etiology was from using "power grips" to do my lat pull downs, deadlifts and other "pull" exercises. The doctor determined it was "Tennis Elbow" and recommended time off, stretched and forearm strengthening. So it was ANOTHER couple of months off.
I should add that the only thing I have maintained over the last 5 years is a very active soccer hobby. I play twice a week outdoors in the summer and 2 times a week indoor in the winter - otherwise, my weight would likely be through the roof!!
Anyway, I kept reading and learning and refining my 'eventual' routine here on BodyBuilding.com as well as improving my home gym. Once the elbows were feeing better, I got back at it, but soon after starined my abs (or lack thereof) doing one-armed cable pulls. ANOTHER month off... but here I am today. I feel healthy enough to start again - and did this morning.
Taking and posting these pictures is one of the most difficult things I have ever voluntarily done because I realize that I am currently in the worst shape of my life. However, my thoughts are that if I can re-stimulate that feeling from 8 years ago of seeing immediate gains, my efforts to 'get back in shape' will be much more sustainable. The kids are out of diapers, my home gym is nearly complete, I am healthy with no current injuries and I have educated myself through the unwitting posts from everyone here.
I just didn't want to wait another month to "get going". So here I am, in the over 35 forum - in my opinion the most mature and well-informed forum on this website. I look forward to joining you bantor.
So I am posting in this "Over 35" forum against the rules and hope the moderators will allow this exception as I will be 'one of you' in just a few weeks.
I started working out nearly a decade ago after surviving a pretty serious car accident. I was almost instantly hooked because the gains in mass and general transformation came almost instantly and with a very limited understanding of bodybuilding as a science. Heck, a guy at my gym had to tell me that I would make more gains if I took a protein shake - I had no idea!
So I was single, professional and 25. I had very few responsibilies outside of work and was at the gym every morning at 4:30 AM. I was working out for about 2 and 1/2 hours every morning (1 hour cardio amd 1 1/2 weights). Though I didn't know it then, I was very careless throwing weight around. Other wiser gym members tried to educate me on proper form, but I was young and indestructible - their advice went in one ear and out the other. I was making incredible gains so what did they know? I was still smoking when I got to my best physical condition with approx 10-12% bodyfat. I was just a few months away from pressing 315 pounds (cheating form of course) when I quit smoking. That had an immediate effect on my diet and as a result, I became somewhat discouraged and a little less 'obsessed' and that was the closest I ever got to my 315 goal.
Then, I met the woman of my dreams and spent a year traveling and having fun. I still maintained an active lifestyle and worked out fairly consistently, but nowhere near like at my peak interest from say 1999-2002. Shortly thereafter, I got married and immediately started a family (not necessarily in that order). I still maintained a level of activity at the gym, but when son #2 was on the way, there was no way I could maintain my gym membership. I gave it up completely and opted to just ride bikes when afforded the opportunity or roller blade, etc.....but realistically (with two in diapers) my workouts came to a screaching halt. About a year ago, I had to shop for new, 36 inch waist pants (after many years as a 30-32). It was a very discouraging awakening. I bought one pair and decided "that's it, I am going to get back in shape and get back into those 34's and then 32's." I re-activated my gym membership after effectively taking 2 years off.
Even though I was "taking it slow", I never really corrected my issue of "poor form". Within two weeks, I injured my rotator cuff doing incline presses while flaring my elbows. Though it did not require surgery, it did necessitate several months off. In that time, I moved to a new home with an area in the basement that was perfect for a home gym - I started collecting used gym equipment. I did find a great cable-crossover machine and after a few months totally off, I began rehabbing the shoulder. I had to start with these (to me at the time) incredibly embarrassing light weights. Internal and external rotations (yawn). Eventually, I got the shoulder back to where I could do my "pull" exercises with little or no pain and my "push" exercises with very light weight.
Within just a few weeks, I started experiencing excruciating pain in my elbows - never had this before. I think the etiology was from using "power grips" to do my lat pull downs, deadlifts and other "pull" exercises. The doctor determined it was "Tennis Elbow" and recommended time off, stretched and forearm strengthening. So it was ANOTHER couple of months off.
I should add that the only thing I have maintained over the last 5 years is a very active soccer hobby. I play twice a week outdoors in the summer and 2 times a week indoor in the winter - otherwise, my weight would likely be through the roof!!
Anyway, I kept reading and learning and refining my 'eventual' routine here on BodyBuilding.com as well as improving my home gym. Once the elbows were feeing better, I got back at it, but soon after starined my abs (or lack thereof) doing one-armed cable pulls. ANOTHER month off... but here I am today. I feel healthy enough to start again - and did this morning.
Taking and posting these pictures is one of the most difficult things I have ever voluntarily done because I realize that I am currently in the worst shape of my life. However, my thoughts are that if I can re-stimulate that feeling from 8 years ago of seeing immediate gains, my efforts to 'get back in shape' will be much more sustainable. The kids are out of diapers, my home gym is nearly complete, I am healthy with no current injuries and I have educated myself through the unwitting posts from everyone here.
I just didn't want to wait another month to "get going". So here I am, in the over 35 forum - in my opinion the most mature and well-informed forum on this website. I look forward to joining you bantor.