Making my slow transition back

[ericg]

Hi everyone,

There must be hundreds or thousands of new members, so I will reintroduce myself. I'm Eric, former competitive natural bodybuilder and martial arts instructor, living in Long Island New York.

I'll cut to the chase: I stopped competing a number of years ago, got married, 3 kids and a career later, I gained weight and look nothing like my old comp pics (except for the grace of God letting me keep what looks like most of my muscle mass and some type of shape). In 2004 I lost and kept off 35 lbs. with the help of Bev Francis (I used to be a member of Bev Francis Gold's gym). That brought me down from (ready???) 330lbs to 295 current.

Your jaw must have hit the floor, so let me clarify something....surprisingly, I don't look and feel like 295, most people guess me at 250. The worst area of course is my waist (42"); Bev did a caliper test on me back in '04 after the weight loss and estimated me at 17% BF with a LBM weight of 245 (figure @ 5% BF).

I got a LOT OF HEAT from bodybuilders/fitness people saying that is no way near possible and accusing me of roiding. Jealousy does wonders doesn't it?

All kidding aside, I never touched roids in my life. I've been lifting on and off since 1990 and have always been one to lift heavy and eat a lot of protein. Now I have a hard time agreeing with Bev that I can be a lean 250 at 5'8", because technically that would put me in the same category as Melvin Anthony, Dexter Jackson, etc., and I think I wouldn't look anywhere near the caliber these guys do. Yes I know caliper testing is the least accurate, but 1) it's Bev doing the testing and I trust her expertise and knowledge and 2) it's said it gives you a rough idea of where you are at.

Well, since '04 I lost my motivation (could be my membership at Bally Total Fitness to save money), I am wanting to get it back. I used to want to compete again, I still do, but now I just want to get healthy again to be there for my children and set a good example for them (thank God each of them are very healthy and lean). So, my fellow gym rats over 35, how does a 39 year old with a full time career and 3 children get rid of his bad habits (eating crap at 11am on the den couch, not doing an ounce of cardio or weight lifting since 4 months ago) and get back into the new ones? Rejoin Gold's and spend $350? I'm thinking it might be my gym, since anytime in my life I've had a membership at Bally's, my motivation plumets down the toilet (but this is the worst it's ever been)? Or is it just in my head?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I will post what I used to look like and (gulp) what I look like now (please be kind and sorry I am keeping my clothes on)

EricG

[tolewfo]

I feel ya, man... Looking at old pictures and seeing past results can be a drag. You wish you could still be like that person from just a few years ago. The best thing I can think of is motivation and realising that you aren't alone in your quest of getting back in shape.

My 2 cents... You have a knowledge and will to get you back to that physique you once had. Maybe you can be a part time trainer. Why not share your knowledge at the gym and take someone under you wing. While you are sharing and training with someone else you make a kind of support group. Someone to keep you accountable.

Keep the faith.

[SR800]

get a cage for home and get up an hour early problem solved

[Wooly_Ace]

Please don't take this the wrong way. Stop making excuses for why you can't workout. You have 4 excellent reasons (wife and 3 children) to be and stay healthy. So get your ass back in the gym. We're here for support AND kicks in the pants.

[thomasale]

I know what it is like to NOT excercise and eat healthy...I guess I am lucky though because it has been a long time since I was in any kind of shape (played lacrosse in college)

My first observation is you are dwelling on the past, forget about that and live in this moment. You are only as good as your current workout and right now it isn't very good. Get your old pictures off your bodyspace and put up your current ones. That should be some additional motivation. (Although I really don't see how you need any more than your whole family)

We are all here on the same journey although each of us is on a different step...Gut Up!

[ericg]

When it came time to select a partner for my workouts, I was always very picky because I wanted someone who would kick me in the ass and get me to man up, get in there and grind that metal until tears were forming in my eyes; drop set after superset after pyramid.

It's been a long time since I've had anyone push me like that, I'm glad to see I have you guys to give me the ass kick that I need. You're right, I am making excuses. I've been getting lazier and lazier, and using "work all day, take care of the house, take care of the kids, help the wife" as an excuse to let my health spiral downward. I haven't gained any of the weight back that I lost in '04, but I haven't lost additional bodyfat either and am still a large waist size.

All it takes really is an hour a day, I mean do we (non-pro) need any more?? When I lost the 35, I did 45minutes cardio 5 times a week (brisk walk moderate pace), and worked out 4 times a week, 1 hour each time. That was it. That plus a "diet" that I strictly followed (All Bev did was make slight modifications to my existing meal structure)

As I sit here I'm shaking my head in approval for the responses I've been given so far. I know what I need to do and I'm going to keep posting on this forum like I used to so it can help get my motivation back up. Thanks guys!

[IR45N]

Originally Posted by ericg

When it came time to select a partner for my workouts, I was always very picky because I wanted someone who would kick me in the ass and get me to man up, get in there and grind that metal until tears were forming in my eyes; drop set after superset after pyramid.

Kind of like what I had in the '80s and haven't found since.

Go Golds.
How bad do you want it back?
38. Again, SO young!
'slow transition' Of course! would you have it any other way?
Guessing your wife knows your BB'ing past; how could she not be on board?

You've got all this knowlege, experience; personally, it's the same as someone who's flown a 747 asking me for advice & I was lucky to get up to paper airplanes. I'm torn between 'Welcome' and Good GOD, hunker down and get your ass back in the game.

You've evidetally got the stuff to get to where you look like you could compete. Reach that goal and then muscle on to the Masters level. You're young enough. You must really want it again.

[do1more]

You have certainly got a head start on a lot of us here. Your at an age where you know what you need to do, yet still young enough to reap many years of pleasure from change you will make to your body.

And pleasure it will be, work certainly, but the reward is worth it. You already know this having been a "fit" person in a previous life period.

This is a wonderful site for support and inspiration. Its also good for a kick in the butt when you need it too!

So step up to the plate, peel down to your skivies, take some pictures, take some measurements, post them up, state your goals-

And make your life better.

We know you can do.

You need to start.

Now.