I started working out when I moved to Mass. That was almost EXACTLY 6 years ago. (I messed around at my dad's gym in the years before, but that was all machines and it was at best 2 times per week). I didn't start with a proper plan, or with good form. However, other than a couple of injuries that cost me up to two weeks, I haven't taken more than a 7-10 day break since I began.
I've been lifting for a loooong time. My main problem was consistency. I'ld lift for a while, not see results, get discouraged, and stop. Did that for a few years. Then, I got into a regular routine, but wasn't eating right... didn't see results, so I stopped. About 2 years ago, I found the balance between diet and proper technique, and haven't stopped since... never will either!
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Those who live by the sword, get shot by those who don't.
About 2 years ago, I found the balance between diet and proper technique, and haven't stopped since... never will either!
Been lifting for 3 years and I am right there as you describe above. Working on getting my diet in line! It's kind of exciting too when you realize what you have been doing wrong and you feel like maybe...just maybe...new results are around the corner! Now if I can just get my wifey to buy the right foods for me. (a little loving arm twisting going on at my house) You have to be VERY gentle twisting the cooks arm! She's a GREAT cook and I wouldn't want to discourage her!
I'd been lifting on and off since my early days in the Army- about '92-'93. Got much more serious and have stuck regularly with it for about 4 years now, even though I don't have much to show for it.
I started lifting in an all-women's gym, hence why the first 3 years of training were clueless training (ie, trying not to "get bulky"). After switching to a co-ed gym, my training improved slightly in that at least I started to lift heavier, but I was still using less effective exercises such as leg extensions and dumbell flys. About a year and a half ago I took a chance on letting go of the "bulking" myth and used lower reps with heavy weight. At the same time I said goodbye to the machines and incorporated squats, deads, bench, etc. into my routine. Like Milkman said, it's amazing how I realized how little I know and how much less I knew back then once I started joining the fitness forums. If it wasn't for that, I'd still be doing 10lb. tricep kickbacks! :p
I've taken large chunks off in the past, but I basically lifted dilligently (and uneducated) for 2 years during college. I took a year off after that, and resumed for the last 3 years. I've only begun to feel competently educated over the last 1.5-2 years.
I've been lifting for a loooong time. My main problem was consistency. I'ld lift for a while, not see results, get discouraged, and stop. Did that for a few years. Then, I got into a regular routine, but wasn't eating right... didn't see results, so I stopped. About 2 years ago, I found the balance between diet and proper technique, and haven't stopped since... never will either!
Sounds VERY familiar. It took me a while to figure that out. Much thanks to JP Fitness!
2000-2002 lifted with BB split routines, underate and took tons of stupid supplements; had no idea what I was doing but it made my shoulders hurt less; I started figuring out it was doing something good;
2002-2003 had a very physical job; started doing higher intesity training for the first time; still did stupid stuff and lots of cardio but I got stronger
2003-2005 met Milko and started doing functional stuff; laid off cardio big time
August 2005 - present: lifted only using predetermined set and rep schemes; started planning where I was going instead of figuring things out as I go; lost my fear of big loads; I am more comfortable with my body, more patient and know where I am going in terms of workout design; I also have a lot more respect for other trainer's experience and know I am at the beginning of a great journey
For years my exercise was swimming laps and biking. Then in about 2001 or 2 I added machine weight lifting. I had read several articles, NYT, that lifting was important as we get older. So I did a 14 machine routine for 2 or 3 years. I realize that I should have shifted to free weights after about 6 months. But still appreciate that it was a step forward. About this time I switched into a diet similar to Adams. Good bye obesity.
Then a trainer talked me into joining Rep Reboks. After about 8 months I was astounded at how much muscle and density I was adding. I still do one of two of these a week. I would appreciate some feed back as to whether this is useful or a waste of time. For those of you who aren't familiar the program emphasizes the big muscle movements (which I learned later from NROL) along with some of the minor things (like bicep curls!) and all, and it changes the routine once a month. Class is an hour, and usually I do intervals before or after. Sometimes I am too beat to do intervals afterwards.
Then a few months ago I read a review of NROL (I think in the NYT), got the book from the library, decided it was a great book, and bought my own copies for me and kids. I have now done 'break in' and am in the middle of 'fatloss II'. My weights have gone up, but are not very high, my goals are to challenge my body, but just as important not to get any injuries. Goal: for body to last longer than my mind!
My intervals include swimming (a fast lap, then one as slow as I need to catch up on breathing; upright bicycle; walking on the treadmill, fast being 15 degree incline and 4.2 mph; and running on the indoor track. I have always before had to quit running because of injuries. Thanks to intervals I can get the benefits of running fast (for me), while not running so much as to injure. Rob
"Focus on making the 5 lifts stronger and getting enough food. There will be plenty of time to worry about glycemic indexes, PERs, and Bulgarian Split squats later. Much later."-Mark Rippetoe
Iron Vet. Been lifting off and on for, well, let's see......... 16 years. wow. Never stopped to figure that out.
Much like Steve, I didn't have a clue until college and even then it I didn't have a clue about my diet. Been about 6-8 years ago that I started really understanding diet and how it works with lifting and cardio.
No matter how long I lift I am still learning every single day from everyone I listen to. Everyone has something to offer.
4 years for me. 18months of that has been spent studying the physiology of exercise. What the happens to the body when you exercise and how to rehab chronic diseases with exercise.
I hope i still aren't figuring it out or i'll end up killing someone.
Started getting a little more serious 10 years later but did not know how important that types of exercises, eating the right foods at the right time, sleep, etc. were.
Finally started to make proper progress in the last 5 years. I am still a lightweight but I have a body shape that I am very happy with.
My real progress started when I found MH's forum and was able to have that advice/knowledge/support that helps immensely. And the main reason I have been able to stay with lifting is because I have enjoyed the activity each and every session.
I had to answer 0-2 years even though I have probably been lifting for over 10 years.
In high school I worked out with a crappy sears universal weight machine in my parent's basement. I had no structure to my routine. I just did what I felt like whenever I felt the urge. Leg training was non-existant, and I never stayed consistent for more than a month at a time. Slowly my workouts spread further and further apart until I barely ever touched a weight.
Fast forward to a little over 2 years ago, 6 months before I was getting married. My wife found a trainer to work with at a local high school gym. I was allowed to use the gym while she trained. I still knew nothing about training and just did random workouts and made very little gains. As the wedding got closer and our schedules got more crowded, she stopped seeing the trainer and I stopped going to the gym.
After the wedding we finally decided to join a real gym and I worked with a trainer for 2 months. He focused on strength training and I learned how to squat and deadlift for the first time in my life. At this point I began to see some real gains. I was getting stronger and leaner for the first time in a long time. Once I had the form down on all the major lifts and felt more comfortable in the gym I discovered T-nation, purchased a copy of The Book of Muscle and decided to start lifting on my own. It has been 2 years and I have been hooked ever since, consistently training 3-4 days a week.
I have learned so much in the last 2 years, but still feel like a beginner.
I started lifting the summer before 8th grade. (2003) Now, it's the summer before 11th grade so it's been just over 3 years. The first year was kinda not wasted. I did all the exercises, including squats and deads, but wasted a lot of time doing pointless exercises. Those were the days I'd spend 2 and a half hours in my basement. I did see great newbie gains, so I stuck with it. Then, I discovered this place about 2 years ago and I've learned so much and now I'm so much stronger, leaner, more educated, and I've rediscovered the love of training and training smart.
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
I know my first two months, for sure, were very clueless. Even after I did a lot of reading, looking back at last January, I feel like a n00b. Even after whipping my posterior chain into shape, I still feel like I have a lot to learn. So two months clueless, seven months with a sense of direction? Yeah.
Started in my late teens, dicked around with it for a few years while I was in the military. Began in earnest in my mid-twenties. I'm, 55 years old, 56 next month.
The beauty is that is it's been a constant learning experience that has accelerated in the last decade or so.
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I came from the MH Fitness Forum.
About 7 years ago I was 215 lbs on my 5'9" frame and probably 30% body fat, I did the starvation diet and cardio (I didn't know what I was doing) I did however lose 55 lbs. in 3-1/2 months. I then started browsing online at Menshealth and joined the forum and Bought a prescription to the magazine. I took it from there and started trying to eat better, lift weights and do a little cardio. I now weigh 190 lbs. at 16% Body Fat, (I'd like to have less), but I feel good, look O.K. for 43 years old, I happy with myself, no six pack but thats alright, can't have everything.
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How long have you been weight training?
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