Monkey Blog

I’ve been on here for one year.  Well, I lurked for a few months before that but I’ve been a member for one year.  I can attribute any success I’ve had with lifting with two main factors: BodySpace and my personal trainer.  BodySpace was really the kick in the pants that I needed to get myself to join a gym.  When I found this site I initially made these assumptions:

“Hmmmm, I bet this site is full of jocks and someone like me would be out of place.” - Nope

“I’m already 35.  There will be practically no one that started that late.” - Ugh, how embarrassing that I even thought that.

“Well there certainly won’t be anyone who was also never into sports on here.”  - Wrong wrong wrong.

When I started looking at profiles on here I was just amazed.  Amazed that there were lots of other people like me and amazed at the progress they made.  Seeing guys with similar starting builds and/or ages that had made incredible progress was beyond motivating.  I wanted to be one of them.

BodySpace is great because in my “offline” life I don’t have anyone I can discuss lifting with.  I’m an oddity among my acquaintances because I go to the gym, but on here I’m part of the norm.  I’ve gotten WAY more positive feedback (which is appreciated and motivating) than I ever thought I would.  I’ve learned so much from this site and I’ve also had a lot of laughs.

I’m looking forward to year two on BodySpace!

I got an anonymous blog comment that I felt that I had to respond to:

Hey,

I was just surfing the net, and stumbled across this page.

IMHO, you looked great from only doing your pushups. Actually, I think you looked better then than now. I suppose tastes differ, but I find myself moving away from gym workouts and protein bars.

You’ve already demonstrated that you can be healthy and strong by simple calisthenics. Will a seventeen inch arm really bring more fufillment to your life?

Your call. 

First off, thanks for the props and if that’s working for you more power to you.  As for me protein bars and the gym are one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.

Where my clothes used to swallow me now I fill them out.

Instead of being weak I feel strong.

Instead of being unhappy with how I look I can feel proud of what I’ve done and look forward to reaching for even higher goals.

People that used to joke about how skinny I was now can’t believe how much I’ve changed.

The gym is part of who I am now and I couldn’t be happier.  Bring on the 17 inch arms!