This month marks 7 years of lifting for me...

Vegeto · 02-07-2006, 09:26 PM

You might not know it from my recent pictures... but this month marks 7 years of lifting weights for me. Why is this landmark so important? Let's go back towards the beginning...

I was 18, I had quit LSD the year before and at 18 I quite smoking buds. Also I quit drinking and smoking that year, all because of a small spark I had inside me that wanted to get stronger, faster, better. Also, I believe my fear of God got my ass in gear as well, not to mention the constant reminder of my ex-girlfriend in the back of my head telling me that I will never be good enough. Because of all the drugs, I was partially retarded and partially insane. I was hospitalized at one point partially due to my mental troubles. I have improved dramatically since then.

I couldn't even do 10 pushups at the time, and that was troubling to me because I had always been athletic in my youth before my decent. I was into gymnastics, martial arts (sort of) and I even lifted weights for several months when I was 15. I started again at 18 with running, then pushups and other bodyweight exercises. I had a wooden dowel which I wrapped ankle weights around to make a 50lb curl bar. Eventually, later that year I got a job and bought a weight bench with some oly weights and dumbells, which I later traded in for a ToughStuff half rack with pully.

Here is the deal I made with myself. I said that I would lift for seven years. At the end of the seven years, I would (a.)start juicing, (b.)quit, or (c.) keep going natural if I though it is worth it. Those seven years went by and in that time I went from 6' 140lbs to 6' 180lbs lean. Then I got really into practicing my lifting technique with empty bars in the last year or more and am now down to about 145lbs, but I still look and feel better than when I was 18.

What will I do now that I have reached 7 years? I am not planning on doing any steroid cycles. I am really into my health, and it is my belief that natural is best for that. I also don't think I will quit. So my answere is (c.) keep going natural. I really feel that I can make some good progress in the next couple of years if the Lord allows it.

I am now running a bulk of some sort, but my technique has some flaws still. So when I finnish my temp bulk, I will go back to working my technique. I really enjoy the results I get from working on technique even though it is not so impressive to people who only care about size. After 7 years, I feel much older and I just don't care as much about vanity lifting as I used to. That being said, I still have in mind that I might want to lift competetivly one day, although my lifts have never been that strong, I am hopeful that I can be at that level in a few years or perhaps even less. Probably not though. Maybe we will see in the NEXT 7 years???

Colin Pics?

**EME** · 02-07-2006, 09:37 PM

Nice job bro.

It's great to see that you have stuck with your goal and have continued working to get better. You have already achieved a great deal just by reaching this milestone.

Who knows what the future will bring!!

We have something in common. This month also marks an training anniversary for me. I started training in February 1985.. so this month is 21 years of consistent training for me.

Great job on reaching this milestone, and best of luck to you in the future as you go for your new goals! :bigthumbu

- EME

pammiejoe6 · 02-07-2006, 10:23 PM

wow dude! way to go!!

Hybrid · 02-07-2006, 10:45 PM

Wow congratulations. That is one hell of a turn around! My hat's off to you man.

Vegeto · 02-08-2006, 05:53 AM

Congrats on your 21 year milestone EME! That IS truely amazing.

Thanks for the kind comments everbody! I have some pictures of when I was 15 and lifted for several months, a picture of me at 17 when I was at about my worste condition, and a picture at 19 when I had been lifting for a while again... but that is all the pictures I have until current. I might try and put them up to celebrate, but I need a scanner.

I guess the reason I posted this thread is because lifting weights has been a great way to not just transform my body, but also to get my sh1t together. Sometimes part of the transformation is on the inside too, I guess... And even though I am still far from perfect, I wanted to share that.

Some other things I have accomplished along the way...

I used to have trouble with squats because "1 leg was longer than the other". Not so, it was only a structural malfunction. They are both nearly the same length. The difference in length, if any, is undetectable to me now.

I feel more 'awake' and lively then I have since I was a kid. Maybe more than ever before.

I appreciate hard work, I don't begrudge it so much like I did in my youth.

I quit watching television for the winter since october 6th just for the disciplin and to save time for more important things.

I know what and where the celiac ganglion is in the human body, I also know that there is a collection of muslce strands that starts from the internal abdominal oblique muscle and decends down and surrounds the fascial layer over the testicals.

<--Not many people know about the cremaster muscle.

I'll try and get up some old pics in a couple of days just for kicks and gigles.

DarkFalcon · 02-08-2006, 10:19 AM

Awesome thread V. Glad you decided to share. Congrats on hitting the big milestone. Let's make the next 7 even better.

animalfan · 02-08-2006, 04:52 PM

congrats! that's an inspiring post!

i'm at three years+ of consistent training, i've also quit drinking and smoking in that time.

:rock:

Vegeto · 02-08-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by animalfan

congrats! that's an inspiring post!

i'm at three years+ of consistent training, i've also quit drinking and smoking in that time.

:rock:

Congradulations! The lifestyle of a lifter is a huge change from a non lifter's lifestyle, and some sacrifices must be made to reach any goal. I found tobbacco especially difficult to quit, so you have my respect.

And thanks to DF, pammiejoe, and Hybrid for your kind words as well, (I didn't address any of you directly before).

I will try and stop at kinkos soon to scan my embarresing pictures. :o

**BigZeke** · 02-08-2006, 07:50 PM

Wow, that's quite some time. I started 3/4 of the way through senior year and that was back in 03. Good luck with your bulk!

METAL VIPER · 02-08-2006, 11:11 PM

Damn bro, that's really impressive. It gives me something to hope for. I can't wait to see what I will look like in my 7th year. Keep it up man

animalfan · 02-08-2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegeto

Congradulations! The lifestyle of a lifter is a huge change from a non lifter's lifestyle, and some sacrifices must be made to reach any goal. I found tobbacco especially difficult to quit, so you have my respect.

And thanks to DF, pammiejoe, and Hybrid for your kind words as well, (I didn't address any of you directly before).

I will try and stop at kinkos soon to scan my embarresing pictures. :o

yea, tobacco was the worst for me too. it was the last of my vices... you have my respect also, you gave up quite a few things!

i quit smoking and started chewing, quit chewing and started smoking cigars, then was smoking again. i was laid off of work for 2 weeks, so on the last friday i threw my smokes and lighter in the dumpster on my way out of the shop. i haven't had one since. but i still want one sometimes! especially when i first get to work, that's the worst.

DanaDarlin · 03-29-2006, 11:39 PM

What an amazing accomplishment! You must be so proud!

02-07-2006, 09:26 PM	#1
Vegeto blameless sinner Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 803 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 15	This month marks 7 years of lifting for me... You might not know it from my recent pictures... but this month marks 7 years of lifting weights for me. Why is this landmark so important? Let's go back towards the beginning... I was 18, I had quit LSD the year before and at 18 I quite smoking buds. Also I quit drinking and smoking that year, all because of a small spark I had inside me that wanted to get stronger, faster, better. Also, I believe my fear of God got my ass in gear as well, not to mention the constant reminder of my ex-girlfriend in the back of my head telling me that I will never be good enough. Because of all the drugs, I was partially retarded and partially insane. I was hospitalized at one point partially due to my mental troubles. I have improved dramatically since then. I couldn't even do 10 pushups at the time, and that was troubling to me because I had always been athletic in my youth before my decent. I was into gymnastics, martial arts (sort of) and I even lifted weights for several months when I was 15. I started again at 18 with running, then pushups and other bodyweight exercises. I had a wooden dowel which I wrapped ankle weights around to make a 50lb curl bar. Eventually, later that year I got a job and bought a weight bench with some oly weights and dumbells, which I later traded in for a ToughStuff half rack with pully. Here is the deal I made with myself. I said that I would lift for seven years. At the end of the seven years, I would (a.)start juicing, (b.)quit, or (c.) keep going natural if I though it is worth it. Those seven years went by and in that time I went from 6' 140lbs to 6' 180lbs lean. Then I got really into practicing my lifting technique with empty bars in the last year or more and am now down to about 145lbs, but I still look and feel better than when I was 18. What will I do now that I have reached 7 years? I am not planning on doing any steroid cycles. I am really into my health, and it is my belief that natural is best for that. I also don't think I will quit. So my answere is (c.) keep going natural. I really feel that I can make some good progress in the next couple of years if the Lord allows it. I am now running a bulk of some sort, but my technique has some flaws still. So when I finnish my temp bulk, I will go back to working my technique. I really enjoy the results I get from working on technique even though it is not so impressive to people who only care about size. After 7 years, I feel much older and I just don't care as much about vanity lifting as I used to. That being said, I still have in mind that I might want to lift competetivly one day, although my lifts have never been that strong, I am hopeful that I can be at that level in a few years or perhaps even less. Probably not though. Maybe we will see in the NEXT 7 years??? Colin Pics? __________________ ______________ ________________ ......Busy Training...... __________________ ________________ __________________

02-07-2006, 09:37 PM	#2
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,265 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	Nice job bro. It's great to see that you have stuck with your goal and have continued working to get better. You have already achieved a great deal just by reaching this milestone. Who knows what the future will bring!! We have something in common. This month also marks an training anniversary for me. I started training in February 1985.. so this month is 21 years of consistent training for me. Great job on reaching this milestone, and best of luck to you in the future as you go for your new goals! :bigthumbu - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.MichaelandKendra.com Team Molecular Nutrition Creative Director FAME Media Group / World Natural Sports Organization Editor-In-Chief FAME Magazine www.FAMEWorldTour.com

02-07-2006, 10:45 PM	#4
Hybrid IMPC Contestant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gibsonia PA Posts: 824 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 14	Wow congratulations. That is one hell of a turn around! My hat's off to you man. __________________ If you even dream about beating me you'd better wake up and apologize - Muhammad Ali

02-08-2006, 05:53 AM	#5
Vegeto blameless sinner Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 803 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 15	Congrats on your 21 year milestone EME! That IS truely amazing. Thanks for the kind comments everbody! I have some pictures of when I was 15 and lifted for several months, a picture of me at 17 when I was at about my worste condition, and a picture at 19 when I had been lifting for a while again... but that is all the pictures I have until current. I might try and put them up to celebrate, but I need a scanner. I guess the reason I posted this thread is because lifting weights has been a great way to not just transform my body, but also to get my sh1t together. Sometimes part of the transformation is on the inside too, I guess... And even though I am still far from perfect, I wanted to share that. Some other things I have accomplished along the way... I used to have trouble with squats because "1 leg was longer than the other". Not so, it was only a structural malfunction. They are both nearly the same length. The difference in length, if any, is undetectable to me now. I feel more 'awake' and lively then I have since I was a kid. Maybe more than ever before. I appreciate hard work, I don't begrudge it so much like I did in my youth. I quit watching television for the winter since october 6th just for the disciplin and to save time for more important things. I know what and where the celiac ganglion is in the human body, I also know that there is a collection of muslce strands that starts from the internal abdominal oblique muscle and decends down and surrounds the fascial layer over the testicals. <--Not many people know about the cremaster muscle. I'll try and get up some old pics in a couple of days just for kicks and gigles. __________________ ______________ ________________ ......Busy Training...... __________________ ________________ __________________

02-08-2006, 04:52 PM	#7
animalfan Pro Stature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 217 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 15	congrats! that's an inspiring post! i'm at three years+ of consistent training, i've also quit drinking and smoking in that time. :rock: __________________

02-07-2006, 10:23 PM	#3
pammiejoe6 Pink Members Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: south texas Posts: 4,175 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 85	wow dude! way to go!!

02-08-2006, 10:19 AM	#6
DarkFalcon I've got a RAGING clue! Join Date: May 2005 Location: dnyc99's cleaning staff Posts: 11,511 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 299	Awesome thread V. Glad you decided to share. Congrats on hitting the big milestone. Let's make the next 7 even better.

02-08-2006, 07:50 PM	#9
BigZeke Bringing Lat Flares Back Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hell Raisin' and Girl Chasin' Posts: 2,343 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 71	Wow, that's quite some time. I started 3/4 of the way through senior year and that was back in 03. Good luck with your bulk!

02-08-2006, 11:11 PM	#10
METAL VIPER SEEK & DESTROY Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 542 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 46	Damn bro, that's really impressive. It gives me something to hope for. I can't wait to see what I will look like in my 7th year. Keep it up man __________________ \m/ METALLICA \m/ R.I.P. Cliff Burton:2/10/62-9/26/86 DIE, by my hand, I creep across the land, killing first born man

03-29-2006, 11:39 PM	#12
DanaDarlin Amateur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 35 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	What an amazing accomplishment! You must be so proud!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode