I’ve been working out since I was in high school. As an undersized offensive lineman, I had to gain weight. I’m 6’2″ and weighed about 245 when I was 18.
In college I didn’t make the football team. But I kept lifting, I got leaner, and transformed my body. I was around 215 and in great shape in my early 20s.
Then in my mid-to-late 20s, I was working a TON, didn’t have time to lift, and shifted to primarily cardio. So I lost all of that muscle and was as skinny as I’ve ever been as an adult – about 185 lbs at my thinnest.
In my mid-30s, I bulked up again, reaching my heaviest at 260 lbs. This was partially from lifting, but mostly from a change in lifestyle to a more sedentary job. And I was drinking too much beer and not watching what I ate. My knees and ankles suffered. I had to have knee surgery to fix some issues.
After that, I vowed to get in shape and stay there. I tried intermittent fasting and really liked the 16/8 interval. I was carb cycling – eating “good” carbs on lifting days and going without on cardio days. And of course, one cheat day per week. By the end of my 30s I weighed 195 lbs, was more cut than I’d ever been, and felt really good about my physical condition.
Then at 40, I developed a heart condition and was unable to lift weights or run. I was depressed. I again neared 260. After a couple of years, my cardiologist was able to get my medication straightened out, and cleared me to work out.
In early 2024 I was down to 220, when I had another recurrance of the heart condition.
My fitness journey has been wild. So with this project I’m setting out to document the process, and you’re welcome to watch and help keep me accountable. Oh… and you may want to know that I like to work out without clothing when I’m at home. Join me!