I took a second to think about this...

[MuGGsy]

where would your life be without lifting? What does it mean to you? I ask because it has been such a possitive influence on my life that I can only wonder what it's done for others. I can tell you that personally bodybuilding has saved me from a depressed life, I've gone from a skinny kid to a fat kid, bodybuilding has saved my self esteem, it has literally changed my life completely. I wouldn't be talking on this board if it hadn't, I wouldn't have my friends on here, any of it. Take a second and shout out what lifting has done for you.

[Stonecold54]

I agree. I took almost a year off from lifting a few years ago and I felt unwhole. A piece of me was gone. Lifting makes me achieve in other parts of my life. For me it is another venue of information I can learn about and talk about as well.

[blm]

Originally posted by stonecold54
I agree. I took almost a year off from lifting a few years ago and I felt unwhole.

I'm at that point right now. After ending a 10 month test kick, I have only been in the gym a handful of times. Between the cycle, school, and the occassional job, I am burnt out. I've kept all of my weight but I feel like a fat turd or unwhole as you call it, lol.

Fitness in general has changed my life significantly in a very positive way. Unfortunately lifes natural tendency to achieve equlibrium, I also get really negative when I'm not top of everything.

[Timma]

I don't know what I would do without lifting. It has given me great confidence over the years and helped me out in so many other aspects of my life.

[BENCH355ANIMAL]

I never played any sports when I was younger due to having asthma, so I was fat. Soon after my 21st b-day....I was at work, and stepped off a forklift, and heard the button on my pants pop off, and roll across the floor. This wouldn't havd been so bad if they wouldn't had been a size 42. I decided then.....it was time for me to do something about it!! It was September of 2000, and I weighed 260 lbs. @ 5'11". I joined the local Worlds Gym, and had my BF tested by one of the trainers. He did the 7 point skin fold, and it came out to be just under 30%. I started reading anything I could get my hands on regarding fitness & nutrition, and began learning how to lift weights. I got IFA certified in PT, and Sports Nutrition, and was on my way. In September of 2001 (1 year later), I had the same trainer check my BF again. I was @ 12%, and weighed 186 lbs. I was in a size 32 pants, and was benching 254 lbs. This was the milestone which made me realize this is what I love. To be able to change your body, and achieve goals is a wonderful feeling. I continue to do this today, and will keep doing for as long as I can pick up a weight. It has instilled a new sense of self confidence, and self worth in me that I never had. Don't get me wrong....there are days I don't feel like going to the gym, but then I look back at what I used to be, and I keep going. It's been almost 5 years since the button incident, and I'm setting here in my office @ 243 lbs. @ 12% BF, and 34" waste..........benching 405.:)

[meat12]

It has gaives me a break from the stress of everyday life. No matter what kind of bad shit happens I'm always able to vent through lifting. I've gained much needed confidence and overall I enjoy it more than anything.

[JUICE]

pumping iron and being dedicated to it has helped me out alot.

Without it, i would probably be a skinny fart like i was before probably still up to no good with my frineds. I used to drink alot, up to no good, and not even eating. My mom used to think i was on drugs due to being so skinny. I was 135 at 5'11''. I took gear in high school for for a month and thats it, no more cause i didnt know how to take it.

Lifting weights has helped me get more serious about things. I started to really hit it hard on 2000. I took my breaks on and off but got serious about it. Now im dedicated to it and wont give it up. Its opend more doors to me. It got me confidence to go up to any girl and ask them out, which lead to my current girlfriend of 3 years. I got a good job cause of it, the confidence. It makes my body feel great and feel like if all the clothes i wear looks awesome on me.

Weight training or bb is something im never gonna give up. Ive helped alot of people here at home and made them feel better about themselves because of bbing.

[Puddles]

Training has affected a lot of different areas of my life but most importantly, it's improved my health. A few yrs. ago I was on very high doses of blood pressure medication and had been for yrs. I remember once going to a new pharmacy and the pharmacist refused to fill the prescription until he spoke with the doctor because he insisted that there was no way the dose was right for a person my age, unfortunately it was right. After learning how to eat right and train, I was able to get off the meds and my b.p. is normal again.

I enjoy helping others out by sharing what I know. I am not as experienced or knowledgable as I'd like to be, but I do what I can and keep reading and learning.

I also enjoy the friends I've made on the boards. Some I've met in person and I really treasure those friendships.

I'm also more self confident now. Not just for the way it's changed my body but mentally it's given me a sense of achievement which carries over to other aspects of my life.

Another plus is that my daughter has seen the good eating right and training does. She's interested in what we do and will be in the gym training with us as soon as she's old enough.

This is also a hobby that my husband and I can participate in together. He introduced me to the sport and taught me so much.

I also don't like to watch TV, so the net is where I find my entertainment when I'm home. Being on the boards is a fun way to spend time. :)

[Slashmonay]

I think u could be the biggest dunce in the world but if you into BB'ing you'll love yourself and have confidence.

[njlovehandles]

When I dont work out for more then a week, I am one depressed, angry, antsy bastard. When I take months of, I suck. I guess I have never had a passion for anything like working out

[BENCH355ANIMAL]

I became very self-conscious and had rock-bottom self-esteem. When I was about 16 or 17 I started hanging around the wrong crowd and began smoking pot and drinking (the former profusely, but not so much the latter).

Me too bro.

[MuGGsy]

Originally posted by BENCH355ANIMAL
Me too bro.

it's boredom that brings us to those roads bro. I went through drugs and it was mainly boredom and I found the wrong people to be around. Bodybuilding gives you something 24/7 to occupy yourself. It's a beautiful thing :D

[hlcn8]

I have tried several strange coping mechanisms throughout life, and i've had a few curveballs thrown my way mind you. I endured things as a child that no child should have to, and while many of these other coping mechanisms were actually harmful to me, and were destroying me, lifting is something that will improve me. I fall into depression when I go extended periods of time without lifting, and by extended i mean any longer than three days. seriously, i get really down without it.
it's safe to say i might not be here had i not found a beneficial way of punishing myself with the weights