Anybody else in awe of your own changes?

[tenkev]

I was amazed at first in the aesthetic changes in my body but now that I've been at it for a while now I'm used to it and constantly expecting improvement.

But what I'm really amazed by is my newfound athletic prowess. I can jump now! And sprint faster than ever before. That is the real beauty.

[bkklift]

Sometimes it's easy to be blasé about your physical changes, especially when viewing yourself on a daily basis.

It's when you do something that you previously weren't physically capable of that you realise you are building a brand new body. I'm aiming to dunk a basketball come my 30th birthday, something I haven't done since high school. I think that will almost be a bigger achievement than squatting 1.5xbw!

[TomStrong]

Hey all, this is a very motivating thread! I've worked out on and off but only got serious about six months ago because I knew I was going to be on the beach and was tired of being skinny. So I looked better than I ever have (though I only got up to 163 pounds from 155) before but now I am going to start the GOMAD and 5x5 program tonight. This is very exciting and now I can't wait to see what is possible for the next six months. So thanks to everyone for your stories!

You guys are awesome and I hope I can add my 'changes' story in 6 months or so.

[MidLifter]

I don't think I've said it before, but everyone on this site has been of great help to my progress-esp. Mehdi! If it weren't for you guys and girls in the trenches, fighting the good fight of iron against gravity, and if it weren't for your insights, I would probably be out there with everyone else at 30% bf looking at men's health magazines wondering why it takes so bloody long to work out at the gym.

As a result of your timeless wisdom and practical experience, my lifts are higher than I've ever thought they would be, I have a physique like I've always wanted, my libido is way up, and all of my blood #s are great. I've gained 2 inches around the waist, 45 lbs of muscle, and I'm happy about it!

Thanks!

[knoted]

My favourite bit is not being able to feel my spine on my lower back

[dicko]

ive been on this program for 2 weeks (aswell as drinking a liter of millk a day minimum and "eating like a horse") and i have gained 4 kilos in that two weeks i sh!t you not! and im stronger now than any of my friends and my dad. not only that but my lats and shoulders are bloody huge compared to how they used to be thanks medhi you are a bloody legend!

[wrenchhands]

My favourite bit is not being able to feel my spine on my lower back

Sounds like your deadlift form is *really* off. (Just a joke, playing on the fact he meant feel his spine with his fingers, but I meant, literally have no sensation in the spine.

Anyways, about 8 months into the program, the "awe" has kinda worn off. I still think of myself as skinny and weak.

I think back to being 155 pounds at the start, or heck, even 145, 135, even 130 in high school, and wonder what the hell was going on. I bet my ex girlfriends would be in most awe.

[dicko]

sorry i didnt mean to say 2 weeks a meant to say 2 months lol

[s0ku]

Before I even considered strength training, or any kind of resistance training for that matter, I would simply run for exercise. This was a few years ago, for a few years. I'm only five weeks into the program now, but when I run again, it feels like I'm being launched off a platform. The speed increase from just a few weeks of squatting is simply incredible. I almost tripped over myself when I did my first run, and I literally couldn't stop my body's momentum. Talk about a weird experience.

I can see very clear definition over every inch of my body, but I haven't been gaining mass very fast. Unfortunately, I now realize this is because I'm not meeting my caloric requirements, especially for how active I am. I recalculated using the Cunningham equation, and I found out I was off by about 1000-1500. Ouch. Nonetheless, I'm still seeing impressive changes to my overall physique.

I'm sure a year down the road these things won't be such a big deal, but it's quite exciting right now. That, and knowing that my strength is increasing with each workout.

[Portillo]

Sometimes it's easy to be blasé about your physical changes, especially when viewing yourself on a daily basis.

Thats what its like for me. I usually wear a shirt for monday and wednesdays workout, then wear a singlet on friday. I look alot bigger since i dont see myself as often.

[wade]

What I noticed at the weekend was, walking to the train station with a ****ing heavy bag was a hell of a lot easier compared to a couple of months ago!

[Bchicago]

Yeah guys, i feel the same way. I just checked my back, yup, only erectors now!

Everyone reacts to me differently. "Sirs" come more often and more seriously and ladies just want to talk and talk about anything.

I second that, Mr. Walk!

You guys might enjoy another post i started, a different perspective on the ideas we are talking about here:
as-you-get-bigger-does-everyone-look-smaller-t21080.html

-B

[Wooderson]

Very much in awe. After seven months I just had a month where I lost 14 lbs of fat and gains 2lbs of muscle. That seemed fairly amazing.

[cripmeister]

I wish I had taken a photo of myself two years ago, I was really skinny only 65kg at 180cm. A couple of days ago I was going through the closet looking for some pants. I found a pair that I wore about 2 years ago. I tried putting them on and they wouldn't go past my thighs I can't say I'm in awe of my changes though, they were nice (and expensive) Wrangler jeans. I love Wranglers!