The evolution of me

Many times, people try unsuccessfully to establish good habits. I have finally succeeded in setting one: exercise. Previously, I had tried setting exercise routines, but rarely were they intense enough to make a difference, and never did they last more than a few weeks. I hope this blog is not read as being conceited or vain. I look at this as an accomplishment, much like graduating or performing well on an instrument. It has taken time, patience, and great effort, and I feel like I would like to share my accomplishment. So please take it in that light, rather than making other assumptions that would be easy to do on such a topic.

In high school, it didn't seem to matter that I had no exercise routine. Playing basketball and volleyball a few times a week with friends kept me going, and a fast metabolism helped to ensure that I stayed trim despite my ravenous eating habits which I'm sure my mom remembers well. I remember when I got my drivers license, I was 5'3" tall and 130 lbs. When I graduated I was almost 6' and weighed 155-160.
The mission proved to be a changing experience! I realized that I had taken my fast metabolism for granted when I was introduced to the Samoan program in New Zealand. I was soon eating a diet chuck full of starch (taro, rice) and meat (pork, lamb, chicken, fish, anything!). I continued to eat as much as I could hold much like I had at home. Soon, my pants were getting tight. Before long, had gained 65 pounds, putting me at 230. At this point, I was no longer feeling healthy. Everyday tasks were noticeably harder and I couldn't even do ten push ups! I tried losing weight, but it was very hard considering the circumstances. I came home closer to 190, and before long was down to 170.
While at school here in Hawaii, I heard several talks that seemed to tell me that I needed to be exercising. I knew that I've never been consistent at exercising, and that I needed some motivation. I knew my dad also had a similar discipline problem with diet and exercise and one day I asked him if he'd like to make a sort of deal that he could lose weight and I could go to the gym. So, we made plans and started. My main reason for going to they gym was to become healthier. However, since you need to pick a type of exercise routine, I ended up going with a bulk up routine because the guys that helped me out at the gym were on such a routine. Doing this with my dad helped me to get consistent. There were mornings where I didn't want to go, but I thought that if I wanted Dad to do his part, I needed to do mine. It is proving to be a positive motivator.
Since starting, I have increased my maximum lifts significantly. My bench has gone up 80 lbs. I can bench 265 (once!) and normally lift 225 for my sets (2 plates on each side). I have seen significant results in strength increase in all muscle groups. Consequently, I have also seen physical changes. I have increased muscle mass significantly. I have gone up a shirt size, and am in the process of rotating out my old wardrobe. I weigh 190 again, but this 190 feels a lot different than 190 did on my mission.
Here are some positive effects I have noticed since exercising on a normal basis. My immune system is up. I have really only had one cold since starting to lift, which is much less than before and significant due to how little sleep I get sometimes. I also feel more confident in myself. I am more alert and active and dont feel as stressed. I can spike a volleyball even harder and I can get people to do what I want by giving them a mean look (just kidding! I dont to that! I can certainly testify that in this fluffy, technological world that demands little physical labor, it is critical to exercise to obtain our best physical selves.