Man, that’s too bad. I’ve been where you are. I got so tired of injuries and just generally burned out of the bodybuilding and sports scene that I had laid off for over 4 years. I had gained over 50 lbs and would get winded if I had to walk up and down the stairs in my home in rapid succession.
I have a 10 yr old son who is very athletic and very active. He is Daddy’s boy and wants to do everything just like Dad. He loves all sports and knows I was a boxer, kick boxer, bodybuilder, football, baseball player and all around general athlete back in the day. He would tear into me playing around and after horsing around for about a minute or two; I was exhausted I couldn’t play anymore. I’d have to sit down and catch my breath for about 10 mins.
He’d always beg me to toss the football or baseball with him but I was so out of shape I either didn’t want to or if I did after about 5 mins I was so tired I couldn’t go any longer and quit. My son would beg me to play and cry when I didn’t. He didn’t understand why Dad who used to be in great physical condition couldn’t even toss the ball with him. He started to think I didn’t like to play with him or didn’t love him or both.
I became so disgusted with myself. Here I was 43 yrs old, fat and out of shape. I hated to look at myself in the mirror especially naked. My libido had also taken a big down turn and I started to really hate myself. When I stood up with no clothes on I couldn’t even see my feet much less my winkie. I became depressed. Seeing the disappointment in my son’s eyes was more than I could handle.
One day when he wanted to play with me and I chased him off because I didn’t want to be bothered I was watching the news on the couch after all, how dare him. He said, “Daddy you don’t love me anymore”, and ran away crying to my wife. It felt like someone tore my heart out of my chest and stomped on it with football cleats.
My wife saw what was happening and tried to encourage me to try to get back in shape. At first I resisted thinking I was too old for that crap and I was sick of living in a gym all of the time. She said hey lets just start power walking in the mornings. I didn’t want to do it but she insisted (thank God). We walked for a few months and I started to feel pretty good. We changed our diet and started eating healthier. Soon the weight started coming off. We walked faster and further over time. I realized walking had served its purpose and it was time to kick it up a few notches.
We joined a gym at the local community center. It was small and had very limited equipment and was overall a dump but it was cheap and we could pay on a month to month basis, just in case I dropped out I wouldn’t be on the hook for a gym membership.
After about 5 months of working out there casually and inconsistently I actually started to see something in myself again, namely my feet and weiner again. Then the dreaded iron bug bit again and this time about as hard as he ever bit me before. I got serious about my workouts and decided the little community gym just wasn’t suitable any longer. I joined the Gold’s Gym nearest my house and the rest is history.
That was nearly 4 yrs ago. Now I have done a complete turn around. I play constantly with my son and wear his little butt out when we play. I feel 25 yrs younger and look it too. Not to brag but now I’m as strong as an ox and built like a brick shit house. I’m in the best shape of my life. My son and family are so proud of me. I’m pretty proud of myself.
I urge you to rest if you must, but don’t quit. You’ll regret it like I did, that I promise you. If your family is as important to you as mine is to me don’t give up.
Good luck to you and I wish you all the best.
Your Brother in Iron,
Ass Buster