The hardest part about lifting was in the beginning. I had gotten myself to a place where I enjoyed going to the gym, but I was focused on weight loss and less on strength. The transition was a challenge. I had to eat more than I was used to and push myself harder than I felt I was capable of. But I kept coming back. Every week I got a little stronger. Now, after almost a decade, those early benchmarks don’t even come close to my warm-up weights.

You might be asking yourself, “What’s the point of all this? I thought I came here to consult with a writer!”

Well, the point is that when I set my mind to something, I take it seriously. I work hard to get results. And those results quickly become apparent to everyone. (And yes, being strong is also helpful when a friends asks you to assist with moving, or a big landscaping project!)