I've made a few progress posts this year in the weightlifting thread and meant to do one at the end of 2025 but figured waiting for the one year mark today would be more fitting.

I'm not making this post to brag (okay.. maybe a little). I'm making this post to inspire whoever out there has been wanting to make a change and has been struggling to get started.

I made a decision at the end of 2024 that I was going to change my life. I wasn't happy with who I was and had the realization that ultimately I'm in control of 99% of the things I wasn't happy with. I spent my entire life saying "I can't" when in reality I could.

"I can't" is often our way of saying "I won't" when we don't want to do what it takes to do it. That's been something I've repeated in my head countless times this year. Not just in the gym - but in many areas of life
that I won't get into here.

If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way. Even if it's difficult or uncomfortable. If you want it, you'll scratch and claw your way to it.

I wanted to change. I wanted to get healthy - both physically and mentally. I was sick of where I was and just flat out decided it was time to make a change.

Fast forward 12 months and I've lost 40 pounds along with many of the demons I've been fighting for years.

I can confidently say I'm in the best place (physically and mentally) that I've ever been in my life.

Stop saying you can't. You can.

Wake up tomorrow and make the decision to do whatever it is you need to do to be the best version of yourself. Maybe that's going to the gym. Maybe it's going to therapy. Maybe it's as simple as getting organized. Whatever it is - make the decision and do it.

I promise it will be the best decision you've ever made. The only regret you'll have is not starting sooner.

Great work! My HS track coach was one of the wisest folks I have had the privilege to spend time around. If we ever mentioned "Can't" around him he would say that "Can't" means "Don't want to". I realize that his statement isn't 100% true, but for most things in life it is pretty accurate in my experience.

The biggest improvement in the pictures is losing the astros shirt...

I'll circle back and add more detail when time allows, but don't want to leave you hanging so here's the cliffnotes version:

- Diet is probably the most important thing. You cannot out workout a bad diet. I try to make it as simple as possible - protein (lots of it) and produce. I don't consider myself low carb, but I've eliminated bad carbs like bread, processed sugar, etc. Think of it as if you can only shop on the outermost sections of the grocery store.

- As far as workouts go, the most important thing is that you find something you can stick to. I did a 6-day PPL split (push, pull, leg). Lots of information on this online and it's really easy to follow. 6 days was probably a little too much in hindsight and I've went down to 5 days now.

- Rest and recovery. It's crucial. Get good sleep and listen to your body when you need rest.

Those arms in 12 months!