I was always the big kid, born into an Italian house-hold, food was always plentiful regardless of the budget. Raised in a loving and nurturing environment I wanted for nothing. But I was always bigger than I should have been, over fed and under exercised, eventually something had to give. It was my waist line, expanding as I was getting older. At School I was lucky never to be bullied, I suppose my big shoulders had something to do with it, and when I started to notice girls (they never noticed me though, and there lay the problem) I started my first weight training regime, mixed in with association soccer, but the weight never really came off, you see my food intake was more than what was being expelled in exercise.

My first weight set was made up of a wooden tomato stick, (there were plenty to choose from as we had our own vegetable garden in the back yard), together with some house bricks, tied to the wooden stake. There I was ready to start my life long love affair with Bench and Military Press, up right rowing etc. I have never had as many cuts and abrasions as I had that summer, trust me, you can't have wooden stakes and house bricks for weights and come away unscathed. This lasted for a few months, before my Father returned from work one afternoon with a stainless steel rod and gears wrapped in a rubber sealant. My first real weight training set. The following week he presented me with a smaller set, and this became my Dumbbell set, every now and then he would show up with different sized gears and now I had different weights I could use, it was beginning to look like a gym.

My real issue, is that I didn't follow any strict diet, I was a growing boy, by this time I was 15 or 16 and I didn't really have a weight training routine, it was essentially anything I could think of, and what I saw in pictures. There was no internet back then, and exercise magazines cost money I just didn't have. So I plodded along like this for some years. When my family understood that I really enjoyed exercising, in particular my sister, I received a Christmas present made up if a power bar, chest expander and hand grips, it was the best present I ever received. I had it all worked out, because for the first time I had what resembled an exercise routine. Now, don't think for one minute, that I eventually became a Mr. Universe, I did frequently dream of it, but it never happened. I was into the fitness only and getting as big as possible so I could be noticed. School was much more important, and I just couldn't say no to all the different variety of pasta my mum would make. So although I had proper equipment, the diet and the commitment to say no, never really existed.

Over the years it became my hobby, although I did give it a rest during my High School years with study and exams taking priority, thinking back that was just an excuse. I should have had a better balance at this stage of my life. At least two years of my life passed without any real exercise, so the weight, actually the fat just piled on, it wasn't pretty and I didn't think much of myself, adolescent insecurities don't help either, it was a volatile mix.

I put on weight, a lot of it, but I was able to take it off, it took a while, but if you are truly committed you can do anything in life. I realized that I couldn't just rely on weights to lose weight, I had to include some form of cardiovascular workout, and a more balanced diet, not give up the things you love just have them in moderation, and cut out those snacks. The only Cardiovascular exercise I understood was to run, so run I did, nothing great, but enough to get the heart pumping. I would include a run at least 3 times a week, and yes the weight came off, I became more lean and solid. I then introduced swimming into my self-created program, I had always enjoyed swimming, for as long as I could remember.

When I started to work, my first pay check went into a weight bench, pulley machine and leg extension, I was so excited. I still had my Fathers stainless steel barbell, weights and dumbbell set, actually I still have them today. I did also include weight belt, proper weights and barbell with grip, I was in my element. Never have never been a gym freak, I like working out in the peace of my natural surroundings, namely my home. Regardless of where I live I have always made a special place for my home gym set, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

By this time I invested in books, and videos on all the big players of the day like Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger (I still have pictures of them, in all their glory on my garage wall), although I always envied their bodies I knew it wasn't going to be for me, I just didn't have that level of commitment. But I never stopped exercising, these days at least 4 days a week is given to doing weights only and the routines are changed monthly. I will leave that to a different posting, and two days a week to cardiovascular workout, which is still a jog around my local area, although the distances are not quite what they used to be, it still does the trick. Together with a well balanced diet, the weight has kept off, don't get me wrong I'm not cut and I never have been, I'm sure I have a six-pack somewhere, but I've never seen it, but my clothes fit fine and my chest and shoulders are still my best feature.

I enjoyed my hobby so much I decided to sell exercise equipment, and share my experience with anyone who is willing to listen. Remember you can achieve anything if you really put your mind to it, and have the level of commitment it takes to reach your goal. Chose an exercise you like and it will lead you to different variations. Whether you like going to the gym or the confines of your home, there really isn't an excuse to not give it a go, just walking is better than sitting, meaning some form of activity will do wonders for your well-being. It really is all up to you.