strawberryriddick Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I'm excited to be a part of this forum because that means two things:1. I'm hitting the weights again.2. I'm vegan. I'm quite excited about both of those things, and I'll tell you why so ya'll can get a good idea of my history. I was fat growing up and when I got to college, that didn't change. I went to college only because I couldn't get my fat butt into the military. I had to take a physical education class for part of my general education requirements. There was no way someone my size (about 250lbs at 5'7) was going to do aerobics or track, so I chose weight lifting instead. I fell in love with it! I began to eat better to build muscle and decided to add cardio to lose the fat so I could see my muscle better. I realized that yes, I could lose the weight, so I decided to join the Marine Corps. It took me about 10-11 months to lose about 100lbs through sound diet and exercise. I was a bodybuilder and was completely obsessed. However, I became disabled in the Marine Corps and had to stop. The nature of my disability, without getting too technical, is that my nerves receive incorrect signals. I perceive almost everything as pain, and I spasm suddenly...most notably after I do a set of heavy weights, or any stupid reason this stupid crap wants to act up. As for veganism, it was something thought about for some time now, but I can first remember considering it when I learned of Daniel's challenge to the king to eat a vegan diet. I recently thought of it again because of my renewed vigor for the spiritual, enlightenment, and harmony...how could I live in harmony with the world when I ate the life in it, especially such tortured life that goes on in our slaughterhouses? Certainly, I would be much more comfortable hunting my own meat, because I could at least ensure that the animal doesn't live a life of suffering, and that honor and thanks would be given for the life instead of just an electrical zap to the brain and into a vat of boiling water. I think that many of you may disagree with this point, but the idea behind it is what was important to me...I'm not eating meat, lol. What really pushed me over the edge is that book I picked up. It doesn't advocate vegetarianism specifically (it mentions fish and also has recipes with meat), but does speak of vegetarian, vegan, and raw diets tested on patients with my condition, with the greatest results coming from the vegan and raw diets. So that's the history of my bodybuilding and my veganism. I am excited to report that I'm making faster gains than I thought possible, especially after going vegan. Due to my condition it took a little tweaking but I'm on point now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Great intro. Welcome to our group! Awesome to have you here. We have a fun and supportive community. I hope you enjoy your time on our community forum. All the best and welcome aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veganmomma Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryriddick Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Thanks for the welcome, you two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryriddick Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 Thanks Amy! I'm really diggin' all the different font colours available, too. Just figured I'd say something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsorlando Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalBrada Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Welcome to the forums and thank you for serving our country as a Marine and now serving our planet as a Vegan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuc Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Welcome! Whoa, quite a story! If you have old pics it would be nice to see how you change from a fat guy to a fit guy! Your disability sounds like a nasty one. Anyway, lots of ppl get great results doing low weight high reps, so if you don't have pain doing them you can still get serious muscle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryriddick Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 LocalBrada Welcome to the forums and thank you for serving our country as a Marine and now serving our planet as a Vegan.Oooh, I like that! TucWhoa, quite a story! If you have old pics it would be nice to see how you change from a fat guy to a fit guy!Oh, yeah, I didn't upload an avatar. That would be fat gal to fit gal But I am happy to oblige. Beforehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/strawberryp0cky/Computer/MeOnBoat.jpg Afterhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/strawberryp0cky/ablars.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b257/abortdave/Week4back.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b257/abortdave/Week4tricep.jpg Graduating Boot Camphttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/strawberryp0cky/BootCampGrad.jpg I did put on more mass before I became disabled, but can't seem to find the picture for it. Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to post some current pics when I get the nerve. I became a lot more body conscious after the disability. Veganism has given me a lot of confidence in my body back, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalBrada Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Love the pics! The first pic on the boat...where was that taken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaN Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 hi, what a great intro! Congrats on the weight loss, and sorry about the disability. Hope this site can give you some inspiration to get fit & be happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryriddick Posted October 31, 2008 Author Share Posted October 31, 2008 Love the pics! The first pic on the boat...where was that taken?It was taken at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Quite a lovely place, and I enjoyed all the food except the octopus I ate. People called me nuts for eating octopus in Mexico, but we were RIGHT ON THE WATER...I figured it was fresh! Congrats on the weight loss, and sorry about the disability. Hope this site can give you some inspiration to get fit & be happyThanks, I hope so, too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegan Joe Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Nice tricep!Just wondering? does you affliction have a name? It's not important.Anyway I think I can speak for all the animals here:'We love you for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryriddick Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Nice tricep!Just wondering? does you affliction have a name? It's not important.Anyway I think I can speak for all the animals here:'We love you for it! It is a little important, since a lot of people's parents/grandparents have it. It's fibromyalgia. Basically, my brain tells my nerves to misfire and interpret everything as pain. There's no treatment, only drugs to sedate you. No thanks. A lot of people just give up when they have it. They fight to figure out what it is, then they have a diagnosis. Good, because they know it won't kill them; bad, because it just killed their spirits. It's a very depressing disorder, especially with people saying, "But you LOOK fine!" and "You weren't complaining yesterday!" all the time. Plus, there are some doctors that don't "believe" in it. Sorry, doc, I don't "believe" you went to medical school then! Anyway, if you ever meet someone in the fibro family, let them know that veganism can help. With the changing of the seasons and snowfall outside, my spasms are getting worse. I took a couple shots of whiskey to help calm my nerves. I'll still be workin' chest tomorrow, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Im Your Man Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Hi and welcome! You seem to be able to gain lots of muscles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryriddick Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Hi and welcome! You seem to be able to gain lots of muscles.Thankfully, since that's my goal! Since cutting out animal products from my diet, I have noticed nicer gains. We shall see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lean and Green Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 speechless!!!! How's that for playing with the fonts?? Amazing story, transformation and then some. I am touched by the whole thing and lovely avatar btw. I sure do miss the meach and bumming it out all summer on the shore. Look forward to seeing your presence on the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manuel Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 welcome!you come across as knowing what you want - so i'm sure you'll reach your goals keep at it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCPinGviini Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I just love your attitude, welcome to our forum sweetie. Let's get BIG! And have fun while at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beforewisdom Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) Thosepictures are fantastic! You went through some serious transformations! Edited December 25, 2008 by beforewisdom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasha Posted December 25, 2008 Share Posted December 25, 2008 You Rock Girlfriend Oh and did I mention you are a Hard Core training junkie lol It's was great chatting with you the other night. !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John V Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 All the very best to you. Welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAINRA Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 welcome! I any of us can help let us know. Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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