Gentlemen,
The past year has been a wild ride starting from uncertainty, doubt, anger, and then determination (the usual cycle that RPers seem to observe among fresh RP readers).
I started as the classic high school loser - 17, tall, very thin, painfully awkward with the ladies, didn't attend any dances. I was definitely involved - I ran track/XC (contributed to my ridiculously light weight), was in clubs, played an instrument - just absolutely invisible because I was too afraid to let people into my mind, even though I knew I was truly a good person deep down. I think the first step towards improvement after discovering TRP is realizing you are a genuine person who deserves respect, no matter your situation.
I didn't want to believe what I was reading initially. In fact, the sidebar material was such a shock, I would actually tremble sometimes while I read it. Everything I observed in high school became clear. I saw my orbiting for my oneitis. I saw the social dynamics at play. Most importantly, I realized how far I had to go.
As my track season ended, I decided I was done with running. I got started on the SL 5x5 program ASAP. To this date, I have gained about 30 pounds while maintaining a low BF % (I have about 30 pounds to go until I'll be pretty happy with my physique). I've learned to love the grind. I can't find much enjoyment in long-distance running sports anymore. I've since taken up small-boat sailing, playing the trumpet, and some other hobbies to fill the time running did.
Nevertheless, with lifting came confidence and improvements in body language, interactions with people, etc and I finally feel respected rather than invisible. The knowledge contained here is definitely appreciated and cherished. I hope other young men will find their way here as I did, and choose to think about what they read.
I just wanted to get this out there as a THANK YOU to all of the members who have inspired me along the way - I'm a longtime lurker, have never posted on TRP since I visited for the first time a year ago. Shoutouts to endorsed contributors, the mods, and of course GLO.
I don't expect you to have read this far, this post was meant for more of my sake.
TL;DR Was awkward skinnyboi, found TRP, now not awkward, slightly less skinnyboi
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