01/23/2026
TLDR; I gained 10 pounds but more importantly, body recomp takes so much time. It takes YEARS so be patient and just get in for the ride
2015-2020 ➡️ I was lifting and being an athlete and eating my body weight in pasta but didn’t take nutrition seriously (where was my protein) and wasn’t lifting with good structure and a plan. This was a time where I had so so so much fun in the gym tho so I wouldn’t trade the stupidity in programming.
2020-2023 ➡️ made huge gains as I started to take powerlifting more seriously and hired my first coach. Still wasn’t taking nutrition seriously. I had no idea how much I was eating. I just ate when I was hungry. I started to pay attention to getting enough protein but that’s about all
2023 ➡️ food poisoning made a national meet go poorly and I decided I wanted to pack on as much muscle as I could to not feel like a frail waif again
2024-2025 ➡️ tracked macros for the first time ever. I had tried before but we know this is SO ANNOYING TO DO. Tracking consistently 85% of the time. Weighed in daily to ensure what I was eating was actually contributing to muscle growth (scale should go up). Was able to lift harder and recover better. Nagging injuries got better. Muscle was PACKED on.
2025 ➡️ made the decision to pursue going up a weight class (9lbs heavier) and to actually commit to filling out rather than half heartedly just not being leaner. No we are EATING. No we are eating THREE THOUSAND calories. We are eating 440 grams of carbs. We are consuming so much food and turning into a muscle building weight lifting metabolic machine
2026 ➡️ and now here I am. Ten pounds heavier than last year. Clothes do not fit right anymore. And guess what? Whereas a year or two ago, the waistband of my pants cutting into my belly fat might’ve made me have a bad day, this time I don’t give a single crap.
Here’s to more years of pursing strength and taking up space. Here’s to growth and strength. Here’s to a big middle finger to beauty standards and diet culture. I’m here to be the strongest version of myself and to maximize my muscle and bone tissue while I’m at this age so when I’m old I can still do the things I want to do
