After hearing about new member introductions are clustering up the forum, I've decided to make a thread in which anyone and everyone can introduce themselves who are newly invited to the "T-Cell Alpha" board.

Picture of the wheels

A bit of a blurry shot from the front...seems to hide the striations within the chest and some definition. Once I get a hold of a proper camera not a cell phone I promise better quality pictures and improvement in the physique

Am I the only one who thinks there's no need for every new poster to start a full thread about themselves?

Does it take three people to say the same thing? IF its that big of a deal I' ll just delete my post

Let's all just use this page then. Thanks for the invite here. I've been working my ass off the last couple months and I'm 200+ FINALLY.

Based on the number of "intro" threads and "newb" threads since this one was started, I guess this idea didn't go over too well, but it seems reasonable to me.

Since I'm new, I'll try and revive the concept.

I've been a fan of T-Nation for years, but only started really lurking around this year. Having checked out most of the other sites out there, I'm a firm believer that T-Nation is the best. Now that I've discovered T-Cell Alpha, I'm even more convinced it's the place to be.

I wrote an entire novel in my profile and posted a ton of pictures from a contest I did back in 2006, so I won't post any photos in the thread. I had just turned 42 when the photos were taken (including this profile pic). It was my first contest. I placed 7th out of 14. Everyone else I competed against was nearly half my age, so I was very pleased with my placing. I weighed 172 (I'm 5'11") at about 6-8% bf.

I've been lifting since I was a teenager, but I was "doing it wrong". It took me a long time to figure out the nutrition thing. I weighed 135 when I got married 21 years ago. Four years ago I weighed 225. I now weigh about 215. I have used steroids and GH before and it made a huge difference (I went from about 165 to 225 during that period). I'd really like to lower my body fat percentage to about 10 (from 18 or so right now) but my ideal weight is about 225 (lean). That means I still have a ton of muscle to pack on, even at age 44. I knows its possible even for an old fart like me. After all, 40 is the new 30.

My wife has always hated my interest in bodybuilding. She despised all the time I spent at the gym (though she did train with me for a while, and that was good) and she loathed the expense of all the protein and supplements (and the gear, when I was on it). We're in the process of getting divorced (final hearing set for December). I envy those of you whose girlfriends and boyfriends and spouses support your endeavors--you have no idea how lucky you are. I have two boys, one in college and one still in high school. They don't lift (I think because they side with their mother), which is also too bad since I would have loved to have that in common with them.

I'm an attorney getting ready to deploy to work on prosecuting detainees at Guantanamo Bay--exciting stuff. I love my job and I get time off to work out--the one thing I love most about my job.

I'm glad to be here and look forward to some interesting conversation.

What if I introduced myself and no one responded?!

LOL.

Welcome, you seem like a good dude and some of your posts have been sweet. Good addition, don't worry, its tough love around here.....funny thing is that everyone in the T-cell gets accused of nut-hugging each other every few weeks out in the general forum.

I was beginning to wonder if I stepped in it somehow. Are you in Europe?

Me next.
I was recently invited to t-cell after posting pics of my training progress. I have always overeaten but a little over a year ago I had my ah ha moment. My friend from the army came back home to visit and he flat out told me I was fat. We decided to do a wrestling tournament together at the end of two weeks of training. After two weeks I still had trouble making the heavyweight limit. I saw a tape of myself in a singlet, just a few months after my mom had a heart attack at a young age, and that was it. I have now lost 80lbs (285 to 205). I am sure I have put on some muscle too. The process took between 10 months and a year depending on whether you count time wasted doing it wrong.
My current goal is to compete in a natty show next year. I know gear is great but the best champs were great before they used gear, besides my cardiac family history is a factor. I would need a great deal of help from people like t-cell members, as I have never competed before, and cannot locate a local BBing or Powerlifting gym. My biggest challenge is getting below approx. 12-14% bodyfat. I seem to plateau there and dietary/workout adjustments have not been effective.
Consider me a student. I am here to learn from guys who know what they are doing and eventually be able to contribute myself.

Before

After

Damn Juggernaut. Why are you posting up pics of two different guys and claiming it is you? That's just wrong and we are not stupid. :-)

1) Not everyone has to introduce him/her self to the T-Cell.

2)davidcox1 is a good addition, I think the situation with his wife/ex sucks, only my brother in my family supports bodybuilding and I know what it feels like. The worst is when the ones that shit about you going to the gym and "eating like a baby" ask you for nutritional advice.

Ok, I'll play along. :) I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

I've been lifting seriously for only 3 years now. I don't count the time spent in my teens since it wasn't consistent. My focus was martial arts at the time. In my early 20s the only lifting I did was at work during breaks. I worked as a prison guard and later as a security guard in a corporate environment so gym access with plenty of downtime made it convenient.

In 2003 I was pretty "fit" at 180 lbs. I moved from Finland to the US and slowly but surely started getting sloppy till I was at 240 lbs. About 3 years ago I dropped 20 pounds, joined a gym and started with a consistent full-body routine 3 days a week. Did that for a few months and then switched to a 4-day split (shoulders/tris, back, legs, chest/bis). 3-5 sets with about 3 exercises per muscle group. I kept my weight around 220 while adding strength and muscle.

I switched to DC last spring, although I know I'm not advanced enough according to the "rules". It sounded great so I decided to give it a go anyway. I'm really enjoying this type of training and the results I'm getting so I'm going to stick with it. I did have trouble with recovery using the 3RP though but I switched to 2RP recently and it seems perfect. I'm back at 240 lbs now, but less sloppy than 3 years ago. :)

Some goals for 2010:
- 495 DL for 5-8 reps
- 405 squat for 5
- Keep body weight around 240 while leaning out

Outside of making scary faces at the gym, I work as a Localization Project Manager so if anyone's interested in getting their product (software, website, publication etc.) out in other languages, hit me up. ;)