I've been working out on and off for about a year now . I've never felt like I was making real progress, and I need advice.

I don't think I'll ever fit in at the gym, honestly. I see where you're coming from, but I have no real desire to be a part of the lifting culture judging from what I've seen.

I don't think you're looking properly then.

Hi my name is Pete. I started going to the gym because I want to be more aesthetic. 3-4 years ago I was very fat (180pounds at 5'7"). I saw some pictures of myself and really didn't like how I looked. I looked fat, and most importantly unhappy.

I started to diet and with just a few simple changes I dropped down to 140pounds, after that I stopped tracking mostly but I know I hit a low of around 133pounds which was pretty awesome(for reference I was 120 in high school).

I moved to a new city 6 months ago and it was very stressful. I lost my entire support base(family, friends) and had to start a new. As a result I drank a lot and ate a lot, and swelled up to 150 pounds. With some quick dieting, I am now back to 140 pounds (10 pounds in 2-3 months).

I realized that just dieting wouldn't get me the body I wanted though. My muscles are muscles, just like anyone else's. There's no damn reason for me to exclude myself from an activity just because someone else's are swole and mine aren't. I want to look good, and more important then that, I want to feel good.

Our muscles are the same. They show exactly what the owner of them uses them for. For me, it was lifting 12 ounces of craft brew into my gullet and pushing a mouse around. My space bar push-down was my best lift, by far.

For him, he obviously used his muscles and fed them properly. That's it. Really.

Just use your muscles and feed them properly. That's all fitness is.

I work a great job at a major energy company. In my spare time I play lots of video games, I'm an avid guitar player, I loooooove trying new foods with friends, and I track my motorcycle as often as possible. I'm more than likely the nicest person you'll meet.

And you know what? 99.99999% of gym goers are just like me. We're just regular people who want to use our muscles and feed them properly.

/r/Fitness Thread Parent