I neglected my health until I reached the grand old age of 44. I had sat at a desk for 20 years and the only excercise I did was a bit of walking and cycling. I noticed a pot-belly growing out from me and something clicked in my mind.

My body had been good to me allowing me to eat and drink most things and yet stay slim (weighing about 9.5 stone) but it felt like the payback time had arrived. I had to make make a change and commit now or I never would.

I found out about 'skinny fat' which is where outwardly you look ok (kinda shapeless with no definition) but inside is a significant amount of bad fat surrounding organs. I found out that we lose 1% muscle mass after age 30. I had some serious work to do if I wanted to be able to get out of the bath at age 65.

I started doing weights at home with dumbells and progressed to a bench and barbell. It was hard at first, I felt a bit ridiculous infront of my family (puny man syndrome) and I suffered a couple of minor injuries. I started to eat better as I learnt more about what I was doing. I got stronger and could lift more.

Motivation was hard, really hard; doing the same routine and noticing little change even after 6 months. I started to understand what the word discipline really meant.

I started to sleep better and had more energy. I enjoyed the post workout feeling. I thought I could actually see a change in my physique (still had the pot-belly) but my arms, chest and shoulders were looking a little more defined. I had less coughs and colds even when the rest of my family had them.

I went camping about a year after starting and a guy I didn't know asked me if I worked out. I was amazed, it felt incredible, a compliment from someone independent who could see I was working hard and that work was making a difference.

The weights were still boring. Lifting iron repeatedly in your garage is not a lot of fun. I started to listen to audiobooks which meant I could perhaps learn something whilst excercising.

It dawned on me that I was doing something, earning something that no amount of money can't buy. I was increasing my muscle-mass AND educating myself at the same time.

"The trophy is earned in the hours when no one is watching" This has become my mantra. I don't talk about my workouts much unless people ask.

The time spent alone working out has become a cherished time for me. It's my downtime that clears my head and resets everything; no matter what crap is going down.

I now weigh nearly 12 stone having gained nearly 3 stone of muscle over three years which for a skinny old man like me feels pretty good. I've listened to twenty books over the past year. I'm stronger and wiser. I haven't looked back and don't plan to.

It's possible to change who you are even later in life but you have to want to change. This sounds obvious but what I mean is that you can't go in to it and remain the same person you were before. You will change into a different person who looks at things differently and you have to accept that change.