From “what am I doing here” to my own home gym.

I felt bad about myself, partly because of my former work. I did not fit into the new job that I had taken on.
I had to do something to get out of this impasse and sport, they say, helps with that. Partly due to the production of happiness hormones, among other things.
My bonus son had already trained at Way To Train (WTT) and my girlfriend had been going there twice a week, with pleasure. But then again, I hated strength training. I would rather go running, but that had a very negative effect on my knees in the past. So it's a no-go. Should I just..

Made the move at the beginning of September '22. A subscription
taken from 3 months of 3 weekly personal training. I couldn't get out of it now. I had to do something now or it would make me mentally ill. The goal was to feel better, no weight loss, no body shaping. Those were just side issues. The subscription was the must and the personal trainer was the stick.
We're going to start..

In the first few weeks, I had a hard time, after work and dinner, going to Leidschenveen in the evening. Then there were those exercises, I really hated it. After each exercise, I looked at the clock again. How long until this whole hour ends? What am I doing here? What did I get into? I had to persevere. It's a mindset, I want to feel better. Keep going..

Weeks went by, we jokingly called Floris at home, “the hangman of the back line”. During this period, I had also said goodbye to my work, because it just couldn't go on. Which gave me a better time to train. It was a nice start to the day in the morning. I also felt free from work and partly because of that, I felt better about myself. I started to like the exercises more and I noticed changes in my body. I was bodyshaping! After 2 ½ months, I started to find it so challenging that I decided to take out another subscription and I just had to lose some fat. A diet plan was drawn up. I wanted to keep packing now..

In January '23, I thought I want more, I want to achieve more. The scale cooperated and my body made a positive change. I felt more manly, I became more confident in thought and attitude. In fact, I felt sexier. Wtf, I also wanted to train at home. Bought a fitness bench with leg exercises and a set of adjustable dumbbells. I went from training 3 times a week, imitating Floris' training at home, to training 4-5 or 6 times a week. I got driven, started to train seriously and train more and.. started to like it. This, of course, is partly due to the results I achieved in fat loss and muscle building and because of the support of my Withings Cardio+ scale and my fitbit Sense.
Both of which neatly translated everything into numbers. The training with Floris flew by and every time I was amazed that the 60 minutes had already passed. I wanted to do another exercise. Don't get me wrong, the executioner from the back line never left. As an exercise, I shouted loudly at the end of the repeats and hurled many a treat at Floris' head. But I was so proud of myself if I had performed it with one more. I loved the acidification, the muscles tight, pumped up and slightly tingling. With a bit of luck, muscle pain the next day, because I don't have that easily. I felt good, I wanted more..

I am not a gym-goer. I can't see myself going to the gym at night after, possibly new, work. But I wanted to keep going. If I start something and like it, I also go for it with dedication. A power rack with a latpulley was purchased along with a barbell and weight plates. The attic became a real home gym. I can now train at home.

The training sessions at WTT have now ended and I am now training, with or without my girlfriend, about 3-5 times a week in my own home gym WHEATFIELD 75, about 90 minutes per session. I'm still trying to lose fat and build muscle and I like it and feel good about it. Who would have thought this?

Floris, thanks for your help and all the advice, on sports, diet and personal matters, that you have given me. This 54-year-old is going to a six pack!
Good luck in your future.

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