A Journey from Alcoholic to Weightlifter
From The Bar to The Bar
By: Scott Bird

For me, 2003 was the Year of Drinking Dangerously. Excessive alcohol consumption became a daily thing, and there are surprisingly few moments I can clearly recall from that time. By the end of the year I was averaging 19 drinks per day.

At the start of 2004 I was shuffling along to a local supermarket. On the way I was passed by a man in his 80s; hurrying to get to the Bingo hall in the next street. It was then that I decided that being in shape would be a reasonably good thing. At the very least I'd live longer.

A few days later I found myself taking delivery of a new exercise bike. That was it - but it was more than enough. I was still drinking heavily; I'd just found a way to demonstrate how unfit I was. I needed something else.

After a number of failed attempts, I worked up the courage to visit a fitness equipment store. It was filled with all manner of strength-training equipment, and was staffed by a barrel-chested guy with a shaven head and a commanding voice. I was about to turn and leave.

'Can I help you?' he boomed. What's more, he began walking over to me; arms held out as if he were carrying watermelons. I muttered something about 'a home gym' and pointed vaguely in the direction of the first thing I recognised.

It arrived the following week - a bench, barbell, and more plates than I'd ever seen. It actually looked quite impressive.

Before I tried everything out (not that I really knew what I was doing - but I'd seen Pumping Iron) I made a decision which was to have a massive effect on my drinking :

I wouldn't drink prior to lifting weights.

This was actually from fear - I didn't want to drop something heavy on my foot. I figured a bit of sobriety each day wouldn't kill me.

After a few days of moving the bar around in various ways, I decided to find out what I was meant to do with it. I popped into a newsagency near my flat, and bought the first fitness magazine I could find. It happened to be a Men's Fitness Workout Routines special - exactly what I needed at the time. A simple 'do this and you'll end up like this' sort of thing.

The main routine was 12 weeks long, which sounded fine. If it didn't work, well, I'd just sell the equipment. I still had the bike sitting there anyway.

Long before the 12 weeks was over, I could see changes in my physique. I could feel them. That was when I made the second major change:

If I could change this much with a terrible diet, imagine what it'd be like if I cut back the drinking?

And so I did. Certainly not easy - and my hat really goes off to anyone who even attempts it - but the lifting had taken over. It was now the most important thing in my life.

Throughout the 12 weeks I'd been keeping track of my progress; both online and offline. I decided to see what else was out there.

In 2004 there weren't exactly a lot of people blogging their workouts. In fact, I could only find one - Kris Lindqvist. His site - Under the Bar - was truly amazing.

It was through his site that I discovered the powerlifting approach to lifting. These people weren't just trying to be big, they were trying to be strong. Perfect - I now had a goal. To be as strong as humanly possible.

It's incredible how much you can achieve by simply having a goal. Pretty soon, every aspect of my life pointed in the same direction. Including the final change, which is the big one:

I stopped drinking. Completely.

This was actually easier than I thought it'd be. Lifting weights had encouraged me to re-evaluate my diet, and to consume vast quantities of beverages such as water and protein shakes; particularly during the workout sessions themselves. The last thing I wanted was alcohol.

That was a little over four years ago. Since then I've gradually been working towards my original goal - 'To be as strong as humanly possible'. I've also discovered a new one - which will undoubtedly keep me busy for many years to come - to help as many people as possible discover the beauty of lifting weights. It really can change your life.

Scott is the editor of strength-training site Straight to the Bar, and all-around fitness enthusiast. When he's not in the kitchen stuffing his face, he can generally be found engaging in cruel and unusual punishment in the backyard.