2 years ago I was a low confidence beta yes man. I was 240 lbs, probably 30% body fat. Married for 9 years with 3 kids, wife gave me very little respect. I was her work stress punching bag and man servant.

Been lifting for 2 years, 3 to 4 days a week, no breaks except Xmas week twice and beach vacation. Finished all my required reading long ago, in fact, some books I've read 3 times as sometimes I can feel my mental state slipping a bit and I re-read them bring it all right back to the forefront of my mind.

Today, I am about to turn 41. I'm 6 ft, weight about an even 200 and probably 14-15% body fat. I walk with confidence, I would almost say I exude confidence these days. Even so, the process has been so long that I often questioned how much progress I was really making. The wife has been slow to respond, but she is and has been responding. Lifting itself is such a slow process to go from completely out of shape into something a chick will bite her lip when she checks you out. It was so long, when I worthless and out of shape, you sort of walk around like a ghost.. you're just a JAG... nobody looks at you or cares to. You're just some dumpy fat dad. The encouragement over the last 2 years has not come in droves... quite the opposite... tiny little moments when you catch something.. it almost surprises you when you do. A quick glance that never happened before, maybe you catch a friends wife looking you up and down real quick trying to figure out if it's just your new clothes or what.

Today.. I finally received some true encouragement that let me know that I really have made significant strides forward.

I was simply walking through the mall and was dead stopped by a hot little early/mid 20 something working at a pagoda. She had seen me walk through there before because my office is across the street. She introduced herself and was disappointed to notice I had a wedding ring on. She didn't attempt to sell me anything, she only related that I looked great and my wife was a lucky woman. We chatted for a minute and I told her not to worry she'll see me again and left with my food.

When you're almost 41... used to be a fat lazy beta dad slob.. and 2 years later you get dead stopped by a smoking 25 year old who is clearly eye fucking you at the mall.... let me tell you folks... you feel like chad fucking thundercock.

If you ever feel like you aren't making progress... re-read a book... lift more.. lift heavier.. but keep reading and keep lifting until it all sinks in and one day.... one day you'll be in your 40s and be dead stopped by a hot young little number that clearly wants to fuck you... and it'll finally ring in your head.... my god.. I did it.. I'm fucking money.