Got a question for you guys, Why did you start lifting?
For me it was because I had to pass a physical fitness test (I was really unfit at the time) by the army and while I was ultimately rejected on medical grounds, there was a sense of pride and accomplishment at seeing the weights and reps go up
First 'started' when I was 17, nothing but dumbbells and bodyweight work at home. I was the typical 98lb weakling, invisible to women, a skinny fat loser.
Got into a chiselled shape over the next 10 years by a combination of good diet, road cycling, running, and supplementary lifting at home. When I reaped the benefits of that, I wanted to get big as fuck, strong as fuck, and look like I could run through a brick wall. I had an amazing base to work from, so just started packing the size on and hitting compounds.
I'm finally at what my 17 year old self considered 'it.' Closing in on 250lbs, wide as fuck, without being an obese mess. These days however, it's about personal goals, pushing boundaries, seeing just how strong your average natural can get. Aesthetics are of minimal concern these days, though not entirely out of consideration. After hitting my strength goals I might slim down and go more in for bodybuilding, who knows.
Everyone's journey is different, what's important is you enjoy it.