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| AGE 15 HEIGHT 5'7" WEIGHT 114 lbs BODY FAT 15% |
AGE 18 HEIGHT 5'10" WEIGHT 167 lbs BODY FAT 10% |
I never had confidence growing up because my scrawny frame made me afraid to do anything. I didn't want to play sports or speak in front of the class and felt like nobody took me seriously. I went through high school as a shadow; an average guy who didn't stand out. I didn't want to be an average guy. I wanted people to know who I was.
Becoming more muscular than everyone definitely helped, especially when it came to girls. Living in my brother's shadow was also hard because he was the big meathead star football player. I needed to live up to the legacy he left at our high school, so I started training with him when he returned home from the Marines.
After four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, he came home with lots of knowledge about bodybuilding and got me into the scene. He was always my role model and I wanted to be like him. He helped me out big time and I continued lifting throughout high school using the basics he taught me. He also introduced me to Bodybuilding.com, which became my primary source for motivation and information.
Educating myself on bodybuilding and nutrition helped me bulk up. One of the best ways to improve your body is to improve your mind. I set realistic goals for myself, which helped me accomplish my greater goal. Goals are the ultimate motivation, but you have to compete against yourself to meet them.
Nutrition is the hardest part. I still haven't been able to get my cravings under control. Finding the right macros to fit your goals goes a long way to improving muscle gains. The best way I found to avoid cheating on my diet is to cheat on my diet.
Allow yourself a small cheat meal every once in a while. It really improves your emotional and mental health, which helps in the gym.
I plan on competing in a teen physique division this summer. If it doesn't happen, I plan to keep improving and compete this time next year.
Find what motivates you, even if it's on a day-to-day basis. I find watching YouTube videos right before my workout helps. Find music that pumps you up and hit the gym hard. Always have your goals in the back of your mind, whether it's your ideal physique or to improve your health.
If it wasn't for Bodybuilding.com, I don't know where I would be. It opened up another world to me; the fitness industry. I got so much information from Bodybuilding.com; how to tweak my form, new workouts, and new routines.
The supplement information helped me taper a plan specifically for my needs. The motivation on the site is sick, from the forums to the workout videos. I have to thank Steve Cook for all the motivation. He's a major reason I strive for a better physique. I hope to reach his level one day.