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| AGE 29 HEIGHT 6'0" WEIGHT 265 lbs BODY FAT 36% |
AGE 30 HEIGHT 6'0" WEIGHT 170 lbs BODY FAT 6.8% |
I was 19 stone, unhappy with my body, and tired of a lifestyle consisting of bad eating and drinking habits. I always enjoyed the gym and had a good physique, but in the last few years I really let myself go. I decided enough was enough. This was my time to lose weight, get fit, and change my lifestyle for good.
I followed the progress of another individual who drastically transformed his body by dieting and avoiding alcohol for an entire year for charity. I followed in his footsteps to cut bad food from my life and make the most of my body.
As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Day, I ate my last bad meal and downed my glass ready to take my transformation by the horns.
From day one, my diet consisted of clean eating, no alcohol (a big change from my previous beer monster days), and five days of training. When I saw results, I became more driven to work harder. I followed strict nutrition and workout plans and ate every three hours. I never got hungry and was rarely tempted. Food preparation was key. I became regimented and took note of everything I put in my body.
I gained motivation by posting monthly progress shots on social media. My phone is full of inspirational physiques, which I look at to stay focused.
Finding training and workout plans on the Internet is a minefield. I saw Kris Gethin's 12-Week Hardcore Trainer on Bodybuilding.com and committed. I came across Kris' cousin Adam Gethin, who also specializes in fitness and nutrition. He's the most down-to-earth person I've ever met. He's truly an inspiration to me. A great friend now, Adam helped me understand what needs to be done to reach my goals.
Adam's fan page is full of knowledge on workouts and nutrition.
My body changed dramatically during my transformation. My starting weight was 265 pounds with 36 percent body fat. On July 1, I weighed 170 pounds with 6.8 percent body fat. I lost a total of 95 pounds and 29 percent body fat. To say I was pleased is an understatement.
Some friends and family members don't recognize me. My wife is pleased with my new physique too. She was a huge cornerstone in my transformation and was there from day one hitting the gym just as hard as me. We pick each other up if we're having a bad day. Jane corrects my form when needed and makes an awesome spotter. Jane is the foundation behind my transformation. I changed for myself and my relationship.
Swapping pubs for the gym was hard to begin with, especially on sunny evenings, but once I saw changes in my body composition it got easier every day.
I'm happy with my achievements, but it doesn't stop there. I want to maintain my new physique and progress to the next level. I've got a great base, now it's time to add size.
From someone who found it hard to change my unhealthy lifestyle, take it from me, the first step is the hardest. Every day after that gets easier as you continue to smash goals.
The gym is a great place to rid the mind of stress and torch body fat. You never walk out of the gym and regret working out. You walk out knowing you're one step closer to the end goal.
I can't stress intensity enough. Never do anything by half measures. If you don't walk out of the gym with your body at or near its breaking point, then you need to push harder. Intensity creates results and greater gains in a shorter timeframe. Incorporating supersets and giant sets helped my body composition and goal achievement.
Don't let anyone say you can't do something. You are responsible for successes and failures in your life. When the clock struck midnight on New Year's and my transformation began, everyone said I'll never do it. Guess what? I did.
Bodybuilding.com is a great aid for training and nutrition. I incorporated many recipes into my food intake by working macros and nutritional content into my daily meals. It's like your cheating, but you're not. The community within the website provides help and advice. It's all only one click away.