Bodybuilding.com - Marc & Katie Lobliner's Amazing Transformation Interview!

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Did you know?
Marc was eating 4 lbs. of broccoli at one point during his dieting!

This is an interview with Marc about how he and his wife (Katie) began and continued the journey of healthy living. Read about their experiences and how they got to this point.

Marc & Katie Lobliner's Amazing Transformation Interview!

By: Louis Dorman

How many couples wrestle with their weight? Here is an even better question, how many couples successfully transform their bodies together and then build a successful business - together?

Yeah, you're probably not going to come across to many in your "google" search.

Marc & Katie Lobliner's "Scivation/Primaforce Transformation" are one of those rare couples that have successfully transformed themselves and continued to keep setting goals to achieve success in other parts of their lives.

The amount of dedication, planning and pure desire it takes to lose weight can amount to knowledge that can be put towards other goals in life. This is one of the most inspiring stories that really reflect a driven ability.

I got a chance to ask Marc and Katie some questions about their amazing accomplishment.

[ Q ] Marc, we met at the 2005 Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo. There you briefly told me that you were also once overweight. Even more impressive was how you and your wife lost the weight together. What results did you both have? How many pounds lost, body fat percentage, strength increase, etc.?

My wife and I have lost a ton of weight (almost literally). I started at around 295 pounds and my wife started at around 170. I now boast a bodyweight of around 190 lbs. at around 7% bodyfat and my wife was 122 lbs. before she became pregnant about 4 months ago. Obviously, she has put on a little bit of size since then!

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Marc & Katie Before Their Transformation.

As far as strength increase, I started as a fat powerlifter, so my strength has declined a bit. The focus of my training has gone from strictly power movements to power movements combined with cardio and other isolation and functional movements. You know, stuff that makes you healthy!

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At The 2005 Arnold Expo.

[ Q ] So when was your turning point? What type of diet, workouts, and changes did you have to make in your daily life to have those results.

"If you don't watch it, you'll get diabetes."

Then,

"If you don't watch it,
you'll need to inject insulin, not just take pills."

And finally,

"Your kidneys failed.
You're blind, deaf, and cannot drive or work ever again."

I recall coming home from football practice one day as a senior in high school to find my apartment filled with paramedics. My father had a stroke. This was not the first. It was on a business trip to Arizona when he had his first stroke. I cried for hours. I witnessed his demise and it was all because he didn't take care of himself.

My father busted his rear day in and day out to provide for my mother and I, and his neglect for himself led to a quality of life in his 50's that is far worse that most people in their 90's.

I would never let this happen to myself. Once I was done with college and I had someone I cared about deeply in my life, then it was time to prepare for the future. This went far beyond that.

What began as a mission not to die had turned into an obsession. As a fat kid, I always admired lean, muscular physiques and wished I could have one. I was working at Weider Publications and I sported a decent physique.

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During My Powerlifting Years...

People in the building said I had good structure. Jerry Kindela, then editor of Men's Fitness told me, "You get lean, we'll put you in the magazine." At that point I was on a mission.

I tried it all, CKD, TKD, Refeeds, high carb, low carb. Naturally my wife played along. She was also my training partner at this time. She was now weighing about 145 lbs. and looking hot (she got even hotter later!).

These diets, to be honest with you, sucked. I'd diet all week, pig out on weekends, then diet again. It was psychologically brutal and this lifestyle is supposed to be all about health. I hardly see crash dieting and binging on cake as a healthy practice!

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Not Exactly Healthy.

My appetite is through the roof. Supplements help (I will get to that later), but I found my haven which was broccoli. I started eating 4 cups of broccoli per day. I will get to the side effects in a moment, but it worked!

I was losing fat, not too hungry, and things were moving along! My diet was flexible and when there was an occasion where food was served, I ate. I even took my fiancÃ©/future wife out to dinner twice per week and indulged on whatever my heart desired.

I traveled a lot at the time, but my diet was great. I'd always order something like salmon and a big side of broccoli or chicken and asparagus. Before I knew it I had gone from 245 pounds, at the start, to 180 lbs. by the time of my wedding! I was shredded!

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During My Super Ripped Time.

The photo shoot kept getting pushed back and here is where the long-term effects of dieting kicked in... bad. I lost all interest in sex. All I ever thought about was food. My body was releasing gas that could have been used to torture detainees. My wife was mad at me, my breath stunk, and I had no energy. I held this condition for over one year. I dropped to a depleted 174 pounds and maintained under 5% bodyfat for the photo shoot.

Looking back, this was not a great way to live. Never again will I remain that lean for so long. I find now that maintaining a bodyfat level of 7-8% and keeping at a condition that can have me shredded within 6 weeks is fine for me.

My wife was by my side the whole time. She dropped to a super-duper-whoa momma-hot, size 4, 122 pounds. We followed similar programs.

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Katie @ A Super Hot Size 4 & 122 Pounds.

Our daily diets looked something like this, keeping in mind we trained in the evening:

Cardio upon waking (I did this, Katie didn't)
Meal One: oatmeal, berries, whey protein shake
Meal Two: chicken, veggies, EFA (peanut butter, flax, almond butter)
Meal Three: chicken, veggies, EFA
Pre-Workout: whey protein, fruit
Post Workout (dinner): lean meat, veggies, sweet potatoes or other carb source
Before Bed: protein shake, fat free yogurt, fat free cottage cheese

[ Q ] How big of a role did supplements play in your weight loss?

For fat loss, these are the supplements I depend on to give me that extra edge:

Xtend
Durablast
Thermal Rage
Glutamine
Fenotest (because that no sex drive thing sucks!)
Substance WPI
Syneburn

[ Q ] Did you train in a gym or at home? How did you maintain results while traveling?

I maintain my physique even though I travel almost every week by choosing healthy foods in restaurants, never leaving home without a Bodybuilding.com shaker bottle, and a tub of Substance WPI.

You can always find me with a carry on with a bottle of Substance WPI in it, guaranteed. It beats the heck out of airport McDonald's!

I keep my training schedule while on the road. Most hotels are affiliated with local gyms and have free memberships for guests. Last week, I worked out at the World's Gym in Dublin, Ohio and had an awesome workout.

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Beast (Derek) & Marc Deadlifting 7 Plates On Each Side!

Just being in a different environment can spark a great session! Also, when I travel with Derek Charlebois (aka Beast), we always have awesome workouts and end up posing down in the middle of the gym. People must think we're dating when they see this.

Derek Charlebois' Year For Improvement Journal.
It has been almost one year since my last competition, but I will not be competing this year. Instead I will be resuming my online training journal as readers are still responding to it from when I was a teenager.
[ Click here to learn more. ]

[ Q ] What are some of the challenges as a couple you faced when implementing this new "lifestyle"?

We also enjoy eating yummy food. It's really hard right now; you try eating clean when there is a pregnant chick next to you craving chocolate & pickles.

[ Q ] If you could give one piece of advice to anyone in a relationship that needs to lose some weight, what would it be?

Work together and never ever criticize your significant other's size. Always encourage them. This is something I am not very good at. If someone asks me if a shirt makes them look fat and they look fat, I tell them, "It's not the shirt."

Honesty is a bad thing sometimes. Stay with it and look at fitness as just another way to spend time together and forge an even stronger relationship.

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Fitness Can Bring People Closer.

[ Q ] Were there any personal experiences you had early on that helped you go on this "weight loss" journey?

I asked, "What the heck are you putting makeup on for?" She responded in a weak, morphine-impaired voice, "When you look good, you feel good."

I have never felt better than I do when I go to buy clothes and I know for a fact that I have better abs than anyone else at Old Navy.

[ Q ] What would you say the "Holy Grail" of fat loss is? What message would you like to give to all those who are struggling with their weight and struggling to figure out what sort of approach they should be following?

The best advice and results I have had so far was when I went on a diet by SciVation Director of Research and Development, Chuck Rudolph.

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Chuck Rudolph, SciVation Director Of Research & Development.

I know you have had success with his plan as well, but he taught me that it all comes down to calories in versus calories out and controlling insulin. His diet has me feeling great.

I am leaner than I was pre photo-shoot and due to his belief in balance and healthy fat, I am not experiencing side effects like before. Okay, basically I still have a sex drive! I am also gaining muscle and losing fat - amazing!

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Sex Drive: Doing Fine.

Don't fall for the hoax! If any supplement sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Supplements do just that, the supplement proper diet and exercise and help you reach your goals.

I obviously believe and use the heck out of supplements. But supplements, and even anabolics, cannot replace proper diet and exercise. They all complement each other quite well though!

[ Q ] What is your general philosophy regarding this healthy lifestyle?

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Keep Everything In Balance & You Will Reach Your Goals!

[ Q ] Why do you think so many people are overweight in America?

The Amish eat fatty meat, potatoes and butter. They have no clue who Dr. Atkins is (they have no television, how would they know?). Yet their obesity rate is very low.

Why? Because they're not behind a computer, they're plowing fields and milking cows. It's all about activity. Also, one must realize that an Amish family probably isn't picking up Burger King for dinner, they're eating whole, natural foods.

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Staying Active, Looking Good.

As Chuck Rudolph said, "Calories in versus calories out." We're taking them in, and they're staying!

[ Q ] What are you up to these days? What is your vision for the future to help inspire others to reach their own individual goals?

Xtend

They are both growing very well. We are also looking to improve and expand Primaforce's offerings as well as set a standard for quality control in the industry.

We have posted independent lab tests on our products on the Bodybuilding.com message boards in the past and will continue to do that. We take pride in the customer service we provide.

Primaforce's Independent Lab Tests?
Primaforce's tagline is, "Supplements you need, Quality you can trust." To back that up, we regularly send in product for independent lab analysis. I will attach test results for many of our products in this thread. Read On...

I see SciVation and Primaforce leading the way in providing superior supplements and also giving consumers the piece of mind that they can trust when it comes to what they are putting in their bodies. We will continue to produce products that will yield significant, no BS results.