Body Transformation: David Dropped 17% Body Fat

AGE 26 HEIGHT 5'11" WEIGHT 230 lbs BODY FAT 24%	AGE 26 HEIGHT 5'11" WEIGHT 170 lbs BODY FAT 7%

Why I Decided To Transform

The shape I was in before I started my transformation was without a doubt the worst physical shape I had ever been in. I wasn't always in bad shape though. I played football in high school. When I first got into college I was always exercising. I loved it.

It wasn't until within a few years into college that I dislocated my knee in a flag football game. A short time afterwards I had my knee checked out and discovered that I had a torn ACL with some cartilage damage.

I had two options: leave the knee as it is and resort to non-active lifestyle or get it surgically repaired so that I could keep living an active lifestyle. I opted for surgery, went through physical therapy, and went out on my own.

I struggled to get fully recovered on my own. I kept trying to push myself. In my mind, I thought the harder I tried the quicker I'd get better. I was completely wrong about that because I kept reinjuring my knee, taking time off to let it heal, heading back to the gym, reinjuring it again, and taking more time off. Rarely seeing the gym eventually led to me never going. Then I became accustomed to living a sedentary lifestyle.

In the fall of 2011, I became completely fed up and disgusted with what I looked like. I felt like all my muscle had turned into fat and I was losing respect for myself with each passing day. I was almost to the point of needing an entire new wardrobe, which I'm glad I avoided because that would have been demoralizing.

Over the years, I had many failed attempts to get back in shape, which I blamed mostly for my bum knee. This time I had to put all the excuses behind me because I knew if I didn't change now I would be in even worse shape later.

I had no reason to feel sorry for myself. This problem was my problem and I had to solve it.

How I Accomplished My Goals

In my opinion, the biggest thing that helped me have a great transformation was training at a gym. You will get faster results with better quality workouts. I tried those home workout videos, but could never stick with it. It just wasn't enjoyable to me, so I was never consistent with it.

Once I got my strength and stamina up from weight training, I began incorporating 30-45 minute cardio sessions 3-5 times a week. I had established a well-rounded weekly routine to follow.

The hardest part for me, as I'm sure is for many, was to stick with it after the first few weeks. I'm not going to sugar coat it, those first few weeks back in the gym were excruciating. I had to fight through muscle fatigue, soreness, weakness in my leg because of my knee, and the frustrations of not being able to jog even a quarter mile because of the pain in my knee.

The thought of quitting did enter my mind, but I knew the reason I was so out of shape was because of the other times I gave up on the gym. I just had to keep showing up and put in the work because I knew that my body would adapt and overcome with time and consistency.

I sincerely could not have done this without the use of Bodybuilding.com and BodySpace. The information and motivation I received from the site and its users was priceless.

After a few months of doing my own routine I lost 20 pounds, but I wasn't completely satisfied. I had been researching the different free training plans that Bodybuilding.com has and I stumbled upon the Hardcore 12-Week Daily Video Trainer with Kris Gethin.

I watched several of the videos the first time I checked it out. I liked how the workouts were structured and how Kris goes through the workouts with you. Seeing Kris put himself through the workouts made it so much more impactful than other training plans. You can envision yourself going through the same workouts with the same intensity.

Even if you don't want to do the training routine I recommend, at least watch the videos because Kris shares practically everything you need to know to achieve an incredible transformation. He puts it all out there for you. You just have to commit and be willing to put forth the effort.

I'm proud to say at the end of the 12-week program I lost an addition 39 pounds which brought me to a total weight loss of 59 pounds in six months. I got myself into the best shape I've ever been in. Now I feel like I can take on any challenge that life has to offer.

What is moderate intensity for cardio? An easy way to judge for yourself: if you can comfortably have a conversation or be able to drink water while you're exercising, then you should be at a moderate intensity. If you cannot talk or drink while you're exercising, then the intensity is high.

What about intensity for strength training? If you want improvement, you should always train with high intensity. Always be sure to use proper form and technique while being able to control the weight from start to end during all exercises.

Proper form and technique ensures that you isolating the muscle(s) you're targeting. This helps to prevent injury. If you want to know whether you're performing an exercise correctly or not, check out the Bodybuilding.com exercise database.

What Aspect Challenged Me The Most

When you're coming back from an old injury or have been inactive for a long period of time, you need to take it slow at first. Don't push yourself too hard in the beginning because the body needs time to adapt. This used to be my problem, but I learned from it.

Do some short, less-intense workouts at the beginning. When your strength and stamina has noticeably improved, then you can increase the difficulty and intensity.

After a few months of my own routine, I felt like I was ready to take on a new challenge, so I started the Hardcore 12-Week Daily Video Trainer with Kris Gethin. There were two things that I was worried about before I started the plan and that was being able to stick to the recommended diet and cardio.

I just kept telling myself that anyone can do this as long as they try. I remember being halfway through the program and felt like slacking, but then I reflected on the days and weeks that already passed.

I thought to myself, "Well, I've already gone this far, and those days seem like a cakewalk compared to where I am now, so I'll just keep going all out because I may be asking myself the same question a few weeks from now." I knew that I didn't want to quit because I didn't want to find myself asking, "What if?"

In the end, I not only achieved my fitness goals, but I surpassed them. It didn't come down to how strong I was, how fast, or how far I could run.

It was pure willpower and determination to live an active healthy lifestyle. It's something that anybody can tap into. You just have to want it bad enough!

My Future Fitness Plans

I want to help fight the obesity epidemic that plagues modern day society, which is ever so prevalent in my home state of Mississippi. I decided to pursue a career in fitness. This journey has made me love and appreciate fitness more than I ever.

It's amazing how fitness can change the way you look, think, and feel. Fitness is a vital component to achieve total body wellness and I want to help people who want to be helped.

I've already taken a first step towards my fitness career by becoming a personal trainer and I plan to continue training hard with aspirations to enter a local bodybuilding competition in 2013.

Suggestions for Aspiring Transformers

How Bodybuilding.com Helped Me Reach My Goals

Bodybuilding.com has been a huge contributor to my fitness achievements. I was able to connect with like-minded people through BodySpace, seek information, and find motivation through articles, training programs, and videos.

Bodybuilding.com will always be my first resort for fitness-related information.