Teen Amateur Of The Week: Daniel Guthmiller
October 04, 2019
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4 min read
When athletics alone couldn't suppress his desire, Daniel reached for P90X, weightlifting at the YMCA and much more to change his physique!
Q
How Did You Get Started?
I started lifting weights with my football team my freshman year in high school. I thought it was alright at first, and didn't really think anything of it. Once wrestling season came around, I realized how out of shape I was and I wanted to do something about it.
So I talked to my dad and he agreed to buy me the P90X workout DVDs. I loved it so much, the push, the diet, the transformation; that is when I was hooked. I would look forward to coming home from an intense wrestling or football practice to work out again. I completed P90X 3 times, and I started getting bored. I started lifting weights on my own at the local YMCA.
When I had a real gym to work out at, I really started to put on size. I love the feeling of being so sore you can't move for the next 3 days, nothing compares. My junior year in high school I quit wrestling to pursue bodybuilding. I found a good trainer, which really helped me improve. I competed for the first time when I was 17. I am currently training to play football in college, while lifting to put on size and training with a speed school to improve my overall athleticism.
Why Do You Love Fitness/Bodybuilding?
I love bodybuilding because it gives me a sense of control, something you can't get anywhere else. It's the only sport that you can do for your whole life, and never get sick of it. There's always room to improve, and always something new to strive for. Every day in the gym I see someone who looks bigger and better than me and that is what motivates me the most. I want to be the best; I want to be that guy who everyone looks up to - not only for having a fit body, but for showing dedication and discipline. Everyone could be a bodybuilder, but not everyone does it because it's hard. Being fit and being healthy are 2 different things, being healthy is easy. I love fitness/ bodybuilding because it makes you fit. It sets you apart from the crowd and helps you to be an individual. I want to make a name for myself, and I feel that fitness/bodybuilding can help me do it.
I began following a healthy lifestyle on my own will, but I know for a fact that I would not be as successful as I have been with it without my friends and family. My family for one has bought all the food I eat, which is more than the usual person eats! My clean eating has even made my family healthier. When they started buying my healthy food, they no longer bought the junk frozen food and candy they used to. My whole family now eats a generally clean diet, and it has improved their lives as well. Their support has helped me so much I can even begin to tell. My friends are also supportive of my goals. They understand what I'm doing and why I do it. I've found out that it truly does help to surround yourself with people that will make you better instead of drag you down.
Seeing myself change over time has been my biggest motivation to achieve my goals. At first I felt like nothing was ever going to happen and all my hard work was pointless, but then after about a solid 4 months of working out I saw the changes I was looking for. Once I reached the goals I made, I set new ones. Setting goals and creating a plan helped me to stay focused and on track. As of now, my goal is to play college football. Through my speed training and weight lifting, I have various goals set to hopefully reach that dream. Now it's just a matter of time.
As of now, my fitness goal is to play college football. If I do not succeed in my goal, I will continue with bodybuilding through out college and the rest of my life. It's a sport, as well as a lifestyle, which is why I love it so much. I can body build for the rest of my life, but I only have one chance to play football. That is why it is my main goal right now. I do not want to leave it up to fate; I will go out and get it.
The biggest tip I can offer is to never get discouraged. It's hard to stay motivated, especially when you spend day after day, hour after hour in the gym, field, or court, and don't see the results you want. Things like this take time and patience, so wait and your time will come. Dreams are what get you started, but discipline is what keeps you going.
My favorite bodybuilder is Frank Zane. His symmetry and definition was incredible, he had a solid diet and solid workout which he stuck to until he was the best. Even though he's done competing, he remains in amazing shape, which is how I hope to be. Also, I look up to Steve Cook. I met him once at a bodybuilding expo and he looked amazing. He's from the same town as I am, so it's cool knowing that it is possible for me to accomplish the same thing as he has.
I use other people on BodySpace as motivation. Seeing other people going through the same struggles I am helps keep me going. I have those days sometimes where I don't want to do the workout, cook the food, and put in the effort. BodySpace shows me that I need to do it, because in the long run, I'll be glad I did.
