Hi,

My name is RJ and I've followed Beverly for the last couple of years. After outgrowing (in a bad way) my last wardrobe, I have finally committed to my lifelong goal of getting into excellent shape and bodybuilding condition. I plan to compete in a local show (i live in Mich) that takes place in March 2004 (8 months out). However, I am pretty overweight in bodybuilding terms...

Here's some of my vitals...
Hgt: 6'2.
Wgt: 254
BF: 29%
Waist: 42 in...

I am determined to do this show. But has anyone on this board ever been this out of shape and then dieted and exercised their way down to a novice competition level physique?

If so, i'd really appreciate and value any advice or tips you give me to help me better understand the process of getting from 30% bf to 5% or 6%.

By the way, I am not a novice when it comes to the gym. I understand workouts and supplements and also have worked out in the past. However, any help would be appreciated...

Hello RJ,

I wish you the best of luck, and hope this article helps some http://www.bodybuildingworld.com/vol8_4/monster_mash.html .

i read the article, thanks alot, it was very helpful...

so, let me ask you...

what did you do to get from 270 down to the 220's? Did you actually follow the beverly diet when you were that far out of condition (i.e. 270 lbs)?

thanks

Man, I wish that was me... Dave did an excellent job!

But, I am sure if you e-mail Beverly they can set you up with something like Dave Meyer had.

It lists his diet, and training on the second page (if you missed it), so good luck!

All...In December of 2002 I was 270 (5'11") at about 19.5% BF. In May I did my first contest, weighed in at 194.5 !!! I wasn't as lean as I could be, but considering I came down from 270, I can't complain. At 4 weeks out, I was 7.95% BF. I am getting ready for my 2nd contest. At 9 weeks out, I was already ay 7.92%.

Basically, I started out focusing on the diet. I went from 270 down to 230 without adding any cardio. At 230, I started some cardio. Jeremiah would tweak my diet here and there to stimulate fat loss.

Anyway, you will defintely need to get started right away. I was soooo eager once I started to see results. Jeremiah was constantly telling me that it will take time, you can only safely lose about 2 pounds of fat per week. Any more than that will be muscle.

When I started dieting, one of my friends told me that I would probably be a Light Heavyweight, I didn't believe him. I was amazed at how much fat I had. When I was 270, my legs were solid, but because my waist was 45 inches (40 jeans), they didn't look good. But now, they are one of my best bodyparts because my waist is so much smaller (and the diet helped me keep good muscle). My waist used to measure 45 inches, now I am about 35 inches and I have 7 more weeks before my show.

Good luck and keep at it, it will take some time but the end result is amazing and well worth it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dwayne

I have not yet competed, but I started out at 5'10" and 245 pounds with a 42" waist. I fell victim to the common myth that, only a little more and I am going to be shredded. I underestimated my body fat and overestimated my muscle, etc. Through a combination of programs such as Body-for-LIFE and the Leanness Lifestyle, I trimmed down to 178 pounds at just under 7% body fat (or so I thought at the time). I fluctuated from there but just recently made it back to the 179 mark, but believe no I am more like 8%.

It can certainly be done but here is my advice. I believe there are a ton of routes to get from 30% to 10% or even 8% ... eat less, exercise more, etc.

But to get to true, shredded competition shape - 3 or 4 percent body fat, for example, that requires a lot of science, precise timing, quality food, supplementation, and of course, courage. While I am a certified fitness trainer as well as a specialist in performance nutrition, I believe there is a huge gap between what is in a textbook or an isolated research project versus the reality of actually competing (not to mention the fact that there are few studies dealing specifically with what it takes to come in on stage in peak performance at an ultra-low body fat).

To make a short story boring, I have had so many friends who have made incredible changes (Harry "Hank" Johnson, Jr. and Tom Anthony Roehl are two examples) affiliated with Beverly, that I decided for my goal of competing in July 2004 (Mr. Georgia) I would put myself 100% in their hands. What it seems to me from the experience I have with people who have used them and from the newsletters, they specialize in helping people get shredded. Since I am 178 at 8% and probably would be down to 169 or something to get on stage, my main advantage is not going to be size but rather how lean and shredded and ripped I can be .. and I doubt any of what I've done in the past will do that, so I'm putting faith in my advisor, Jeremiah, to get me there!

Jeremy

Check out the article at the link below - I have been there!

Rachel

http://www.bodymusclejournal.com/vol04/rachel_legs.html

Rachel, can you let me know your email address please, would like to ask you some questions regarding your preparation! Thank you.
You can email me at sue@idealbodiesonline.com

sue...not rachel...but just go up and click on her name and her email is in her profile.

JT--

DOH!! I'm a dodo. Thanks

RJ,
It can be done.

My Progress at fat loss.

NEVER GIVEUP!

WOW Rick. Just have to poke my hand in with a big THUMB STICKING UP. GREAT JOB ... you are a true inspiration!

Jeremy

My email address is rjohnson@beverlyinternational.com

I would be happy to help you in your quest to reach your health, fitness and/or competition goals. Have a great time on the board all!

Rachel

Jeremy,
Thanks, but there are so many great stories here. I love to read the success stories of those that have been successful at loosing fat.

My next goal is to compete ... just deciding on a show to start with.

Later,

Rick