At the start of the contest my weight was 206.8 now it's 192.6 total weight
loss 14.2lb. My waist was 36' now it is 35'. Measuring at the widest part of
my 'love handles' was 41' now it is 37.5'.
The workouts I used were
1st 4 weeks 'Buff Dudes and Hot Chicks
2nd 4 weeks 'TT for Fat Loss 2008 Edition
3rd 4 weeks 'Muscle Massacre
For as long as I can remember, I have done some kind of exercise. When I was
younger, I went to the gym, did what I thought were good exercises for getting
bigger and never really produced any real results. Sure, I could lift a little
more than the month before or get a little bigger for now. But overall, I have
just consistently been inconsistent. So much so, that my exercise now consists
of the work I do on my farm.
So for 20 years I have weighed between 205 and 215 at 6' tall and have been
fine with that. Why start a contest like this when I am fine with how I look
and I am happy with my weight' I am already married and no need to 'look good
for the babes'. I mean, I am a dad after all. Do dads have to be in great shape'
Those were some of the thoughts that went through my head when I was
introduced to this contest. At the same time, given I know 2 people that did
this contest, I thought to myself, 'Why not'' I was completely inspired by
Mike and Angela.
Inside of that inspiration, I was called to create a tangible goal for myself.
The context for my workouts in the past has always been,
'it's-cool-to-work-out-and-try-to-get-bigger' or
'I-want-to-get-back-down-to-205-from-215'. Not fun, not inspiring and quite
frankly, not very good motivation. I decided to take on
'being-fit-and-trimming-myself-to-nicely-shaped'. This was a goal I've never
even considered and was very inspiring and motivating.
After seeing what this program did for Mike and Angela, it was easy for me to
trust the system. I have known them a long time and knew if they got the
results they got, it must work. I surrendered to the program. It was freeing
just to follow the layout. I didn't waste time wondering which exercise should
do next. I simply did what was next on the workout list and trusted that it is
going to lead me to producing the result I am committed to.
I also found it quite awesome that I could produce great results without
having to be at the gym 7 days a week killing myself. Changing the workouts
every 4 weeks made it interesting, pleasantly challenging and even kind of fun.
The emails from Craig made much more of a difference than I ever imagined. One
email that made a big difference for me said something to the effect of people
saying sometimes that some of the workouts are easy. Craig's reply to that was
that if they are easy, then you are not using enough weight or doing enough
reps, that any of the workouts can be a challenge for even the most seasoned
person. I took that and pushed myself further. It always had me asking myself,
'can I do one more rep'' and 'can I add 5 more pounds for this set'' I found
myself being stronger and using better form than ever before.
The other thing that I started considering from of Craig's emails is the way I
eat. 95% of the meat I eat is raised right here on my own farm. We raise all
natural, pasture-raised animals. We have a quarter acre garden for great
veggies which is a big part of our diet, and many of the items we buy at the
store are organic.
But, what I realized is eating even the healthiest of foods does not
inherently mean my body is going to be healthy and in shape. I started putting
my attention on what I eat, when I eat it and how much of it I eat. I started
noticing calories. I refuse to be dominated by counting calories or being run
by a specific number every day, but, just noticing calories has made a huge
difference in the amount I eat and therefore the inches on my waist.
The overall point is bigger than the shape of my body or how much weight I can
lift. The point is my relationship to eating, fitness and being in shape has
been transformed. Inside of this new relationship, It seems natural to
continue this way of eating and exercising. That inside of my own commitment
to 'being fit and in shape'. After all, I am a dad and husband and if nothing
else, I want to be the best I can be to support my 4 kids and my wife to be
the best they can be.
It has been great to be involved in a program that has NOT been righteously
boasted as the best or a cure-all. Craig has done a stellar job of putting
together a system that when use as designed, simply produces results. I thank
Craig for the years of work that he has been put into this program. I also am
grateful for the endless support and the stand for health, wellbeing and fitness.
Sylvio
