The pictures are worth a thousand words however, I need to add a few more words and try to explain how life-changing the Turbulence Training program has been for me… both inside and out!!
I am a 46 year old male – career military for the last 28 years – which means that I have always been fitness-minded. I have spent most of my adult
life in the gym (yes, a meathead) moving various amounts of iron and engaging in various types of long and ineffective cardio workouts (elliptical machine, stair-stepper, jogging, 5K/10K runs, etc).
In the last 3 years I moved from body-building to power-lifting, which is what most body-builders do when they don’t want to work on abs or fat loss, and pretty much gave up on any sort of cardio or diet… hence the really sweet (not) “before” pictures!
Two things motivated me to make changes in my life:
When I bent over to tie my shoes or put on socks, my face would turn red, blood vessels in my forehead threatened to burst, I got light-headed and felt like I was about to pass out (OK, that’s more like four things but it was one process).
A visit to the doctor indicated that I was dying on the inside (see cholesterol “before” stats below).
I ran across Turbulence Training quite by accident. I was looking for examples of bodyweight exercise programs on YouTube and ran across one of Craig Ballantyne’s Bodyweight Challenges.
I noticed the www.turbulencetraining.com address at the end of the video, googled it, liked what I read, quickly joined the Turbulence Training Membership website using their introductory offer, and the rest is history!
I started using the “Turbulence Training for Fat Loss” manual on the 6th of September 2008 after learning of the Turbulence Training 12-Week Transformation Contest. I began with the TT beginner level for the first four weeks followed by four weeks of the intermediate level and finishing with the Original Turbulence Training Workout for the final four weeks of the contest.
I followed each workout very strictly – meaning only a one minute rest between supersets, following the 2-0-1 lifting tempo and using a weight that allowed me to go one or two reps short of muscle failure. I then moved right into the interval training on the treadmill following the recommended intensity levels.
I can honestly say that anyone who doesn’t walk away from these workouts totally challenged and feeling like they’ve accomplished a great deal is flat out not doing it right!!
Another very attractive feature of the TT system is the duration. My work and family life keeps me very busy so three highly effective 45 minute workouts (strength training followed by the interval training) a week fit my lifestyle perfectly!
My “off” days evolved from doing nothing the first week or so to evening walks and finally bodyweight challenges done first thing in the morning… mainly to jump-start my day by hitting all four hot zones (chest, torso, legs and upper back) and getting my heart pumping! During the last four weeks of the contest I included the TT Home Abdominal Workouts into my routine for fast and effective ab-sculpting!
Diet for me has always been a foreign concept… mainly because most diets were too complex or flat out ridiculous in their claims (ie. They sounded too good to be true because they were too good to be true).
I read a statement somewhere in one of Craig’s manuals or in the TT Member’s Forum that literally changed my entire outlook on dieting… it was so effective, yet so simple:
“Nothing out of a box or bag; more fruits, veggies and lean proteins; less bread and sugar.”
What it came down to was eliminating processed/fried foods and eating “clean”… ya can’t get any simpler than that!
And just when I thought it couldn’t get any simpler, along came an email from Craig Ballantyne talking about the Brad Pilon’s Eat-Stop-Eat Anti-Diet and the statement “For the busy person who doesn't want to even think about the word diet, let alone go through the dieting process.”
That’s all it took for me… I started using Eat-Stop-Eat about six weeks into the 12-week contest… first once, then twice a week. I deliberately fast on work days – I don’t think about eating or stopping to eat – so I get a TON of work done!
The TTmembers.com website, in particular the Discussion Forums, has been vital to my progress and motivation. I go to the website manuals and videos for knowledge and motivation and the Discussion Forums for support and advice.
The power of group support is clear – people from around the world all sharing their experience, strength and hope using this wonderful program… I knew we were all in this together and it made all the difference in my results! Numerous TT members assisted me with an injury work-around, alternative exercises and recently answered a nutritional supplement question that I had. I have even had the privilege of providing a few words of encouragement and advice!
And now for the tangibles…
First, the Outside. I started the 3rd Turbulence Training 12-Week Transformation Contest on the 6th of September 2008 with the following stats:
Weight: 272 LBS
Waist: 48.5”
Neck: 18”
Bicep: 17.5”
Forearm: 14”
Chest: 51”
Hips: 47”
Thigh: 26.5”
Calf: 18”
I completed this contest on the 28th of November 2008 as follows:
Weight: 239 LBS
Waist: 39.5”
Neck: 18”
Bicep: 17”
Forearm: 13.5”
Chest: 52”
Hips: 43”
Thigh: 26.5”
Calf:18”
Now the Inside…
Cholesterol before September 6th, 2008:
Overall – 254 (240 is considered to be a high level)
HDL– 43 (the good stuff)
LDL – 146 (the bad stuff)
Triglycerides – 326 (Elevated triglyceride levels contribute to the
development of atherosclerosis – accumulation of plaque in the blood
vessels – the cause of coronary artery disease)
The Risk of developing coronary artery disease increases steadily as blood cholesterol levels increase above 160… mine was 254… bottom line, I was killing myself!
The good news?
Cholesterol after 12 weeks of the Turbulence Training fat loss system:
Overall – 132
HDL – 46
LDL – 68
Triglycerides – 91
All well within normal ranges!!
The intangibles?
The increased energy, confidence and positive outlook I now have is
priceless!
The great feeling I get each time I try on (and fit into) clothes that I had every intention of giving away or throwing away because I was too fat. The compliments I receive from family, friends and co-workers… It’s awesome to see people’s reaction to the amount of weight I’ve lost and the reduction in my waist size and a great opportunity to brag about this fantastic
program!
The greatest intangible that has happened so far was when a family member
was talking to me while I was changing shirts… all of a sudden they stopped
talking and when I looked over at them, they were staring at my abs and suddenly blurted out…”Where did that (pointing to my six-pack abs) come from?”
Craig, I cannot thank you enough for changing my life… both inside and out… I am forever grateful!
I look forward to a continuing fitness lifestyle relationship with you and all the great folks I have come into contact with through Turbulence Training!
Hal Empson
