Ross

Male

52

Artist

Jan, 2000

I entered the second EAS Body For Life Transformation challenge. I figured that if I was going to invest all that time and energy, I should also attach a goal to the end. So I signed up to do a body building competition. I was new at it, and with my metabolic rate and over enthusiasm, I cut my bodyfat down to about 5%, and lost a lot of muscle mass along with it. I ended up at about 145 pounds. Two years later, I entered the Transformation challenge again, and ended up with the same results. So I took about three years and bulked up, getting to about 175 pounds and 18% bodyfat. I have been cutting for almost two years now, but this time my diet includes more than just broiled chicken, raw broccoli and brown rice. I am still working on reducing my bodyfat, and once I get it down far enough, I hope to begin bulking again, but this time managing my bodyfat in the process.

I did not take care of myself when I was younger, way too many drugs and a lack of motivation with regards to working out. I kick myself everyday for the lost time and opportunities to lay a good foundation for those things I have enjoyed later in my life. Right after I was married, I started into martial arts and worked to a 4th degree blackbelt. I loved the energy and confidence it gave me...as well as the competition of battling someone in the ring...Loved that sparring stuff. At the age of 35, I started riding bulls in small practice jackpots. I did that for 5 years; mostly for the challenge of it, not professionally. It was similar to sparring, but with a strategic feel of chess to it...and I guess, higher consequences. It is a rush, and I have found few things that match it. After a few injuries began to take their toll, I decided that I was about "one step too slow" getting to the fence. I hung up my rope and have concentrated on amateur bodybuilding and just challenging myself to avoid that middle aged spread. Working out helps to keep me mobile and functioning. I am battling that age thing and have decided that I do not want to just sit down and watch TV. I challenge myself in the gym, and have an eye to compete one more time. But this next time, I do not want to just be that "skinny old guy on stage in the speedos".

I have looked through the BodySpace for a while, and draw some inspiration for the progress that is made by others. I read a lot of magazines, and I have found that I am now more in tune with my body that before. I like comparing workout programs and experience so that a sustained progress can be achieved.

I successfully completed both of the Transformation challenges I entered; and I have the T-shirts to prove it...no Corvette, no money. I also have three body building trophies, from my previous two competitions. 2001, and 2003 Light weight, master class. I was not happy with the way I looked, but preparing and going through the competition taught me a lot. I hope to do better in the next one.

Move It, or Lose It