Last Visit: Yesterday, 11:07am Last Forum Post: Sep 7, 2009 3:58pm Last Photo Upload: Jul 3, 2009 10:50am Last Profile Update: Yesterday, 10:57am Last Blog Post: Jan 25, 2009 4:22pm
Overall Goal: My first "Real" Bodybuilding competition is now over...took 3rd place out of 9 competitors, met BOTH my personal goals with that 3rd place! Very happy!
Fit Status:
Contemplating my next goal...
Motivation Level: 10/10
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Tom Rogers
Sex:
Male
Age:
45
Location:
New York, United States
Occupation:
Systems Administrator
Personal Website:
Primary Gym:
College:
High School:
When I Started:
Mar, 2006
How I Started:
I actually started when I was 13 - always being picked on and bullied. Was skinny as a twig. Saw a Muscle and Fitness magazine at a corner store with Mike Mentzer on the cover and I was hooked. The movie Pumping Iron helped alot too. I was bodybuilding until about 21-22 years old, got married, had a kid, and I basically let that end my bodybuilding. As you can imagine, I got overweight (though not obese) and out of shape and when I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, I decided it was time to fight back with my old trusty (dusty) friend Bodybuilding. So for most of 2005 I tried my hardest to get motivated and to be consistent with the workouts. I would do a couple weeks, then stop, etc. But in early 2006, the Bodybuilding bug really hit me hard again and I got back into the swing of things very, very slowly but surely. July 2006 I had a low back injury that sidelined me for 2 weeks, after 16 weeks of solid, steady training, and it was killing me to have to stop to let this thing heal. Well, I went back to the gym about 1 week to early and blew out a L5 disc. So I was out for another 2 months. I don't have pain, only left foot weakness/numbness that does not interfere with my life. I am finally rolling again with my workouts and taking on the rounded bodybuilder look and I just want to keep going.
Why I Love It:
I love it because it gives me the sense that I can control my own destiny. I know it is not true, because God is in control of all things, but I like that feeling. It is enabling me to fight off disease and nothing looks better than the physique of a bodybuilder.
How I Stay Motivated:
I read alot about Mentzer still, after all these years. I see how bodybuilding is changing my body and thus my life. I know how it was to be fat and out of shape. And I want a piece of my past back.
BB Accomplishments:
I took third place heavyweight at the First Annual Mr Cortland Physique contest in April 1982. This was a SUNY Cortland College contest with all college seniors in the show, and I was a high school senior! When they announced me that way, it was cool to hear the whole crowd go "ooohh". Everyone in the contest and in the audience said I should have won Best Poser, even the guy who won it, but the judges wanted winners to be College students. Things are fixed even at the local level. ;-) LOL
Forum Signature:
"It ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit, how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done."
My first "Real" Bodybuilding competition is now over...took 3rd place out of 9 competitors, met BOTH my personal goals with that 3rd place! Very happy!
Goal (Long):
OCB NYS IX - November 7, 2009 - Cicero, NY, too look like I belong there, and to place in the top 3 of the Master's 40+ class
At the show I weighed 164.0 lbs, had 7-8% BF, was ALL Natural - never even took a fat burner! Only Whey, Creatine, Glutamine. Did everything natural 100%. Now I'm going to enjoy a training break and some food I have missed for 8 months before working to a new goal...
Ed inspires me because I never thought a transformation could be done at my age, yet Ed has done it at HIS age, and I am working on my first show because of him. His progress has been phenomenal and he is always available to give solid advice to someone in need. Great job Ed and thx!
-Tom
Jacked inspires me because he got shredded for his first show without a trainer, showing me that I can do that as well. He works hard and is dedicated and helps others. Good job Jacked! -Tom
How long do you rest between sets on average? Why?
60 seconds or less but with legs, 90-120 secs. For strength you need longer rests, for burning fat you need shorter rests. For me with legs, I like to work them so hard I feel like I am going to die, so whether I am burning fat or building mass, I rest longer or I WILL die.60 seconds or less but with legs, 90-120 secs. For strength you need longer rests, for burning fat you need shorter rests. For me with legs, I like to work them so hard I feel like I am going to die, ...more
- Updated Jun 27, 2009 9:19am
How many reps per set do you usually do? Why?
I usually do 6-10 on compound exercises for strength and mass, then 12-16 reps on isolation exercises to work different fibers.
- Updated Jun 27, 2009 9:17am
Where do you mainly workout?
Gym
Why? What are the pros and cons of working out there?
Sometimes have to wait for equipment or trainers to get off what I need to use. Pros = have everything I need.
Have not reached my goal of 10% BF in 2 years...I may never it seems, but I'll be damned if I ever stop trying - something has to be screwed up in my body. Low thyroid, Sarcoidosis, something. I just have not been able to go below 200 lbs. My original goal of competing is Oct 2009 - this year...
Hey Tom, you look great! Look at your abs, obliques, striations in your shoulders, hamstring cut, and calves, awesome job! You are going to do great at your 1st comp and have a blast too! My next comp is not until March/April either the NPC Novice MI again or the NPC Flint/Mid-Michigan. -Jeff
Thanks Tom! I did not use a trainer for my contest prep. I followed information from Scivation (scivationbooks.com) for my contest prep. Continued success with your contest prep! You will have a blast at the show! -Jeff
wats up big man, lookin HUGE!! hows ur training been goin lately?
Davidguest
Jan 6, 2008 10:47am
Hi Riker, i too have sarcoidosis need some advice, email me soon, your a great inspiration, keep lifting the iron!
40 year old lifter, from Scotland
David
Hey bud! THX for the comps on the vid. I did tie for first, yet the head judge went for the other guy! Far as training, it is so varied and changes every time! I'm working with my old trainer, a conditioning trainer, and a posing coach! It is very complicated. I've turned everything over to them and they literally run my life! LOL! BTW, you're looking great! ed aka Ol Supe
Wendyguest
Dec 28, 2007 7:04pm
Tom,
I saw the ad in the paper today! GREAT job! Keep it up and tell the family we said hello!
Wendy, Don and Chris Chambers
Thanks Tom! I'm going to try my best to get there. You have made awesome progress to date! Excellent job cutting body fat while staying massive. Continued success with your diet and training and achieving all of your goals. -Jeff
