Ken

Male

45

Lanesville, Indiana, United States

IT systems technical trainer

Louisville Athletic Club
9463 Westport Rd
Louisville, KY
United States

St. Meinrad College
Attended 1983 to 1985
Indiana
United States

Chamberlain High School
Attended 1980 to 1982
Tampa, Florida
United States

Apr, 2009

I was diagnosed with type I diabetes at the age of 2 years old. Over the course of my life I have attempted to maintain a diet plan but had trouble sticking to anything long term. In terms of physical fitness my medical conditions have always been a detriment to attaining any significant goals. I had sought for years to get advice from my medical providers on how to accomplish the body image, health and vitality that I desired with the same results. That with my diabetes, asthma and heart condition that a rigorous fitness routine was not advisable. My job requires a lot of business related travel including eating out with clients. Over the past several years my lifestyle had become increasingly more sedentary and my diet was horrible. I had continually increased my clothing size and continued to gain body fat while not being able to physically do any of the things I enjoyed. I went through stages of trying to use hotel treadmills with no real success. In September 2008 I had to buy a pair of pants that measured a 42" waist. I was taking over 16 prescription medications not including my insulin that all had adverse side effects including weight gain and loss of energy at the top. I was determined to stop this trend and to take control of my life. I began a very strict nutrition plan in September of 2008 that provided 70% of my caloric intake from protein sources, 20% from low glycemic carbohydrates and 10% from healthy fats high in omega 3,6 and 9 essential fatty acids. My main sources of food include fresh vegetables, chicken, fish and low glycemic whole grains and oats. I eliminate all carbs outside of fibrous carbs from broccoli and cauliflower after 6 PM each day and do not have a cheat day, ever. I buy everything organic that I possibly can to avoid the hormones, chemicals’ and steroids that are so prevalent in our foods. I do not eat processed or fast foods. In the end of March of 2009 I started going to a local gym after going from 262 lbs down to 172 lbs. I wanted to firm what I had and gain lean muscle. I began and maintain a Monday through Friday workout routine targeting a different major muscle group each day and work 30-60 minutes of mixed intensity cardio in daily as well. Now when I travel my first stop is a whole foods market to purchase my groceries to cook and prepare in my hotel room. My second stop is a local gym that accepts my IHRSA Passport where I can continue my daily workout routine.

For the first time in my life I have energy to spare and I feel better than I ever have. I am sore many days from my workout routine but I am healthy and feel great. My lab results have been perfect on every three month check up, my doctor does not like the intensity that I work out at nor that I have stopped all my medications. But he cannot argue that I have a medical need for them with the lab results. At 45 1/2 years old on my last visit he stated that although he would never advise anyone to undertake the fitness routine I have that I had the body, health and lab work of a healthy 23 year old male. He said he cannot explain how I have reversed the complications I have but that I should continue to do what I am doing. I attribute my health directly to my body building, my nutrition plan and my supplementation. At present I do not take any prescription medication other than my insulin. I have perfect lab results.

I closely monitor and record all my daily progress and results. I take monthly progress pictures and keep them where I can see them often. I love to hear people I have know for a long time remark about how great I look and how healthy I appear. I am the oldest of six children, recently my family was out and a stranger remarked that they had given information to my older sister. She is 25. I love the fact that my wife of 25 years finds me hot and attractive.

I have dropped not only weight but have greatly increased my lean muscle mass. I have gone from being embarrassed being in the gym to being one of the people others ask for advice. I steadily have increased my lifting weight in every routine and work to incresed my number of reps and overall weight weekly. By example in March 09 my dumbbell bicep curl was 17 lbs. I now in December 09 can curl 90 lbs for 10 reps 1RM is 128.8 lbs. For me this is not a diet designed to reach a target weight, target body fat percentage or body image. It is a lifestyle of proper nutrition, exercise and supplementation to maintain a healthy and productive life where I feel great every day. So many people I meet talk about cheat days – If this is a lifestyle then there is no such thing as a “cheat day” or departure from my routine.