drtbear1967
Musclechemistry Board Certified Member
I wanted to post the article below for many reason, but mostly to inspire others to get out off their own way and be great. I wrote this article several years ago before my first contest. My life will never be the same as KP touched everyone's life he came into contact with. He had Jackson's syndrome and even though he only lived to be in his early 20's, his legacy will live for many many lifetimes
Over the last year, I had made the decision that I needed toget my health in check. I was pushing 280lbs, wore an xxl shirt, 42” pant and was 26 percent body fat. I took a handfull of pills each morning and a total of 6 pills a day for my type2 diabetes. I have seen how devastating that diabetes can be and the toll that it can take on people and their families. I had to do something and do it fast. I have been a gym rat all my life, ever since my Uncle took me to Murphy’s gym in the old Dr. Randall office on the second floor of the town square. I knew what I needed to do, but I also knew that it would be a lot of hard work.
I thought that I was eating healthy, but knew that I needed to get some expert advice so I enlisted a good friend of mine, Steve to help me. Steve and I were able to come up with a game plan. A plan that made a huge change on the way I ate and the way I worked out. The intensity level of my workouts went through the roof. I also would now be eating 6 to 7 times a day. I would have to eat every 3 hours to get the correct nutrition into my body to fuel the workouts and build the muscle that I would need. It was at this time that I decided that I wanted to enter the Kentucky Derby Bodybuilding Show. I would be competing in the Men’s Masters Physique Division 45 and over. I had made some progress at this time but was still nowhere near ready. Time to put in the work.
My world was turned upside down on the morning of December 6[SUP]th[/SUP]. After getting ready for work, I always checked Facebook to see what was going on back home. When I logged on that morning and read the first post, my eyes filled with tears and my heart felt as if it was going to explode. K P is what I will call him, had passed away. I would no longer get to hear himcall me Coach, get a hug or answer his questions about what my daughter was doing. KP had been on my soccer team when he was a little boy and for all the years that I coached he would be right there with the rest of the team which included my sons. KP’s death was my wake up call. Until now, the only one that knew I was going to dedicate this contest to KP. So, this one is for you buddy.
There have been no magic pills or powders; there has been only hard work and dedication. Hitting the gym six days a week and cardio first thing in the morning and again after my workouts. Food preparation and getting my meals lined out for the day and packed. Cutting out all soda and getting in the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats each day to meet my goals. Day after day, week after week and month after month the changes took place, small at first but as I built more muscle my metabolism increased and now I can report that I am at 195lbs, wear a large shirt and 32” pants and my current body fat is 6.7%. My blood pressure is perfect and I have gotten off all of my diabetic medicine. I check my levels each morning and they are spot on where they need to be.
I was asked where I thought I would place in the contest b ya friend of mine at the gym. I told him that regardless of where I placed, I had already won. I was healthy, I felt better than I have in years, have five of the best children I could possible ever have wished for, three beautiful grand children and a wife that is my best friend and my greatest cheerleader and supporter. I am one lucky man and very thankful for all the God has blessed me with in my life. Plus, I have an angel that will be on my shoulder.
“I like the person I am today. Everyone likes to besomebody. “ - KP
Over the last year, I had made the decision that I needed toget my health in check. I was pushing 280lbs, wore an xxl shirt, 42” pant and was 26 percent body fat. I took a handfull of pills each morning and a total of 6 pills a day for my type2 diabetes. I have seen how devastating that diabetes can be and the toll that it can take on people and their families. I had to do something and do it fast. I have been a gym rat all my life, ever since my Uncle took me to Murphy’s gym in the old Dr. Randall office on the second floor of the town square. I knew what I needed to do, but I also knew that it would be a lot of hard work.
I thought that I was eating healthy, but knew that I needed to get some expert advice so I enlisted a good friend of mine, Steve to help me. Steve and I were able to come up with a game plan. A plan that made a huge change on the way I ate and the way I worked out. The intensity level of my workouts went through the roof. I also would now be eating 6 to 7 times a day. I would have to eat every 3 hours to get the correct nutrition into my body to fuel the workouts and build the muscle that I would need. It was at this time that I decided that I wanted to enter the Kentucky Derby Bodybuilding Show. I would be competing in the Men’s Masters Physique Division 45 and over. I had made some progress at this time but was still nowhere near ready. Time to put in the work.
My world was turned upside down on the morning of December 6[SUP]th[/SUP]. After getting ready for work, I always checked Facebook to see what was going on back home. When I logged on that morning and read the first post, my eyes filled with tears and my heart felt as if it was going to explode. K P is what I will call him, had passed away. I would no longer get to hear himcall me Coach, get a hug or answer his questions about what my daughter was doing. KP had been on my soccer team when he was a little boy and for all the years that I coached he would be right there with the rest of the team which included my sons. KP’s death was my wake up call. Until now, the only one that knew I was going to dedicate this contest to KP. So, this one is for you buddy.
There have been no magic pills or powders; there has been only hard work and dedication. Hitting the gym six days a week and cardio first thing in the morning and again after my workouts. Food preparation and getting my meals lined out for the day and packed. Cutting out all soda and getting in the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats each day to meet my goals. Day after day, week after week and month after month the changes took place, small at first but as I built more muscle my metabolism increased and now I can report that I am at 195lbs, wear a large shirt and 32” pants and my current body fat is 6.7%. My blood pressure is perfect and I have gotten off all of my diabetic medicine. I check my levels each morning and they are spot on where they need to be.
I was asked where I thought I would place in the contest b ya friend of mine at the gym. I told him that regardless of where I placed, I had already won. I was healthy, I felt better than I have in years, have five of the best children I could possible ever have wished for, three beautiful grand children and a wife that is my best friend and my greatest cheerleader and supporter. I am one lucky man and very thankful for all the God has blessed me with in my life. Plus, I have an angel that will be on my shoulder.
“I like the person I am today. Everyone likes to besomebody. “ - KP
