Maintenance. That has been quite a scary word since my finale last December. Everyone warned me about it, but I would always think to myself that it would be a whiz. Piece of cake! Truth be told, the daily struggles of maintenance are something that I believe I will deal with for the rest of my life.

Like I’ve stated before, I went back to lifting weights soon after my finale. I hit the weights hard and put myself on a muscle building program with the help of ProteinBlitz’s 60g of protein per serving. I figured I would need all the calories I could get while building, so my eating got a little out of control. Now, it is nearly physiologically impossible to pack on a bunch of muscle without adding on a little fat as well. So for three months I bulked and bulked and bulked. I was working out a lot so I felt as though I needed those calories to add muscle, but I took in more than I could handle, so my weight jumped up more than I expected. It was kind of like a slap in the face when I stepped on the scale.

I needed to change things up. For the last two months I have been in the cut phase of my program. I had to trim a little more than expected, but I knew it had to be done. I increased my cardio and actually added more protein shakes with the Protein Blitz while dropping my overall caloric intake. I’m proud to say I’ve actually dropped more than 15 pounds, but more importantly, I’ve packed on even more muscle than before. I’m two notches in on my belt, my pants are a lot looser, and I’m actually starting to see abs again! Who knew they would come back.

I feel unbelievable right now. There are two weeks left until the next Biggest Loser finale and I will be the on stage correspondent for DietsInReview.com. I was almost dreading doing it in the shape I was in a couple months ago, but look forward to doing it in the shape that I am in now. I can’t wait to wow everyone with my new muscular frame. I pick things up and put them down!

Note: Mark Pinhasovich received free product in exchange for his blog.

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I haven’t posted any pictures lately. I went through a very hard medical condition which my weight went from 235lbs down to 195lbs. I was out of the gym for about 6 weeks and lived on Protein Blitz. I consumed 3 shakes a day at 90 grams of protein per doctors approval. BUT… I am BACK and VERY RIPPEDDDD and feel GREAT.

At this time I will be keeping my carbs low and my training will be very intense. Along with lots of drop sets, my goal is to stay lean and to add 10lbs of muscle. I can do this because of the quality of food, PROTEINBLITZ, training and sleep.

Look for my next blog. I will start going over my workout routine and why it is very important to consume BLITZ!!

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As a bariatric patient, I have to ensure that I get a minimum of  80-100 grams of protein per day. That sounds like a lot, but when your body is less absorptive than the average person’s, you learn to take in much more than you’ll use, just to ensure you’ll get what you need.

Of course, that is easier said than done, because my stomach can only hold about 4 ounces of food at a time! Try getting all of your recommended daily allowance of protein from 4 oz of chicken breast! Trust me, it won’t happen. That’s why quality protein supplements are so critical in my life. I don’t just like them — I NEED them.

Unfortunately, not all protein supplements are designed for bariatric patients, who must be very careful of things like sugar and simplex carbs — so when a product like Protein Blitz comes to my attention, I can get pretty excited about it; so excited, as a matter of fact, that I tend to become a vocal addict!

There. I’ve said it: I am a ProteinBlitz-aholic.

Thank goodness there is no 12-step program for this addiction, or I’d surely be charter member. So, why do i like it? I’ll start by telling you about my favorite flavor, WTF…Orange Mango. The taste is refreshingly tangy, but definitely not bitter, and there is no nasty “whey” smell when you open the bottle. Yes, there are a full 30 grams of protein per bottle, but somehow, the scientists at Designer Whey figured out how to remove the “sour” smell before sealing the bottle!

Now, it takes me awhile to toss back an entire 20 oz. bottle (because I can’t chug-a-lug anymore), but that’s okay; I carry it with me in my saddle bags on my motorcycle, or in my drink holder on my bike. I also make sure I have one in the cup holder on the elliptical, and keep at least THREE on hand in the fridge at work. When I pack to leave for the day, my insulated bag ALWAYS contains a bottle of Protein Blitz, and when i was sick last weekend, I made sure to double my daily intake, to ensure my body got the nutrition and protein it needed to recover more quickly. You know what? I actually got back on my feet after THREE days, where others report laying low for 5-7! I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all, and I guarantee you, I recommend it to others who are interested in shortening the duration of their nasty virus!

I’m no doctor, but the proof is definitely in the protein; If you want to be healthy — or get healthy — I say, you have to get Blitzed — at least once a day. I do.

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Hello All,

James Ellis here. You know, I wasn’t always in top physical form. I graduated high school weighing in at 130lbs!! But years of hard work and exercise together with a diet high in protein helped me build up muscle mass and become a top model in Hollywood. Check out my weekly blogs and find out what it is I do to stay fit.

Also, ASK QUESTIONS! I’m here to help you, so post your latest fitness question and I may even do a video blog about it.

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