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.

I changed my leg workout around to 15 to 25 reps. I still get the blood rush and the pump but as I get OLDER the joints and cracking of the bones are feeling the heavy workouts.

I still do a total of 5 exercise and now train quads and hamstrings in the same day. I like the over all feel of a full leg workout instead of half done workout. Meaning I want the pump and rush along with the soreness in one complete workout instead of waiting 3 days after my quad workout. My goal with the workout is to get deep cuts. If I lose a little size…oh well. I like my jeans to fit in the waist instead of the old days when you had to go 2 sizes up in the waist to fit your legs.

I have to look at longevity instead of just today. Otherwise all this heavy training will catch up to me.

I want to make one thing clear. This story is not about me. This happens all the time around the country. The thing that doesn’t happen is the fact that I am here to share it with you. On the day of my surgery I ended up having 5 different surgeries, four different surgeons at the same time. In the ICU my doctor told me if it weren’t for me working out and eating right, I would not have made it. One of the things I have learned after going through all this is that there is more to it than just preventing getting sick. It’s what happens after you’re sick and how much eating, working out, and rest is so important. Let’s face it - people are going to get sick, you’re going to get hurt, or something. No matter how much we work out, how good we eat, and how good we take care of ourself.

It could happen. It’s when it happens that makes the difference. How well you do and how fast you recover. So just keep in mind. If you don’t do it for prevention do it for recovery. It makes all the difference. In my past blogs I told you I drink three PROTEIN BLITZ drinks a day. Now you know why. I’m not saying you need three a day. But one a day just might keep that doctor away.  So drink up and know your doing your body a lot of good. I’m living proof.

So since the winter season is on its way I have decided to lose a little of the razor ripped look to getting more size along with strength gains. The goal is to get to around 225lbs. Right now I’m at 210lbs.

The training will be like this till end of year. I’m still at the gym 5 days a week but I will take Thursdays off, the rep range no higher than 10 reps and three exercises per body part. I will still drop weight in half on the last set of each exercise to burn out.

The Diet.  What Diet??? This is way WHEY of life.  You will NEVER see the changes if you don’t make that change.  For me (3) BLITZ shakes a day along with four meals average about 60 grams of protein a meal and CARBS. I eat as much as I want.  My energy should be thru the ROOF!!!

I will be posting PROGRESS PICTURES WEEKLY.

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When I start training like this I up my protein levels to around 400 to 500 grams a day and I don’t count carbs.  For me my energy level should be more than enuff and have extra left over for a little cardio warm down (gotta keep the heart conditioned).

This type of workout is for SIZE AND STRENGTH ONLY!!

I went on a overload and ate any food Iwanted but still consumed my 3 shakes a day. My theory was to send my body into shock. Well I did. I also took those days off from the gym and ate pizza, a gallon of ice cream and way to many hamburgers and fries. By the end I felt fried and my body temp was thru the roof.  And to be honest I felt shtty and didn’t sleep well.

I made it back to the gym Tuesday and I was pumped. The veins were out but I was drenched in sweat.  It will be a very long time before I load again, so this week ZERO CARBS.

In the beginning I had really no idea what I was doing. I was going to the gym in the evening, partying at night & not eating right. After months of this & not seeing results I knew something was not right. I decided to subscribe to a couple different workout magazines for some direction. Its then that I realized there is so much more that I had to do.

Working out consist of weight lifting, cardio, dieting, supplements, & consistency. To see results this is what needs to be done. Not to mention having some kind of work out plan.

I started to take it seriously & followed all the steps mentioned. I started out at the weight of 185 lbs. I was soft, flabby, & had no muscle tone what so ever. What I thought was strange is that I noticed physical changes but my weight had not changed. I was happy with my results but wanted to gain muscle weight. I the had to go back to the drawing bored. I was able to get up to 194 lbs & got stuck. I hit a plateau & felt kind of lost.

I started to get to know some of that guys at the gym. I was asking questions to compare what they where doing to what I was doing. There was this one particular guy who I noticed was making quick gains in a short period of time so I had to ask what he was doing. He had told me about an over the counter supplement that had helped with his gains & suggested I try it. So I did.

In a matter of a month I went from 194 lbs to about 211 lbs. I was shocked. I got stronger & bigger. I got carried away & didn’t realize I was starting to abuse the supplement. I didn’t think the supplement would cause any health problems because it was over the counter. Little did I know that 5 years later I would have health issues from this supplement that made me look good.

When we take synthetic supplements they makes us feel like superman. I was lifting amounts of weight that I never thought I could do but in the process hurting myself & not knowing. I had always gone to get yearly physicals & every time the doctor said I was fine. About 4 or 5 years later I changed doctors. It was then I found out that I had 3 tears in my groin & gynecomastia, which is extra tissue in the chest area that could possibly cause cancer.

When I first starting taking the supplement is when I tore my groin doing squats. I  thought I had a minor muscle strain. So over time I made it worse causing two more big tears & never realized the damage. Over time the extra tissue started to develop as well. I eventually had to have surgery for all this and was out of work for a total of 3 months.

I’ve experimented with various supplements. I had to learn the hard way that when using supplements all I needed was protein, glutamine, & creatine. That’s it! And of course a proper diet & weight lifting program. I’ve used different protein powders & always found something I didn’t like about it.

I have now returned to the gym with very limited things that I can do. Its been a long 5 month layoff & I’m excited to be back. My weight is now 180 lbs. I have not weighed this little since the end of high school. I’ve started dieting & taking the basic supplements to helpachieve my goals. Remember that supplements aid our goals. They are not the magic powder or pill & should always follow the directions on the label.

I have just recently been introduced to PROTEINBLITZ protein. By far it has been the best I’ve tried. From the powders to the RTD’s. In addition to the taste they provide the right amount of protein & amino acids for the average weight lifter. I honestly don’t see myself changing to a different brand. Other protein powders are wasted during the digestion process so your not getting the full amount that’s stated on the label. With PROTEINBLITZ I feel that I’m getting the most protein out of it. Its only been a couple of weeks & I already feel a difference.

This is a picture from my starting point. I will continue to chart my progress & send updates.