Retiring to new challenges …
With each passing year, I find myself constantly searching for new physical challenges. Some people find it narcissistic, while others just simply look away pretending to not be aware. When it comes to my health & wellness, there can never be an end. Striving to be the best does not require a stage … it simply requires a drive that is fueled by dedication.
In my first year (2008) of retirement from the sport of professional bodybuilding, I set a goal to drop from 200 pounds of body mass to around 160 pounds to spearhead my return into print modeling. I knew from the get-go that it was going to be a tremendous challenge as I was literally attempting to reverse the incredible muscle gains (60 pounds) achieved from the previous 5 years. Did I make it? “Yeah, about that …” LOL. Even after cutting my caloric intake to around 2,000 per day, and increasing the distance of my daily runs to 6 miles, my body literally refused to drop below 175 pounds. I was stuck at 175 pounds for 5 consecutive months before I finally accepted that I was never going to be 160 pounds again … and that’s ok. Why? Achieving the goal would have been great, but having a new physical challenge is what got me on the road every morning and into the gym every evening.
This year, I wanted to reinvent myself once again. This time, my goal was to transform myself into a “super-athlete” … one that can run, jump, swim, lift, essentially do it all … and do it all well! I hypothesized that there must be a point at which all skills exist harmoniously in perfect balance with one another, one making up for any other one’s weaknesses. For example, in getting stronger, I would get slower and tighter, while in getting faster, I would give up size and overall strength. It is now August and I have achieved my balance. My body, my strength, my flexibility, my speed … all of my “super-athletic” attributes are in unison.
It takes a special drive, determination, and effort to achieve greatness in what we set out to accomplish. This is where Magnum Nutraceuticals has been instrumental throughout my quest to become my absolute best. Magnum products such as Serum, Thrust, Big-C, DNA, and Edge provide the nutritional support that I need to quench my insatiable desire for physical greatness. Their line of pharmaceutical grade, clinically proven, and cost-effective nutritional supplements makes Magnum an easy choice amongst so many products that promise but don’t deliver. Don’t just take my word for it … try Magnum for yourself. You can either be in the race with your current line of supplementation, or you can dominate the race with Magnum products flowing through your veins.
James Styler says:
Hey Eryk,
Love reading through your blogs - especially this one. I am similar in terms of what you are trying to do and where you have come from. I never competed on a BB’ing stage although I was heavily into it for years, and as a result turned to powerlifting.
In 2004 I became the 2004 Under 100kg powerlifting champion; I was the lightest lifter there at 68.3kg (the next lightest guy was 92kg)! I relate to you in the sense that I was always a ’small’ guy that could lift decent weight. My best lifts recorded at a bodyweight of around 145lbs were:
Squat: 330
Bench: 242
Deadlift: 405
Since then I was wary of neglecting the cardio side of things, and had a few issues with BP & cholesterol> Like you I felt a desire to excel in all areas - strength, extreme fitness etc etc. I have accomplished that… finally!
Keep going, you will get to 160lbs if that’s what you want. Especially when you look back and realise what you have already achieved, pretty amazing and inspirational if you ask me! Take care and keep up the great work Eryk, regards from NZ
JAMES.
____________________
JAMES STYLER (p.f.t), (b.b)
Columnist for V02 MAX magazine
Interview with 3 x Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington here:
http://www.chrissiewellington.org/media/ironwoman-extraordinaire/
TEL: +6427 5534266
WEB: http://www.stylerhealth.com
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 am