csbrown2
04-15-2010, 08:54 AM
The Reason:
In May 2008 I graduated from college and started my "journey into the real world" and moved from Raleigh, NC to Wheatland, WY...a BIG change. Well, needless to say, I didn't know anybody here and living in a town of 3500 people (mostly older) didnt make it easy to get acquainted with people my age. Not having much to do here, after work I typically would come home, eat dinner, plop on the couch and play video games or watch TV and have a few beers. Christmas day of 2008 it was graciously pointed out to me by my mom that I had put on a few pounds...I weighed 223lbs!!! The most I've ever weighed...something had to change. So i cut out the daily beers, changed my diet and started working out at the fitness center at my office. It was sporadic at best and I found it hard to stay motivated, but by Christmas 2009 I was down to under 210 pounds. Then I found The Challenge...
The Challenge:
The way I looked at it, between the $5000 incentive and the fact that if I bought the supplments I wouldnt want to let them go to waste by not working hard, I ought to be able to stay pretty motivated for the 10 weeks. Well it worked. I did my research and started a fairly strict, but easy, diet that actually saves me money which easily covered to cost of the supplements. My workout plan was set up for 5 days a week and 2 rest days on the weekends. I ended up getting into it and added a 6th day. After that I rarely missed a day of workouts...if I traveled somewhere I made sure to do something to keep me going. I knew if I let myself slack off I'd never finish. I stuck to it and with some tax return money I bought enough equipment that I can work out at home...now I'm very confident I can continue to push and I know I'll reach my goals. The challenge not only gave me motivation, it changed my whole way of living.
The Supplements:
I have never been a fan of supplements...mainly cause of the taste, effect on my system (many make me nauseous), and some health safety concerns. I had taken creatines and protein of all types, and had decent results but nothing spectacular. So when I ordered the Creadyl and NO-Beta I was a little hesitant.
When I got them I started off slow...about half a scoop of Creadyl and 1 pill of NO-Beta in the morning, and the same with my workout in the afternoon. I was really surprised that the taste of the Creadyl (I have the lemon-lime) was pretty good. No bitter taste and it didn't make me queezy. After a couple days I made it a full scoop and 2 pills each serving, and after a week I was taking the full 3 pills each serving, but still sticking to 1 scoop of Creadyl each serving.
The pumps were instense and after I lost some of the weight I could really see the veins pop out and muscles swell during my workouts. It took a while to adjust to the niacin flushes, but they eventually quit happening. I think the most beneficial effect of the supplements during my workouts was the additional endurance I got from them. I could warm up with cardio for 15 minutes, work out for a good 45 minutes, and still have energy to do cardio after my workout. I was in the habit of cheating reps and cutting sets short simply because I would fatigue way too fast. Creadyl and NO-Beta put a stop to that real quick. Within a week or two I was finishing workouts and adding extra sets that I never could have done before. The Creadyl and NO-Beta was definitely worth the money.
The Results:
When I started the contest I was a little over 205lb and about 16-17% bodyfat...my jeans were a size 36 and were getting a little snug to say the least. I now weigh 188lbs and have about 11% bodyfat. I have started buy 34 size waist jeans and I'm not squeezing into them by any means. My strength has improved as well...one lift for example is my bench press. When I started the contest I was struggling to get 205lbs once...now I can get 245lbs twice!
People at work are constantly commenting on how much weight I've lost and my confidence in myself has dramatically improved. I flew home to see some family and friends I hadnt seen in a couple months and they couldnt believe how much I had improved in such a short time. It really helps keep me motivated to continue my progress when I hear such things.
In May 2008 I graduated from college and started my "journey into the real world" and moved from Raleigh, NC to Wheatland, WY...a BIG change. Well, needless to say, I didn't know anybody here and living in a town of 3500 people (mostly older) didnt make it easy to get acquainted with people my age. Not having much to do here, after work I typically would come home, eat dinner, plop on the couch and play video games or watch TV and have a few beers. Christmas day of 2008 it was graciously pointed out to me by my mom that I had put on a few pounds...I weighed 223lbs!!! The most I've ever weighed...something had to change. So i cut out the daily beers, changed my diet and started working out at the fitness center at my office. It was sporadic at best and I found it hard to stay motivated, but by Christmas 2009 I was down to under 210 pounds. Then I found The Challenge...
The Challenge:
The way I looked at it, between the $5000 incentive and the fact that if I bought the supplments I wouldnt want to let them go to waste by not working hard, I ought to be able to stay pretty motivated for the 10 weeks. Well it worked. I did my research and started a fairly strict, but easy, diet that actually saves me money which easily covered to cost of the supplements. My workout plan was set up for 5 days a week and 2 rest days on the weekends. I ended up getting into it and added a 6th day. After that I rarely missed a day of workouts...if I traveled somewhere I made sure to do something to keep me going. I knew if I let myself slack off I'd never finish. I stuck to it and with some tax return money I bought enough equipment that I can work out at home...now I'm very confident I can continue to push and I know I'll reach my goals. The challenge not only gave me motivation, it changed my whole way of living.
The Supplements:
I have never been a fan of supplements...mainly cause of the taste, effect on my system (many make me nauseous), and some health safety concerns. I had taken creatines and protein of all types, and had decent results but nothing spectacular. So when I ordered the Creadyl and NO-Beta I was a little hesitant.
When I got them I started off slow...about half a scoop of Creadyl and 1 pill of NO-Beta in the morning, and the same with my workout in the afternoon. I was really surprised that the taste of the Creadyl (I have the lemon-lime) was pretty good. No bitter taste and it didn't make me queezy. After a couple days I made it a full scoop and 2 pills each serving, and after a week I was taking the full 3 pills each serving, but still sticking to 1 scoop of Creadyl each serving.
The pumps were instense and after I lost some of the weight I could really see the veins pop out and muscles swell during my workouts. It took a while to adjust to the niacin flushes, but they eventually quit happening. I think the most beneficial effect of the supplements during my workouts was the additional endurance I got from them. I could warm up with cardio for 15 minutes, work out for a good 45 minutes, and still have energy to do cardio after my workout. I was in the habit of cheating reps and cutting sets short simply because I would fatigue way too fast. Creadyl and NO-Beta put a stop to that real quick. Within a week or two I was finishing workouts and adding extra sets that I never could have done before. The Creadyl and NO-Beta was definitely worth the money.
The Results:
When I started the contest I was a little over 205lb and about 16-17% bodyfat...my jeans were a size 36 and were getting a little snug to say the least. I now weigh 188lbs and have about 11% bodyfat. I have started buy 34 size waist jeans and I'm not squeezing into them by any means. My strength has improved as well...one lift for example is my bench press. When I started the contest I was struggling to get 205lbs once...now I can get 245lbs twice!
People at work are constantly commenting on how much weight I've lost and my confidence in myself has dramatically improved. I flew home to see some family and friends I hadnt seen in a couple months and they couldnt believe how much I had improved in such a short time. It really helps keep me motivated to continue my progress when I hear such things.