By Al Short, Novice Northern Kentucky Champion-1989, Mr. Cincinnati-1991, Battle of Titans Overall-1992, Battle of Champions Overall-1996
Bodybuilding World Summer 1996
Beverly International No Nonsense Newsletter
I am certainly no stranger to the world of bodybuilding and all it entails, including dieting, supplements, workouts and competitions. I have been competing in bodybuilding contests for over eight years, and I might add I have been relatively successful in this endeavor. So taking someone else's advice on this matter is no small decision for me to make, but that is exactly what I did.
After having competed in the 1996 Northern Kentucky, I decided to turn over the five weeks before my next contest to the care of Roger and Sandy Riedinger. At the beginning of this period my weight was in the area of 205 pounds and I was slightly under 6% body fat. Roger set up a diet that I was to follow which included the supplements B-Plex and Mass Aminos. Within one week my weight was at 211 and my body fat had dropped amazingly to 5.5%. Imagine that, gaining weight and losing fat simultaneously. No new fangled hyped-up supplements just beef liver and aminos.
As time passed, Roger analyzed my body fat composition and did what I feel was one of the most important parts of my contest preparation with Roger and Sandy, a critical analysis of my aesthetic appearance. By carefully regulating my carbohydrate in-take we were able to fine tune my appearance. After three and a half weeks I was again at 205 pounds, but now I was a lean 4.9% body fat. This was not only incredible, but nearly unbelievable.
The final week Roger decided I should lower my carbohydrates to one-half of my beginning amount, but at the same time maintain my protein and fat in-take. Imagine eating sirloin steaks one week before a contest. Not only is that what I did but I did it two or three times a day. No zero carbing, no dehydration, no diuretics, just plain old fashioned hard training with intelligent dieting. During the final week and a half I started using Energy Reserve (L-Carnitine 300 mg. daily) and Muscularity (special BCAA formulation - 18 daily) to assist in burning my last vestige of body fat while retaining muscle size..
The Friday night before the show arrived and I felt great. No hunger pains, no cotton mouth, only a desire to show the changes I had made since my last stage appearance one month earlier, We did the final analysis, and wow the results were incredible, 199 pounds at 4.56% body fat. I was ripped, thick and vascular but Saturday would tell the story.
Can you believe it after eight years
of competing they taught this old dog
some old tricks?
Immediately upon undressing I started getting complements on my condition. I weighed in at 197 pounds, the top of the light heavy weights. The show went great and the diet worked. In five weeks I went from a second place heavy weight to the unanimous overall winner in a national qualifier, the Battle of the Champions. Guys, the proof is in the pudding or should I say it's in the diet and supplements. I have to give the majority of the credit for my condition to Roger and Sandy. They shoot you the straight stuff. They will tell you exactly where you are. If you are smooth or fat believe me you will know it and if you are as ready as you can be you will know that, too.
