In August 2000 I started getting the itch to compete in my first bodybuilding competition. I’d been training six years while experimenting with many different supplements and diets. I read the books, every magazine on the rack, and even the “encyclopedias”. The more I read the more confused I became. I finally decided on a simple plan - eat as much protein and high quality carbohydrates as I could. Funny thing though, while I looked a lot better than before, I was not close to good enough to step on stage. I needed some major nutrition fine-tuning.
One day at the gym I approached Vic Lavender, (who had looked awesome in winning both the NPC Kentucky Championship and Mid East Regional) and asked, What do I need to do to get ready for a show?” Without any hesitation, he told me, “Avoid all the stupidity in the magazines and contact the best in the business, Beverly.”
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I was told by Vic Lavender, NPC Kentucky and Mid East Overall Champion, “Don’t mess around, go see Beverly!" |
I called Beverly the very next day and was on my way. The Beverly program was completely structured. You start with a specific goal and baseline data – bodyweight, body composition and an overview of your current development.
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Beverly insisted that I come in SHREDDED!
Their great supplements made that a lot easier. |
Although I was lucky enough to be able to visit Beverly in person, anyone who will take a little time can accumulate the needed info and send it to Beverly for a personalized program.
Here’s all you need to do:
Beverly will do the rest - just like they did for me. That first day at Beverly Jeremiah warned me that my program would work – but only if I followed it to the letter. In other words, to achieve my goal I had no time to waste and no room for compromise.
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My diet for the first four weeks:
Meal #1 8 oz lean 92% lean beef, 3 egg whites, 1 yolk ½ grapefruit Meal #2 Protein drink: 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 1 TBS Flax Oil, 4 frozen peach slices or strawberries Meal #3 8 oz lean meat (chicken, fish or turkey) Salad with 2 TBS Newman’s Own vinegar and oil dressing Meal #4 Protein drink 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 1 TBS Flax Oil, 4 frozen peach slices or strawberries Meal #5 8 oz chicken, turkey or fish 2 cups vegetables or salad |
Here’s my initial supplement strategy designed to gain and retain lean muscle:
After a few weeks of dieting came a critical element of the Beverly program – FEEDBACK. It was time to see my body’s response to my preliminary nutrition and supplement plan. I knew that I felt much fuller and stronger. As soon as I started using the Mass and Ultra 40 I felt a surge like something was pumping air into my muscles. But, personally, I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or if I was really on track. (And this is why photos are so critical if you can’t make a personal visit.)
The first thing Jeremiah said when he saw me again was “you look much leaner already”. He was right! I had already lost six pounds yet no strength at all! After measuring my body fat and totaling my lean muscle mass Jeremiah seemed confident that I was right on schedule so no changes were made to my diet until three weeks out from my show.
So, I trained to gain muscle with cardio at a minimum and made a few simple dietary changes:
Two weeks later I attended a Pre Contest Seminar the Beverly Staff conducted one week out from the show. In just one Saturday morning I learned all the mysteries of pre contest peaking - last minute details including diet, tanning, posing, training and even some hints on pumping up and putting my best foot forward on stage at the contest. I was given a packet at the seminar to use for a day-to-day guide the last week. It had everything I needed to manipulate my own nutrition, water, and sodium the last week in order to peak for the show.
How did it work? I’ll let the results speak for themselves. I competed in three shows; one was drug free while the other two were non-tested events. I placed 1st in my class in all three and won the overall at the Gold Cup!
I can honestly say I never would have had the confidence to step on stage if it were not for Beverly’s supplements and advice. I’m still amazed every time I think back to that first competition. Everything fell in place just as the Beverly Team said it would. I weighed in at exactly my goal weight. While others onstage with me were huffing, puffing and dripping with sweat, I remained poised, relaxed and hardly broke a sweat.
I strongly suggest that every aspiring bodybuilder visit the Beverly website, www.bodybuildingworld.com. It’s like walking into a vast library of musclebuilding and precontest diets and strategies.
I would like to thank my brother Dave for all of his support (great workout partner). And extend a special thanks to Jeremiah and Beverly International.
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Wow! 3 shows, 3 wins in a row,
including the overall novice Gold Cup I’m still amazed every time I think back to that first competition. Everything fell in place just as the Beverly Team said it would. While others onstage with me were huffing, puffing and dripping with sweat, I remained poised, relaxed and never broke a sweat. |
Postscript – a follow up e-mail from Dan: