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Picture one (inset) is not truly a before-picture, because I had been working out for a year when it was taken. (I had been playing basketball, and the trainer for our team recommended that I put on weight.) Even though I had been lifting for a year and had a better sense of physical and mental well being than I’d ever had before, I still lacked confidence. I felt very insecure about my body. Although I was skinny, in my mind I thought I was much smaller than my friends. I was suffering from body dysmorphia.
At this stage, I started working on many behaviors outside the gym. I began to include more meals in the day. I especially focused on my post workout nutrition. I started including a lot of carbohydrates and ample protein immediately following my strenuous sessions in the gym. I picked up magazines to read about diet and pulled out pictures of bodies that I wanted mine to look like. I always kept a clear image in my mind of what I wanted to look like. In all my workouts, since the beginning, I use visualization as a tool. (We all can use this tool.) Even today I still think that visualization is the most useful skill I possess. Simply knowing what you want to look like is one thing, but actually picturing yourself in that flesh every day and during every workout is another story. Consistently refocusing is crucial to bodybuilding success.
In short, every piece of knowledge that I attained, I put to use. As my awareness of certain principles grew, my ability to accomplish the challenging task of putting on muscle became greater. From the beginning, I believed in the light at the end of the tunnel — that I could put on muscle. Then one day it just hit me — I was finally more muscular!
Picture two (by the pool) was taken three years later. This photo is evidence of the possibilities for all who seek to transform themselves. Lifestyle changes can bring about a better appearance in any individual. In this case, however, my physical transformation was secondary to the confidence it gave me. Although you see the physical transformation in picture two, what you don’t see is the confident individual with a heightened sense of well being lurking beneath.
The process of first developing awareness and then taking action is a common denominator in every challenge in life. Having success in the world of fitness has given me a point of reference for achieving success with almost any challenge in life. I preach to my clients to use their workouts to help empower themselves and improve their work and social relationships, because transformation truly means changing in many areas. I have posted my pictures to inspire the reader of this article. I invite you to begin your own transformation with The Louis Edward Body and enjoy all of the same rewards it has yielded for me.
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