Stephen's Story Part 2

So after seeing the scale and how I looked in the mirror, i decided I needed to get buff! I ended up following my uncle (who at 63 years old is in phenomenal shape) to the gym and try to put some muscle on my frame. I would read bodybuilding magazines at his house but mainly just look at the pictures and never paid attention to the nutrition aspect because I was stupid and just thought to be big you just have to eat tons of crap aka "my burrito plan" i mentioned last week. I should have read the articles! By 2006, I had put some time in the gym and not only got a lot stronger, but without cardio or dieting I had managed to get my weight up to 256. (This was not a Phil Heath 256 or any competitor 256). This 256 was straight from the fast foods i had continued to eat, and I knew I had to stop. The one thing people who have had chemo know, is that NOTHING tastes good during the treatments, and anything you eat during the treatments can make you sick and that'll ruin that food for you mentally. It took me a year or so before "tasty" foods like ice cream and burgers actually tasted good and I went overboard with them. This led me to feel and looked awful which led to my decision to change it all up. I dedicated myself to reading articles not only about training, but about the science of nutrition, supplementation, and whole foods. After reading and soaking up all this surprising and new information I put together a plan and was motivated to get started transforming....and that's what I did. When? How Long? In November 2003 I was 167 lbs with absolutely no muscle or energy. In November of 2006 I was 256lbs of a lot of fat and a little muscle. Currently, I weigh 195lbs and have been measured as low as 9% body fat. How did I do it? I've lost 60 pounds and gotten much stronger and healthier by being consistent. With the thought of cancer always in the back of my mind, I stay motivated and know that going to the gym, and eating clean is a lot easier than sitting in a hospital bed fighting for my life.I go to the gym and lift hard 5-6 times a week and do cardio 1-4 days a week depending on my diet and short term goals. With this blog I hope to motivate and inspire you guys when times seem rough because I know we can get through them, just like we do our last few reps at the gym. Lets educate each other and the ones around us by asking questions, posting comments, and giving feedback whether it's positive or negative. Don't hesitate to ask questions and learn as much as possible about bodybuilding and all the aspects that go along with it. After all, bodybuilding isn't just for the guys that take the competition stage, it's for everyone trying to build their bodies.   Stephen Obar (@OBARmuscle) is a writer for various fitness publications, a personal trainer, diet coach and a cancer survivor. Stephen currently spends his time hitting the weights as well as continuing to soak up all he can on the newest and latest bodybuilding and nutrition studies and news.  When he is 'relaxing', you can find him in the kitchen, and overseeing his little brother's nutrition and training as he is a sponsored Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete.