BodyBlitz Challenge Measurements Before Height – 165 cm Weight – 65 kg Chest – 97 cm Waist – 82 cm Calves – 35 cm Arms – 35 cm Thighs – 53 cm After Height – 165 cm Weight – 58.8 kg Chest – 94 cm Waist – 72.5 cm Calves – 33 cm Arms – 37 cm Thighs – 51.5cm

So here we are at the end of the 12 weeks and, with much thanks to the Iron Man 12- week BodyBlitz Challenge, I have completely lost the basketball stomach and saggy chest I developed over the later parts of 2010 going into the work break up and Christmas feast modes.

Like many of the previous monthly winners, I too had spent many years lifting weights in the gym; however, not once during those early days did I come close to the lean and clean fitness machine I am proud to be today.

As I read more intently into past BodyBlitz winners and their awe-inspiring stories, I realised that if I was to achieve any given goal when it comes to developing quality muscle — lean and/or mass — nothing would ever be achieved without first knowing, grasping and realising that challenges and goals are as crucial as the very blood that pumps throughout our veins and into our hearts; this is where the BodyBlitz Challenge grabbed me by the head and slapped me upside, roundside and downright topside!

As a short note on my history, I was involved in a major car accident way back in 1993. As a direct result of the car accident, I underwent multiple surgery over an eight year period, which left me with a reconstructed hip, kneecap and right femur — plus as a not-so-nice bonus, my legs finished off being two different sizes due to muscle wastage through surgery. My dreams to be everything I ever wanted to be, including a bodybuilder, had all but vanished from the mirror.

With my dream to be a professional bodybuilder shattered, I floated in and out of various gyms to work my upper torso and later found work as a security guard at a local nightclub. Working in security gelled well for me as I could wear tracksuit pants under my security trousers in order to hide the size difference between my untrained legs; however, with my body aging along with the constant leg hiding, poor training and sad eating habits, my body was starting to feel — and show — the classic warning signs.

That is until one thankful day while I was checking out some supplements on the Nutrition Warehouse website. I couldn’t help but notice Nutrition Warehouse team member and BodyBlitz Challenge winner James Read [2006 BodyBlitz Grand Champion]. I was intrigued at the prospect of a new lifestyle, which gave me a reason to step up and take on a challenge that would bring me to a higher, cleaner and much healthier place.

Following the initial inspirational BodyBlitz ad I also noticed a ‘Need help or advice’ ad spot from Grant Mayo, a former Mr. World who, after reading my e-mail regarding supplement requirements and diet info, wasted no time in sorting out my sad diet along with expert advice on correct supplementation. I invested in a cross-trainer and a multi-machine and basically, following BodyBlitz registration, there was no turning back. I was on the road to shred, shred and indeed shred!

In my case it was diet more so than training that turned out to be the major hurdle during the 12 weeks. As I cut back on carbs, lollies, fast food, chocolate bars, ice cream and honey milkshakes I started to crave, crave, crave. Really, if it weren’t for Australian Iron Man Magazine and the inspirational stories of past BodyBlitz winners I wouldn’t have made it through.

Nowadays healthy living has become my very existence, a lifestyle if you will. My mind is switched on to the finer things in life that come with healthy living: diet, correct nutrition and a good dose of cardio, which has improved the size difference in my legs and also works in with weight training.

The BodyBlitz Challenge has completely and wholly rewarded me with a brand new lifestyle. As someone who is fast approaching their 41st birthday, I cannot express enough thanks to Australian Iron Man Magazine for developing such a great challenge! IM