Born and raised in Utah, a state known for its plethora of outdoor activities and family dinners, you might expect me to have grown up with healthy habits;  You would be wrong.  The youngest of 4, and the only left at home, I grew up primarily eating fast food.  My family is heavy, and I have struggled with weight for many years.

I have always had the dream to pursue acting, and at the age of 15 decided if I wanted to make it far in that industry I would need to get in shape.  I started going to the gym, but had no clue what I needed to do to actually see progress.   My real journey to fitness and health started in college when I joined the cross-country team and started eating healthier.  My diet ranged from “normal” to vegan at some points.  I came to love being physically active and healthy.  I realized that the body is an instrument that we need to treat properly–  We only have this body for a limited time and with proper care we can be healthy for a long long time.

Now, almost 5 years out of college, with some ups and downs, I am back to my college weight.  Nice part is, I don’t have to run 5-7 miles a day to stay here.  With proper nutrition and activity I am able to stay in shape and not spend hours upon hours working out every day. Along the way, I tried so many different methods to lose weight to no avail.  At one point I was only eating 1200 calories, working out 2 hours daily and didn’t lose any weight. I tried almost every diet known to man, and it wasn’t until I really did some research that I figured out the right way for my body to slim down and tone up.  Gabe and I realized through our journey into health and fitness that a lot of the necessary information and resources to help ourselves and others reach their goals were not easily accessible.

That is where this blog comes in.  We want to help you to reach your goals too, in a healthy way.  We, having opposite goals (He wants to bulk while I want to lose weight) will be able to give advice in both areas, so no matter what you are looking for you should be able to find it here. We will be sharing our thoughts on fitness routines, diets, recipes, and many other areas to give you the tools for success.  You can be healthy and happy– Trust me. . .  It takes work, but is worth it in the end.

Filed under: Personal by DeVinePhysiques
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A long time ago, in a city not so far away, I grew up a “healthy” individual.  By “healthy,” I mean I had a more than healthy appetite, and had some of the most unhealthy habits imaginable.  I would sometimes wonder why it was I was overweight, but this was usually pondered over a 2800 calorie meal with an alcoholic beverage on the side.

And then, I watched Rocky Balboa, and that changed everything–  I had decided that, if Sylvester Stallone could get into shape, I can too!  After getting in shape through a combination of extreme caloric restriction and exercise, I would eventually gain all of the weight back.  Uncomfortable at 6 feet tall, 235 pounds, and (at the time) recently unemployed, I decided to permanently change my life.  I began working out 6 days a week, and at this point in my life (2.25 years ago), had no idea about proper nutrition or training habits.  With no regard to my LBM (Lean Body Mass, a.k.a. Muscle), I began the unhealthy process of only eating 1500 calories a day while working out for more than an hour a day.  Through this less than healthy process, I was able to lose enough weight to get to a physique I was more comfortable with, and which I felt would do better for me in my future career in Hollywood.  Weighing a light 175, I eventually began an attempt at building muscle mass while still eating and training at a caloric deficit–  This was to no avail.  Over time, I amassed more knowledge and became healthier, but I was still far too slender.  While I will spare all of the minute details, we came to a point where I was 167 pounds, and only 8% body fat.  I was happy with the way I looked, but not happy enough. . .

And that is where bodybuilding entered the picture for me.  Currently at 180 and about to start my next bulk, I have studied health and fitness to the point of expertise, and would love to impart this knowledge on anyone wishing to learn.  I have come a long way, and will attain the statuesque physique that I have been chasing.

More information about me can be found on my website, as well.

Filed under: Personal by DeVinePhysiques
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