"I “converted” and have only gotten results since. IT WORKS!"
Jenkin's Progress
Before
1 Year
How many months’ progress do your pictures represent? What were your stats for each picture?
1 year of progress.
Weight: 207 lbs to 142 lbs.
Body fat: 25% to about 10%.
What has happened so far on the program?
My strength improved for the first 6 months – especially my deadlift! It went from 275 lbs to 325 lbs even on a cut!
However, after the first 6 months, my strength started to decline a bit, but that’s probably because I was able to lose 65 lbs and some of that was muscle. Still, my strength is much better than it was before I started BLS though.
I had a lot of fat to lose, so that was my first step. I cut for the entire year, but the first 3 months were the most difficult. I had to figure out my diet and stick with it!
Working out wasn’t an issue, but being disciplined and not eating whatever you want everyday was tough. It was a lifestyle change and took me a solid 3 months to really make the permanent change.
My goal is to get all my lifts much stronger during this bulk.
What workout split from the book did you use?
The BLS One-Year Challenge 5-day split.
What, if anything, almost kept you from buying the book or starting the program?
I originally had started with 5×5, Mark Rippetoe “Starting Strength”, Jim Wendler “5/3/1” and read other books such as “Metroflex power building basics.” So my foundation was very much in compound movements I was trying to get strong.
The problem was the nutrition in these programs weren’t very helpful, they essentially tell you to eat. I didn’t have a problem eating or getting strong as much as I had a problem not being lean! I was fat and I didn’t know how to eat to get lean.
I came across Mike’s book and saw that it had some really great information concerning nutrition, I liked how specific it was and how Mike laid out all the basics of eating for building a great physique.
I originally was only just going to follow Mike’s nutrition plan, however after reading about the BLS program I saw it shared a lot of the same principles I had come across in other programs I liked and couldn’t help but completely agree with what Mike was saying.
I knew he wasn’t just trying to sell me a program, but that he knew what he was talking about and that it really worked. So I “converted” and have only gotten results since.
What do you like most about the program?
I enjoy the splits and focusing on one major muscle group per workout. It took me about a solid 6 months of consistency before anyone really noticed a difference. However, I noticed a difference every week especially during my weigh-ins and waist measurements. I also have greatly benefited from all of Mike’s nutritional information and very much enjoy flexible dieting.
How does this program compare with others you’ve tried?
Other strength programs don’t really go into specifics concerning proper nutrition, just eat 1 gram of protein per body pound then a bunch of carbs and fats, if you gain weight you’re doing it right if not eat more!
Or if you’re Mark Rippetoe, drink a gallon of milk a day! Well I’m fat man! How do I look like an underwear model!?
Mike’s program really spoke to what I was looking for in my physique and I appreciate how he backs everything he says with facts. Mike really connected with me as a reader and he gained my trust, I feel he had integrity, thus I was willing to follow his program.
How has what you’ve achieved with your body changed other areas of your life?
I can say that fitness has helped me to develop a sense control and discipline in my life. This in turn has helped me gain confidence in my ability to succeed. I feel more capable than I have in the past and have dropped a lot of bad habits and replaced them with good ones.
I have been filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride, which is now carrying itself into other areas of my life. Fitness is symbolic to the man I wish to become and its principles are universal. Everyone – IT WORKS!
Who would you recommend this program to and why?
There are a lot of different programs out there, however what will yield you results is your ability to stick with the program and abide by the principles given within (principles that I might add are going to be the same for every program).
Also, I highly recommend The Shredded Chef – I can’t imagine my life without Mexican meatloaf! Mike’s programs, I feel, give the correct principles needed to build a great physique and I highly recommend all of Mike’s works.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The program is not a magic pill or quick fix, it does not give you a secret or a short cut, it merely teaches principles and by abiding by the principles you will yield results but it will take time, patience, discipline, and effort – DON’T GIVE UP!
Did you use any Legion supplements?
I used TRIUMPH; best multivitamin out on the market and I couldn’t find anything else like it!
