"I dropped my body fat by 10% and got stronger than ever!"
Yvonne's Progress
Before
3 Years
3 Years
3 Years
What has happened so far on the program?
The before picture is from 2011. I was working out regularly back then, I weighed about 122 lbs and my body fat was at around 25%. My comp pics are from Sept. 2014 , I’m at 12% BF and weighing around 105-108 lbs. And in the 2 regular pics I’m at around 15% BF and weigh around 112-114 lbs.
I started bulking for 6 months with the program and put on almost 7 lbs of lean muscle. I then started cutting for comp and went from 21% BF at the peak of my bulk to 12% BF for comp time.
There was a point during my cut when I hit a dreaded plateau and couldn’t get below 15% bf for several weeks. I wrote to Mike and got a meal plan that helped me break through the plateau and I reached my goal of 12% bf.
Strength wise, I am stronger than ever. When I started the program I could barely deadlift 65 lbs. Before my comp prep I was deadlifting 185 lbs, which is pretty decent for girl of my size (5’2).
What, if anything, almost kept you from buying the book or starting the program?
Nothing, I was excited to get started with the program as soon as I read it. I started with Bigger Leaner Stronger and then Thinner Leaner Stronger. It really struck a chord with me, as I had been considering trying to train for my first comp and had been doing a lot of research into how athletes train.
All I knew was that all training I had done in the past wasn’t working and I knew I had to do something differently.
What do you like most about the program?
I liked that it gave me direction and motivation every time I went to the gym. I knew I had to focus on progression whether it was going heavier or popping out that 1 extra rep. That was key for seeing the results I saw and what helped me get to competition shape.
How does this program compare with others you’ve tried?
I was taught in my personal trainer courses to do full-body workouts, high-reps with a lighter weight. Yes, I know, I am ashamed. This program gave me the confidence to go heavier, fewer reps and higher intensity
The diet I got from Mike wasn’t that different from what I was eating before, but the macro split was different and that must have been the factor that helped me break through the plateau I’d been experiencing. I was just happy he managed to squeeze a tablespoon of peanut butter into my meal plan, that was the highlight of my day when I was cutting!
How has what you’ve achieved with your body changed other areas of your life?
I am definitely more confident and I’ve learned so much. I am a better competitor and trainer because I’ve been through this experience. I started my own blog and I was able to share my fitness journey with my followers on Instagram, which has opened many doors for me.
It has been a personal journey that has helped me learn more about myself and my own potential. I know now that I can achieve anything I want as long as I’m willing to put in the time and the work.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If I can do it, you can, too. It’s not a question of genetics or having loads of time or money. I definitely did not have the ideal bikini competitor figure and I’m on a student budget. Set a goal, go for it and don’t stop until you are satisfied.
