Exercise.com is all about motivation through friendly competition. Everyone enjoys earning more points and improving their site rank – not to mention getting real results!
This week, we want to introduce you to a PRO User who is constantly setting records on the site!
With over 145 workouts logged and 8.5 million pounds lifted over time. PRO User: goREALa is ranked #4 on the Exercise.com Leaderboard. This guy is the definition of BEAST!
Check out the user story below to learn about who the man is behind these record-setting numbers!
Where are you from?
Born in Houston, raised in Minneapolis, & currently living in Phoenix.
What got you started working out?
I have always been pretty active. In high school, I played football (TE) and basketball (SF). After high school, I was Recon in the US Army. Throughout my time in the service and my adult life, working out had always been part of my life.
After I got injured and left the service in 2006, this came to a halt.
After seeing myself in a home video four years later (2010), I took notice of my 315-pound frame and realized I needed to get back into shape. I had gained almost 100 pounds since I got out of the Army!
Growing up, I never really had healthy eating habits. It never really was a problem, until I got older and more so when my activity stopped. After a year of “learning” how to eat, the weight dropped; then incorporating exercise was a win-win!
Over the past eleven months, I have been consistent with weight lifting and cardio… NOT!!! I hate cardio! 🙂
What are your current workout goals?
My focus is not so much concentrating on my body weight but monitoring my BMI. I want to continue to reduce body fat, and build muscle. Back in my heyday, I was under 8 percent body fat, and it would be awesome to get back there!
Muscle growth has never been a problem for me, I have always been pretty strong. I learned that I am a mesomorph! This may sound a little cliché but it’s not about the “number.” It’s about feeling good and looking good!
What’s your favorite style of training?
The style of training that I am using is purely weight training. Since I’m already pretty strong, my focus is improving my muscular endurance. This means I lift at approximately 80% of my max at medium to high reps with 4+ sets (time permitted).
I really do not have a favorite exercise, but if I don’t like a routine or if it’s uncomfortable for me, I won’t do it. I absolutely HATE cardio: running, walking, biking, etc., but I do know something along those lines is a must in order for me to achieve my goals.
What I have found that has made it a little better was High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This way running is short and sweet, but still does the trick!
What’s your favorite non-healthy food?
I make it a point to add some “treats” to my menu at least once or twice a week. I hear this is good for the body, as it “shocks” it and helps with metabolism.
These days my favorite non-health food is chips & dip, cheese curds, mac & cheese, jalapeno poppers, Philly cheese steak, deep fried hot dogs (from the fair), and chocolate-covered nuts to name a few.
It seems I am always fighting off my inner “fat kid”… sometimes I gotta let him out and play!
What’s the best fitness advice you’ve been given?
Simply put: Eat clean, sleep well, lift heavy!!! Two of the three are no brainers to me.
A lot of people don’t realize that results come faster when you push your limits – lifting heavy does this. I also like to do drop sets and rest pauses to muscle failure. This ensures I am exerting all my effort!
Give us an interesting fact about yourself!
I have either lived in or visited every continent of the World besides Antarctica and Australia.
Exercise.com would like to thank PRO User: goREALa for this user story and for being a consistent record-breaker on the site!
If you’re interested in sharing your user story with us we would love to feature it on our blog!