INTRODUCTION
YOU ARE A BODYBUILDER
Why did you pick up this book? Is your intent to radically change your physique? Is it to add some curves or muscle to your body? Whatever your answer may be, if you plan to use weights to reach your goal, then YOU are a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding gives you the ability to sculpt your body into your dream body, but whatever your goal may be—whether you plan to train for aesthetics with the goal of stepping onto a bodybuilding stage, or you just want to create impressive proportions and improve the way you look and feel—this book is for you.
LIFTING WEIGHTS CAN CHANGE YOU
The benefits of lifting weights go beyond just adding muscle. Focused training not only can change your physique, it can change your entire life. When you train your brain with strength training, it’s rewired for the better; your balance will improve, you’ll gain strength, and you’ll sleep better. As you gain physical strength, you’ll become stronger in all aspects of your life. If you’re stressed, weights will be an impactful outlet. If you need a break from the outside world, weights will provide that respite. If you need to find a purpose, transforming yourself with weights will help illuminate your path.
I can personally attest to this. Growing up, I was a skinny, shy girl with low self-esteem. Running track at the collegiate level helped bolster my self-esteem, but I still didn’t quite get “it” at that point. It took massive failures on personal, professional, and life levels for me to see the value in following a structured training plan and for it to make a significant impact on my life. When the rest of the world grew dim, I had the gym; it gave me an anchor, structure, purpose, and it enhanced my strength—both physically and mentally. I had no plans on competing when I started—I was simply working out as a way to escape my life temporarily—but lifting saved my life and gave me a new life.
THIS BOOK WILL BE YOUR RESOURCE
The training programs, tips, and meal planning strategies in this book will enable success for people of all skill levels. You’ll learn how to set objective goals, how to visualize those goals, and how to connect your mind and muscles to optimize each training day. You’ll learn how to train properly and eat to gain muscle, maintain muscle, or lean down for definition. The meal plan strategies outline the important meals for the day and tell you how to eat for each one of the main training goals. Nine training plans ranging from four days per week to six days per week are designed to target specific muscle groups and will fit any schedule. You’ll learn how to incorporate big compound lifts, nontraditional cardio, and nutrient timing into your training to make fast physique improvements, while spending less time in the gym doing it. The tips and techniques are sustainable, too, so you can continue to enjoy training and eating even after you complete a training program!
It’s in us all to strive for improvement, but we often forget how important our health is. You’ve picked up this book, so now it’s time to pick up some weights, and remember that every rep you perform will bring you closer to happiness, strength, and your ideal YOU!
Let’s go train like a bodybuilder!
