The unexpected...

Wow!! So much has happened since I posted last!! One things I never ever imagined doing...I did! I moved back to my roots, small town USA, aka Winchester, IN. One thing you can always expect....the unexpected! Five years ago, I left a town of a few thousand, and moved to downtown Indy, in hopes of growing into my dream job as a firefighter. I turned into a gym rat, met some amazing friends in and out of the gym, took a lot of huge step in life, including natural bodybuilding,in which I'm hooked!!! So just a few months ago, I had my dream job offer!!!! But who would've thought out of every city in the nation, this offer was right back where I came from. Night clubs, bars, flashy lights, multiple gyms, all are which I didn't wanna leave, but they weren't by dream job. My family at IFD Station 45 was the hardest part about leaving. For those who don't know, I worked as an EMT on the east side of Indy. Quite an experience to say, but an experience with some great people I once called my 'every 3rd day family', but in reality, we were family...at work or not. And will always be! So goodbye Indy it was, packed up and moving to Winchester. As luck kept rolling on the good side, met a wonderful homeowner who I now call my landlord...yup, she provided the bachelor pad. Two weeks later I bought a jeep (that's what they drive in the sticks)from a local lot...learning it was her brother. LOL. Talk about all in the family! MOMMMMM!!!! For some reason, she's happy I'm back in town:) I'm glad to be closer to family and friends I grew up with! Ok...contest stuff: YES I'm still competing. I lost control of nutrition after my last show, no one is perfect and we get weak, but what builds character is how you handle it. I'm dieting down the next 23 wks for the NPC Natural Ohio and Indiana. 38 lbs to drop, running about 3000-3500 cals a day, balancing a 2 lbs a wk loss. I'll post my diet & training split soon! I'll work on getting progress pics up as well so I can share another transformation with you! Thoughts on Natural Pro Qualifier this year? Friends, family, couldn't do any of this without you!! Thanks so much. Well, it's off to sleep. Rest is big now that I'm cutting fat and training like an animal again! Training is going great! I'm even blessed to have a captain from work, and new best friend in my ring and throwing weights around like a mad man every morning at the Y! I've seen a lot of changes in that old man just since I have been here. Until next time... P.S. guys, keep your traps growing, and for god sake, quit wearing those damn skinny jeans. Thanks

The wheels are turnin'....

WOW it's been a long time since I've blogged! 13 weeks to be exact! I'm now 10 weeks out from the NPC Natural Ohio, and 12 from the Indiana!!! Looking back to old photos from the last contest prep, I'm further ahead this time! Thanks to some friends sharing great advice, and some research, I've caught onto a few more things here and there that I hope will help! The funniest and most amusing of all is applying preparation-h gel around the 'loveeee handles' and the belly. Supposedly, this tightens up the loose skin by removing water, but we'll see! Can't knock it 'til I rock it!

Every week brings new challenges, but ones that are greatly appreciated. As I sift through my diet and training program, I like to change up this, or that, or this, or that. Why? Because I can:) Every week I challenge myself to learn, to strategically plan, to make things more exciting.

Here's a wonderful breakfast recipe I'd like to share with you:

1/4 steel cut oats
4 oz egg whites
.5 scoop whey protein (i like peanutbutter/choc flav)
1 tbsp PB2 (powder peanutbutter)

**Bring the water to a boil, then dump it alllll in! Add sweetener if you'd like! Macros are: 4F 34CHO 30P (will vary according to whey protein macros)**


Current supplements I'm running:

Omega 3.6.9, Intek CLA, Fastin-XR, Beverly Mass Aminos, Beverly Ultra-40, Elite Gourmet Whey Protein, Cellucor Pre-workout, and tribulus.

There's always more supps out there as it's a huge industry, but I'm not made of a million bucks! So far so good, I'll be switching protein up to Beverly soon as I'll wanna rid of all the additives from other shakes. I still keep shakes to 1-2 a day, definitely 1 post workout with 5g of glutamine and usually one pre-workout as well. But any other time of the day, I get my protein from my diet (as instructed to from my favorite IFBB sister). I'll keep you guys updated with more diet/supplements as they change!

Training is going great! I train 6-7 days a week, depending on how well recovered I feel. My training split is different every week for 4 weeks, then I repeat the cycle. I theoretically developed this training program for myself during last contest prep just to keep gains at maximum, never hitting plateus and allowing the body to adapt. I do like to incorporate a lot of what I call 'fun factors', such as FST-7 (seven sets, 30 sec rest between, 10-12 reps, done as last exercise of the body part focused on), drop sets, rest-pause, negatives, supersets, and etc. All of which mix it up a little, and help keeping that muscle 'shocked'.

Cardio is about a 90 min average a day right now, although after starting my thermogenic, Fastin-Xr, I dropped from 209 to 205 in four days, so decided to cut back on cardio. Dropping weight too quick during contest prep can set myself up for a disaster, and I'll peak way to early. Words can't explain how happy I am to lower my volume of cardio!!!!! I'll get some progress pics posted soon!!!

Any comments, constructive criticism, questions, you can email to kevinshook25@gmail.com or facebook me! I'd like to hear them!

Well, I'm off to rest, but I wish you all the best, and keep it healthy!!

And I thought motivation was high before...

Since my last entry, the light has really shined on me!! I started my diet 4 days ago, which is 24 weeks out from the NPC Natural Ohio, followed by the NPC Natural Indiana 2 weeks later. Not only have I done more homework this time during contest prep that's helped me tremendously with my nutrition, supplements, and training, but the biggest gift was a new training partner who's been incredibly helpful!! She's a figure competitor training for the same shows, so being able to train with someone who possesses the same goals and can relate to every aspect of it, is just an amazing and motivating gift to have! I'm looking forward to many, many days of training together!

Just recently, I heard from a long lost friend, and icon to the sport of bodybuilding! This girl is so full of inspiration, it's just unlimited. When you have friends like this who believe in you more than you believe in yourself at times, failure is no option. I'm not letting anyone down, including myself!!!! It's game time!!!

Kristina (paramedic I work with, and pretty much my sister), is still making huge progress dropping lbs and getting in awesome shape! It's been 10 mos, and she has not lost an ounce of motivation. I'm surrounded by very encouraging friends and family!! It just doesn't get better!

...off to bed

Playing catch up...

Wow, it has been so long since I've posted on here! Anyways, life has been really good since I've last been on. Decided against competing again this year due to my selfishness of wanting more size especially with my back and quads. Looking through pics from my show, those were my weak areas that need help to be more proportioned in the challenge of symmetry. So I will be back on stage in the spring! Motivation is high, as is my goal setting! I can't wait!!!

So since I've been on, I've met so many great people. Not only in my favorite sport, but in general. I've learned everyone you meet in life has a spot and plays a role. Friends mean the world and a smile says it all.

Stereotyping has again proved me wrong! I know its not a good habit, but it can easily become of one. I have a new friend that before talking to, just seemed super anti-me. Lol. Little did I know I guess I seemed to have the same affect. Word to the wise, just say hi. 8)

Well, I'm in bed typing from the phone and really need to catch some zzzzz's before am cardio and work. Hope everyone is doing well! Stay fit!

Paying it forward...

Just a few pics of some very close people who stood either beside me during my journey, or behind me to provide the swift kick I sometimes needed to get motivated! ha

Ray is a great friend and coworker who knew my training program better than me. For instance, one late night at work, knowing I still had another hour of cardio to do, but was extremely tired, Ray followed me around the firehouse, not letting me rest until I hit the treadmill. It didn't stop there, he then followed me into the weight room, and sat on the bench talking to me the entire hour I was on the treadmill, making sure I didn't sell myself short. What a guy!

These two deserve their own success story! Kristina and her husband Dwight have both been so motivating to me! She's my paramedic I work with, and pretty much my sister. Both her and her husband are so interested in the fitness scene, they've made huge progress since january with their own goals! I couldn't be more happy for them! This is the girl who put up with me and my dieting/training/and not always so happy 'tude when it came to late night calls. Getting up in the middle of the night never really bothered me until it involved very little carbs in the tank. haha. But anyways, I owe her a huge thanks for helping me!! Not sure yet if she knows I'm back to preparing for another show, but I'm sure she'll catch on as I break out the chicken and green beans next day we work together!

And then there's mother! What more shall I say? Wonderful parent indeed!


These are only a very few of the people I owe appreciation to, but very, very important people in my daily life who have each played a tremendous role in my transformation to where I am today! It couldn't of been done without them!

Quit talking, started walking...

So it's been a month since I've posted, but quite a productive month! I realized as cool as the sound of bodybuilding was, and how much I loved talking about it, I found myself doing just that, talking about it. I'll be the first to say, life isn't perfect, the journey from fat to skinny isn't easy, or everyone would be doing it.

From the time of my last post to my first bodybuilding show, I went through some of the toughest times I've yet to experience in 26 years. Jumped some of the biggest hurdles, and so many times I wanted to give, but yet in my mind I knew the harder the journey got, with the biggest obstacles yet, the more rewarding this had to be! AND it was! Here's a couple pics, and I'll post more later. A million words couldn't describe this experience. I'm gettin' it lean and comin' back in 12 weeks to the OCB Natural Indiana Pro Qualifier!

16 wks out from OCB Circle City <242 lbs.>

6.18.11 OCB Circle City <188 lbs.>

Carb day...

Today is known as one of few major party days amongst my friends, and the rest of the world at that! ha. So, being the sober partier I am, I wanted to just hangout at home after my training, but thankfully, I was saved! I was invited over to some good friend's house for their after-party, which I was pretty sure being the only one carrying a water bottle, I wouldn't quite fit in the crowd. lol. As I arrived, I was instantly greeted by many I knew, and overly flattered by the abundant amount of compliments, questions about my journey, and interests towards healthy living. I really don't think a single one of them understands just how inspiring they are to me! AND their food, ooooooohhhh it smelled so good. I got my junk food 'fix' by just inhaling the whole table full of stuff! ha.

Big smile as I got a phone call this evening from a long lost best friend that I thought disappeared off the edge! Talking to her brought back so many funny, crazy, and sincere memories! (Pepto please)--inside joke!!

I knew I'd attempt to visit my friends, so I flew through my day without a nap, but as planned, still finished up totalling 2 hrs cardio, 700 reps on the 'hidden' abs, and shoulders. I had a couple clients in between my training, but I wouldn't trade the world for my people! So needless to say, I finished up my cardio about 2 hrs ago, and definitely need to sleep before I repeat!

Tomorrow is a big day, as I get to train with a great friend of mine, and a successful competitor in the sport. I could never be thankful for this, as he wants to help as much as possible! I know my posing is weak, pretty sure we're gonna hit that hard! YES, I'm training to be a poser. Well, off to bed, goodnight.