How Did You Get Started?

After tiring of swimming a mile a day and competitive water skiing, I was looking for something else to do to stay in shape. I happened to be in a health food store and noticed a brochure from a personal trainer. That was ten years ago at age 52 and we are still at it.

What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?

Having a personal trainer makes that decision a bit easier, but basically I do chest, shoulders and tri's on Monday, legs on Wednesday and back and bi's on Fridays. Cardio on Tuesdays , Thursdays and Saturdays for 40 minutes. I usually do some straight sets of 10 to 15 reps and toss in a superset to make things interesting. Although I maintain a fairly strict diet all year, I cheat a little if there is no contest in the immediate future, but try to stay with the five small meals a day plan, which is sometimes difficult due to job constraints.

What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?

The first time I tried the EAS "Stack" of V2G, GKG and Creatine, I saw an almost immediate increase in lifts and some size increase, but that unfortunately hit a platteau and although I have tried cycling it, I don't seem to respond to it anymore. Also, the pumps I used to get went with it. What does seem to work for me now at contest time is Designer Protien, Taraxatone and Xenadrine NRG. Since I am not one who is blessed with great genes, I have to keep working out and searching for natural supplements that do the job, but I am very happy with my progress.

Why do you love Bodybuilding?

I never though I would love it, but as my body began to grow and the cuts began to appear, I saw myself as I never had before, and I liked what I saw. The comments from friends and fellow workers and the encouragement from my trainer only added to my pleasure with the sport. Bodybuilding is a two way sport in my view. You can challenge yourself every day in the gym, ever striving for improvement and /or you can challenge others on the contest stage, which, since I tried it and got hooked, has opened up a new life and lots of new friends for me. You will find me in the Natural gym until they come after me when my time in this world is done. It has improved my life and I am sure has lengthened it. I am glad I gave it a try and cannot encourage others enough to follow suit!

What Are Your Future Bodybuilding Plans?

I realize the need to improve my arms and abs which I will work on this Winter. I am just recovering from rotator cuff surgery which has cut into my training plans, but hopefully will start back in December, reated and raring to go. I also plan to cut down on the number of contests I enter in the future and concentrate on getting hard and ripped for the ones I enter.

What One Tip Would You Give Other Bodybuilders?

As the t-shirt slogan says, "Just Do It!". If a 62 year old youngster can hit the contest stage and wow the audience, you can wow yourself. Old, young, male or female, look at if nothing else as a way to extend your life and feel your best while doing it. Fitness is where it is at these days, so there is absolutely no excuse to get with the program. If you have a handicap, there are people out there who will help you, and there are even bodybuilding events for folks with wheel chairs, so you see, your only option is to get off the couch and get with the program. Your life will be richer for it.Last year was the best I have had. I had to lay off for a year after rotator cuff sutgery on the other shoulder in September, 1999, followed by another setback just before I was fully recovered. I did my civic duty and stopped for an emergency vehicle entering an intersection. Unfortunately, the guy behind me was not looking and proceeded to use my Subaru as a hood ornament on his van at 35 MPH. Fortunately, the emergency vehicle was a fire truck which aborted it's initinal run and came to my aid. They had to pry me out, since the crash jammed all the doors, and put me on a backboard for a free trip to Fairfax Hospital. Luckily, I only had a concussion, but it really rang my bell! The next day, I started having shoulder and back pain which turned into 6 months of MRIs, physical therapy and, well, you know the drill.