Bodybuilders train hard to reach goals

Date: 06-11-2003 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States

Jeff Johnson has something in common with the old Avis car rental television commercial. Being second will just make him try harder.

The Texarkanian finished second in the junior division of the "Heart of Texas" state bodybuilding competition last month in Plano last month after capturing the Arkansas state title last June. It was his first attempt at the Texas championship.

"I was disappointed with not winning," Johnson said. "I probably could have been leaner, but the experience of competing in Texas was good because I'm planning to try Florida next summer. This was the biggest competition I have been to and my first outside of Arkansas."

Chad McCrary, a fireman and paramedic with the Red River Army depot fire department, also participated in the Texas tournament. He has been training with Johnson and has been involved in bodybuilding for three years.

"I've been fascinated with bodybuilding since I was a small child," McCrary said. "I went to this competition for the experience, and I think I was in good contest shape. I'll compete again next summer and hope to advance in the sport."

Johnson and McCrary are in agreement that the most important and most difficult training aspect for the contest was dieting. Johnson's contest weight of 215 jumped to 270 three weeks after he returned home.

"The majority of the weight you gain back is water," Johnson said. "I've been bodybuilding for six years, and this was my fourth time to compete, so I'm growing accustomed to the dramatic changes your body goes through both before and after a contest."

"The diet was the most demanding thing I have ever done," McCrary said.

Bodybuilders diet for 12 weeks prior to a competition, and eliminate water from their diets two days prior to going on stage.

Both athletes said the right diet supplements are a high priority for bodybuilders. They make sure they both are receiving the nutrients they need while dieting.

"There is a lot of science involved in bodybuilding," Johnson said, "especially for someone who wants to compete. There is a lot more to it than eating right and working out."

Johnson recently opened a personal training studio in Texarkana and will be offering his services to anyone who desires to get in shape.

"My goal has always been to have my own studio," he said. "I have been employed at other gyms in town and situations arose where there were concerns of conflict of interest. Now that I'm on my own there won't be."

And he'll also be able to concentrate more on his own training and tying harder to turn second place into first.