World Physique

Photos by: BBPics.com
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee

 WP: You are the very first person I've ever done two interviews with at once! But, you have such a story about you that just one interview doesn't express everything about you. Read Cain's other interview. Usually I begin an interview with allowing the person I am interviewing to introduce themselves. But this time, instead, I'd like to take your story step by step in the interview. We will move slowly because I don't want to skip anything. It is amazing that you use to weight 40 pounds and totally transformed your entire physique! What type of toll did that cause your body and to you mentally?

 CC: Well, being overweight does not feel good at all. I always felt sluggish and old. As I started to lose the weight, I noticed much more energy and I felt lighter on my feet. It’s not natural to carry excess body fat and to not be physically active. When I lost the fat not, only did I feel younger, but I felt that I looked younger as well.

WP: I understand what you are saying. Being overweight sure does make a person feel sluggish and older. Could you tell me what challenges you faced to lose the weight?

CC: There is always going to be challenges to overcome but, you just have to stay focused and dedicated to the cause. The first few weeks were definitely not easy waking up in the morning and doing cardio first thing. It was not easy the first few weeks adjusting to the diet of eating small frequent meals throughout the day. After the first few weeks were over is when I saw and felt the changes. I knew it was definitely worth it at that point. It’s also very motivating when friends and family compliment you on how you have changed physically for the better.

WP: What was the heaviest your weight got before you realized it was time for a change?

CC: The heaviest I have been is at 240 pounds! I was kidding myself that most of it was muscle but my stomach told me otherwise. It was not comfortable at all wearing clothes that were snug. I had to wear loose clothing in order to hide my stomach. I knew it was time for a change and that I was going to need to change my diet habits and bring back cardiovascular exercise into my routine.

WP: Did you suffer from health problems when you were over weight?

 CC: I was still pretty young and I did not notice any major health problems at the time but, I sure felt older and my joints were achy. I also noticed that I had a lack of energy and that it was more difficult to breathe so, I knew that health problems would eventually arise if I continued with this unhealthy lifestyle.

WP: Now that you have lost the weight, looking back, how did you feel about yourself when you were overweight? I hear so many overweight people say, "I might be heavy, but I am happy!" I know, for myself, I was miserable and just didn't want to admit.

CC:   I was not happy at all being overweight. I used to take pride in the way I looked when I was in grade school, participating in athletics, and I was completely the opposite when I reached my mid twenties. I not only did not like the way I felt but, I also hated the way I looked and knew that being overweight would lead to health problems down the road.

WP: Did you find yourself hiding your body when you were over weight?

CC: Definitely yes! I would always buy baggy jeans and shirts to hide and feel more comfortable.

WP: To what extent did you take to lose the excess weight?

CC: I changed my eating habits from three large meals to six small balanced meals a day. I also did cardio first thing in the morning of high intensity for about twenty to thirty minutes. I was always consistent with my weight training routine but changing my diet and including cardiovascular exercise had a huge impact on my physique.

 WP: How much do you weigh now?

 CC: I am currently about 190 pounds.

 WP: Outstanding! If you could tell someone who was overweight anything, what would you tell them?

 CC: I would tell them that they can do it, too, if they change their bad habits into good habits!

WP: How would you motivate them enough to make them want to lose weight?

CC: I would show them my before and after pictures along with thousands of other people who have transformed their body. I would give them an outline to follow and show them how exactly it be done if they apply it. Knowledge is power but, applied knowledge is what creates change.

WP: Oh yeah, that would work! While losing weight, did you ever consider giving up? If so, why and explain how you were feeling?

CC: Yes, in the beginning it can be tough adjusting to the new habits and giving up things you thought at the time were better or more fun. Weekends can be tough and tempting to give up and tell yourself that you will start another week. I realized there is never going to be a perfect time to start and that the best time to start is now. You definitely have to sacrifice and change your habits in order to change your body.

WP: How did people treat you or "see you" while you were overweight?

CC: I didn’t feel that people treated me bad when I was overweight, but noticed that they treated me different when I was lean and muscular. I received many compliments when I was lean but never any when I was overweight.

WP:  What was the hardest part of being heavy, that you can remember?

CC: It was very hard to look at pictures and realize the truth that I was overweight and unhealthy. I compared my overweight pictures with my pictures when I was young and thin and realized the huge difference. Looking at these pictures was an eye opener for me.

WP: Do you feel you ate out of comfort or out of emotions?

CC: I would say both! I would many times use food as an excuse to feel better about myself when I was stressed from work. Eating out with friends was more of a social event and seemed that it was acceptable to pig out and enjoy the huge portions and side orders they serve at many restaurants.

WP:  I know I ate to fill a void in my life at the time. I didn't realize it until I started losing my weight. Did a point ever come to where you felt that no matter what you did, you were made to be heavy for the rest of your life?

CC: There was a time when I believed that, but after seeing thousands of others who have transformed their bodies through the Body For Life Challenge, I knew I could do it too! If you compete in a challenge such as a transformation challenge or a bodybuilding contest and set specific goals, you are you more likely to stay motivated and succeed.

WP:  That's a great point. Support makes a difference in a person's success. Tell me, were there some little things you did to help control your feelings and thoughts about yourself while you were losing weight?

CC: I knew having an athletic background that I could do it if I trained hard as I used to and ate right. Visualization is very powerful so one of the things I did was look at physiques that were attainable for me such as Frank Zane because I felt I had a similar structure as he did.

WP: At what point in your life did you start losing weight? Who was it that helped motivate you to lose weight?

CC: A few weeks into it I started to notice significant changes by not only the mirror but also how my clothes were fitting me. I had to tighten up my belt in order to keep my pants from falling. Eventually I bought new clothes and it was a nice feeling to wear smaller jeans that I had not worn in years.

WP: How long did it take you to lose your weight?

CC: It took twelve weeks for me to lose forty pounds. I felt that the running in the morning really helped speed up the process along with the drastic change in my diet.

WP: How did your life change once you started losing weight?

CC: I had much more energy and confidence in myself. Before, I was always tired and did not have much confidence. I believe that a strong fit body also creates a strong mind.

WP: What is your outlook on your life now since you’ve lost weight?

CC: I feel I enjoy life much more now that I have more energy and confidence. I love helping others achieve their goals, as well, without expecting anything in return. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that I made a positive impact in someone’s life.

WP: What have you accomplished since you have lost weight?

CC: I won a trip to Hawaii entering the Body For Life Challenge in 2006 through fitrx.com and this past year I was a semi finalist for the Bodyspace Spokesmodel search contest. I was actually chosen as one of the finalists to go to Los Angeles for the spokesmodel contest but circumstances came up and I was not able to attend, but was honored to have been chosen. I competed in my first bodybuilding show in 2006 and won first place in the middleweight novice class at the NPC Natural Colorado show in Denver, Colorado.

WP: Wow! It's amazing how much you have accomplished! Compare your diet now to that of when you were heavy. How do they differ and what changes have you made in your diet?

CC: There is a big difference in my diet between now and the past. In the past I did not plan at all. I just ate whatever I craved and ate as much as I wanted. Now I plan on what I eat and spread it out throughout the day into usually six meals a day and with much smaller portions focusing on lean complete proteins and complex carbohydrates with veggies.

WP: How do you feel about yourself now?

CC: I am proud with what I have accomplished and am proud to help others achieve their fitness goals.

WP: What keeps you motivated now?

CC: Progress keeps me motivated knowing that there is always more room to constantly improve as I age gracefully.

 WP: What is the one food you still love and eat, although you know it's not good for you?

 CC: Sunday is usually my cheat day that I will eat foods such as Pizza, Mexican food, cheeseburgers, etc. You have to keep your sanity and live a little every once in a while. I may just have one of these foods once a week or more depending on how strict I was during the week with my diet and exercise program.

 WP: What makes you?

 CC: What makes me is the will to want to be the best that I can be, both physically and spiritually.

 WP: Are you different inside since you have lost weight or do you feel you’re still the same person?

CC: I still feel the same person but do have more confidence in myself now.

WP: I wished more people would understand that, too. Whether the person is heavy or thin, it's still a person inside. What makes you happy?

CC: Spending time with friends and family along with being in great shape!

WP: The interview is coming to a close. Is there anything you would like to mention that I may have forgotten to ask?

CC: No, I believe you have done a great job with the questions.

WP: Thank you, Cain. The "Before and after" interviews touches a speical part inside of me because I was once very obese. I love to see people take charge of their lives and decide to live a healthy lifestyle for themselves, friends, and loved ones. You are really a inspiration to many. I appreicate you taking the time to talk to me. I hope this interview reaches tons of people and help to inspire them, also.