To Build A(n amateur) Bodybuilder

As a little background, my husband (whom I call Huzzy), is an aspiring bodybuilder. This is a new-found passion stemming from years of obesity and fear of not being around for our daughter when she grows older (one that is not out of hypochondria, but out of a medical scare). To say this is a hobby is like dragging it in the dirt. He has lost about 125 lbs in the course of the 9 years we have been together, some of it in a not safe way, but most in the last year through proper diet and training. This lifestyle has steadied his moods (especially through the winter), gained a lot of self-confidence and has boosted his already inflated ego. ;) I am proud to say he is mine to stay, especially through all the mud we dragged our relationship through.

Now on to what I originally started this for:

This is a picture taken today from our monthly shopping trip. What you see here is 15 dozen eggs, 30 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, and a huge 15 pound chunk of bottom round beef that we plan on breaking down into steaks, roast, and burger. You want to know what the sad part about this is? The eggs will probably be gone in the next 2 weeks or so with the chicken disappearing sometime soon. I've already cooked up 3 lbs of it tonight. Five dozen plus 2 eggs more have already been separated before this trip and are sitting in a pitcher in the fridge. What this picture doesn't show is the 20 lbs of frozen veggies, some fresh fruit, 4 bags of spinach, 2 large jars of peanut butter, cottage cheese, oats, grits, rice, and quinoa that will also be eaten before the month is through.

Now you may think this is a lot of food for one person to eat, and admittedly, our daughter and I will be eating about 2 dozen of the eggs, some of this chicken and beef, as well as the fruit and other things, but for the most part, this is his food. Understand this, he eats EVERY two and a half hours and if he is late, he becomes a grumpy, hardheaded person to be around. That is why he repeats the 5 P's: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. It takes us (as in me, and he'll admit this) hours at times to prep for at minimum of 2 days worth of food and filter 4 gallons of water... and this is during the cut stage, which he is in right now. When he was bulking, his meals would consist of a serving of each of a sweet potato, broccoli, chicken, and rice (or some other starch).

He also trains in one way or another 6 days a week, either doing cardio, lifting, or both. This takes some time away from family at times, but I feel it is worth it for him to feel good about himself, no matter what the beating does to his body. Here is an example:

This is the consequence of doing proper form with deadlifts. Bruising on the shins that never seem to go away. It doesn't hurt him, but it isn't pretty to see.

With all this happening, he is graduating with his Bachelor's with an emphasis on public policy this Friday afternoon. His aspirations are high when reaching for the sword of the Natural IFBB competitions. He is a natural bodybuilder and has been eating clean (no junk food, smoking, chewing, or alcohol) for a year now. He is trying to raise funds to become a certified personal trainer so that he may help others who come from his background (plus he can always be in the gym).

He is a dedicated daddy, a supportive husband and friend, and a person who can't be held down. I love him to death and I am glad we went through hell to get to where we are today.