irwinnardo.com

A friend of mine called me the other day and told me that she had just started seriously working out.  She got a membership at a new gym and purchased a personal training package.  Although she sounded genuinely excited about it, there was a major flaw that caught my attention.  She had said that if it wasn’t for her personal trainer she wouldn’t be motivated to hit the gym.  So it got me thinking.

For those of us that did the IWSPA (I Want Six Pack Abs) Program, we didn’t have a personal trainer.  Granted we had Arnel’s video journals and those that are just starting have the abs forum (wasn’t around for me when I started); but we did not have someone in our ear reminding us to workout or pushing us to go an extra minute or do an extra rep.  What kept me going when it wasn’t the most convenient, or when I was too tired or sick?  For me,  I realize it was pictures. It’s the difference maker in achieving your fitness goals.  If you’re starting out on your 16 Week IWSPA journey and haven’t taken your before pictures yet, what are you waiting for?  Everytime I felt discouraged, I would look at my before pics and remember why I was doing the program in the first place.  I would also get inspired by jumping on Arnel’s myspace group and viewing progress pics of other people that did the program.

As you are going through the program take pictures every week like I did.  You’ll notice changes in your physique that you wouldn’t notice from just looking in the mirror every day. And as you see changes, you’ll realize that your hard work isn’t going unrewarded, and it’ll push you even further along in your goals. When you hit the 8 or 9 week mark, post your progress pics on the abs forum so you can inspire others.   Just a side note, don’t try to compare your pictures to others; compare your progress pics to your own before pics as everyone has different pasts and body types.

It’s been almost 3 weeks since I sprained my ankle.  For the last 3 weeks, I’ve been immobile and going to fast food drive thrus for meals.  Frustrated from not being able to do things like grocery shop, cook, laundry, and work out, things we take for granted, I ditched the crutches 4 days ago, even though my roommate, a Doctor of Physical Therapy,  highly suggested I still use them.  I have had a lot of people on the Abs Forum and Myspace either through private messaging or post responses congratulate me on my transformation and said that they were motivated to change and get their 6 pack abs.  Shaolinsteve private messaged me and said:

“…I have shown a few people from work about your results and on is definitely inspired to start training again.  All the best.”

That moved me.  I could not let my injury transform me back into what I was before I started Arnel’s program. Although limping and in pain, I decided to hit the gym yesterday for some upper body work.   I couldn’t do any leg work or HIIT, but it did feel good to get back in there.  My muscles aren’t saying that right now.

I received a lot of questions from how to get started to nutrition to alternative exercises.  Although the program is relatively easy to start and did I mention FREE!, I did have to jump around to find the right information.  I’ll try to give you step by step guide on how to get started including links.

1. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxlzhk-ygY0&eurl=http://www.iwantsixpackabs.com/ watch the video, get inspired and subscribe to Arnel’s videos on You Tube.
   
2. Go to http://www.iwantsixpackabs.com/ and sign up for the newsletter (it’s free!)  Arnel’s newsletters are really valuable and includes links to new workouts and videos.
3. There are three important aspects to the IWSPA (I Want Six Pack Abs) program:  Resistance Training (3 times a week), Interval Training (cardio), and proper Nutrition.  READ, READ, READ the information Arnel talks about on the Interval Training and Nutrion links.  Everything you need to know is on there.  The Resistance Training portion is on a very easy to follow video journal format.
4. Join http://www.theabsforum.com.  Go to the Goals and Motivation section and see pictures of regular people’s progresses.

Here’s some adivce I posted on a forum:

1. push yourself – there were so many times I felt like throwing up but kept at it
2. invest in yourself – spend the money on the bodylastics, protein shakes etc. you’ll be glad that you did in the end.  ill do another post soon on what you should buy.
3. don’t reinvent the wheel – follow the program best you can
4. ask questions.  you can comment or email me if you have any.

Good Luck!

Just a little history–as a kid growing up and all through high school I was a toothpick.  I was really skinny.  Instead of abs I had ribs showing through my midsection.  I was never really athletic but I did dance (hip hop) a lot.  Then later through college and work, I became less active physically and gained a lot of fat in places like my gut, butt, and face–everywhere I didn’t want to add weight.  Then about 4 months ago I came across a set of videos on You Tube by fitnessvip which were part of a series entitled “I Want Six Pack Abs.”  At that time I had really bloated out, sporting an embarassing 34 inch waist on a small frame.

I had just turned 32 years old,  I was lethargic, I constantly ate fast food like it was going out of style, and I sat in front of a computer for more that 10 hours a day.   I was disgusted with how I felt and looked physically and it carried over mentally and socially.

I decided I needed a transformation, but I needed a plan to do it that was proven and didn’t require me to shell out lots of cash.  I needed a plan that wasn’t a gimmick.

The “I Want Six Pack Abs” program came at the right time.  Here was a guy on the videos that looked like an average joe and not someone you see on a boflex commercial–someone I could relate to.  He wasn’t pitching a fad diet or new end-all workout equipment.  You didn’t have to pay for a membership to his site, although after the results I got I would’ve paid for the valuable information I learned.  On www.iwantsixpackabs.com, Arnel Ricafranca (fitnessvip), mapped out his 16 week plan that he did himself to get the ideal body he wanted via daily video journal.   All I did was follow his journal along with other valuable tips like eating 5-6 smaller meals per day and high intesity interval training that he discusses on the site.  I started the 16 week program on June 2nd, 2008 and concluded on September 22, 2008.  And here are my results:

Start to 8 weeks:  (lost weight, gained muscle, and hair!)

After the 16 Weeks(6-2-08 thru 9-22-08) I Want Six Pack Abs Program :  (got a tan and new tattoo)

I am so amazed with the results. There was a theory that I heard while working through the program. It was that if you have never had 6 pack abs in your life, you will never have them even if you work out hard. Abs are genetics. I just debunked that myth.

I hope to be an inspiration to other people that struggle with their weight, that want to transform their lives. If the program worked out for me who never ever had abs in my life, who is 32 years old (so called slower metabolism as you age), and who has a job sitting at a computer for 9+hours a day, and who was weak physically as I was, it should work for anyone.