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.

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.