So former NYDN editor Roberto Santiago, now at the Miami Herald, has been writing about his bodybuilding odyssey for the paper:
It took five months for me to transform from a 197.5-pound man with 22 percent body fat to a muscular 169-pound athlete. My natural bodybuilding odyssey began last Dec. 9, and the intense diet and weight training — interrupted by family tragedy and long work hours — paid off on May 14.
That morning, I took the stage in my first bodybuilding contest, The Superior in Hialeah, with more than 20 other competitors. This 41-year-old athlete with 12 percent body fat walked away as the 2005 Men’s 35 and Over Overall Champion. I also won first place in the Men’s 35 and Over lightweight division and third place in the highly competitive Men’s Open lightweight class.
Besides my new youthful appearance, my health has never been better. My blood pressure and cholesterol are down. I’m also more disciplined, energetic and productive. I’m even close to defeating a few food addictions. Although I had cravings for beer, pizza and fried chicken, I only wanted small portions.
Before:
Poke fun all you want — it’s actually really gutsy of him to put himself out there like this. First-person stories are tough. Congrats, Roberto!
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