Hello everyone:

This is my first time writing and I want to start by saying that I am so honored to be featured on this fantastic website where all of us bodybuilders get to share our experiences and help each other out. I guess I should start by telling you who I am. Well, my name is Ivano and I have competed in the Musclemania Canada Juniors for two years and my next show is going to be the Superbody in Miami in June. I have actually already started my preparation for the competition in June. I am 20 years old and in school taking a business program at Senneca College. I can’t wait for the summer! My plan this year is to begin 4 months before the contest and carb load for the first month leaving the final three months as my low carb months to get shredded. Right now I am sitting at 230 pounds and the plan is to get down to about 200 pounds on judgment day in Miami. That will be 15 pounds heavier than last year.

I started working out when I was about 15 years old weighing in at a cool 110 pounds and no, I’m not kidding. There were girls in my class bigger than I was and it’s funny because even back then I told people that I was a bodybuilder when I probably looked more like a broom stick. At the time my identical twin brother was much bigger than me and all I wanted to do was catch up to him, but somewhere between the squats and the chicken breasts I got hooked and now more than double what I was at 15 in only 5 short years I love everything about bodybuilding and I give props to anyone who lives a healthy lifestyle because it isn't’t easy and it doesn't’t work unless you love it.

I can still remember the first time I began thinking about competing in a Musclemania contest. I was only 18 years old at about 160 pounds and I would continually come on the Musclemania website to see what the competitors looked like and what kind of things they all had to say. I had no idea what kind of contest I was getting myself into until I got backstage and found out just how friendly everyone was and how much respect we all had for each other, and this wasn't’t because of how good someone looked but simply because we were all there competing for the love of the sport. I can’t even explain how much of a relief that was. Especially, when people in the real world think that we’re all freaks just because we need to eat every 2 hours and we don’t believe in the idea of working out just to maintain. The truth is that these people have always confused me, especially the girls by saying, “Okay, that’s perfect, but seriously any bigger than that and you’ll be too big.” Then you gain about 20 pounds and they say the same thing! I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m happy that we all have a refuge such as Musclemania. And if anyone is thinking about competing but is concerned about what to expect, don’t be. Just do the show and I guarantee that you will have a blast and make many new friends that share your passion.

I’ll be keeping you all posted on my progress through my preparation for Musclemania Superbody in Miami and if you have any questions at all or even a good joke to tell, send me a message.

Ivano