Background
It all started the summer going into grade 10. I weighed 118 pounds at 5' 10". It was pathetic. I was the most out of shape teenager around. My life revolved around drugs. I smoked weed every day, even by myself. Smoking weed
led to acid, and acid led to other drugs. I was a mess.
One day as I was
going out the door the look on my mom's face when I said, "see ya, I'll be back
tomorrow or something, can I have some money?". It just clicked. She was so
disappointed in me, and when I thought about it...I was disappointed in
myself. Something clicked that day and I decided to make a change.
My older brother had gotten a weight set for Christmas. I had always admired people who were in shape and had nice physiques, so I thought why not? I messed
around with these weights a few times and started reading about working out.
My now best friend Kirt worked at the local YMCA and asked me to come in and
try it out. That first day, I knew I was hooked. The feeling I got from the
weights was better than any high.
As for competitive bodybuilding, about 4
months of working out, I came across a ticket to a provincial show. I went
up and when I saw those guys in real life, I was amazed. I told myself that
night that I was going to enter that competition and three years later I
did. Now bodybuilding is my life, a choice I would not change for a million
dollars.
Check out my Teen Bodybuilder of the month Profile!
Vital Stats
Name: Ryan Swan
E-mail: ryan_swan@hotmail.com
Age: 19
Height: 5"10"
Weight: offseason-190 lbs, precontest-175 lbs
Location: Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Best Lifts: I don't do one rep maxes. I don't feel they're necessary
for my goals, and just put me at risk for injury.
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Pictures
More pics 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
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Articles :: Sorted By Date
Getting Ripped For Summer.
Without proper nutrition, supplementation and hydration you will make little or no gains and find yourself very frustrated and most likely quit because you won't be seeing any gains.
Section: Nutrition :: May 16, 2002
Abs: Easier Than You Think.
When I am asked for training advice, I usually ask, what are your goals? And nine times out of ten, abs are at the top of the list. And why not? There is nothing that completes a physique like a chiseled set of abs.
Section: Training :: May 30, 2002
Gaining Back The Mass
I hadn't taken a full week off in over 2 years. It was like telling a crack addict to stop cold turkey.
Section: Training :: Aug 07, 2002
Eating for Mass!
My off-season diet used to include, eating everything I wanted whenever I wanted. I had read in various writings this was the way to go. However, I found myself generally low on energy and my gains were slow. I knew it wasn't my training. It had to be my diet. So I decided to sit down and figure out a fool-proof off-season diet.
Section: Nutrition :: Oct 17, 2002
Pre-contest Dieting: The Right Way!
Next, take that number and use it accordingly. For example if you want to gain weight add to this number. If loosing weight is your goal than you subtract from this number.
Section: Contests :: Oct 24, 2002
Pre-contest Dieting: The Last Two Weeks!
In this article I am going to look at what some different bodybuilders do as final preparation, and break down what these different techniques do for your body.
Section: Contests :: Jan 15, 2003
Stretch Marks: Is There Anything You Can Do?
Stretch marks are tiny tears in the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, which occur when the skin is stretched excessively. Learn what you can do to prevent them and care for them!
Section: Nutrition :: Jan 24, 2003
Competing For The First Time!
Join me while I diet down for my upcoming contest. I will have week to week pictures tracking my progress, as well as week to week articles outlining my dieting process.
Section: Contests :: Feb 13, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: Week 2
Training this week had some ups and downs. It was tough to stay pumped without many carbs in me. See how I got through it!
Section: Contests :: Feb 24, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: Week 2!
Join me while I diet down for my upcoming contest. I will have week to week pictures tracking my progress, as well as week to week articles outlining my dieting process.
Section: Contests :: Feb 25, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: Week 3
All in all, week one was pretty good. I lost about 6 pounds so far and am down to about 200 lbs. A lot of this is water, even though I am constantly drinking water, the caffeine in the fat burners is a natural diuretic.
Section: Contests :: Mar 03, 2003
Ryan Swan - Pre-contest Preparation: Week 3
Well here we are, at the half waypoint. My weight is at 191 lbs. Find out what changes I made that will affect my progress!
Section: Contests :: Mar 11, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: Week 5
Week 5 went really good. I'm happier where I am at and needed to drop my carbs that extra little bit. I have to say, I went on the threads and read some comments on my articles. I love it.
Section: Contests :: Mar 20, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: Week 5!
Week 5 went really good. I'm happier where I am at and needed to drop my carbs that extra little bit. I have to say, I went on the threads and read some comments on my articles. I love it.
Section: Contests :: Mar 22, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: The Final Weeks!
After the weigh in, I keep eating, and then comes my favorite part. I will have a separate article on the day of the show, what was involved and how everything went.
Section: Training :: Mar 26, 2003
Pre-contest Preparation: The Final Weeks!
After the weigh in, I keep eating, and then comes my favorite part. I will have a separate article on the day of the show, what was involved and how everything went.
Section: Contests :: Apr 14, 2003
The Day Of The Contest Day!
Find out what I did to when the contest and what happened the day of the show!
Section: Contests :: Apr 22, 2003
Cytosport's Muscle Milk Review.
I had the opportunity to try one of the newer protein powders on the market. I mean, with the exception of a few protein powders, you basically have a choice between chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Needless to say, I tried this new product, Muscle Milk. Find out what I thought about it!
Section: Supplements :: Aug 06, 2003
Everything You Need To Know About Carbohydrates!
The following article will change how many of you look at Carbohydrates. Once you understand how carbs work in your body, you can maximize energy and yes loose fat while taking in a fairly high carbohydrate diet.
Section: Nutrition :: Apr 30, 2004
Spice Up Your Workout With Some Basic Techniques!
It's always a challenge to keep your workouts exciting. One week will be amazing, the next will be satisfactory. It happens to the best of us. Here are some ways to change up your workout to keep the intensity up and avoid boredom in the gym...
Section: Training :: Dec 03, 2004
