JUST SMARTEN UP

I am 19 years old, 5-10 and weigh 260 pounds. I competed in my first show last year and came in last place. Based on the judge's opinion I need to put more mass on my physique, so I came up with my own plan of attack and 1 am very happy with the results. This past off-season 1 really packed on a lot of mass. In two-and-a-half months I put on 50 pounds of muscle and I didn't take any steroids. I thought I would share with you and the MuscleMag readers out there my secrets to success.

I took 30 mg of creatine a day - 15 mg before and 15 mg after my workout. I ate 7,500 calories a day, consisting mostly of macaroni and cheese, pasta and meal-replacement shakes. I'm not sure if I should compete again until I hit 300 pounds, but when I do I am definitely going to be the biggest guy onstage. Thank you and don't forget to look out for the next big thing.

Steve Tracy
Kansas City, Missouri

How do I put this delicately? Steve, you're fat. That 50 pounds of so-called muscle you put on is not muscle - it is fat and water. Putting on 50 pounds of muscle in two-and-a-half months is physically impossible unless you are hit by gamma rays like the Incredible Hulk.

Macaroni and cheese - where did you get that great idea? When does eating a ton of fat and carbohydrates translate into solid muscle gains? I understand you want to put on size, but you are going about the process in the wrong way.

By continuing to follow your mass program (by the way thanks for sharing your secrets about becoming a fat slob with us) you will wind up in the Betty Ford Center for people who are addicted to fatty foods. You will not resemble a bodybuilder in any shape or fashion.

You were right when you said you are going to be the next big thing. You are going to be a big, fat slob. You will resemble the Pillsbury Doughboy more than you will resemble a bodybuilder.

l suggest you start dieting immediately. Forget about getting to 300 pounds and start worrying about your health and looking good. You should start using your mirror to gauge your progress and forget about having to be a certain weight.

The truth is if you took five guys who were the same weight and height you would have five totally different physiques. You have to start concentrating on making solid lean muscle gains and stop worrying about putting on more pounds.

In my opinion, a bodybuilder should always see some sort of ab muscle when he lifts his shirt. A bodybuilder ceases to he a bodybuilder when he has a roll of fat hanging over the top of his belt.

Start eating good foods for solid muscle gains, such as chicken, egg whites, lean beef, potatoes and oatmeal. Trying to pack on mass doesn't give you a license to become Billy Buffet or Mr. All You Can Eat. Great gains in muscle mass are created by eating the right foods in combination with a great training program. Smarten up - eat right and train hard!