Why I decided to transform
As a young kid, I ate my favorite foods while playing video games, which were pizza and macaroni and cheese. In elementary school, I was bigger than most kids In middle school, I was the biggest kid and got made fun of a lot, but nobody knew how much it hurt me because I never spoke up.
I knew it was time for a change in eighth grade. If I didn’t make a change, high school was going to be worse. I started running six miles per day for seven months, cut back on food, and lost 64 pounds.
In the beginning of my junior year in high school, my friend asked if I wanted to go to the gym for two weeks for free and I accepted. I didn’t know what I was doing at first, but I liked the feeling and environment. After the two weeks, I became addicted to working out and signed up for a membership.
Before
After
AGE 15 / HEIGHT 5’2″ / BODY FAT 38%
AGE 18 / HEIGHT 5’9″ / BODY FAT 8%
How I accomplished my goals
The only way to achieve goals is by working hard, but it won’t happen overnight. It took months to get where I am today and I’m still nowhere near where I want to be. Changing my diet was the largest factor to help me transform. When I started eating right, the results came fast.
After I saw results, I created a training routine and did lots of research. Working out is a science through trial and error. I made mistakes, learned from them, and adapted. I had strong willpower to overcome struggles and ignored people who said I couldn’t do it.

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Supplements that helped me through the journey
Diet plan that guided my transformation
Whey Protein
1 serving
Quest Bar
1
Eggs
3
Egg Whites
12
Wheat Toast w/ Sugar-free Jelly
4 slices
Greek Yogurt w/ Strawberries
2 servings
Brown Rice Pasta
1 serving
Chicken Breast
8 oz
Brown Rice Pasta
1 serving
Whey Protein
1 serving
Rice Cakes
4
Whey Protein
1 serving
Chicken Breast
8 oz
Whole Wheat Bread
1 slice
Brown Rice
1 serving
Fat-free Cottage Cheese
2 servings
Training regimen that kept me on track
Barbell Bench Press – Medium Grip
5 sets of 5 repsDumbbell Bench Press
4 sets of 12, 10, 8, and 6 repsIncline Dumbbell Press
4 sets of 8 repsIncline Dumbbell Flyes
4 sets of 12 repsFlat Bench Cable Flyes
4 sets of 12 reps
Side Lateral Raise
4 sets of 12 repsDumbbell Shrug
3 sets of 12 repsBarbell Shrug
3 sets of 12 reps-
Superset
Pullups (Wide-grip)
3 sets to failurePullups (Close-grip)
3 sets to failureStanding Military Press
4 sets to failure
Barbell Deadlift
4 sets of 20, 12, 10, and 8 repsBent Over Barbell Row
4 sets of 12 repsSeated Cable Rows
4 sets of 12 repsWide-Grip Lat Pulldown
4 sets of 12 repsClose-Grip Front Lat Pulldown
4 sets of 12 repsBent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
4 sets to failure
Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press
4 sets of 15 repsLying Triceps Press
4 sets to failureTriceps Pushdown
4 sets to failureTriceps Pushdown (Close-grip)
4 sets to failureDips – Triceps Version
4 sets to failureBarbell Curl
4 sets to failurePreacher Curl
4 sets to failure-
Superset
Dumbbell Bicep Curl
3 sets of 12 repsHammer Curls
3 sets of 12 repsBarbell Curl
4 sets to failure
Barbell Squat
4 sets of 15, 15, 10, and 8 repsSingle-Leg Leg Extension
4 sets to failureLeg Press
4 sets to failureSeated Leg Curl
4 sets to failureStanding Calf Raises
4 sets to failureSeated Calf Raise
4 sets to failure
What aspect challenged me the most
“My plan is to gain strength and size by summer and enter a physique contest in the near future.”
The most challenging part was dieting. When I started, I thought eating a whole pizza before the gym gave me the intake to get bigger. I rarely crave junk food anymore.
My future fitness plans
I will do anything to make my dreams come true. I don’t work out to be the best bodybuilder. I work out because I enjoy the pain of the barbells tearing my hands up, the sweat dripping off my body, and feeling like I might puke.
My plan is to gain strength and size by summer and enter a physique contest in the near future. I would also like to do another photo shoot and do fitness modeling.
It’s important for me to help others even if it doesn’t benefit me. I want to get my personal training certificate so I can help other people work out and achieve their goals.
Suggestions for aspiring transformers
- Ignore the haters!
- Believe in yourself.
- Do your research.
- Transform naturally.
- Study new exercises and diets.
- Prep food and stick with it.
- Transform for yourself.
How Bodybuilding.com helped me reach my goals
From day one, Bodybuilding.com helped me build a diet, make recipes, learn about supplements, and train hard. Bodybuilding.com taught me an unbelievable amount about nutrition and helped me save lots of time and money. I want thank the nice people who work for Bodybuilding.com. They are my heroes.
Dillon’s Top 5 Gym Tracks
- “Hot 16′s” by Hospin
- “Stronger” by Kanye West
- “Remember The Name” by Fort Minor
- “Till I Collapse” by Eminem
- “I’m Not Crazy” by Hospin
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