A history of bodybuilding diets

[CF-OC_gal]

This is quite a long article but a fascinating read about the what strongmen and bodybuilders have eaten to fuel their sport.

Any comments?

Splendid Specimens: The History of Nutrition in Bodybuilding

I really enjoyed that article Brat. Man, talk about bringing back memories. Those guys mentioned: Blair, Gironda, Grimek, MacFadden, Reeves, Viator, etc are all heros from my days gone by. I especially admire Grimek because he was a crossover from Olympic Lifting and could do some gymnastics, too. I remember reading how he beat Steve Reeves for the 1949(?) Mr Universe because when they were called out to pose again Reeves went through the same routine whereas Grimek changed his and ended with a back flip.

I miss the healthy aspect of the sport. Maybe I never really knew it considering how the magazines lied about how the big names in the 70's used performance enhancing drugs to get where they were. I do remember some vague references to steroids back then and how they were harmful and such. But they never gave any indication that the pros were taking them to get to the top of the sport. I guess this quote says a great deal about the sport today: As five-time Mr. Universe Bill Pearl recently remarked: "The guy left standing on the stage today at the end of a bodybuilding show is probably the guy in the arena who is closest to death." What is most amazing about Pearl is he tried Dianabol but wound up walking away from it after his experiments. He knew he didn't need it to build a spectacular physique, and won the Mr Universe contest in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. That is an outrageous accomplishment and pro's today couldn't even begin to emulate it.

Its a real good read and I thank you for not only in finding it but choosing to share it with us too.

[CF-OC_gal]

I found that article one boring evening at work and sent the link home so I could take my time getting through it all. I remember hearing/reading about all those guys when I first got hooked on bodybuilding and judging. It's funny to think of the diet and training techniques of the 80's being fads - geez that was even before whey protein!

Bev Francis came along and the whole approach to women bodybuilding took a turn. Before her Kay Baxter was the the most muscular looking girl in competitions. I remember going to the '83 Miss Olympia in a high school gym in Pennsylvania with my BB-ing partner and friends, then again the next year in Montreal.

The gym I used to train at had old issues of bodybuilding magazines from the 60's. In them were the steroid protocols of pro male competitors. Arnold even wrote a monthy contribution of his prefered juicing timetable and products!

I like the raw meat and raw egg diet craze that was in vogue for a while. Now you'd be hard pressed to find someone willing to sell you food that pure!

I always wanted to try raw milk -- but it was (and still is) and impossiblity to find.

A friend once gave me some old Muscle Builder mags from the 60's. I don't remember seeing those columns. Might have been a passing thing - or another brand of magazine you were looking at.

I did use the miilk diet when I was in my teens and it did work. Gallons of milk would drain down my gullet each day. Talk about a builk and cut cycle!!!

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by IronMan

What is most amazing about Pearl is he tried Dianabol but wound up walking away from it after his experiments. He knew he didn't need it to build a spectacular physique, and won the Mr Universe contest in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. That is an outrageous accomplishment and pro's today couldn't even begin to emulate it.

.

Im sceptical that he stayed clean but then Im sceptical

[.V.]

Great read. Thanks for sharing.

[CF-OC_gal]

Raw milk and cheese are extremely hard to find. You have to know someone who knows a farmer kind of thing. The penaties for selling or distributing it are severe. Just 2 months ago a group of people were interested in getting around the laws by buying shares in a cow so that they could say they got the milk for their own consumption. The feds got wind of it and nixed it.

Originally Posted by Maxgain

Im sceptical that he stayed clean but then Im sceptical

Pearl's first Mr Universe win was in 1953, way before Dianabol hit the scene. He learned how to beeome big and strong without it. I don't know how much they knew about post cycle therapy back then so its easy to believe he probably lost the 25 pounds he gained from his experiment and decided it wasn't worth it.

You skeptical person, you!

Originally Posted by Brat

Just 2 months ago a group of people were interested in getting around the laws by buying shares in a cow so that they could say they got the milk for their own consumption. The feds got wind of it and nixed it.

Gawd, I love Big Brother. Its good to have someone looking out for me like that. (That comment was supposed to be dripping in sarcasm!)

[Lady C]

Raw milk sales is LEGAL in some states. Check this link to see if your state qualifies.

[CF-OC_gal]

I guess in a country which honours free health care it's a matter of cause and effect disease statistics. How many get back to the earth wackos will buy raw milk and then burden the already abused health care system with sick kids.

I'm more upset that the wackos are ruining it for those of us willing to take responsibility for our decisions. You should have read the release form I had to sign when I joined Crossfit. In no way are they ever going to be negligent in the event that I hurt or kill myself there.

That is a good resource link LC, thanks!