Kris Gethin - The Bodybuilding.com Guide to Your Best Body: The Revolutionary 12-Week Plan to Transform Your Body and Stay Fit Forever

I dedicate this book to the most influential people who have shaped my life physically, mentally, and spiritually. My wife, best friend, and the air that I breathe, Marika, you are the center of my purpose. I have always learned more by observing people rather than asking questions, and for that I thank the community of BodySpace for allowing me to witness your friendship, support, and the transformation of your livesit has helped me evolve so I can now virally help others.

Touchstone
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This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publishers are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

Copyright 2011 by Bodybuilding.com, LLC

Previously published under the title Body by Design

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Touchstone Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Touchstone hardcover edition January 2011

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Designed by Ruth Lee-Mui

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:
Gethin, Kris.
Body by design / by Kris Gethin.
p. cm.
A Touchstone book.
Includes index.
1. Weight training. 2. BodybuildingTraining. 3. Physical fitness. I. Title.
GV545.5.G47 2011
613.713dc22
2010038726

ISBN 978-1-4516-0217-3
ISBN 978-1-4516-0631-3 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-4516-0614-0 (ebook)

Ask just about anyone for the key to improved health and wellness and the likely answer would be: a healthy diet and exercise routine. While it seems that we are all well aware of the benefits, sticking to a program with any sort of real consistency is where many repeatedly fall short. Take me for example: There have been countless times that I would promise myself that I would start eating right and exercising, yet come Monday, I would rationalize that I was too busy to make it to the gym and my idea of eating right often simply meant choosing the lesser of two evils. The only thing routine about my routine was its tendency to fail.

It was not until a diagnosis of early stage breast cancer that I found the resolve to really stick with making healthier choices and getting regular exercise. Yet, even with a catalyst as serious as cancer, I still found sticking to a routine and staying motivated very challenging. Not only did I have my own willpower to contend with but outside influences, such as the people around me who profoundly influenced me as well. After many failed attempts to maintain my healthy habits while still engaging in my usual social behaviors of nights out with friends and eating out with family, I knew something had to give. I knew that I would never assimilate to a healthier lifestyle as long as I was surrounded by the wrong influences, but where could I find the right influences? The answer was the Internet and more specifically, BodySpace.

As you turn the page and discover The Bodybuilding.com Guide to Your Best Body youll find, just as I did, how connecting with like-minded people from all walks of life can help you reach your goals. Contained within these pages, my friend and author Kris Gethin, will present you with some of the most compelling and inspirational stories of people who have used the site to turn tragedy into triumph or who simply found the resolve to make lasting change. With over a half million people on BodySpace, Kris Gethin and I have witnessed firsthand the true power of connecting to the right social influences. We have watched people shed negative influences, replacing them with new positive ones and we have witnessed how being transparent and open with goals can rally support and accountability from those around you. At any given moment someone can log onto BodySpace to find help or encouragement and that sort of support system has proven to be invaluable for making progress and reaching goals.

Now its your turn to discover the incredible support that a positive social network can lend to the success of your personal fitness goals. The Bodybuilding.com Guide to Your Best Body will introduce you to the same fitness and motivation principles that have guided hundreds of thousands of people to incredible results. This book finally answers the question of how to stay motivated. Let Kris guide you to ultimate success with a sound eating and exercise plan and an even stronger motivational foundation. All you must do is take the first step and turn the page.

Jamie Eason

I want to make something clear right up front: this book is not about me, its aboutyou. Its not about the latest diet or exercise fad thats guaranteed to get you fit fast. (In case you havent figured this out on your own: those fads dont work.) It doesnt stand a chance of landing on an infomercial or finding its way to the drugstore aisle. I promise you, you will find no gimmicks here.