“I’m more active with my family. I get outside and do more activities!”
How many months’ progress do your pictures represent? What were your stats for each picture?
The pictures represent 24 months of progress. In the first picture, I weighed 190 pounds and was around 25 – 30% body fat. In the second picture, I weighted 160 pounds and was at 8.5% body fat.
What has happened so far on the program?
My weight stayed at 190 pounds for that first year, but I lost a whole pants size and got a lot stronger. By the end of my first year, my strength plateaued. At that point, I started to cut calories. I started at a 10% deficit and kept decreasing by 5% per month. Once I hit 20% the weight just started falling off. I upped my protein to 1.2 grams per pound of body weight and recalculated my macros for every 10 pounds I lost.
While the weight came off, I was able to maintain the same weight on my major lifts. I continued my cut for 6 months until I got down to 8.5% body fat. I maintained that weight for a month and then started to bulk. I’ve been bulking for 6 weeks now and have put on 8 pounds and broke personal records in all my major lifts. My plan is to keep bulking until I reach between 12-14% body fat, at which point I’ll start to cut again.
What workout split from the book did you use?
I started with the 5-day split. As I worked through the program, I changed things around and came up with a 4-day bro split made up of mostly compound lifts. I take Wednesday off and do cardio on that day. When I’m cutting, I add another hour or two of cardio per week to help with the calorie deficit. I found it’s much more enjoyable for me to move more instead of eating less.
When Covid shut everything down I was able to switch to the Starting Strength program and keep lifting in my brother-in-law’s garage, who fortunately had a barbell and a squat rack. I also started jogging 6-9 miles a week around my neighborhood.
What, if anything, almost kept you from buying the book or starting the program?
I’m always a little skeptical about workout or diet trends. I didn’t want a new gadget to help me get in shape, or some “top secret” cleanse to flush all the fat out of my body. I was looking for a lifestyle change. I wanted to know how I should be eating and why. What my body needed and how much of it to stay lean and build muscle.
I happened across Bigger Leaner Stronger while browsing Amazon and started reading the reviews. It was exactly what I was looking for; a science-based approach to eating right and working out.
What do you like most about the program?
I like that there’s no gimmick. There’s no special equipment needed. I don’t need to join a diet cult and buy their special meals. I can keep living life the way I normally do, and with some basic knowledge of nutrition and strength training, I can completely change my body composition and live a healthier life regardless of my demographic.
How does this program compare with others you’ve tried?
This is the first “program” that I’ve tried. I usually do my own thing and research the specific areas I’m trying to improve; diet, strength training, cardio, etc. That’s the great thing about this program. It lets you do your own thing if you want to and Mike has already done the work to gather all the research you need into one place, Bigger Leaner Stronger.
How has what you’ve achieved with your body changed other areas of your life?
I’m more active with my family. I get outside and do more activities. I went on a 4-day backpacking trip into the mountains. It was amazing. I wouldn’t have done that 2 years ago.
Who would you recommend this program to and why?
I recommend this book to everyone who talks to me about wanting to lose weight and get in shape. People see me and want to know what my secret is. I tell them it’s not a secret. It’s Bigger Leaner Stronger, and then I send them a link to the book. The book will tell you everything you need to know about how to get in shape. All you need is the will power to change. That’s the hardest part.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’m 44 years old. I’m married with 6 kids. I have a blown-out knee with a reconstructed ACL and chronic lower back pain. If I can do this, you can do this. It’s not about genetics, age, or ability. It’s about will power. Don’t be miserable another day. Decide to change your life.
Did you use any Legion supplements?
The only supplement I use is whey protein, but it’s not from Legion.
Want to become a success story too? Here’s how he did it
The program that made this transformation possible:
The meal plan that makes building muscle and losing fat easy and enjoyable:
If you enjoyed this article, get weekly updates. It’s free.
Sending…
Great! You’re subscribed.
100% Privacy. We don’t rent or share our email lists.
You May Also Like
Our Most Popular Evidence-Based Articles
Our 100% “It’s-On-Us” Money-Back Guarantee
No matter what you decide to buy, you’re always protected by our ironclad, 100% money-back guarantee that works like this:
If you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, you get a prompt and courteous refund. No forms to fill out or hoops to jump through.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits so our shipping is 100% free!
Okay, we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters.
So, if you live in the United States, your order ships free regardless of order size, and if you live anywhere else, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money.
That said, as most international customers spend about $200 with us each time they shop, this setup is a win-win.
And no matter what you decide to buy, you’re always protected by our ironclad, 100% money-back guarantee that works like this:
If you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, you get a prompt and courteous refund. No forms to fill out or hoops to jump through.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Clinically Effective Doses
Great ingredients aren’t enough to make a great product—you also need correct doses.
That’s why we use the exact doses of every ingredient that have safely produced the desired benefits in peer-reviewed studies.
Made in USA
Where your supplements are made matters, because rules and regulations regarding quality and purity differ from country to country.
And if you want to ensure the supplements you’re swallowing every day are safe and effective, you want products produced in the USA.
That’s why all of our supplements are made in America in NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facilities that operate in accordance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations.
We pay a premium to work with the best manufacturers in the country, but it’s the only way we can also produce the best all-natural sports supplements.
Lab Tested
Did you know that studies have shown that many supplements contain dangerously high levels of toxins like lead, arsenic, and cadmium?
Not ours.
Every ingredient of every supplement we produce is tested for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants to ensure they meet the strict purity standards set by the FDA.
Naturally Sweetened & Flavored
While artificial sweeteners may not be as dangerous as some people claim, studies suggest that regular consumption of these chemicals may indeed be harmful to our health and that more research is needed.
That’s why all of our supplements are naturally sweetened and flavored and contain no artificial food dyes, fillers, or other unnecessary junk.
Science-Backed Ingredients & Doses
Unlike some supplement companies, we don’t sell dubious white labeled or off-the-shelf formulations.
Instead, our custom and unique formulations are the result of extensive reviews of the scientific literature to discover the most effective ingredients for each.
Split your entire online purchase into 4 interest-free payments, over 6 weeks with no impact to your credit.
25%
today
25%
2 weeks
25%
4 weeks
25%
6 weeks
Shop and add items to your cart as normal!
Choose Sezzle at Checkout! You’ll be redirected to Sezzle to Sign Up or Log In
to complete your order.
Your order will be shipped out right away* and your payments will be split up
over 6 weeks.
*shipping times subject to merchant shipping policy
Shop directory. Reschedule payments. Plus more!
Meal Plan Waiver
In consideration of being allowed to participate in the activities and programs offered by
M4L, Inc. and to use its nutrition programs and supplement and training advice, in addition to the payment of any fee or charge, I do hereby waive, release and forever discharge and hold harmless M4L, Inc. and its consultants, officers, agents, and employees from any and all responsibility, liability, cost and expenses, including injuries or damages, resulting from my participation in any activities, or my use of any programs designed by M4L, Inc. I do also hereby release M4L, Inc. its consultants, officers, agents and employees from any responsibility or liability for any injury, damage or disorder (physical, metabolic, or otherwise) to myself, or in any way arising out of or connected with my participation in any activities with M4L, Inc.
I understand that M4L, Inc. and its consultants, officers, agents, and employees are not healthcare professionals. The services I have received from ML4, Inc do not provide or offer and are not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment (“medical advice”). While ML4, Inc. believes that the information provided through our services and the site is current and reliable, ML4, Inc. cannot and does not make any such guarantee or warranty.
I hereby agree that before using our services, you will consult your physician or other health care provider for medical advice, particularly if you are at risk for problems arising from changes in your diet or lifestyle. The services provided by ML4, Inc. are not intended to be used by minors or individuals with health conditions that makes the kind of changes to diet or lifestyle suggested by our services unsafe or inappropriate. Furthermore, I hereby understand that ML4, Inc. shall have no obligation or responsibility to monitor my health status or health condition or to contact or alert any medical or emergency professional.
I understand and am aware that strength, flexibility, and aerobic exercise, including the use of
equipment are a potentially hazardous activity. I also understand that fitness activities involve a
risk of injury and even death, and that I am voluntarily participating in these activities and using
equipment and machinery with knowledge of the dangers involved. I hereby agree to expressly
assume and accept any and all risks of injury or death related to said fitness activities. In
addition, I certify that I am 18 years of age or older.
I do hereby further declare myself to be physically sound and suffering from no condition,
impairment, disease, infirmity or other illness that would affect nutrient metabolism or prevent
my participation or use of equipment or machinery except as hereinafter stated. I do hereby
acknowledge that M4L, Inc. has recommended to me that I obtain a physician’s approval for my participation in an exercise/fitness activity or in the use of exercise equipment and machinery. I also acknowledge that M4L, Inc. has recommended that I have a yearly or more frequent physical examination and consultation with my physician as to physical activity, exercise and use of exercise and training equipment so that I might have his/her recommendations concerning these fitness activities and equipment use. I acknowledge that I have either had a physical examination and been given my physician’s permission to participate, or that I have decided to participate in activity and use of equipment, machinery, and programs designed by M4L, Inc. without the approval of my physician and do hereby assume all responsibility for my participation and activities, and utilization of equipment and machinery in my activities.
I understand that all diet and training programs, nutrition and supplementation advice, and any and all other forms of information obtained from ML4, Inc. are not meant to treat or manage any health condition. I understand the need to consult with a healthcare provider prior to adjusting current lifestyle or eating habits or beginning any new diet and/or training plan.
In addition, I hereby represent and warrant that I am currently covered by an accident and
health insurance policy. With my purchase of products or services from ML4, Inc., I understand that results of any sort are not guaranteed and agree not to hold M4L, Inc. staff liable for any outcomes or a lack thereof. With my purchase of any ML4, Inc. products or services, I understand that they are only guaranteed to work in software designed for a PC computer such as Microsoft Excel. I understand that I am purchasing having known that beforehand and understand that using any other application besides Microsoft Excel might result in the products not working with 100% functionality.
OUT OF STOCK
Security Check
Please click the checkbox below. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Fact Checked
Our scientific review board of nutritionists, dietitians, molecular biologists, doctors, and other accredited experts is responsible for reviewing every article, podcast, and video we produce to ensure they’re evidence based, accurate, trustworthy, and current.
Thanks to their connections, credentials, and academic experience, this team of MDs, PhDs, and other professionals has access to a wealth of research published in the largest and most prestigious journals in the world.
This allows them to not only review individual studies but also analyze the overall weight of the evidence on any and all topics related to diet, exercise, supplementation, and more.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
Evidence Based
We follow a detailed, rigorous, multi-step process to create content that meets the highest standards of clarity, practicality, and scientific integrity.
First, our research associates provide our editorial team with accurate, up-to-date, proven scientific evidence.
Then, our editorial team uses this research to draft articles and outlines for podcasts and videos.
Finally, our scientific review board reviews the content to ensure all key information and claims are backed by high-quality scientific research and explained simply and precisely.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
