How did you get started with bodybuilding?
On my 15th birthday, my sister Fran bought me a weight set and I immediately started working out. I was always impressed by guys who were built. I’m a huge fan of the whole look of strength like Greek gods and statues. I also knew that I could do this naturally without the use of steroids and growth hormones. When I turned 25, I started to enter fitness competitions and won the international Mr. Fitness contest in 1997. Then in 1998, I started competing in bodybuilding shows. I entered my first show and won 1st place. I love the sport of bodybuilding and what it has given me. A lot of people think bodybuilding is just about building muscle, but to me its more spiritual . I don’t think of it as building muscle I think of it as building perfection. On December 18th 2010, I will be celebrating 25 years of working out.
Where does your motivation come from?
I’m asked this question a lot and I really don’t know. I have always been motivated and determined as far back as I can remember. When I wanted something as a child, I would obsess over it. I grew up a very nervous kid because of this. I remember missing days of school because I was very emotional and nervous. Now that I’m older, I understand that is was all because I’m a very sensitive individual. I think motivation isn’t something you can learn or acquire, motivation is an impulse. For example if you see your young child falling into a swimming pool, you would immediately jump in to save your child! You were motivated because you didn’t want your child to drown. To be motivated and to stay motivated in anything, you must first have a definite reason to begin with. For me, maybe its the fact that I refuse to get out of shape.
What is your training like?
I train with weights 5 days a week and I do 30-40 minutes of cardio such as treadmill, elliptical or dance 3 times a week.
My training routine right now is the following:
- Day One: chest, back and abs
- Day Two: calves and quads
- Day Three: rest, abs
- Day Four: shoulders and hamstrings
- Day Five: biceps, triceps and forearms
- Day Six: repeat day one
- Day Seven: rest, abs
When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?
I’m not a big fan of High Intensity Training simply because your body will adapt to anything you do and the results you get will be from what your doing. In other words “you will look the way you live” I like doing cardio that makes me feel good not cardio that makes me want to throw up. This would only leave my body feeling overworked and exhausted. It’s not natural and it would put my body into a “fight or flight” mode. This isn’t good because it only causes stress, and stress is not helpful with getting and staying in shape. If you’re doing exercise and its making you feel good and your happy about it, then it will work! I always say “Stimulate not Annihilate”
On Stage
What is your Diet like?
I eat a very clean diet consisting of 6 meals a day. I eat mostly whole foods, my diet right now consists of this:
- Meal One: 1 cup of instant oatmeal made with berries and hot water. 1 cup of egg whites
- Meal Two: 5 oz of grilled chicken and 1 serving of baked fries
- Meal Three: 5 oz of grilled chicken with 4 oz sweet potato and 1 cup of broccoli steamed no oils.
- Meal Four: 5 oz of lean beef or fish grilled with 1 cup of brown rice
- Meal Five: 1 cup of egg whites with one bowl of cream of wheat
Meal Six: 5 oz grilled chicken over mixed salad
What is your supplementation like?
I’m not a big fan of supplements .I usually just take a multi-vitamin in the morning and then before bed I like designer whey protein. I also use glutamine once in a while, but I seem to get my best results when using whole foods instead of supplements.
Plans for the future?
I have many plans for the future. I want to become a household name for health and fitness like Jack La Lanne! I have big dreams and I will see them come to pass!
Favorite Bodybuilders?
Of course Arnold, I feel my body is similar just smaller. I love the way he never had that bloated look even though he was huge he wasn’t over vascular and his waist was always small. I also admire Frank Zane, and Steve Reeves.. I guess I don’t have many modern day favorite bodybuilders. To me, their all out of proportion and way too big. The sport of bodybuilding needs to realize that size isn’t where its at, its all about shape!
Favorite Quote?
I’ve been known to say this many times, “You cant fly like an eagle if you think like a chicken!” This means in order to succeed in life, you must first have a mental image for success in your mind. Ours minds are the most powerful tools on earth and when we use our minds for our advantage, we gain all the knowledge and wonders from the universe. I know that my body did not come from exercise and diet alone, it came from my thoughts of seeing myself the way I wanted to look. Everything starts in the mind. The world is yours if you see it as yours!
Website: www.anthonycatanzaro.com
