New Image Fitness NY
Jen Oehler, Age 23, NPC Competitor, 1st Place Bikini NPC Brooklyn 2009
Big Chris Cosich, body builder, motivator, and mentor. Chris is an inspiration for those who want to better themselves and who want to push their bodies and minds further than they ever thought possible. I can personally attest to this because almost two years ago I met Big Chris while I was working the front desk at the East Hampton gym. Chris changed my life the day he told me that I should compete in a body building competition. I would change my diet, my workout routine, change the way I would think, also, most importantly, change my opinion of myself.
I was 21 years old when I met Chris, naturally intimidated by his unique stature, but I soon found out he was a very kind, helpful person. I had just gone through a horrible break up with an ex and the only thing that seemed to help me when I was really feeling down was working out. Although I thoroughly enjoyed lifting weights, I never really knew what I was doing, or had any sort of structure to my routine.
One day while working the desk Big Chris and I got to talking about life and working at the gym. He had asked me if I work out, I said yes, he then asked me "Do you squat?" to which my reply was "Yeah! I love to squat." A squat is one of the most fundamental exercises for bodybuilding and working out in general. It uses almost every major muscle group in the body. To do a squat you place the barbell slightly behind your shoulders and neck, you then tighten your core (abs) and move your body as if you were to sit on a chair, stop when your legs reach ninety degrees, and then bring it back up to the start position. After hearing that I like to squat it out, Chris then said to me, "Alright, you're cool, we can make this work."
He then proceeded to tell me that I have the genetics and natural figure to compete in an amateur bodybuilding competition. Big Chris has been competing in bodybuilding shows for over ten years; so needless to say, he knows what he is talking about. Getting that kind of approval and motivation from someone like Chris was exactly what I needed and when I needed it. The task at hand was the perfect thing to get my mind off of my breakup and help me take my life in the direction it needed to go. At the moment I said I would do it Chris went over to his computer; printed out the show I would be competing in, my new diet plan, and a work out regiment that I was to follow to the T. Almost overwhelming, Big Chris assured me that I would be great.
Starting my diet was probably the most difficult part. Chris sat me down and we went over it step by step. The high protein, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol, low carbohydrate diet was very foreign to me. Chris explained to me the science and logic behind the diet, and why it worked so well. It was a step towards a healthier way of living. The dieting took a little getting used to for the first week or so, but after a while I started craving the foods I was allowed to have. I was also allowed a “cheat” meal once a week, where I could have a glass of wine and a dessert. I was eating every three hours, and losing body fat. I felt amazing. Because of the high protein content of the diet I felt stronger than I ever have; I would also recover from lifting faster than I previously would. My hair and nails were healthy and stronger as well. It was wonderful. This diet plan I still use today, as Chris would say “It is a lifestyle change.” This meaning that once you commit to a bodybuilding way of life, you very seldom deviate from the path.
The Part I most enjoyed about this journey Big Chris was taking me on was the consistency and thoroughness of my new work out regiment. Having a professional like Chris take me thru an hour or so workout three times a week (when I became stronger it was then changed to four times a week) focusing on specific muscles groups on each particular day was invigorating, and exhausting all at the same time. Pushing myself harder than I thought my body could go was my favorite part. Every week I was getting stronger, and able to move more weight than the previous workout. When I first started squatting with Chris my warm up would be doing the motion of the squat without even having the bar on my shoulders, I would end my fourth set with ten pounds on each side of the bar. The bar weighs forty five pounds, so that would be a total of only sixty five pounds. After working out with Chris for four months the maximum weight I could free weight squat was one hundred eighty five pounds for five repetitions. This is more than one and a half times my own body weight. Learning the proper form and the most functional exercises was also something I have taken to heart and will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Lifting and proper diet are without a doubt a very large part of preparing for a bodybuilding competition, but both of those aspects of it are purely physical changes you are making to your physique. The mental part, for me, was where I had the most growth during this whole process. Having to get up on a lighted stage, in front of hundreds of people, wearing practically nothing and being judged solely on your appearance was a hard thing to mentally prepare for. After being in an emotionally abusive relationship I had a pretty poor self image. After being told you are ugly and worthless for so long, you almost start to agree with it. Learning to be comfortable with myself in my own skin was probably the most rewarding part of this whole experience. Fighting the urge to self-deprecate and for the first time seeing myself as a strong, beautiful, confident, sexy woman was a battle in itself. After months or reassurance from Chris, my friends and family, I was finally in a place where I knew I looked good. I knew that I was a good person, and I could take on any challenge I was faced with. In so many words “Bring it on!” was my new attitude towards life, and so stands true today.
October 17th was D-Day, My competition. I was nervous, anxious, and excited the entire day. Big Chris checked in on my every few hours during the day, to puff up my head a little and to tell me that I was going to kick some butt. When it was time for the moment of truth, I had the most intense butterflies. When the MC called my name for me to do my walk out on stage I took a deep breath and said to myself “If Chris can do it, I can do it.” The thought that quickly followed was “Please don’t trip and fall.” When I heard the audience cheering and clapping for me I took those first strides onto the stage, wearing my 6 inch heels and a neon green and orange bikini, the dark spray tan and my number eleven tag. So thrilled to be where I was all my nerves melted away, along with my former insecure self. All that remained was the strong, confident woman I have become and the unfathomable gratitude for the person who made it all happen, Big Chris Cosich. Walking away with the first place trophy is the sweetest victory I could have hoped for. I will be forever grateful to Big Chris for imparting his knowledge and lifestyle onto me. Also for his patience and kind words that helped me overcome my own personal demons. Chris Cosich has changed my life for the better. I cannot thank him enough.