Caters News AgencyA teenager who weighed 10 stone (140lbs) more than doubled his body weight after devoting himself to the gym, gaining over 200lbs to become a bodybuilder.
Craig Golias, now 35, says he didn’t like what he ‘saw in the mirror’ as a child so decided to do something about it. He trained six days a week for 10 years to transform his body.
The 6’3″ bodybuilder, who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, now weighs 25 stone and credits his training regime for ‘saving me from taking my own life’.
However, the 35-year-old admits his training regime made him ‘addicted’ to the gym and ‘obsessed’ with his own appearance.
Craig, initially from Ohio, said:
I quickly became addicted – I work out six days a week for an hour and a half. Once I started seeing results and getting attention it made me feel alive and accepted which I never felt.
The only problem is that I became obsessed and was never satisfied- I wanted more and more.
Now working as an online coach selling diet and training plans, Craig says that although people are usually ‘shocked’ when they see him, they often ask him for tips.
For Craig gym training has provided an outlet to build his confidence.
Craig explained:
I had low self-esteem and I wanted something to feel better about myself. I was a very skinny boy; I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror.
I struggled with depression and the gym is what saved me from taking my own life. I decided to go to the gym and work on my body, abs, chest, cardio, a bit of everything.
The 35-year-old says his secret is hard work, dedication and a healthy diet, although he admits he takes supplements to maintain his size.
The bodybuilder says he is ‘careful’ about what he eats, usually sticking to white meats, rice, eggs, and vegetables.
However, he does sometimes allow himself to have a treat:
I am careful on what I eat, I usually eat chicken, turkey, rice, eggs and vegetables but I do allow myself a bad meal such as hamburger or pizza once every other day. I have never tried alcohol by choice.
I just love training and pushing my body to the limits. It’s become a lifestyle and I’m grateful to have it in my life. All my clients are happy, I plan their diet, I coach them and they see the results they want.
Congrats to Craig for his transformation, keep doing you.
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).