Lean Bodies Consulting

Latest LBC testimonial

Always having admired the physiques of the figure competitors and having attained many other fitness-related goals, I knew I’d like to attempt the challenge of making a figure competition a reality. May 2007, I met with specialists at the Mayo Clinic regarding my health after receiving some test results showing concern for the condition of my liver. From that meeting, I learned that although they could not determine how long I’d be able to continue working out, they felt that my continuous exercising has kept my health from deteriorating at a more rampant rate.

- MaryBeth Blair, Plymouth, MN

Latest LBC testimonial:

Have I reached my personal physique perfection? No. But who has? I (like many others) am constantly striving for my personal physical perfection. No doubt this will be a lifelong journey and lifetime challenge for me. But thus far, I am lucky to have had a great tool at my disposal to help me meet that goal. Thanks to Erik, I am closer to my own potential perfection. The improvements I have made in my physique and mind set have been immeasurable since I began with Erik. I have worked with Erik on three separate occasions and each time is better than the last. What I enjoy about working with Erik is that each time I sign up to work with him I know what to expect: I like the routine, the familiarity, and the detail of his system. Yet each time I have worked with him, it has been a different experience for me. There is an exciting element of unexpected. By this I mean there are changes in routines, exercises, forms of cardio, and dietary approaches. And with each new approach and new plan I end up discovering more about training and nutrition and also about myself. And that’s what keeps me coming back to Erik. Erik has a great way of keeping plans interesting while catering to your specific needs and goals. I love Erik’s attention to detail because I think that is necessary to take a physique to the next level. Erik also has a nice balance of keeping sight of the bigger picture and the bigger goal. He will ask you those questions that guide you into some form of personal growth or discovery. Erik has given me so many tools that have allowed me to achieve great things with my physique. He keeps me moving forward and encourages me to reach for my potential. He allows me to make strides in achieving my own personal physique perfection. For this, I am immensely grateful.

- Kylee Biddle, MI

Here’s the latest from Amy Marable on the heels of her most recent figure competition.

Choosing a good coach is not easy! I had been researching for awhile and finally went with who I feel is the best decision I’ve made by signing with Erik Ledin of Lean Bodies Consulting. A good coach makes a world of a difference especially when it comes to competing. I chose Erik because of the great feedback I had found online. I wanted someone who was going to look out for me and not do whatever crazy antics it takes to get me on stage and then forget about me or my health! There is life after a competition! This was my 4th show and I wanted to bring my very best.

Amy Marable
Florida

So I often rant and rave about contest prep strategies that I think are silly - nonsensical even - yet sadly, oh so commonplace in our competitive circles. I think people get in shape in spite of some of this stuff, not directly because of it. The internet is a gold mine for examples and so are clients of mine, who hear and see what their friends are doing.

I pride myself on rying to do it the ’smart’ way - at least I consider it the smart way; at the very least, the sane way. Now don’t be offended if you do something that you see me make fun of. Hey, it’s your choice.

But you know what? Here’s something that’s really sad - competitors who do a show, even do well - great transformation, good placing in the show, etc. - and decide to give it up. Why? Because they just can’t see themselves going through that prep again. All the cardio, the extreme restrictiveness, the big post-contest rebound, and so on. And because it’s such a common methodology, they’re lead to believe it’s the only way. I mean, hey, I don’t blame you. I’m pretty sure most competitors start off on their competitive trails for multiple reasons - one of which is that they think it’ll be fun to do a show. An overall enjoyable experience. And then … it’s just not. Now I’m not saying it’s ever going to be easy getting in contest-ready condition, because surely, it’s never easy. It IS hard, it DOES take sacrifice. But in the end, you should walk away with a good experience. Most are never going to make a living being competitors; it’s a hobby for many. Hobbies are fun.

I had a client who I have now worked with on three separate occasions, who decided she wanted to give it a go; she wanted to do a show. Of course, I was all for it. And here is a comment she just sent me via email that sums it up - see? Fun. Great experience.

I just don’t think I have the words to tell you how grateful I am for this experience. I have grown so much and learned so much about myself. Being so committed to achieving this goal has given me such strength and built a lot of character for me. Something just clicked for me in this prep and I’ve been happy the whole way through. Part of it was not worrying (too much anyway) because I knew I was in the best possible hands to get me to where I needed to be – the smart way. And part was my mindset. I chose not to alienate myself or avoid social situations that involved food (done that many times before!). It then became more about the people in my life and not the food. I felt more connected and supported, which is important to have when you’re doing something difficult like a contest prep. And the last part was just having a goal to work toward. I have realized that usually the things that are tough are the things that are worth it in the end. And this competition experience was definitely was worth it! I’m so ready to do another one because I know I can do even better! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Mwah!

There IS another way.

Here’s our latest testimonial:

I would like to thank Erik for providing me with the tools and techniques to achieve the goal of having my pre-baby body back. I was so skeptical about doing any time of diets and my good friend Amy referred me to Erik. To me, my results have been amazing over the short five months. I’m nearly at 30 lbs and I’ve dropped 10 inches off my waist. After my 2nd child I was sure that the clothes I stashed in the back of my closet would never fit again. I have learned that what I eat is a part of my daily routine along with the work outs. What I have learned in the past few months is phenomenal information. It has made me a better person on the inside and out. Thank you to Amy for inspiring me and thank you Erik for providing me with tool to make it possible to achieve my goal!

- Melinda Phelps, Blackfoot, Idaho

Received a nice testimonial from a long-term client today. Ironically, this is the same woman I referred to in Part 4 of my bulking series, highlighting her recomposition.

I worked with Erik Ledin for a little over a year. I made the decision to hire him when I finally reached a point of frustration where I was just miserable. I thought that I was doing everything right. I thought that I was choosing the right foods, and I thought my training was dead on. I would look in the mirror and think “why don’t I look the way that I should?” I felt like I should have the body I wanted because I was working so hard at it. It wasn’t until I was a few weeks into my plan with Erik that I realized that what I had been doing was overtraining my body, and I wasn’t as careful with my my food as I should have been. In fact, I didn’t even own a food scale until I hired him.

- Jennifer Meyer, Colorado Springs, CO