1. Biography
• Name: Dustin Schumacher (everyone at the gym calls me Thor)
• Age: 19
• Height: 5’9”
• Weight (Before): 295 lbs. (F.A.T!)
• Weight (After): 193 lbs. (F.I.T!)
• Body Fat: 12.86 %
• Hometown: Benton, PA
• Gym: N4C’s
• Profession: Lifting heavy things (haha), also making people laugh
2. What got you started in bodybuilding/fitness?
Well, it’s a funny story actually and sad; I was fat my whole life. At three years old, I was well over the weight limit for my age, and once I turned five, I weighed about 120-130 lbs (whereas the average 5-year-old weighs about 50-60 lbs). I was the weight of your average 14 or 15-year-old boy at age five.
Then about six years later at age 11, I got up to 175 lbs. (my 25-year-old brother didn’t even weigh that much). I had gained about 45-55 lbs. in the span of six years. Fast-forward to high school, it was seventh grade and I was now at 230 lbs. I was always the fattest kid in my whole class so I really thought nothing of it…I was used to it. I was always the class clown because I couldn’t play in sports and I couldn’t draw, so being the fat funny kid just fit. Then one day it hit me, “Girls!!”
I was asking out girls left and right, and each one was like “No…I like you as a friend.” or “Not my type.” or “Aww that’s sweet…no.” Then the one that hit my hardest; I was sitting at lunch eating a lot as usual. And I asked out the girl I thought I truly loved. My heart fluttered and I couldn’t even look her in the eyes because I was so shy. I asked “Will you..” then she said, “Sorry, but I can’t.” That quickly made my heart sink. I can’t say I didn’t expect it, but it hit me the hardest not only because she was the 14th girl in a row to reject me throughout high school, but because I really truly thought I loved her.
So you are probably thinking OK, here’s the big turnaround!!! NOPE. That night I went home and drowned the pain and sorrow in root beer & Mountain Dew and found my old friends Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and a few bags of Doritos. I just kept getting bigger from that point on. In 10th grade, I reached my maximum—295 lbs. I was having chest pains, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, border line diabetes, acid reflux disease (which I was born with). You name it, it ailed me. One day I woke up and I looked at myself, pinching my flab and saying “What have you done?” And that day I walked into that gym. Ran on my first treadmill, lifted my first weight, and never ever looked back. There I was just eight months later…102 lbs. lighter, 102 lbs. happier, and 102 lbs. better! Everything was cured—blood pressure was normal, chest pains were gone, and I wasn’t even near having diabetes.
3. What keeps you motivated to train?
My friends always stood behind me and helped motivate me. I can’t let people I inspire down. I also carry a photo of me in my wallet at 295 lbs. for motivation. People ask who it is, I say… me.
4. What workout plan has worked best for you?
For losing fat, cardio worked great. I would do 15 min. before and 15 min. after each session, five days a week. For building muscle, German Volume Training (GVT) worked excellent as well (I’m currently doing GVT). Here is my routine:
• Day 1:
• Chest and Back: 10 sets -10 reps
• Bench Press: 10 sets -10 reps
• Bent Over Rows: 3 sets - 10 reps
• Pec Fly’s: 3 sets -10 reps
• Lat Pulldowns
• Day 2: Off
• Day 3:
• Legs and Abs: 10 sets - 10 reps
• Squats: 10 sets - 10 reps
• Leg Curls: 5 sets -10 reps
• Calf Raises: 5 sets - 10 reps
• Calf Presses: 10 sets -10 reps
• Leg Extensions
• Day 4: Off
• Day 5:
• Arms and Shoulders: 10 sets -10 reps
• Barbell Curls: 10 sets -10 reps
• Side Raises: 3 sets -10 reps
• Plate Raises: 3 sets -10 reps
• Preacher Curls: 3 sets -10 reps
• Dumbbell Curls
• Day 6: Off
• Day 7: Off
5. What is your philosophy about cardio?
Everyone hates it. After eight months straight of doing it, I hate it too…haha! But it is wonderful for fat loss and heart health.
6. What is your philosophy about weight training?
Definitely a must if you want to tone and build muscle.
7. Do you prefer HIIT or steady state cardio?
Both actually, I like HIIT when I feel like it. I used to start a workout with 10 min. of HIIT. Then after my workout, I do 10 min. on incline steady state. It works very well.
8. What are your top 5 favorite exercises?
• Barbell Curl
• Bench Press
• Plate Raises
• Leg Extensions
• AND….Sleeping (haha…kidding about the sleeping part)
• Lat Pulldowns
9. What is your philosophy about nutrition?
There is no way around it! If you want to be lean, you have to eat the right foods plain and simple. I personally believe protein and good fats are the way to go. I only take in about 100g carbs a day. People who can eat anything and remain the same weight, I say good for them…but it will bite them in the butt in the end.
10. What nutrition plan has worked best for you?
Low carb definitely worked best and I am still on it. When I first started, I had about 30g of carbs a day. Now I am up to 100g since I am in the muscle building stage of my life.
• Meal 1: Pre-workout-35g protein, 30g carbs, 15g fat (PWO shake after workout which is 32g protein)
• Meal 2: 35g protein, 30g carbs, 15g fat
• Meals 3 and 4: 35g protein, 15g carbs, 15g fat
• Meal 5: 14g protein, 0g carbs, 5g fat
• Meal 6: 21g protein, 0g carbs, 10g fat
11. What is your favorite cheat food?
Hmmm…good question!! Chinese food, pizza and anything junk.
12. What is your favorite health food?
• Puffed Kamut - A type of grain cereal, low G.I. and only 11g carbs per cup!
• Sweet potatoes
• Fruit
• Chicken
• Eggs
This list could go on forever!
13. What supplements have given you the greatest gains?
MuscleFeast supplements! They are high quality and are all natural. I was using Splenda for a bit, but I started getting sick. So, I had to look for natural (Stevia) supplements and I found MF. I love them…awesome protein products.
14. What does your pre and post workout nutrition consist of?
I take 30g carbs, 35g protein, 13g fat and two cups of green tea.
15. Which tools have helped you most with your nutrition and training?
The Mind, The Body, The Spirit.
16. Have online resources (social networks) helped you in your training?
Yes! Motivation.
17. Where is the first place you turn to when looking for training / fitness / nutrition advice?
Right here! MuscleDog.com ALL THE WAY!
18. Who are your favorite fitness/bodybuilder competitors or role models?
Lou Ferrigno and Kai Greene.
19. What obstacles have you had to overcome?
I had to lose 102 lbs., and I am still losing. That is my biggest obstacle. So much was hitting me at that time. I was losing weight and had family issues. It was very hard to stay focused and stay on a diet when you find comfort in food.
20. What was the biggest mistake you made when you first started training?
Lifting too heavy, too fast…haha. I think everyone knows that story.
21. What tips would you give to a beginner?
It’s all about training the mind first, then training the body, then all will flow evenly…I tell everyone that. It’s a quote I made up myself.
22. What are your future fitness goals?
Inspire people, write a book, become a pro-wrestler, meet the girl of my dreams, be happy and be in great health.
23. Where can we find you on MuscleDog.com?
My profile on here is ThorThunder. Check it out for before & after photos, stats and more. I also have a transformation video on YouTube. If you need motivation, this sure will help!
Peace and Love!
Thor