Transformation: Mitch Watson Packs on 65 Pounds

What Was Your Life Like Before Your Transformation?

Before my transformation I was always with my friends trying to fit in. I had always been skinny my whole life. Ever since childhood I fantasized about being like Arnold Schwarzenegger because I saw him in movies.

I always wanted to look like him even when I hit puberty, but I could never Just gain weight. So I gave up again and again, and joined the football team.

After playing an entire season at 6'1", 140 pounds, I decided I needed to gain weight. After the season ended I decided I was going to get bigger and be a running back like my father.

I mistakingly fell in love with the weight room while training for football. I found myself caring less about what would benefit me on the field and looked more to growing my chest and arms. All I wanted was to feel the pump and get more size.


What Were Your Major Struggles or Challenges?

It came time for the next season and I had become too interested in lifting weights to even want to play football. I quit the football team and kept striving toward my dreams.

Detail Your Workout and Cardio Plan During Your Transformation

For cardio I have always ran and that was about it, I followed a 3 day a week full body routine for the first year, then the second I did a split, still focusing on core movements, now mostly I do bodybuilding workouts.

Detail Your Diet/Eating Plan During Your Transformation

From the moment I have started I just set a protein number to hit every day and a carb number to hit. I've tried to stray from fast food, and eat healthy, but I've never had much trouble staying lean so dieting was never a big issue.

Detail Your Supplement Plan During Your Transformation

Staples have been creatine, whey and pre-workout. For my first year I took Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass but I don't feel as if I need that anymore so I just stick to whey.

What Was Your Major Accomplishment, or Major Milestones?

My first milestone was benching 225 and squatting 315 around the same time, around a year and a half after I started. Another accomplishment was hitting 185 pounds. I never thought I would get there.

Detail Your 3 Biggest Mistakes

1. Training my triceps too much for the first 2 years has left my biceps looking small even though my arms measure 17.5 inches.
2. The next was neglecting protein intake sometimes, which I quickly saw my strength fall when doing.
3. The third was neglecting my legs after an injury. I used it as an excuse but I have corrected this mistake.

3 Biggest Things You Learned During Your Transformation?

1. Train compound movements for best results.
2. Don't kill yourself over dieting.
3. Don't waste money on supplements if you don't want to work hard. There is no replacement for hard work.

Final Works of Advice for Others Looking to Make a Change?

Don't look for an easy way around it. Don't go buy the skinny guy savior, or skinny guy mass plan. Just man up and eat until you don't want to move, and dig deep and use many compound movements.

Never give up on something you love, if you feel like it, think of why you started.