The inspirational story of 12-week BodyBlitz Challenge Grand Champion Jay Bonaretti

On a hot afternoon in Melbourne, merely weeks until Christmas, the enduring selection process for the BodyBlitz Grand Champion was a tiring and untimely task. While the others at work had left making a bee-line to the shopping centres for some post-work, late night christmas shopping, we were left with the daunting task of sifting through 12 monthly winners, who were all equivalently rightful winners.

Every transformation had a powerfully unique story attached to it, and having spoken with many of the winners and prepared their stories for the the monthly Australian Ironman feature, eliminating any of them seemed an undeserving injustice. With a combined total in fat loss exceeding 100 kg, many lives had been enhanced (including the loved ones) of each individual.

After hours of deliberation and heckling between staff, Jay Bonaretti emerged as the yearly winner. Jay was the final entrant of the year, but his physical and emotional journey was well worth documenting a second time around, and I was the driving force that pushed him over the line. You see, at just 21 years of age he’d already experienced the highs and lows of what life can present, struggling with the delibilating chronic fatigue syndrome that had him sapped of energy and refrained to the confines of his home.

Jay Bonaretti, a young business owner and potential entrepreneur, with the help of IM contributor and champion personal trainer Josh Dickinson, finally found a way to conquer his physical and mental health issues and create a momentum that will last for a lifetime. Here is the Bonaretti story... as told by Jay.

Tell us about your experience with chronic fatigue and how your transformation is helping you overcome the ill-effects if this?

CFS was just as much mental as it was physical. Physically, I was incapable of even the simplest things that we take for granted – walking up and down stairs, sitting at a computer and even taking a shower. But because you are so tired all the time, you begin to question where your life is heading and if you are ever going to be able to be ‘normal’ again. I felt helpless in a world that I had no control over. These feelings were then carried forward into my everyday life when I did eventually recover from the CFS itself. Such feelings lead to bouts of depression, insecurity, binge drinking and binge eating. I had lost direction in life.

The transformation helped to overcome all of this. I learnt to respect myself and my body through a steady diet and consistent training regime. My fitness level had gone through the roof and this is reflected in my photos. But what you don’t see are the huge changes on the inside – I am now disciplined, completely secure and happy in who I am.

When did you decide to get fit for life?
I had seen models in great shape but had always figured that they were just born that way. Since I had always been out of shape, I never conceived that my body was capable of a great physique.

Recently however, there has been a surge of ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos floating around the fitness industry (eg. The BodyBlitz champions).

After reading these people’s stories, I thought that it was about time that I challenged myself, just as they had. I asked myself, ‘How do I know that I could never get into that awesome shape?’ The fact is, I didn’t. But from then on, I began to gain control of both my body and my life.

What do you think were the contributing factors to your health problems? Was this directly reflected in your self perception?

From birth I had asthma – this prevented me from doing a lot of exercise. This was only worsened by the terrible state that my body was in as a result of my CFS. Following the CFS, I ate everything from greasy hamburgers to fried chips – they would always comfort me. I was a big drinker – I believed that I was only fun and could only have fun when I was drunk.

What sort of excuses did you make for your diet and lack of fitness?
One belief I had was that I was young and immortal. Health wasn’t a concern of mine... I thought I could worry about that in 20 or 30 years (ie. when it’s too late). As a result I didn’t worry about what food I ate and nor did I worry about the lack of exercise I performed. I had little self respect or security, so I avoided looking in the mirror and just thought it was something I needn’t worry about.

What sort of a support group did you call on to help you achieve your goal?
I trained consistently with a training partner. This definitely assisted my motivational levels. I also hired Josh Dickinson as my trainer who provided me with a wealth of motivation and information in order for me to achieve my goals. Finally I also spoke on a regular basis to other people who were very successful in the fitness industry — people who won bodybuilding and fitness competitions. This really helped me to believe that I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it.

What obstacles stood in your way?
First of all there was the initial change in my lifestyle. Such a dramatic change in my training and diet lead to changes in my family, social and work life. Changes are not always easy, but I decided that I was doing this for myself and at the end of the day we all have to look after ourselves.

Often I would be around nice-smelling (yet extremely unhealthy) food. I often had to tell myself that a six- pack is no match for a binge meal. This tended to become easier as the challenge went on as I slowly adapted to my new lifestyle and eating habits.

In the beginning of the challenge, my own self perception was an obstacle in itself. Often I would question whether or not I was ever going to get to my goal and whether the hard work would pay off.

I also encountered people who would laugh at me when I said I was going to get a six-pack. Initially, yes, it seemed a bit ‘out there’. But now that I’m in great shape, I’ve realised that it’s not such a near impossible feat.

What have been the key changes in terms of diet?
Previously I was having only a few meals a day. I was also not too concerned with what I ate or how much I ate. These are the key elements I implemented into my diet:

• Eat very regular meals (I ate up to 14 meals a day!)
• Have the right types of macronutrients (eg. Fast food fat is NOT the same as flax oil fat)
• Have meals at the right times (most of my nutrients in the morning and also following my workouts)
• Have a meal plan (I knew how much I was going to eat and when I was going to eat it.)
• Eat a whole range of vegetables and fruits for your micronutrient requirements
• Don’t starve yourself! I ate right up until bed time. If I woke up in the middle of the night, I would have a protein shake so my body wasn’t starving.

What have been the key changes in terms of exercise?
I never used to do much cardio at all. With my weights, I used to spend hours and hours in the weights room, training every body part on a daily basis, in the hope that I would buff up. Guess what – it never happened. These are the key elements I implemented into my exercise regime:

• Whether it be cardio or resistance training, train HARD and NEVER give up
• Limit your weights workout to about 40 minutes and only train two-to-three bodyparts a day
• Don’t do your cardio immediately before or after your weights. I left a good six or seven hours in between workouts so I could give each workout a maximal effort, leaving plenty of time for recovery.
• Rest your body! If you over-train you will get absolutely nowhere
• If you’re not getting anywhere with your training, you need to change something!

What has been the reaction from people around you?
Everyone I have spoken to has been absolutely blown away! They have seen my ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos and I have people who still don’t believe that those photos are of me. I’m even receiving positive comments from people of I have never spoken to before in my life!

But what is most rewarding is the fact that so many people have been inspired by such a drastic change in my body and perspective on life. There are so many people who can relate to my life experiences and this has triggered a change in their lives. Many people that I know have begun to turn their own life around for the better and words cannot describe the amazing feeling that brings. It’s great to know that me, the once ‘Average Joe’, can have such a positive impact on other peoples’ lives.

What has been one of the valuable lessons you have learnt?
Definitely that there are no boundaries in life. I used to set myself limits and THINK that that was the best I could do. Now I KNOW that I can ALWAYS do better. The power of the mind is amazing in all aspects of life. If I want a six-pack, I will get a six-pack. If I want to make a million dollars, I will make a million dollars. Too often I used to tell myself that I can’t. Now I tell myself that I will.

How have your family and friends benefited from this life change?
I think that they have all gained knowledge and inspiration from my experiences to make positive changes in their own lives. Whether it be changes in their diet or exercise regime, I think that it’s great to be able to assist them in reaching their own personal goals.

Has it been difficult at times?
Well the obstacles listed above go into this. On top of that though, of course there were days when I didn’t feel like going to the gym. I had to learn to determine whether I was trying to make an excuse for myself or if I really was run down and needed a break. Earlier in the challenge there were a few times where I tried to make excuses. Here I realised that I’m only kidding myself with an excuse. I got my butt into the gym and trained hard. Towards the end of the challenge, there were a couple of days that I was run down and took a break. This was hard in itself – staying away from the gym, the paranoia of fat accumulating set in. I had to realise that the break was for the greater good – much better to take one workout off than a whole week due to sickness.

What advice would you offer to anyone who is looking at making
a change?
Figure out what it is that you need to change – is it just your physical appearance or does it run much deeper than that? You need to tackle all issues together.

Speak to someone successful who knows how to train and eat for success. Be careful of who you choose to listen to – there are many people out there who will provide very bad advice.

Set yourself rock-solid goals. They will keep you on track and accountable.

Find a support group to help and motivate you through your changes. If you are in it alone, you have no-one else to back you up if you falter.

Make yourself a priority in your life. If you are down the bottom of your priority list, you will often be put aside and forgotten about.

What are your future aspirations in health and fitness?
I’m always striving to go that little bit better, whether it be lifting another few kilograms or pushing another 100 metres on the bike.

Because I have a big passion for both business and fitness, I’m in the process of setting up a big online resource, called “Amino Z” at http://www.aminoz.com.au On this website it’s my goal to help provide people with all the tools and resources to achieve a body beyond their wildest expectations. I really want to cut through all the misinformation floating around and provide the raw facts on how to get in shape and stay in shape. Plus I’m going to be doing some one-on-one coaching through the website and in person. I’m really excited about what the future will hold. IM