Daron Lytle

I just got back from watching my oldest daugther Nicole play basketball. This is very exciting, let me tell you. Sometimes parents can get caught up in the excitement and forget that their kids should be having fun. Well, I am all about having fun. If you don’t enjoy what you do, why do it? Yes, I do want to win and that is a goal I wish to obtain. Most of all though, I love to compete. The feeling that I have when I can showcase all of my hard work is the best. In my mind I always win.

I’ve only been training 3 days a week now and I’m really loving so much rest time in between.  Soon it will be coming to a halt .  My plan is to do some photo shoots and maybe even some video at the beginning of next year.  I’ve defiinitely enjoyed myself over the last couple of months.  Thanksgiving was good, but my body still had a hard time dealing with all those sides and desserts.  Christmas is coming up and I’ll be visiting my mother in St. Louis.  I will be putting away some food there as well.  I think I’ll have to add some rest to go along with that “Train, Eat, Train”.

On November 5, 2009 I turned 36 years old. I was looking through a Men’s Journal magazine and came upon an advertisment for men over 35. It pretty much said that I have already begun to notice changes in my performance. It also went on to say that hormone levels are on the decline, bodyfat will increase, loss of lean muscle, low energy, thinnning hair, depression and decrease in bone mass. Basically, I’m supposed to be going through “andropause”. Well, all I know is that I am not experiencing any of the systems metioned. That justs proves that I am a real “Natural Freak”!

Hey what’s going on guys.  Well my off season mode continues.  Training only 3 days a week with a couple of days of cardio sprinkled in there.  To be honest with you, I have been eating a lot of things I haven’t had in a while.  I thought I would jump in again and do the Sacremento Pro, but I’ve decided not to.  Anyway, I have been getting a lot of exposure from REPS magazine  and I’m truly loving it.  I like the fact that I get my name and an occassional metion that I am an IFBB professional bodybuilder with each pic.  I recently received an email from Tony Monchinski of MuscleMag.  He gave me some great compliments and asked me to answer a few questions from him.  Tony does the East Coast Muscle column for MuscleMag.  He told me to be patient and he would get me in there.  I also did an interview for the U.S. Army.  That story has been distributed throughtout the services.  I can definitely get used to this.

Ok, I have lost count of how many times that people have said that I look like 50 cent. I was disappointed when 50 showed up at this years Arnold because I missed a photo op. I wanted people to see both of us side by side. I’ve also been mistaken for Flex, yeah the living legend himself. I think someone asked to take a picture of me thinking I was him! It’s all good though. I just smile and go along with it. Well, today I was taken by surprise. Someone came up to me while I was training legs and asked me my name. This person thought I was David Henry. David Henry? He said he had been out of the bodybuilding game for a while. I forgave him for that one.

Right now I’m trying to get an off season routine together.  I’ve decided not to compete in the Sacramento Pro in November.  I’m just waiting to see what the 2010 schedule is going to look like.  To tell you the truth, I’m taking things slow.  I want to extend my growth (off-season) period until about February or so of next year.  I’d like to stick with compound movements while training, do minimum cardio, and watch my waist line in the process.  I have to say that my wife is happier now because we’re been having more “family time”.  Yeah, it’s a work in progress right now.

I had an absolutely great time during Olympia weekend. Spending some time with the EFX crew, signing autographs, talking to fans, doing interviews, taking pictures, etc. was all good. I have to say that the final show was kind of anti-climatic. Some of the placings seemed out of order. I do believe Jay deserved to regain the title. I don’t believe that Kevin English beat David Henry though. I was also happy for Kai. I will never forgot when he got his pro card at the Team Universe in 2004. I came in 3rd place in that show. He has come a long way. Good for him.

It’s almost here…Olympia weekend.  I can’t wait!  All American EFX will be in the building.  We will be showcasing the new Flex Wheeler signature line and of course the “Natural Freaks” will be in rare form.  I get a little nervous during this time.  It’s almost like I’m going to compete in a show.  This is a perfect time to meet and greet the fans and share loads of information about the wonderful sport of bodybuilding.  I also enjoy being able to see some of the bodybuilders that I admire.  During the Atlantic City Pro I had an opportunity to talk to Craig Richardson, Curtis Bryant,  Troy Alves, Leo Ingram and Clarence DeVis.  They are all great guys.  I guess I’m a big fan as well.

Well, the AC Pro is over and I have to say that I believe that I am a winner always. This is the first open show that I have actually placed in and from this point on it will only get better. “Is he happy?” you ask, yes I am. I just see myself getting better each time. This is definitely a learning process. I’m going back to the lab to bring something better for the next one.

Right after the show I did reward myself with a cool ranch burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms and of course fries. For desert I had a double chocolate brownie sundae. Oh yeah!

Well, what happens this week can make things better or worse. I’m low carbing it and depleting glycogen for the next couple of days. Energy levels are not that bad surprisingly. Each day my body changes and I am pleased with how I look. I’m a little nervous, but I know it will soon go away when I step foot on that stage.

Tomorrow is another day of morning cardio and a full body workout in the evening (no legs though). This is going to be good ya’ll.