Kevin Parker
Name: Kevin Parker
Date of Birth: 10/22/64
Location: Born in Giddings, TX; presently live in Woodway, TX (a suburb of Waco)
Height: 5' 6"
Off Season Weight: 175 - 180 lbs.
Competition Weight: 162.5 - 165 lbs.
Years Training: 25 years
Years Competing: On & off for the past 20 years
Favorite Body part: Quads
Favorite Exercise: Squats & Deadlifts
Website: www.myspace.com/lildieselbodybuilding
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Have you always been in shape?
No, I started bodybuilding after high school & during college because I started to gain bodyfat in college after participating in high school sports. I wanted to combat fat gain and continue to pursue athletics so turned to weight training. I also find that it has become more important to combat fat gains the older I get.
How did you get started in bodybuilding?
I got into competing because my workout partners were also competing and liked the challenge of presenting the best body I possibly could/can.
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What is your training philosophy like?
I train one bodypart every 10 calendar days using a high intensity method of training to failure. I use a 30-15-8 rep scheme to incorporate a vigorous warm-up before lifting heavy although sometimes I emphasize the higher reps to prepare my joints & ligaments for heavier training eventually. It depends on how good (or out) of shape I'm in at the time as to whether I'm working/emphasizing higher or lower reps. I don't work lower reps & heavier weight until my joints, ligaments & tendons as well as cardiovascular system are prepared for them.
What is your favorite exercise?
I like the bench press, squat & deadlift because of the sense of accomplishment with the harder, old school exercises as well as the thickness these exercises help me present on-stage.
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What is your off season diet like?
Because of my age, I try to stay fairly lean in the off-season so I don't have as much fat to lose to prepare for a contest. To that end, I eat pretty much the same year round on workout days. The difference is Wednesday evenings when I have a "Date" with my wife and Saturdays. In the off-season, I eat whatever I want on my date and on Saturdays. During a competition diet, I restrict what I eat Wednesday and also diet on Saturdays.
Describe your diet during contest prep.
During a competition diet, I've had a lot of success with a high protein, low carb, medium fat diet. My protein calories range around 70-75%, carbs 10-15% & fat 10-15% of my total calories. I tried a true ketogenic diet but it didn't work for me as I couldn't process the extra fats.
What supplements have worked for you?
I try never to run out of glutamine ever when training, I like a good nitrous oxide product before training and use fat burners when dieting. Other than that, the rest of my supplements are comprised of vitamins & minerals.
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What advice would you give to aspiring athletes?
Diet & consistency are just as important if not more important than your training in the gym. Don't think that you can cut corners or train or diet inconsistently and reach your goals. You can't reach your all-time best with half your best effort!
What have you learned about yourself as a bodybuilding competitior?
I have learned that bodybuilding is my artistic expression and what an artist would do with paintbrushes or a mallet & chisel, I do with weights, a diet & cardio; my body is my pallet. God says my body is His temple so I do this to worship Him (with my artistic expression) by keeping His temple/my body in the best shape possible and not corrupt it with drugs.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to continue to compete until I stop improving and then focus on my gym with my co-owner & best friend, Jimmy Lawrence. My goal is to help others see the link between body, mind & soul.
"I will honor God by taking care of His temple I live in, my body. I won’t tear it down with drugs, nor allow things (like junk food or tobacco) to control me so that I compromise my health later down the road,,,"
Kevin Parker www.myspace.com/lildieselbodybuilding
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