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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

Up Close … with bodybuilder Regis Delorie-‘I’ve had a lot of trials during my time as a bodybuilder’ |24 January 2012

Up Close … with bodybuilder Regis Delorie-‘I’ve had a lot of trials during my time as a bodybuilder’

Bodybuilder Regis Delorie


Once I got over my initial mousiness, I managed to learn a bit about the bodybuilding trade, dedication to the sport and the importance of living a disciplined life.
Born on September 4, 1975, Regis Delorie -- who has competed in and won several bodybuilding events in the region, including Mr Regatta, Jr. Mr Seychelles and Mr Seychelles -- said he has always been a very active person.
“When I was a teenager I was extremely involved in sports. I loved football and athletics and I enjoyed swimming in the sea. I loved watching movies too of course and the actors on TV at the time made quite a lasting impression on me. We’re talking about guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone who had amazing physiques. It was something to aspire to,” he said.

A beginning

During that same time, Regis met Robert Rose – the first person to really encourage him towards bodybuilding.
“I began lifting weights with Robert and he taught me a few crucial things. After a while I gradually moved from athletics to bodybuilding and it’s stuck ever since.”
Regis said he adores the sport.
“It’s the way to a great physique. Not only that, it helps incredibly with discipline in all areas of life. I don’t smoke and when I do drink it’s in moderation and mostly at events,” he said.

When the going gets tough

“I’ve had a lot of trials during my time as a bodybuilder. This is how I see it; if you’re a volleyball player sure you play – but at the end of the day the ball gets locked up in a locker somewhere and you can mostly go about your daily life. When it comes to bodybuilding however, every decision you make could have a drastic effect on how your body looks. It’s a 24-hour discipline, watching what you put into your body and dedication to training – I can’t just forget about being a bodybuilder at the end of a work day. It doesn’t work that way.”
Regis said another issue in the bodybuilding world is sponsors and capital in general.
“Supplements are expensive. So are gym equipment and I’m lucky enough that God has blessed me with my own gym.”
“The thing is,” he continued, “most people will invest everything in a house or car or anything remotely close, but when it comes to one’s own body, well, you get a whole different level of investment that needs to be poured into it, especially when it comes to bodybuilding.”
“I keep trying to drill into the heads of beginners ¬– patience is a virtue and so is focus. A target needs to be set and realistic goals reached. There really is no other way around it.”

On exercise and diet

Regis said he does not really have a specific preference for exercise.
“I try to mix it up a bit and treat each part of my body equally. We have something called an off- season and an on-season, both of which are very different,” he explained.
“In our off-season, bodybuilders tend to just bulk up – that is eat. We basically eat a lot and pack on the pounds,” he said laughing.
“So we’re not always incredibly shredded. Next comes pre-contest season where for three months, time is spent in dieting down, burning fat and getting rid of excess water from the body which prepares us for our ‘on-season’ which is mostly competition time.”

A note on body size

Anybody looking at Regis can see how muscular the guy is, which logically leads us to assume he must be doing some form of weight training. Now, for those who are not too familiar with its benefits, here are some of the things it can do according to the training station online:
It can decrease bad cholesterol in the body, reduce risk of diabetes, insulin, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and the list goes on.
The ironic thing is it’s exactly what Regis is up to.
“I’ve had people tell me I’m too fat, will get cancer and die prematurely,” he said laughing.
Hold the phone! He wasn’t serious was he?
“Nah, I’m serious, people would call my family and tell them if I keep doing what I do, I would eventually die and this is something I think I should clear up. People, if you are big, you are not necessarily unhealthy. It doesn’t work that way.”
Hmm...maybe the World Health Organisation should re-think the use of the infamous Body Mass Index (BMI). I did some poking around of my own and found that on the BMI charts, bodybuilding legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger (during ‘on-season’) was classified as obese! Ridiculous!!!

On women and weights

Again, Regis set out to de-bunk some popular myths common among many women in the country.
“I can’t say this enough. Lifting weights will not turn (a woman) into a man!” he said laughing. “It tones and helps to carve out a nice physique. Unless it’s what you are going for, it’s pretty difficult to bulk up by doing weights at the gym. In fact, what is most likely to happen are sleeker, toned looking arms. Even female swimmers, models and volleyball players lift weights and you don’t see them lugging around massive arms and ultra-defined six packs!”

A bodybuilding federation we can be proud of

The subject of a divided bodybuilding society seemed to be a touchy subject for Regis.
“Enough already! Honestly, I think it’s bad enough some people cannot take part in the Mr Seychelles contest. It’s a long and dragging story and I believe it needs to stop,” said Regis.

“What I would really like to see is a united bodybuilding federation. One where any Seychellois who wants to take part in a competition can do so without any problems. This is what we need to help advance the sport, not division among us,” he said looking disgusted. “It’s a real shame.”

Inspiration

“I would have to say Arnold is my biggest inspiration. He’s been able to achieve almost every single one of his dreams -- from becoming Mr Universe to becoming Governor of the State of California. Now that’s real achievement.”

Advice to those who want to join bodybuilding

“To the beginners, I say hats off to you for plucking up the courage to join the sport. All that’s needed now is patience and discipline. It’s easy for beginners to get brainwashed into thinking they can pump iron and become super built in a few days, but that’s just not realistic.

To the intermediate I say keep training hard. Persistence is key and so is discipline and to my fellow advanced bodybuilders, I say help in any way you can to promote, encourage and build the sport. Coach others if you can. Today you may be the winner on stage but tomorrow will be another generation’s turn. Help keep bodybuilding alive and thriving.”

By Rebecca Chang-Tave

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