Clarkston senior Shane Thompson began working out after school when he found out he had diabetes. Thompson got more and more involved in working out and eventually decided to become a body builder.
Last month at his first show Thompson won the Mr. Michigan Teen Bodybuilding competition.
Winning the competition did not come easy for Thompson, who went through a radical diet change to prepare for the event. His trainer Jerry came up with a special diet taking into consideration Thompson’s diabetes.
‘He went over diets with me,? Thompson said. ‘He showed me how to cut my carbs, proteins and fats. He let me know what foods to eat. The diet was really hard. I was at 218 and I was down to 164 the day of the show.?
The radical diet change could have caused major problems for Thompson because of his condition. Thompson had to really monitor his sugar because of the major changes.
‘I had to get up every hour and a half to check my sugar,? Thompson said. ‘I went to extremes to keep my sugar right and do the diet. I think it all paid off in the end.?
Thompson’s diet caused his mother Vicki to worry. She didn’t know staying after school to work out would turn her son into a bodybuilder.
‘When he first started staying after school, I thought it was good because of his sugar,? Vicki said. ‘Now I worry a lot. The show made me worry because of the radical diet change. He had to cut down on water, which he needs. I did a lot of praying. I’ve always been supportive. It’s a healthy thing that takes up a lot of his time. When he won, I was overjoyed and speechless for a minute.?
The Mr. Michigan competition was Thompson’s first bodybuilding experience. Leading up to the competition Thompson was not sure if it was going to be worth all the trouble.
‘It was definitely worth it after,? Thompson said. ‘Leading up to the event it didn’t seem like it would be worth it, but once I won it, I knew it was all worth it. I was ready to do another one right after.?
Coming into the show, Thompson didn’t have very high expectations.
‘At first I didn’t want to win anything,? Thompson said. ‘I just wanted to get my first show done and see what it was like. I didn’t know if I would have stage fright or trouble posing. It was an amazing experience to win.?
The CHS graduate is now hooked and will major in exercise science at Oakland University. He also came up with a year-round diet, which helps him stay in shape for shows.
The win at the Mr. Michigan show qualifies Thompson for the national competition for the next two years. Thompson said he is unsure if he will go to the national competition, but he will try to do some more shows before he decides.