In Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Flex Lewis stands out. He dominated with strategic prowess, securing multiple Olympia victories. In a recent podcast with MMA fighter Jack Shore, Lewis discussed his staggering 8000-calorie daily diet. Challenges in making weight before 2012-2018 titles were revealed.
Additionally, against Derek Lunsford and Shaun Clarida, Flex Lewis showcased a commanding presence. From Wales, he displayed granite muscle, massive forearms, and a meticulously sculpted back. Furthermore, his flawless on-stage performance solidifies Lewis’s title reign in the 212 category.
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In May 2022, Flex Lewis retired from competitive bodybuilding, citing appetite struggles. The door is slightly ajar for a potential ‘7-figure’ return. However, with newfound free time, Lewis reflects on the substantial dietary regimen that influenced his decision. Moreover, this introspection provides an opportunity to appreciate his career achievements and contemplate a future comeback.
Flex Lewis on Intense 8,000-Cal Diet & Battling 212 Weight Limits: ‘It Became Very Very Hard For Me’
Flex Lewis discusses the demands of his 8,000-calorie daily diet and the challenges of meeting 212 weight limits.
“That’s what I had to do, on some days I had to eat close to it was normally around about 8,000 but every here’s the thing right, oh people say oh I could do a 10,000 calorie challenge, every day?
Every day? Most of these guys who do the 10,000-calorie challenge, now there’s 20,000 whatever else, most of that stuff you can build up fast.”
To meet the 212 category weight, Lewis had to ‘shrink his stomach,’ limiting himself to clean foods.
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“I could do that even when I was eating all the time because you can get a lot of hidden calories in shit food. But when you’re eating good rice and fucking baked potatoes and all that stuff, that’s a lot of food.
So, I went from shrinking my stomach for the 212 and also I want to note this too: it became very very hard for me to make that 212 class.”
To maintain a reasonable off-season weight, Lewis frequently traveled to stay busy, noting he ‘always’ over-dieted throughout his career.
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“To the point where I was booking myself on the road to travel as much as I could just to keep my off-season cap low, I couldn’t allow myself to go over 235, I always would keep myself in that range. Being on the road, believe it or not, traveling was helping significantly.”
“When I came down, and when I was around my create comforts, I would blow up. I was in my gym, my elements, obviously eating consistently. For the last three Mr. Olympias, five, six, seven, I had to really suffer to get into them weights. For me to walk on stage, I wish, I wish I was able to show the best version of myself, and no one has ever seen the best version of myself because I always had to over diet.”
Weeks before Mr. Olympia competitions, Lewis recalls the challenge of cutting weight from 224-226 pounds.
“Me stepping on stage about 224, 226, I’ve got photos like four weeks out, ready and I had to find 12 pounds to come off of me. Me and my coach were like where the fuck is this coming. Neil would be like don’t worry we’ll get it out. Inside his head, he’s like this fucking ass hole again.
We had to find our way to get in. When you’re dieting down for a show you have to eat into muscle. For four weeks out, I smelled like piss. When you lose muscle you get the secretion or smell,” said Flex Lewis.
Despite not being present in the sport’s major competitions, Lewis has dedicated himself to improving his health and physique. He marked his 40th birthday with a noticeable transformation and has promised an even better look in 2024.
Even in retirement, Flex Lewis reflects on the challenges of his 212 diet during the peak of his career. As the most successful 212 bodybuilder, Lewis’ insights into nutrition highlight the difficulties of maintaining a top position in the world of bodybuilding.
For the full video, you can check Jack Shore’s YouTube channel:
Overview
Flex Lewis, a dominant force in Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, achieved multiple Olympia victories with strategic prowess. In a recent podcast, Lewis discussed the challenges of his 8000-calorie daily diet and the difficulties in making weight during his peak years. Despite retiring in May 2022 due to appetite struggles, Lewis hints at a potential return. His reflections on the demanding dietary regimen offer insight into the sacrifices and dedication required in the competitive bodybuilding world.
Featured Image @Flex Lewis Straight Outta the Lair ( YouTube ), @flex_lewis (Instagram)
