Bodybuilding's Jay Cutler wakes up to a breakfast of 15 egg whites, a couple of whole eggs and some toast. He's just getting started. A steak dinner comes a couple hours later. He then heads to the gym for an intense weight training session. After that, meals of chicken, buffalo meat and turkey are on the schedule. In between meals he's taking in various supplements for extra protein and vitamin coverage.



Tomorrow's schedule isn't going to get any easier.

Cutler is a disciplined trainer. He has to be. In 2006 he took pro bodybuilding's most prestigious title, Mr. Olympia, away from a legend. Ronnie Coleman, perhaps the most recognizable bodybuilder since Shwarzenegger, had won the title 8 consecutive times. Word is that Coleman wasn't at all pleased to relinquish the title and is focused on taking it back in 2007.

When these guys walk on stage, it is an impressive sight. They weigh in excess of 260 lbs. with body fat percentages so low they aren't even worth mentioning. It's a display of just how far the human physique can be pushed. It's a battle of nutrition and training strategies.

But, most of all, it's a battle of dedication.

Bodybuilding's rise in popularity can be traced not only to the professional ranks but to a health-conscious public that is discovering the benefits of natural bodybuilding. Keeping the workout intensity and healthy diet but subtracting the drugs has led to increase in six-pack abs and bulging biceps in the everyday population.

The dedication put forth by the sport's top pros may be a bit much for the average person -- a daily diet of 5 lbs. of meat and truly grueling training is a lot to ask. However, impressive results are attainable with a more tempered approach.

People willing to put in a few intense hours a week in the gym and show some diet savvy are finding that natural bodybuilding training techniques have true power. They are feeling and looking younger. They are getting stronger and experiencing the thrill of having their physiques demand double-takes.