Larry Wheels may have left the 2023 Amateur Olympia stage looking lean and stage-ready, but he didn’t stay that way for long. After finishing second in the Classic Physique division behind Ejike Enwereuzor Jr. on Nov. 2, 2023, the powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder made headlines by gaining 53 pounds in just five days.
🔹 From Peak Week to Post-Contest Feast
Leading up to the competition, Wheels trimmed down from roughly 265 pounds to 232 pounds using a strict diet and diuretics, aiming for a shredded contest-ready look. Despite his efforts, he fell short of earning his IFBB Pro League card, tipping the scales at 231.4 pounds during weigh-ins.
Once the show concluded, Wheels’ body rapidly rebounded. By Nov. 4, just days later, he had ballooned to 284 pounds. In a YouTube video posted on Nov. 5, Wheels shared the shocking transformation, attributing much of the weight gain to diuretic use and a high-calorie post-contest binge.
“I don’t think I’ve consumed enough fluid and solid food to add up to 40 pounds,” Wheels admitted. “I don’t understand where all the weight came from.”
🔹 Cheat Meals That Broke the Scale
After weeks of extreme dieting, Wheels indulged in nine calorie-dense cheat meals over two days, totaling an estimated 20,000 calories in the first 24 hours post-contest. His indulgences included:
Day One:
- Two bacon double cheeseburgers and a large fry (Five Guys)
- 16-ounce ribeye steak with sweet potato mash (Ruth’s Chris Steak House)
- One bag of Pop-Tarts
- Two cups of noodles
Day Two:
5. Cinnamon roll pancakes with hash browns and sunny-side-up eggs
6. Cinnamon roll bagel with cream cheese, orange juice, and cereal
7. Bacon double cheeseburger with fries and lemon cookies
8. Fried chicken sandwich, six wings, three tenders, fries, and chocolate cake with ice cream (Buffalo Wild Wings)
9. 14-inch margherita pizza with garlic knots and salad
🔹 Why the Weight Gain Happened
The dramatic post-contest weight spike was a classic combination of fluid retention from diuretic use and glycogen replenishment from binge eating. Wheels’ body, which had been in a severe caloric deficit and dehydration mode, naturally responded by holding onto water and storing carbohydrates in his muscles.
Despite the massive rebound, Wheels seemed unfazed, noting that it was time to return to disciplined training and clean eating.
“It’s time to screw my head back on straight and eat clean,” he said, signaling a quick return to his usual regimen.
Larry Wheels’ rapid weight gain serves as a reminder of how extreme contest prep can impact the body, and how quickly it can bounce back once the diet ends. For fans and aspiring competitors, it’s both a cautionary tale and a glimpse into the realities of professional bodybuilding and powerbuilding lifestyles.
