My ex used to eat dynamite to lose weight.

I half kid when I say that. He was and still is an aspiring bodybuilder. He was a former fat-kid and powerlifter. November 2008, he decided to change his diet and work out to compete in bodybuilding. By late summer-early fall 2009, he had lost 122lbs to compete at the INBF/WNBF World Championships where he placed 6th in his weight class; and 2nd place in Novice, 4th Open middleweights at IFPA OCB Syracuse Competition.

There was one point in his diet he decided to start cycling DNP (2,4-Dinitrophenol). It’s a cellular metabolic poison. “It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by carrying protons across the mitochondrial membrane, leading to a rapid consumption of energy without generation of ATP” (Wiki). At one point it had been found in the system of many mine workers who worked with dynamite in which the chemical had been used in. It’s side effects included increased body temperature, yellowing of the skin, hot flashes…

So basically, what it did was take all the carb sources he ate and immediately generated it into heat/energy. His mood was cranky and he was constantly hot (I’d complain that I were cold and he’d keep the windows opened). What a strange time that was. The ridiculous strains and unhealthy behavior he practiced to compete as a bodybuilder still astonishes me. Eating DNP scares the shit out of me, and should not be used as a dietary supplement. He developed a case of body dysmorphia at this point where he was never lean enough nor big enough. The amount of mental and physical damage bodybuilding and pushing your body to its limit to reach “perfection” really takes a toll.