Man bids to be next Arnie with budget food ranges

A bodybuilder from Cheshire has said supermarket budget ranges are helping fuel his training for the Mr Universe competition.

Tim Rosiek, 41, from Walgherton near Nantwich, secured his first world title in June at an event in Austria.

Now, the father of two has his sights set on becoming Mr Universe in 2026 - on a diet of affordable meals, sticking strictly to supermarket own-label ingredients.

Previous winners of the Mr Universe contest include Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger – who earned the title four times in the 1960s and 70s.

Mr Rosiek told BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme that he needed to be smart with his food shopping.

The personal trainer said he ate seven meals every day to sustain his physique.

He explained that preparation for the competition would be costly if he didn’t make the most of supermarket basic ranges.

“As you can imagine seven meals can get out of hand if you’re shopping in certain supermarkets,” he said.

“My protein consumption is much higher than the average Joe Bloggs.”

Figures from retail analysts Kantar suggest Mr Rosiek has joined a growing number of savvy shoppers.

They told You and Yours on BBC Radio 4 that, in the 12 months up to June 2024, the number of own-label products purchased in British supermarkets was up by 240 million packs.

Mr Rosiek said he budgeted his meals to cost no more than £2 each. He worked this out at £14 a day, or £98 weekly.

He said he also shares recipes for “high-protein, low-fat” meals to help others going through the gruelling preparation needed for bodybuilding competitions.

“I can get six or seven meals out of one cooked chicken.”

“You can even mix scrambled eggs and rice together and make a nutritious meal for under £1.”

Mr Rosiek bought his first set of weights at the age of 12 and said he enjoyed the routine of bodybuilding but added that it was hard work.

“When I’m dieting just before a show, it’s fine. But when I’m growing, food can become quite daunting,” said Mr Rosiek.

“Once you’re organised and prepared and have a rhythm, it’s easy. I don’t have a lot of time to prepare meals, but I’m efficient with it.”

It had taken months to recover from winning the world title due to the stress of the diet, Mr Rosiek said.

He previously came runner up in both the 2022 Mr Universe competition as well as the 2003 Junior Mr Universe contest.

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