feature article : Mr. Metrosexual Metamorphosis, A Metrosexual Odyssey /

In its summer issue, Verge introduced you to Dusty Fuller, winner of our Mr. Metrosexual makeover contest. Over the past three months, Dusty has been eating, exercising and enhancing his lifestyle to become a healthier, happier guy. Verge counseled him and clothed him, and now weíre unveiling him to our readers.
 
The first two weeks of Fullerís makeover regimen required adjusting to the Success Meals diet plan. As the busy owner of a concrete foundation business, his workingmanís diet shifted from pizza, fried food and beer to foods limiting his total intake of fat to 12 grams per day. While his wife Janelle and two sons could eat take-out or home-cooked meals on any given night, Fuller had to exercise more self-control. He soon adapted to eating only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. as part of the new diet and workout regimen.

Above: Dusty getting groomed by stylist David Magee of Spy Agency Below: Workout with trainer Stephon McCann of Universal Fitness

 
Typical Success Meal entreés included a breakfast with eggs, ham (or turkey sausage) and a wheat bagel. Lunch fare might be a light meal such as chicken salad or turkey wrap with smoked Gouda cheese, followed by a brownie or slice of cake for dessert. Fuller enjoyed chowing dinner selections like beef stroganoff.
 
"It amazes me how they can prepare a variety of these meals with only 12 grams of fat. I can sit down at the table with my family while theyíre eating something else and still enjoy my own food," Fuller said.
 
His physique and mental attitude underwent a gradual shift with each meal and weekly workout. Training sessions with Stephon McCann, a certified personal trainer at Universal Fitness, focused on weight loss and building muscle mass. McCann agreed to increase Fullerís workouts up to three times per week because of his protégéís enthusiasm to get fit. Workout sessions alternated between drills for upper and lower body, weight lifting and running to improve Fullerís cardio.
 
ìBy the third week, it sucked. It became a huge challenge to not get discouraged easily. Sometimes it was an issue of liking all of the food or I didnít feel like running. It takes discipline,î Fuller said.
 
Janelle confirmed that Dusty was struggling after a few weeks into the program. With a starting weight of 248 pounds and a 40-inch waistline, he certainly had incentive to shed excess weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Exercise and diet were the most important and challenging building blocks of the program. Fuller struggled with eating only foods on the diet plan, cutting out carbohydrates and consuming protein.
 
ìHeís a picky eater. He didnít cheat, but he wasnít eating all of his food like tofu or asparagus for snacks. There were a lot of meals that he loves,î Janelle said.
 
Fuller lost two inches from his waistline and 15 pounds overall by weeks four and five. He has since regained some weight from increased muscle mass as his workouts continued. Family and friends observed his shrinking waistline and weight loss. Fuller tried not to pay attention so he could focus on making progress.
 
"I hated it when they noticed because then you think you can cheat. My appetite has curbed a lot. If I do take a bite of pizza, then I think ëDamn, Iím working my ass off for what?íî he said. Left: teeth whitening with Dr. Claassen Right: new threads with Isaac Hawkins of Imagery
 
McCann coached Fullerís workouts and demonstrated correct technique to maximize performance results. Fuller went from pressing 70 pounds to 130 pounds in the seated rowing exercise, from pumping 60 to 90 pounds in the overhead triceps press, and from completing one set of 10 pushups to 3 sets of 10 comfortably. The good-natured rapport between them balanced McCannís firm direction and encouragement.
 
ìStephon will work you. Heís a genuine, all-around guy. If I donít succeed, heíll kick my ass,î joked Fuller.
 

 
After four weeks in the program, Fuller believed he could succeed and achieve his goals. He has been able to wrestle with his kids after work without feeling tired and mentally stressed. Not only has his energy level increased, his self-esteem has blossomed as well.
 
ìWhen I get ready for work, Iím not half embarrassed to walk around with my shirt off in front of my wife. You feel good. Sheís excited, too, and thatís motivating. I have reached a new notch on my belt. Iím still far off, but Iíll get there,î he said.
 
Fuller attended counseling sessions with Elaine Meizlich, Counseling and Human Relations Associates, as part of the program. They discussed his motivation to keep dieting and meet his goals as Fuller headed into the sixth and seventh week of the program.
 
ìItís tough until you get your mindset. I need someone to help me do it. I could be better off by now, so itís time to buckle down,î he admitted.
 
Fuller kicked into high gear as he neared the end of the second month. He has lost 20 pounds so far and reduced his waistline from 40 to 36 inches. His upper body and arms developed more definition. By weeks seven and eight, he could bench 140 pounds in the chest press, doubling his initial benchmark.

 
ìIíve been pushing harder. I wonít stop after this program is done. My wife wonít let me. I havenít reached my ideal weight at 205 pounds, which is impossible in 12 weeks, but itís a long jumpstart,î he said.
 
The Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) focuses on the systems of the body and the interconnected nature of the body and skeletal system. An osteopath combines the treatment of the person, not the disease, with conventional medicine such as medications and surgery to pro-mote health.
 
His determination did not waver even over Fatherís Day. He joined his family for breakfast and then attended a family barbecue later in the day. Fuller cheated a little and savored a steak. The Success Meals diet program does allow one cheat day each week. To celebrate his five-year wedding anniversary, Fuller relaxed the following weekend with his wife at The Elms as a more confident, attractive man.
 
Fuller took additional steps to polish his image. He tanned at Solkissed Tanning in Westport and visited Dr. Robert Claassen, DDS, to have his teeth bleached. The final steps in the metrosexual makeover during weeks 11 and 12 involved hair styling and spa treatment at Spy Agency. Then he sought out Imagery in Westport for some fashion guidance.
 
Fuller still has not lost some of his rougher edges, but seemed well on his way toward a metrosexual transformation. He casually strolled into Spy Agency wearing comfortable jeans with a 36-inch waist and a T-shirt. Before pampering at the salon, he spit out the last of his chaw, or chewing tobacco, into a Hardeeís drink cup reluctantly. Janelle watched as stylist Jessica Rodriquez filed away at Fullerís fingertips during his first manicure. A pedicure, facial and hair styling followed during the half-day beauty session.
 
ìIs it bad?î Fuller asked about the state of his hands, worn and battered from pouring concrete and building foundations.
 
ìThe cuticles need to be pushed back,î Rodriquez replied for starters. ìI donít even know what a cuticle is,î he said. Fullerís pedicure came next on the schedule. ìOh geez. Iím a classic hillbilly when it comes to my toes.î
 
He sat in a reclining chair like royalty, soaked his feet, and sipped on chilled soda water from a wineglass. After the pedicure, Fuller relaxed on a bed in a separate room as his attendant brushed an aloe green facial exfoliating cream along his face and forehead. Rodriquez explained that the cream was good for removing dead skin and reviving the complexion.
 
ìPeople do this stuff? I feel like Iíve got sand in my face,î Fuller lamented. He remained helpless in the hands of another woman as Janelle oversaw the proceedings with a barely suppressed grin. Fuller conceded that his skin actually did feel better after the treatment. Next he strolled over to a chair where stylist David Magee awaited. Magee sprayed a water-based tonic onto Fullerís brown curls, then pulled a plastic wrap tightly over his scalp. The wrap would protect and separate most of his hair from the few strands that would be drawn out selectively from holes in the plastic. Fuller sat patiently while his stylist worked with the care of a surgeon and charm of a game show host. Once the coloring was complete, Fullerís hair gleamed with the sun-kissed highlights of a Backstreet Boy or maybe a Hawaiian surfer ó looking leaner and cleaner to say the least.
 
Only Dusty Fullerís fashion revamp at the Imagery remained before his unveiling to the world as a modern day metrosexual. He met with Isaac Hawkins to select some clothes for a spiffy, stylish look. Hawkins suggested a pair of sleek black slacks with subtle stripes that gave Fuller a slim look from the waist down. Paired with a long-sleeve maroon shirt, Fuller emerged from the dressing room as a well-dressed hunk. Next he tried a pink and brown dress shirt that didnít suit his manly tastes. Fuller wasnít quite ready for that fashion dare.
 
The second shirt displayed a lively print in blues and browns that accented Fullerís lighter shade of hair and fit snug against his solid chest and arms. He donned a hip pair of jeans that Hawkins measured for tailoring. The final shirt featured strips of colorful cloth sewn into the body of the white, long sleeve shirt. Very designer, very chic, very look-at-me. Fuller had the self-confidence and aw-shucks charm to pull it off. His new wardrobe included three shirts, slacks, jeans and a pair of snazzy sunglasses. Fuller was ready for the world, his wife and certainly his buddies at the next poker night.
 
ìIíve gotten teased by my friends about Mr. Metrosexual getting his hair done. Iím taking it in stride. In the end, I can walk up to them and not be so slobby,î Fuller said.
 
Far from a slob, Dusty Fuller has emerged stronger, sleeker, more fit and self-confident about his image and lifestyle. He intends to continue working out to shed more weight and increase his strength. He doesnít take this opportunity for granted. Fuller is more determined than ever to wish for an ideal, to worry less about his potential, and to certainly live up to his commitments. Perhaps that is the truest mark of this manís life-affirming makeover.
 

"I've gotten teased by my friends about Mr. Metrosexual getting his hair done. Iím taking it in stride. In the end, I can walk up to them and not be so slobby."