InstagramRonnie Ortiz-Magro is living proof that hard work pays off.
Known for his beefy build and fiery temper on MTV's Jersey Shore, the 28-year-old reality star recently revealed that his muscles had atrophied since falling ill in 2013. After posting a before-and-after photo taken in the span of a month, Ortiz-Magro told his Instagram fans, "I really let myself go after I got sick last year. It's been a long road. I am nowhere I want to be shape wise, but I feel better than I ever did."
(In April 2013, the Bronx native was hospitalized with kidney stones. "Wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone!" he tweeted at the time. "Kidneys. FML." When one Twitter follower suggested he take some protein, Ortiz-Magro tweeted back, "I have to because I can't hold any food down from the pain.")
In the Instagram caption, Ortiz-Magro added, "#DietingIsKEY #CardioSavedMyGoodYearTire #TransformationThursday #letTheAbuseBegin #WowYouGotFatAsFk #AllThatDrinkingAtTheShore #DoIneedToLookLikeICarryLugguageForALiving #ItFeelsGoodToWipeMyOwnAss #LastTimeIhadASixPackWasWhenIpassedOutOnTheBeachWithACoronaOnMyChest #GymFlow."
How did he get his body back so quickly? "Weight, cardio and abs 5-6 times a week," he tweeted.
Asked if he's taking any supplements, Ortiz-Magro tweeted, "I was taking TrigX which is a NO2 and than animal pax for all my vitamins etc." Exercise isn't the only way the ex-Xenadrine spokesperson added muscle and trimmed fat. "Dieting is such a big part!" he tweeted. "If it tastes good don't eat it lol."