Real-Life Popeye Arms

by umer | 10:28 PM in |

Real-Life Popeye Arms, Massachusetts bodybuilder Moustafa Ismail, nicknamed the real-life Popeye, has the world's biggest arms - and he insists those things are all-natural.

As natural as anything bolstered by seven pounds of protein, nine pounds of carbohydrates and three gallons of water each day can be, at least.

Skeptics say there must also be steroids or some other artificial means behind Ismail's beyond-bulging biceps and triceps, which measure 31 inches around.

The Guinness World Records is waffling on whether to recognize him.

Moustafa Ismail swears he's legit, though, and that his arms are the result of a punishing workout regimen he started because of a guest at his uncle's wedding.

At the event, in his native Egypt, his overweight frame was mocked.

"They call me Popeye, the Egyptian Popeye," Ismail, 24, said, but unlike the cartoon character's love for veggies, "I like chicken, beef, anything but spinach."

It's not easy having the world's biggest arms. He also takes mineral and vitamin supplements and drinks plenty of water to flush out his system.

The controversy that ensued when Guinness decided to recognize his world's biggest arms - and critics alleged steroid use - has dogged him since, he admits.

Clothes shopping is also a chore. The rest of Ismail is average, so it's touch finding shirts that fit without making him look like a little kid playing dress-up.