By Eva-Marie Ayala
Star-Telegram writer

Former Arlington police officer Ronnie Coleman flexed his muscles on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday night, a month after he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia title.

"I was a 98-lb weakling when I was about 5 years old," Coleman said while bantering with Leno. "I've come a long way since then."

Coleman resigned from the Arlington Police Department on Wednesday, police Sgt. James Hawthorne said. However, Coleman implied on the Leno show that he was still an officer, telling anecdotes about his police career.

After he joined the force in 1989, Coleman was named Rookie of the Year by the city's African-American Police Association.

Coleman told Leno that he works out less than an hour each day, and eats hamburgers and pizza.

"I'm kind of what they call a genetic freak," said the 305 pound Coleman, who boasts a 58-inch chest and 24-inch biceps.

Brian Dobson, owner of Metroflex Gym in Arlington, where Coleman, 36, trains, said one reason Coleman may have decided to be a full-time bodybuilder is because of the great demand for him.

"He does a lot of appearances, about one each weekend," Dobson said, adding that Coleman's fan base continues to grow. "He has such a huge following. Each week we get letters for him from places like Iraq and Venezuela."

Coleman told Leno, who introduced Coleman as being from Dallas, that he began bodybuilding in 1990 after Dobson offered him a free membership if he would compete in contests.

In 1991, Coleman won the Mr. Universe title.

Ronnie is introduced on the show.