Countdown to 1st Contest

Training Bodybuilding
181

I think it’s interesting at this point,… the changes seem to be coming quicker. I was comparing this week’s pics with those from just 2 weeks ago, and you can really tell differences in certain poses. I actually sent a copy of my 3/31/09 pics to Shaun Clarida (WNBF pro), as we’ve become friendly from seeing each other at various seminars and events, really just hoping for some feedback as to if I’m on target or not with the time I have left.

Without getting into what he said word for word, let’s just say that he was very impressed with where I’m at, and said to continue to focus on bringing in my glutes and hams. Which made me realize that although I now know to flex my hams in various side shots, I never even thought to squeeze my glutes. Hopefully that will add to the delineation in the next group of pics.

And on a funny note, now that Corey, my training partner, is cutting a bit, tonight we were both doing Intervals, and were dragging our asses from no carbs all day. Always makes you feel better when someone else looks like you feel -lol.

I also tanned for about 12 minutes, which makes me wonder, I’m doing this every 3rd day in my rotation, and although I’ll be a little red tomorrow, it usually fades by the next time I’m scheduled to use the tanning booth. Do I need more time, or is this just a slow process to build up?

S

182

About the tanning Stu, I think it depends on how well you tan compared to how easily you burn.

For example, I’m pretty damn white myself, so I tan slowly and work my way up. Normally do 3 times a week at 10, then 12, then 14 for two weeks, then 16, then 18 and I hold there. If I burn badly before I am pretty dark I lose it all, so it’s a slow process.

If you’re like me maybe give that a shot, but if you can burn good and have it turn into a tan then I’d say up it. I’d say that if you are red but fading by the time you tan again then you’re fine where you’re at. It’s when you are fine the next day that it’s time to ramp it up.

Hope that helps, us pasty guys have to stick together.

183

Dude, amazing symmetry. You could fold in half and line up.

184

[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
I think it’s interesting at this point,… the changes seem to be coming quicker. I was comparing this week’s pics with those from just 2 weeks ago, and you can really tell differences in certain poses. I actually sent a copy of my 3/31/09 pics to Shaun Clarida (WNBF pro), as we’ve become friendly from seeing each other at various seminars and events, really just hoping for some feedback as to if I’m on target or not with the time I have left.

Without getting into what he said word for word, let’s just say that he was very impressed with where I’m at, and said to continue to focus on bringing in my glutes and hams. Which made me realize that although I now know to flex my hams in various side shots, I never even thought to squeeze my glutes. Hopefully that will add to the delineation in the next group of pics.

And on a funny note, now that Corey, my training partner, is cutting a bit, tonight we were both doing Intervals, and were dragging our asses from no carbs all day. Always makes you feel better when someone else looks like you feel -lol.

I also tanned for about 12 minutes, which makes me wonder, I’m doing this every 3rd day in my rotation, and although I’ll be a little red tomorrow, it usually fades by the next time I’m scheduled to use the tanning booth. Do I need more time, or is this just a slow process to build up?

S
[/quote]

You’re like getting to the next level of muscle definition; your deltoid separation and arm vascularity are visually different. With these weeks and the water and carb manipulations you’ll nail the conditioning.

Keep us updated Stu! I’m sure everyone who has written in this thread wishes you the best luck.

185


I’m going to try upping the tanning by a few minutes, but if it doesn’t “take” to my pale skin, I’ll just have to rely n 5 coats of pro-tan. I’m certain there are some competitors who don’t even bother with the whole base-tan’ and just do the paint job the night before.

I am wondering though the method of application as far as how far out I should start. My plan for the last week is totally based on Thibs’ article (6 days), which states to basically apply several coats throughout friday, and then a last one sat morning. I have, however, read other suggestions where the recommendations are to start at least on thursday, which wouldn’t be horrible if I did my 1st coat thursday night after showering in the evening. As usual, any thoughts are helpful, as I know I will need about 5 coats to get as dark as I will need to.

I also thought I’d share this pic with you guys,… for those who don’t realize how much of certain foods you go through,. Even though I am still going to my corner market/vegetable stand for stuff like constant supplies of broccoli, asparagus, cottage cheese, and a few others, the foods that I’ve come to rely on for the bulk of my diet require at least bi-weekly trips to BJs wholesale club. I dragged my girlfriend there with me yesterday, and as she rarely shops, barely eats,(and no, she doesn’t cook either! -lol) and has no concept of food in regards to prices and amounts, she was a little shocked.

2 packs 10lbs Chicken Breasts
2 double packs Turkey Breast Slices
3 double packs Turkey Pepperoni
2 4-packs Liquid Egg Whites
3 double packs Kraft Fat Free Cheese slices
2 packs celery hearts
1 large bag Romaine (I usually buy this at the corner market)
1 bottle Fish Oil Capsules

TOTAL ITEMS: 16
TOTAL PRICE: $150.00

S

186

[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
I’m going to try upping the tanning by a few minutes, but if it doesn’t “take” to my pale skin, I’ll just have to rely n 5 coats of pro-tan. I’m certain there are some competitors who don’t even bother with the whole base-tan’ and just do the paint job the night before.

I am wondering though the method of application as far as how far out I should start. My plan for the last week is totally based on Thibs’ article (6 days), which states to basically apply several coats throughout friday, and then a last one sat morning. I have, however, read other suggestions where the recommendations are to start at least on thursday, which wouldn’t be horrible if I did my 1st coat thursday night after showering in the evening. As usual, any thoughts are helpful, as I know I will need about 5 coats to get as dark as I will need to.

I also thought I’d share this pic with you guys,… for those who don’t realize how much of certain foods you go through,. Even though I am still going to my corner market/vegetable stand for stuff like constant supplies of broccoli, asparagus, cottage cheese, and a few others, the foods that I’ve come to rely on for the bulk of my diet require at least bi-weekly trips to BJs wholesale club. I dragged my girlfriend there with me yesterday, and as she rarely shops, barely eats,(and no, she doesn’t cook either! -lol) and has no concept of food in regards to prices and amounts, she was a little shocked.

2 packs 10lbs Chicken Breasts
2 double packs Turkey Breast Slices
3 double packs Turkey Pepperoni
2 4-packs Liquid Egg Whites
3 double packs Kraft Fat Free Cheese slices
2 packs celery hearts
1 large bag Romaine (I usually buy this at the corner market)
1 bottle Fish Oil Capsules

TOTAL ITEMS: 16
TOTAL PRICE: $150.00

S
[/quote]

Have you tried buying the un-cooked rotissarie (sp?) Chickens? They are .99c/pound at more store and I save big money on buying them vs the packaged stuff. Keep it up Stu your dedication is unmatched!

187

The 10 lb bags of chicken breasts actually cost $24 each, so we’re talking a couple of cents more than $2 a lb, which, if you factor in the weight of the bones in the full chickens, is an amazing deal. When I’m not cutting, I do like to pick up those pre-cooked full bird in the little plastic container and just pick at them whenever I walk past my fridge -lol.

My routine lately, is that twice a week (sometimes 3x), I just line up a baking sheet with chicken breasts, and slow cook them in my oven. Then I’ve got a huge tupperware filled with cooked breasts available at all times, and I usually carry a few with me in a soft cooler I picked up at a hardware store, along with a ton of celery, cups of cashews, Cottage Cheese, and whatever else may be on the daily allowance of macros.

S

188

So I think you have 4 weeks to go? How will you be treating your pre-contest diet? I assume you will water load, water deplete and carb up?

189

[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
I’m going to try upping the tanning by a few minutes, but if it doesn’t “take” to my pale skin, I’ll just have to rely n 5 coats of pro-tan. I’m certain there are some competitors who don’t even bother with the whole base-tan’ and just do the paint job the night before.

I am wondering though the method of application as far as how far out I should start. My plan for the last week is totally based on Thibs’ article (6 days), which states to basically apply several coats throughout friday, and then a last one sat morning. I have, however, read other suggestions where the recommendations are to start at least on thursday, which wouldn’t be horrible if I did my 1st coat thursday night after showering in the evening. As usual, any thoughts are helpful, as I know I will need about 5 coats to get as dark as I will need to.

I also thought I’d share this pic with you guys,… for those who don’t realize how much of certain foods you go through,. Even though I am still going to my corner market/vegetable stand for stuff like constant supplies of broccoli, asparagus, cottage cheese, and a few others, the foods that I’ve come to rely on for the bulk of my diet require at least bi-weekly trips to BJs wholesale club. I dragged my girlfriend there with me yesterday, and as she rarely shops, barely eats,(and no, she doesn’t cook either! -lol) and has no concept of food in regards to prices and amounts, she was a little shocked.

2 packs 10lbs Chicken Breasts
2 double packs Turkey Breast Slices
3 double packs Turkey Pepperoni
2 4-packs Liquid Egg Whites
3 double packs Kraft Fat Free Cheese slices
2 packs celery hearts
1 large bag Romaine (I usually buy this at the corner market)
1 bottle Fish Oil Capsules

TOTAL ITEMS: 16
TOTAL PRICE: $150.00

S
[/quote]

Hi Stu
Great job so far! In my last contest I used 7 coats of protan. I did the tanning thing but I do not really think it mattered in the end. I applied two coats Thursday, four coats Friday and one Saturday morning. I did not rinse any off.
Also, use a sock to apply it. It will save you a ton of time and go on much smoother.

Brent

190

[quote]Free2Be wrote:
So I think you have 4 weeks to go? How will you be treating your pre-contest diet? I assume you will water load, water deplete and carb up?[/quote]

Yeah, I’m actually planning on following Thibs’ “6 days” article on water and carb manipulation. Just ordered my Vegetable Glycerol the other day :slight_smile:

Zaydadog- Thanks for the tanning tip. Some people wash the protan off after it stains the skin, and others just seem to leg the coats pile up. I’m sure my skin will look just horrible the day after the show -lol

So this morning, the scale read exactly the same as last week, but I’m hoping it’s just a combination of water, and the fact that after my very low intake day yesterday, that I’m a little backed up.

Still, tonight’s pics definitely show some improvement in the legs, and lower back, so I hope tommorow’s scale reading reflects that.

S

191


more

192

and lastly…

S

193

Looking sharper. I think thats your best Front Double Bi thus far. Looking great Stu.

194

Hey Stu,
I am no expert poser, however after looking at your photos (which look wicked) i think it might be better to try to drop your shoulders - pull them down - on your abs and thighs shot. And on your back double bi - maybe draw your arms back a little bit- they look* like they are forward a bit…
Just trying to help - play around with it and get your buddy to tell you what looks better.
btw - great progress

195

WRESTLER23- Thanks for the suggestions. If you’re talking about ‘crunching down’ more, Rich Gaspari told me that it would make my waist look thicker, and that I should flex the abs, while only crunches down minimally (hence the pained look on my face -lol). The really difficult part, is trying to flex my arms, and still keep some sort of tension on my lats, which is difficult because if I pull my lats out and forward, my abs look worse (it all gets so complicated!)

The rear double bi is supposed to be a shot where you want your lats to look wide. Everyone I’ve spoken to says that too many beginners think they have to squeeze their shoulder blades together, and end up looking narrow because of it.I actually retract my scapulae before I hit the shot, so you can see all the little details and fibers before I settle in to the actual pose.

Thanks for the suggestions, and the compliments as well. I’m fumbling my way though this, and I welcome all ideas!

ELUSIVE- Thanks, I think so too. I’m beginning to realize that my waist will just never be narrow. If you look at where my hips are, I don;t think there’s anything I can do other than keep trying to dig out more striations in the area so it’s not confused for fat.

PROGRESS UPDATE- So I assume my water levels are really going to be an issue. This morning, right out of bed, I was 173 and change, and then after breakfast (bowl of oatmeal, met drive, and a couple glasses of water), I was 175.8 lbs. I’m still dropping, albeit not a full lb this week, but I figure I’m running out of fat to lose :slight_smile:

I also upped my tanning tonight by a few minutes, and will actually do so again tomorrow (I haven’t done two nights in a row before), so we’ll see if I get more of a lasting effect from that.

S

196

[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:

PROGRESS UPDATE- So I assume my water levels are really going to be an issue. This morning, right out of bed, I was 173 and change, and then after breakfast (bowl of oatmeal, met drive, and a couple glasses of water), I was 175.8 lbs. I’m still dropping, albeit not a full lb this week, but I figure I’m running out of fat to lose :slight_smile:

I also upped my tanning tonight by a few minutes, and will actually do so again tomorrow (I haven’t done two nights in a row before), so we’ll see if I get more of a lasting effect from that.

S
[/quote]

What you think will be your lower weight limit acceptable, 170? How are you feeling coming close man?

It’s just this and other 3 weeks!!!

197

[quote]I also upped my tanning tonight by a few minutes, and will actually do so again tomorrow (I haven’t done two nights in a row before), so we’ll see if I get more of a lasting effect from that.
[/quote]

I’m a big believer in tanning every day for no more than 10-15 minutes. Other than that limit your exposure and you’ll have an excellent base tan in just a couple weeks.

I remember in Brazil I would get burned if I spent more than a few hours in the heat, but other than that I had the color of a bronzed god lol.

198

Are you getting more smiles from the females?

199

I did notice that you seem slightly less pasty there Stu. I was watching a Jay Cutler vid from 2003, “New, Improved & Beyond”. He said that starting 4 weeks out, he’ll tan everyday, once a day for 12 minutes. This helps his pasty ass when he applies his protan.

200

Stu,

Out of curiosity, what does your lady think of you competing?

What does she think of your lifestyle (passion for iron, dieting) in general?