Stu,
Tremendously inspiring. Major props for taking the time to do this. Just one thing; would you or anyone who understands, mind explaining the theory of ‘the body seeing nutrients and not calories’, to my thermogenic mind please?
And apologies if this is seen as a threadjack!
If a pale white guy can still look awesome with shitty lighting, then I’d hate to see what he looks like on stage come contest day.
Stu, there shouldn’t be any doubt in your mind that you will blow them away. You look fucking unreal.
hey stu, ppl were arguing about bulking then cutting on a different thread… how long did you maintain ur weight before u began cutting?
Hey Stu, just found your thread, and watched your posing routine… The routine is great, and your conditioning is right on.
I would guess about now your second guessing everything you are doing, and about to drive yourself nuts…don’t. Stick to the game plan. The worse thing is to freak yourself out and change up at the last second.
The only thing on your routine is, you focus on the pose so much you seem to tuck your chin, try keeping your head up, you will look bigger.
Enjoy it, it’s alot of fun. For me the hardest part was the head games I played with myself.
Little update before I try to get to the comments/questions -lol…
I’m not really getting used to the low food intake. Even though the cals seem higher because of the fat content of my food choices, I don;'t know if it’s the quantity, or the constant stomach distention from drinking 3 gallons of water each day. I must have gotten up at least 6 times last night to piss, and eventually got out of bed for the day a half an hour before I had to simply because I was really hungry. I will say that the scale went up 2 lbs from last week, I’m hoping because of all of the fiber (lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower) that I’ve been filling myself with. Tomorrow I cut out my condiments, and then Thursday I stop with the broccoli and cauliflower.
Tonight’s workout was another depletion one, with all antagonistic supersets, taking on 30 second rests between each superset. While my veins were all over the place, I barely felt a pump at all, I’m assuming because of the lack of muscle glycogen. This is certainly a learning experience for me.
NZRABBIT- I’m assuming that Thibs means that despite the calories being higher, the body will not be getting access to carbs, nor will it be provided sufficient protein to create glucose out of, so it will get depleted without a severe caloric restriction (or something like that? -lol)
HARDGNR- Thanks bro, not the best lighting conditions in my bedroom, but my apartment, while filled with action figures, comic books, and all sorts of useless bachelor crap, doesn’t have any blinds.
PRO-A-GGRESSION- Interesting proposal. I bulked up pretty slowly over the course of the years, so going from 150 to 220 certainly wasn’t a time-framed bulk sort of situtaion. I probably stayed at 220 for a year, and then working full time, and going back to school at night for a second masters degree saw me slowly drop to 205, which I stayed at for a few years, occasionally dropping as low as 195, depending on how complicated my life was at the time, but never for very long. Essentially my “set point” was 205 for a while until I consciously tried to come down to 190, which I stayed at for about a month before decided to try a full bore contest diet. I’m sure if I just went back to eating the way I used to that my body still wants to be 200 lbs, but this is where I will have to exercise serious control, and make sure I’m not just gaining for the sake of feeling like I weigh what I’m ‘supposed to’. Maybe I’ll keep this log going on here a few months after the show, and see how things get put back on 
GREYSTOKE- Thanks man, I’m so new at the posing aspect, that once I watched the video, I totally realized what I was doing! It’s like you have to take a look around and see what all your limbs are doing because there’s just so much to worry about -lol. I’ve got a few ‘things’ I need to repeat to myself when I’m up there, but keeping the head up, and the chest puffed out are up on the list!
S
Earlier today (about 10am), I was hitting a few impromptu poses in the men’s bathroom at work, and couldn’t believe how absolutely shredded I looked, specifically my intercostals, and delts. I will note that I do look less ‘full’, most likely from the lack of carbohydrates the last few days, but the deep cuts are probably from the same reason. I’m avoiding the scale, because I don’t want to think I’m gaining any weight, and that the bloated feeling is from the water I’ve been forcing down. Today had me dropping all condiments, and let me tell you, I really miss the little things -lol. A huge bowl of plain lettuce really sucks… but tomorrow, I lose my veggies, so I’m sure I’ll be missing even that. Gonna hit the gym in a bit, do my last depletion workout (except for a little interval work tomorrow), so I’m just trying to stay focused here. My Father’s actually dropping by later tonight to shave my back, so that should be a nice little father/son bonding moment -lol.
S
You can do it, Stu. Can’t wait to see your contest shots!
Its getting close Stu, Stay strong!
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
Earlier today (about 10am), I was hitting a few impromptu poses in the men’s bathroom at work, and couldn’t believe how absolutely shredded I looked, specifically my intercostals, and delts. I will note that I do look less ‘full’, most likely from the lack of carbohydrates the last few days, but the deep cuts are probably from the same reason. I’m avoiding the scale, because I don’t want to think I’m gaining any weight, and that the bloated feeling is from the water I’ve been forcing down. Today had me dropping all condiments, and let me tell you, I really miss the little things -lol. A huge bowl of plain lettuce really sucks… but tomorrow, I lose my veggies, so I’m sure I’ll be missing even that. Gonna hit the gym in a bit, do my last depletion workout (except for a little interval work tomorrow), so I’m just trying to stay focused here. My Father’s actually dropping by later tonight to shave my back, so that should be a nice little father/son bonding moment -lol.
S
[/quote]
As you probably know I did my first show few weeks ago. I found that all these veggies do not make any sence for me. I dropped them completely 3-4 weeks before the contest. I had small sweet potato and 2-3 rice cakes a day up to the contest day. My stomack was not distorted at all, but I was hungry all the time:) I think it worked well for me. I was not ok with not counting green vegetables as the source of carbs. And they definetely did feel comfortable inside as well:)
A few shots from tonight. Supersets of bench dips and BB curls, 30 secs rest between sets (ouch!)
S
Grrr
S
Muscles looking small from lack of glycogen, but kinda ‘tight’ overall. Corey actually showed me a contest prep list, specifically pointing to the “self sabotage” item -lol. Just need to have faith I’m on target!
S
Really comin’ together man! Especially with the slight tan you have… you’re gonna lookin fuckin awesome onstage! This thread has been a gem to follow.
I like this shot, makes me feel like I’m still kinda big -lol.
S
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
Muscles looking small from lack of glycogen, but kinda ‘tight’ overall. Corey actually showed me a contest prep list, specifically pointing to the “self sabotage” item -lol. Just need to have faith I’m on target!
S
[/quote]
Stu,
Trust me when I say your aren’t looking small. Thibs asked you not to worry about losing size and I think many here would echo that you have nothing to worry about.
When you see yourself everyday, you may worry too much, but you look absolutely fantastic and you will do great! Tear em up, man!
looking shredded stu…love the separation, you’re going to kick some ass.
fuck yeah the vascularity on ur profile pic is awesome!
Holy shit Stu, you look like a Musclemania competitor.
I’m sure you’ve seen the video, but some of your transitions reminded me of Dorian’s and the video is always good for a pick-me-up. Also, I think his mental approach and presence put him a step up from the other competitors. When he got on stage you were drawn to him, all fucking business.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STU.
