[quote]DoingWork421 wrote:
[quote]paulieserafini wrote:
ha awesome we use the same coach, I’ve been using him for almost 2 years now. Good luck. I think I’m starting show prep in a few weeks.[/quote]
Staring a thread?
In.[/quote]
we will see I think I’m going to make a video log of my prep if I do maybe I’ll start a thread and post my vid updates.
[quote]pwolves17 wrote:
Looking good Grizz, hamstring separation is coming out! I would talk to RJ about possibly using the originally planned show as a “warmup” for a second show. If it’s financially feasible to do multiple shows, it’s great to have two chances to compete. After so much work during prep, it’s worth it to not have just one day for it to all pay off. Also, your first time competing you’ll have things you wish you had done differently and things you’ll learn. Why wait another year or more to have another chance? Doing two shows would also allow you to not have to rush conditioning for the first one, and have the second be the one that you really peak for [/quote]
I 100% agree. There are just a few complications. If I did two shows in my area they would be different feds so I would have to drop extra money and another fed membership (still doable just not ideal). The 2nd a bigger problem is I am still waiting to see where I end up for grad school. The second show is in November and there is a chance I may not be in NC anymore (got into UW Madison still waiting to hear from NC State).
RJ and I will take this in stride and figure things out when the times comes. Ideally I would love to do exactly what you said in your post.
[quote]paulieserafini wrote:
ha awesome we use the same coach, I’ve been using him for almost 2 years now. Good luck. I think I’m starting show prep in a few weeks.[/quote]
Good luck dude. Keep me updated.
The more I interact with RJ the more I am confident I chose a great coach.
My progress so far:
compared to a month ago (start with RJ)
Bodyweight: 189–>180
Bench: 235 x 6–>245 x 6
OHP: 115 x 7–>130 x 6
Squat: 355 x 6–>365 x 5
Deadlift: 425 x 5–>440 x 6
Also, RJ may have figured out that my lack of salt intake is why I was looking/feeling so bloated. Slowly increased my sodium this week and feel/look much better. Hopefully it comes through in my pictures this weekend.
Down to 179 for the first time in a while.
attached pic is a comparison from this past weekend to 7 months ago (the last time I weighed below 180).
Great progress overall, but your legs are night and day difference! I’d be curious as to how much your squat has gone up in that timeframe, do you remember about what your lifts were?
[quote]pwolves17 wrote:
Great progress overall, but your legs are night and day difference! I’d be curious as to how much your squat has gone up in that timeframe, do you remember about what your lifts were?[/quote]
Honestly do not remember.
This is the best timeline I could put together:
Late 2012- 280
July- Probably low-mid 300’s
Oct 2013- start legs twice a week
Mid October- failed 405
Oct 21, 2013- 375 x 2
Oct 31, 2013- 405
Now: 430 (theoretical according to 5/3/1) 420 most I have actually done.
Legs look bigger and abs look leaner at same bodyweight, good progress.
Rewarded myself (and my girl friend) with Grilled Strip Loin with Garlic Roasted Asparagus and Rosemary Chive Sriracha Mashed Potatoes
and unfortunately I didn’t take a pic of my Vanilla Blackberry Protein Ice Cream.
Getting some nice vascularity in the delts! It’s fun seeing new veins and striations every week, huh? 
And that meal looks delicious man! Did RJ give you a free meal, or did you cook it and count the macros? I’d love to fit in some mashed potatoes but I just don’t think the high fat content would be worth it, I love being able to have ground beef and natty pb every day.
[quote]pwolves17 wrote:
Getting some nice vascularity in the delts! It’s fun seeing new veins and striations every week, huh? And that meal looks delicious man! Did RJ give you a free meal, or did you cook it and count the macros? I’d love to fit in some mashed potatoes but I just don’t think the high fat content would be worth it, I love being able to have ground beef and natty pb every day.[/quote]
Yeah its fun being vascular all the time. I go to tie my shoes and my forearms look like I just moved some heavy weight. Also love starting to see the separate muscles in the leg.
I counted the macros. The weekends are easier to cook like that for me because I wake up too late and don’t end up eating breakfast (normally 640 calories 30 g of fat on a normal day). Makes all kinds of room to do fun shit for dinner.
The mashed potatoes were actually low fat. Did not add any butter or cream (GASP!). All the southerners are probably calling for my head over it. I boiled them, mashed them, added a little bit of water to get the right consistency (less grainy) and then you just have to make sure your seasoning is on point to make up for the lack of fat.
Hit a PR in both bench and OHP yesterday (5/3/1+). For the first time in my life I feel like I have a chance of maxing out my bench at/over 300 lbs (while at a bw about 13 lbs ligther than normal).
Will be putting together another compilation video of my 5/3/1+ lifts after dead and squat today. Looking forward to PRing again.
[quote]GrizzlyBerg wrote:
Hit a PR in both bench and OHP yesterday (5/3/1+). For the first time in my life I feel like I have a chance of maxing out my bench at/over 300 lbs (while at a bw about 13 lbs ligther than normal).
[/quote]
That’s a sure-fire sign you have your training and diet nailed down when you are dropping fat and performance is still improving.
So apparently the video didnt load properly will try again later
edit: I lied, it works
Since I did it for the start of my cycle I might as well compare my 5/3/1 weeks
BW: 182 → 177
OHP: 145 x 3 → 145 x 5 (screwed up my maths) still a pr.
Bench: 265 x 3 → 270 x 3 while this is a small pr, in comparing videos the 270 moves so much easier and quicker than the 265. I struggled with the third rep of 265 whereas I barely failed (and may have grinded it out if it wasn't for the spotter grabbing the bar) the 4th rep of 270.
Squat: 400 x 2 → 410 x 2 on video looked a lot more solid than 400. I do feel like my lower body strength might start to plateau soon.
Deadlift: 480 x 4 → 495 x 2 I think the difference here was I was strapped for 480 but wasn't for 495. My grip failed and I could not even attempt 495 for a third. I do feel like my strength is about the same but I have worked out my set up and strategy to the pull.
Overall: Body Weight is still on its way down. At a BW of 5 lbs less (than my last 5/3/1 day) and 12 lbs less (since the start) I am stronger than I have ever been. I feel like I have hit a groove with the major 4 lifts. Accessory work poundage seems to be increasing as well.
You’re killing it Grizzly, keep up the good work. That’s great that your strength is still increasing, know you’re holding onto lbm
thanks pwolves. btw now that you are going to do a bodybuilding show as well I think we definitely need a solid friendly wager.
[quote]GrizzlyBerg wrote:
thanks pwolves. btw now that you are going to do a bodybuilding show as well I think we definitely need a solid friendly wager.[/quote]
I’m in! what do you have in mind?
