Rattlehead's Virgin Contest Prep Thread

Training
141

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:
Quick update during a wee study break (cause hey where better to procrastinate than in the gym taking pics and then t nation?)

Took some pics unpumped upon waking up this morning, I think i’m gonna go with the right hand side rather than the left for my side shots, I just seem to be able to pose more comfortably that way and look slightly better, thoughts?

Weighed 160.9lbs today after the refeed last night, good sign cause I have never been lighter than than 161.8lbs after a refeed![/quote]

Try tucking your chin a bit more and see how that looks. Seems like your neck is a little too forward.

142

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:
Quick update during a wee study break (cause hey where better to procrastinate than in the gym taking pics and then t nation?)

Took some pics unpumped upon waking up this morning, I think i’m gonna go with the right hand side rather than the left for my side shots, I just seem to be able to pose more comfortably that way and look slightly better, thoughts?

Weighed 160.9lbs today after the refeed last night, good sign cause I have never been lighter than than 161.8lbs after a refeed![/quote]

Try tucking your chin a bit more and see how that looks. Seems like your neck is a little too forward. [/quote]

good shout, need to take my heed back! its like a god damn dead weight at the end of my giraffe like neck

143

Making some good progress bud, keep it up

144

[quote]Vulpes Vulpes wrote:
Making some good progress bud, keep it up[/quote]

thanks man, it will be 24 weeks of prepping come tomorrow. crazy to think how fast the time goes, even days when its tough they just seem to whirl by

cant wait to start gaining again

just checking in during a study break

currently suffering from the worst DOMS of my life, will be doing back tomorrow with fasted cardio in the morning instead of the AM session

145

A tan will do wonders for you, bro.

Do you not feel you are in good enough condition yet? If not, I feel you are REALLY close lol

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[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
A tan will do wonders for you, bro.

Do you not feel you are in good enough condition yet? If not, I feel you are REALLY close lol[/quote]

:confused: upon reading your comment i delved the internet for more pics of the top 5 of last year and you may be right

… picture attached of one of the guys of the top 5 last year and he really doesnt look that lean

but I aint exactly downing my kcal right now anyway so I shouldnt see any drastic changes in the weeks leading up to the contest, if i am still losing at a lb every 10 days I will up kcal

its just no ones really said i’m in condition yet so i’ve not really thought I am

I do need to tan drastically, I think I have 4 or 5 sessions left in my tanning block but I need to save them for nearer the time cause im skint

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ALSO, how on earth did this dude win with what looks like fairly severe gyno?!

148

Yeah I mean I totally meant what i said as a compliment. lol

Just you’re taller like I am, and the Men’s Health look is in the lower bf %, but not stupid peeled, or vascular. And as we are lanky, I feel you’ll wanna look more ‘full’ as opposed to stringy, ya know? Just food for thought.

Make sure you’ve got your hair looking good as well haha

149

I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion.

150

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I’m worried about sacrificing leanness cause my abs really start to lose their visibility the less lean i get but how do you think would be the best way to start reverse dieting for the comp?

151

Yeah I’m the same way. Abs are always the first to go even if I’m lean everywhere else.

Maybe add in an extra 100-200 calories of carbs for a few weeks and see if that helps increase fullness while keeping about the same leanness. Definitely nothing too different from what you’re already doing because it’s obviously working.

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[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
Yeah I’m the same way. Abs are always the first to go even if I’m lean everywhere else.

Maybe add in an extra 100-200 calories of carbs for a few weeks and see if that helps increase fullness while keeping about the same leanness. Definitely nothing too different from what you’re already doing because it’s obviously working.[/quote]

I feel with the added grapes to the diet I seem to be looking fuller? May give it another week to gauge it a bit better and add in another 20g of grapes to my workout?

153

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use!

154

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use![/quote]

please dont hesitate to post because you are new member

I think I will stay and sit around the 160 mark and keep this level of conditioning, sound ok?

155

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use![/quote]

please dont hesitate to post because you are new member

I think I will stay and sit around the 160 mark and keep this level of conditioning, sound ok?[/quote]

Sounds like a plan Stan! I’d say the nice thing though with being so lean with time to spare, is you have a little time for experimentation. If you were to add some carbs back in for a week and felt like you started to “spill” or weren’t as crisp, you’d have plenty of time to dial it back in. But I completely understand if after all your hard work you don’t want to risk screwing anything up, you’re definitely in a good spot! You should be proud regardless of the outcome

156

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use![/quote]

please dont hesitate to post because you are new member

I think I will stay and sit around the 160 mark and keep this level of conditioning, sound ok?[/quote]

Sounds like a plan Stan! I’d say the nice thing though with being so lean with time to spare, is you have a little time for experimentation. If you were to add some carbs back in for a week and felt like you started to “spill” or weren’t as crisp, you’d have plenty of time to dial it back in. But I completely understand if after all your hard work you don’t want to risk screwing anything up, you’re definitely in a good spot! You should be proud regardless of the outcome[/quote]

I agree. Playing around with carbs now will let you dial in the exact amount by the time of the contest. Perhaps you can add in some other carb types besides fructose. Rice is usually a safe bet, but don’t go overboard with it. Like wolves said, if you look like you’re spilling over, dial it back a little.

157

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use![/quote]

please dont hesitate to post because you are new member

I think I will stay and sit around the 160 mark and keep this level of conditioning, sound ok?[/quote]

Sounds like a plan Stan! I’d say the nice thing though with being so lean with time to spare, is you have a little time for experimentation. If you were to add some carbs back in for a week and felt like you started to “spill” or weren’t as crisp, you’d have plenty of time to dial it back in. But I completely understand if after all your hard work you don’t want to risk screwing anything up, you’re definitely in a good spot! You should be proud regardless of the outcome[/quote]

I agree. Playing around with carbs now will let you dial in the exact amount by the time of the contest. Perhaps you can add in some other carb types besides fructose. Rice is usually a safe bet, but don’t go overboard with it. Like wolves said, if you look like you’re spilling over, dial it back a little. [/quote]

Cool, will stick with the grapes only for one or two weeks, if I need more I will add in another 30g of carbs from basmati rice.

Diet is going to shit right now anyway, getting crippled by exams so I’m basically eating what I want for 1 meal (literally anything, like brownies or pizza etc) and then eating a chicken with fat meal before bed.

158

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use![/quote]

please dont hesitate to post because you are new member

I think I will stay and sit around the 160 mark and keep this level of conditioning, sound ok?[/quote]

Sounds like a plan Stan! I’d say the nice thing though with being so lean with time to spare, is you have a little time for experimentation. If you were to add some carbs back in for a week and felt like you started to “spill” or weren’t as crisp, you’d have plenty of time to dial it back in. But I completely understand if after all your hard work you don’t want to risk screwing anything up, you’re definitely in a good spot! You should be proud regardless of the outcome[/quote]

I agree. Playing around with carbs now will let you dial in the exact amount by the time of the contest. Perhaps you can add in some other carb types besides fructose. Rice is usually a safe bet, but don’t go overboard with it. Like wolves said, if you look like you’re spilling over, dial it back a little. [/quote]

Cool, will stick with the grapes only for one or two weeks, if I need more I will add in another 30g of carbs from basmati rice.

Diet is going to shit right now anyway, getting crippled by exams so I’m basically eating what I want for 1 meal (literally anything, like brownies or pizza etc) and then eating a chicken with fat meal before bed.

[/quote]

I know how that goes. The term is over soon then? A week of half neglecting your nutrition shouldn’t matter too much. It might even shock your metabolism a bit and actually help you in a few weeks down the road.

159

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]RATTLEHEAD wrote:

[quote]pwolves17 wrote:

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
I think you are much leaner than past winners. You’re at or very near bodybuilding stage ready leanness. Seems their abs pop out a bit more, but that could just be the lighting and photo touch ups.

Have you considered reverse dieting into the comp? You can afford to sacrifice some of your leanness for some fullness in my opinion. [/quote]

I have been thinking the exact same thing for a bout a week, but I wasn’t sure if I should say anything as a longtime lurker and relatively new poster haha. Rattle, I’d say the spot you are in right now is pretty similar to where I was for my men’s physique competition. We have a pretty similar build, I’m an inch taller than you and ended up at 170 in competition shape. You’re at 160 now you said, correct? My biggest regret for the competition was probably that I pushed just a little too hard for that last bit of leanness. In hindsight, I was in competition shape about a month out and probably could have reversed into the show, would have probably added a little size and definitely been more full. As it was, I felt a little stringy and flat. I ate tons of carbs between prejudging and the night show…I was pissed with how much better I looked at night then. Ended up finishing 6th out of 12. But anyway, like ripsaw and Spidey have said, I think you’re definitely lean enough. I’d say just in your next offseason focusing on more core work, your abs will “pop” more the next time you diet down. As tall as we both are, it will be easy to look a little too lanky if you lose anymore weight, in my opinion. I’d say adding maybe 20 carbs per day per week or more frequent refeeds would be a good idea, your body would definitely be primed to put the nutrients to good use![/quote]

please dont hesitate to post because you are new member

I think I will stay and sit around the 160 mark and keep this level of conditioning, sound ok?[/quote]

Sounds like a plan Stan! I’d say the nice thing though with being so lean with time to spare, is you have a little time for experimentation. If you were to add some carbs back in for a week and felt like you started to “spill” or weren’t as crisp, you’d have plenty of time to dial it back in. But I completely understand if after all your hard work you don’t want to risk screwing anything up, you’re definitely in a good spot! You should be proud regardless of the outcome[/quote]

I agree. Playing around with carbs now will let you dial in the exact amount by the time of the contest. Perhaps you can add in some other carb types besides fructose. Rice is usually a safe bet, but don’t go overboard with it. Like wolves said, if you look like you’re spilling over, dial it back a little. [/quote]

Cool, will stick with the grapes only for one or two weeks, if I need more I will add in another 30g of carbs from basmati rice.

Diet is going to shit right now anyway, getting crippled by exams so I’m basically eating what I want for 1 meal (literally anything, like brownies or pizza etc) and then eating a chicken with fat meal before bed.

[/quote]

I know how that goes. The term is over soon then? A week of half neglecting your nutrition shouldn’t matter too much. It might even shock your metabolism a bit and actually help you in a few weeks down the road. [/quote]

Thankfully yes, 2 days until my last exam.

Looks wise, I’m holding more water and lost definition because of it but the pic I posted from last night was from about 20 hours ago and shows my shitting eating hasnt destroyed all my work

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Picture from 5 mins ago