Spring 2010 Contest Run Up

Training
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Thanks guys,… need some encouragement at this point -lol. The scale is no longer my friend,… while I continue to look tighter, it hasn’t budged in a week,… so I’m hoping it’s a fluid issue (I use a lot of sodium containing condiments, which will of course all be cut out the last week).

Last year, I weighed in contest morning at exactly 170.1 lbs (lost about 3-4 lbs of water that last week). I’m about 5’8" tall.

I’m not planning on dropping any more carbs, as I think that’s been key in maintaining so much added thickness this year. Still having morning oatmeal, and still having pre-workout finibars. The morning steady state cardio is about 30 mins, The ‘off’ days interval is at 25 mins (don’t want to increase this as I know it’s very taxing), and I just started some very easy 20 min steady state after the weight sessions (I did this last year the last two weeks, and I think it added to my overall conditioning).

The last thing I want is to show up and have the judges take note of the added size, but also the lack of repeating my last degree of conditioning. Admittedly I had to drop a lot more weight this year, and in all likelihood, if I had planned a longer prep, I would probably have come down a lot slower, and be competing at the lower end of the lt. heavies instead of pushing to make middleweight.

We’ll see,… hoping in a year’s time I’ll grow into the next weight class.

S

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I wouldn’t sweat it at all Stu. When comparing your recent photos with your avatar pic, I don’t see a big difference. (**Edit- I mean conditioning wise, there are other obvious differences.)
That is with crappy lighting and not a whole lot of color. :wink:

You have to weigh more this year, you are just bigger!

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[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
Thanks guys,… need some encouragement at this point -lol. The scale is no longer my friend,… while I continue to look tighter, it hasn’t budged in a week,… so I’m hoping it’s a fluid issue (I use a lot of sodium containing condiments, which will of course all be cut out the last week).

Last year, I weighed in contest morning at exactly 170.1 lbs (lost about 3-4 lbs of water that last week). I’m about 5’8" tall.

I’m not planning on dropping any more carbs, as I think that’s been key in maintaining so much added thickness this year. Still having morning oatmeal, and still having pre-workout finibars. The morning steady state cardio is about 30 mins, The ‘off’ days interval is at 25 mins (don’t want to increase this as I know it’s very taxing), and I just started some very easy 20 min steady state after the weight sessions (I did this last year the last two weeks, and I think it added to my overall conditioning).

The last thing I want is to show up and have the judges take note of the added size, but also the lack of repeating my last degree of conditioning. Admittedly I had to drop a lot more weight this year, and in all likelihood, if I had planned a longer prep, I would probably have come down a lot slower, and be competing at the lower end of the lt. heavies instead of pushing to make middleweight.

We’ll see,… hoping in a year’s time I’ll grow into the next weight class.

S [/quote]

Stu, I wouldn’t change a thing, you weighed 180 lbs at the time of the last pictures taken, so 4 lbs to the 176 lb cutoff. You have plenty of water to lose, don’t get nervous and drop your calories too low or do too much cardio.I am not sure what you do for water manipulation in the last week, but I would cut carbs to almost zero( lots of meat, I ate a whole Turkey in 4days) Mon-Thur and drink tons of water, then I started Fri with an easy to digest complex carb ( for me-sweet potatoes)and take in no sodium every 3-4 hrs while only drinking sips of water until prejudging. Mon-Thur I would go below my stage weight, then Fri-prejudging I would pull all the fluid from subQ areas into the muscle which would thin my skin and fill ouy my muscle bellies. I would look really small and flat during Mon-Thur which can play with your head a little. That was how I did it, please don’t follow me unless you have some experience in that type of last week prep. Hang in there, I used to take time off from work after the show, but realized I would have better spent my time if I took it off the week before the show.

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BWHITWELL- I’m going to repeat the process I used last year, basically the 3 gallons of water mon - thurs, then stop mid afternoon friday, combined with a carb deplete, then dry load friday. I also used some glycerol which pulled more water into the muscles from the subcutaneous areas, although the finibars have the same effect, so I may rely on that.

Obviously worse things could happen then ending up as a very conditioned light-heavyweight in the first show (and then a middleweight 2 weeks later)… Still, I guess the real thing in the back of my mind is that because I did so well last year, I need to at least repeat that level of conditioning.

S

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Hang in there, you’re looking great. Last thing you want to do is panic and lose the extra mass in the last stages. Keep the faith big guy!

LtL

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[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:

The last thing I want is to show up and have the judges take note of the added size, but also the lack of repeating my last degree of conditioning.
S [/quote]

Maybe I’m interpreting this wrong but are you saying the judges would compare you to how you were last year (like they would remember you) or just in general?

Also I was wondering, how do you do your intervals? All out sprinting outside or is it just going faster on a treadmill and then slowing down, repeat?

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[quote]pumped340 wrote:
Maybe I’m interpreting this wrong but are you saying the judges would compare you to how you were last year (like they would remember you) or just in general?

Also I was wondering, how do you do your intervals? All out sprinting outside or is it just going faster on a treadmill and then slowing down, repeat? [/quote]

I’ve actually been in contact with two of the judges from last year, both of whom have been incredibly encouraging for my continued competitive endeavors. One approached me immediately after the show telling me how impressive a showing I made, and suggesting some other shows I should do. The other (head judge actually), has been checking on my progress throughout the year, making suggestions, and even offering to train with me if I felt like taking a trip a few hours north to where he lives for the weekend.

Amazing how supportive and encouraging the other competitors and even the judges have been. I don’t know if it’s like this in the IFBB pros, where money is on the line, but so far, I’ve made some great friends and contacts. Also, I think my conditioning stood out a bit, especially for a newer competitor. I know that Brian Whitacre told me that it’s in that area where most people just don’t “get it”… and of course I’m obviously going to be measuring myself against my last showing. Hell, I’ve been watching the video and studying pics from last year in an effort to see where I can improve, in presentation as well as in physique. If we’re not our own worst critics, we won’t reach the levels we may be capable of :slight_smile:

As to my intervals, I make use of the recumbent bike. Running irritates my joints (I’m usually over two bills remember), and the eliptical machine just shakes all over the place when I tried the sprinting portions. Also, I should note that my lower back feels better on the bike. I had a pretty bad injury a couple of years ago, and obviously I stress it a bit with stiff leg deads, heavy front squats, and various other ‘fun’ stuff on a daily basis (I’m not in my 20’s anymore!)

S

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[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
…
As to my intervals, I make use of the recumbent bike. Running irritates my joints (I’m usually over two bills remember), and the eliptical machine just shakes all over the place when I tried the sprinting portions…
S[/quote]

Lol this happens to me as well on the Treadmill its fucken embarassing. Every 1 to 2 minutes it sounds like a earthquake, and im only 200lbs wtf…

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Okay guys, I guess the 2 week weight plateau (most likely just sodium and glycogen) at 180 broke this morning and I weighed in at 177.2 lbs out of bed. I’ll be keeping up with the steady state in the morning (which was my initial plan in order to keep a higher calorie and carb intake), as I’m without a doubt noticeably thicker than last year.

The cuts in the legs are coming in (even with the horrible lighting in my gym’s locker room), and I have no doubt that when I carb load and drop water, things can only look even better (plus the fake tan!). I’ve spent a lot more time on my mandatories, and probably not as much time on my posing routine as I should have, but I figure the real judging is based on the mandatory poses anyway.

Not sure if you can see in these pics, but there are even some fibers/veins/who knows what starting to pop in my back, and upper chest area in certain instances. Hopefully I’ll come in not only thicker, but tighter for this show. I was thinking that my actual peak condition would most likely be the May 1st show and not the April 17th one, but now,… well, who knows?

12 More Days! :slight_smile:

S

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Usual other shots :slight_smile:

S

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Looks freakin’ awesome!

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Almost there! :slight_smile: Can’t wait to see those pics after carb-loading!
Cheers,
Para

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Looking incredible Stu.

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After just reading this whole thread, I just want to chime in and say how much I enjoyed it and to wish you the best of luck Stu!

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Keep us posted with the details of your depletion diet and training big guy. Will you post a video of the competitions like you did last year? Those were pretty awesome.

Keep the focus and resolve buddy and good luck!

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Thanks guys. Hopefully there will be even more improvements by next week, and then moreso by the time I’m actually standing onstage in a speedo -lol. It’s funny that my weight went down the other day,… I had already come to accept the fact that I may just end up being the tightest light-heavyweight on stage (which may still yet happen). Still, I can’t complain, I feel really good about the latest bunch of pics, and my strength is still right up where it usually is. I will note that I feel a little more run down between the actual sets, and have to remind myself that we’re just insuring we don’t lose muscle with the weights, not actually building anything at this point, so if I’m dragging, it’s perfectly acceptable.

PHATKINS187- I do plan on bringing my video camera again, and someone will certainly tape the show. Last year my girlfriend did the honors, but as she’s still nursing a broken arm from a snowboard injury, I may have to entrust one of my brothers with camera detail.

Can’t wait to see what things look like after the water drop,… that, and the few alterations I made this prep.
Such a crazy learning experience this all is! -lol

S

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You have an awesome back man.

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Stu, you’re looking great. Thanks for providing us with all this info. Two quick questions:

Besides finibars and oatmeal, what other carb sources do you eat?

How did you come to choose your workout routine? Would hitting the muscles more frequently (2x per week) be better?

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Looking AWESOME! Bring it in tight FTW

LtL

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Stu you look great. Back is looking INSANE! Keep at it bro, your going to dominate both shows. :slight_smile: