(Un)Official 2023 T-ransformation Challenge

When I participated in the last challenge, I started at my leannest and made it a goal to transform by adding as much mass as possible.

It wasn’t the “winning strategy”, no, but it was totally in the spirit of the competition.

PLUS, it was pretty fun antagonizing all the people trying to cut weight by posting photos of my ridiculously large breakfasts.

The 300 lb strongman inside me says this is a life goal.

Mark (the big aussie pl’r) killed it one year doing this.

Had trouble catching up on this thread.

I’m going to really lean into the challenge this year. I’ve learned a lot the past 18 months, hell the last few years, being on this forum. I’ll rant about it when I have time (And rant about not having time haha!)

I already have a pretty decent diet. But I’m willing to tighten it up. I already train pretty well and look pretty good for an American dad. But I’m willing to make changes. And I think my goal for the next few months is by the end of this challenge, to look the best I ever have.

I’m open to suggestion on what direction to take to achieve that goal, and very aware that it may require back-burnering my latest stop-gap goal of 1-2-3-4 plates for 5 reps, which @atlas13 suggested while I was feeling the ennui of reaching 1-2-3-4 plates for 1 rep.

But “looking good” can mean a lot of different things. So I’m putting this here as a placeholder and when I have more time and can ask meaningful questions, I’ll jump back on! Thanks, all of you.

It is a mental game as much as it is a physical game. No reason not to throw a little psychological warfare into the mix every once in awhile.

On a serious note, I’m in a bulking phase so this will undoubtedly be my strategy. Increasing size that is, not posting pictures of large meals.

tagging @SvenG and @kleinhound because both are jacked and strong and may have some good ideas for programming for the transformation.

I am only going to assume you didn’t tag me because I am like a magic 8-ball that only has “Super Squats” and “Deep Water” written on it

LMFAO, No I just figured you are @TrainForPain already very active in this thread and would read it anyway.

Super Squats

…I mean, thank you

Given @jdm135 comments around looking the best he has ever looked, I didn’t recommend SS. Now for me and the 300lb strongman (think Glen nRoss) inside me, SS made me look the best (heaviest) I have ever looked. But I think jdm may be looking at something to help him find his abs. LOL

Actually i was going to bring that up. Just didn’t have time and still don’t. But it is on the table. Im not sure, given other conflicting priorities, that it is right at this time. Will explain and ask your opinion when i can.

Was thinking along that line, yes

Oh yeah, tongue is fully in cheek. It wouldnt be a bad START to set up a base, but after that is a hardcore fat cut

Thanks for the tag, @simo74, but I’m a one-trick-pony and @jdm135 knows it!

That said, for anybody that doesn’t: 5/3/1 is the answer.

It’s always the answer.

These dudes have abs:

(That’s from JW’s blog post yesterday!)

Maybe, but your ability to successfully use 531 and mix in a heap of conditioning for great results makes you different.

I just figured I didn’t meet any of the 3 criteria

Well he didn’t say, pretty, glorious biceps and hot.

You simultaneously spoke truth and paid me a huge complement there, @simo74. Thanks for that!

Oh, and I can’t let this pass unnoticed either:

To be tagged with the likes of @kleinhound and then be described as “jacked and strong” might’ve just made my day!

(It definitely made my day.)

Meh. Been slowly losing weight, but I’m miserable. Having to step away permanently from my powerlifting days makes me sad, but my body is finished. I do think I have more to push, but I’m quite blessed to ONLY have the injuries I have now.

As of now, it’s just been me not deviating from other forms of training and saying “screw it, I’m lifting heavy”.