Thanks mate, you're a scholar and a gentleman!!!I second this... Def check out his log GWLS has made some impressive strides in his physique and is the real deal.
Thanks mate, you're a scholar and a gentleman!!!I second this... Def check out his log GWLS has made some impressive strides in his physique and is the real deal.
Coming from Kleen it must be the real deal.Thanks mate, you're a scholar and a gentleman!!!
I think most more mature competitors do, esp master guys. real tall guys as well, I mean like 6ft5 and up which is very uncommon in bodybuildingI go for the fuller classic cut as age plays a factor.
Eric, Its all about presenting yourself the best you can, including find the best style trunks that fit your body. I am still learning and have done one show. Its almost like a magical illusion, trunks not suitable, that's minus points from judges, color off, same thing, posing not good, crowd not reacting and cheering.I guess the trunks are another painful part about getting ready to compete i'll have to face next year
You may have a somewhat shorter torso/waist so lower cut ones may be best for your physique.You can see in these that his actually don't go higher than mine but they still cover more also there is not much chance of the waistband cutting into any possible loose skin. Not sure if you have any but I have a little and I think that the cut of these will not cut into it. Thereis a pic from the front and the back. If your wondering he finished 3rd and I finished 5th. If only I hadn't come in flat...
Great outlook and I see it alot also. Guys come in for a week or so lifting big numbers with poor form and poof you don't see them after that again. It also cuts down on injuries big time. I know this from personal experience from lifting with poor form.September 23nd 2010
Nutrition
350 P
188-195 CHO
65 F
(got up in middle of night and ate some low fat cheese and wheat crackers)
2,700-maybe 2,800
Cardio 25 minutes jog outside(2 miles) first thing in morning, then 20 minutes very high intensity cardio after weight training
Started off with abs because the machine I wanted to use was being used
Nautilus ab machine
60lbs=20x's,80lbs=15x's, 80lbs=15x's
V Bar Pulldown
175lbs=9-10x's
Neutral grip pull up(bodyweight)
7x's(1 partial),
8 x's,
5x's
Widegrip rack chin burnouts
10x's
90 degree t bar rows(this is not a regular t bar row, this is totally bent over 90 degrees, hits lower lats much better)(I use 25's for greater range of motion)
5(25's)=10x's
5(25's)+10+5=7x's
Dorian Yates Rows
overhand grip 185lbs=7x's
underhand grip 185lbs=5x's
*a word about form* I am a perfectionist on form I can move much more weight and heave ho it, I would rather have picture perfect form* I know this a beginners thing to learn, you'll be surprised how many people I see worried about how much they can lift and the size of there egos verses actually getting the most stimulation out of the muscle. (with that said I still can stand to improve the weight on some of these exercises;however I can only do the best form I can do and if it makes me use lower weights so be it) (no worries in contest preparation I am not going to get stronger as that is not my goal for this preparation, my number one goal is fat loss, while still lifting heavy weights as I can)
Sleep eight hours, was a bit hot so sleep was effected a little, tonight I know to turn the air down or put my fan on.
Supplements
HGHPRO four capsules 45 minutes after last meal containing no carbohydrates(this is crucial)
Cycle Support two scoops
Stoked four capsules
RecoverPRO-one scoop between meals
minor changes generally every week and seven weeks now.Great workout John, how are things shaping up? How long left now?
Interesting. I heard Dante (DC) talk about this before. Something to conisder thats for sure.Yeah when you get o the numbers we put up form has to be perfect I see a lot of abbreviated ROMS which are the only exception to form in my opinion. If muscle building is the goal the lockout and total stretch are not as big of a factor as moving heavy weight. Short periods of lifting a lot heavier through shorter ROM can cause a lot of growth look at Ronnie Coleman and Branch Warren. Any exercise video on youtube you see of them is short ROM and heavy weight. I am not a subscriber to this training but then my Ortho surgeon suggested the same thing to mew. Limiting my ROM and going heavy. He told me I could actually grow more and safely than going through extreme ROM. I still go through extreme ROM now but I may give this shorter ROM thing a go in the future.
After this morning, I'm wishing my debut was in November, which would give me seven weeks to do what I've done this last week. At least I know I'll be perfect for THAT show, though :sigh:minor changes generally every week and seven weeks now.
all I c.an do is give it my best.
(btw it is normal to second guess yourself at times,, every athlete or goal setter does it, as long as you finish the commitment and give it everything you have , that's really all you can do).
when is your debut Rosie? your doing another show in November? or you mean the next show you do?After this morning, I'm wishing my debut was in November, which would give me seven weeks to do what I've done this last week. At least I know I'll be perfect for THAT show, though :sigh:
Just give it what you've got, John. Time is on your side!
My first show is next Saturday. I made comments in my log post today as far as why I feel like this (humbling to have to admit, I might add).when is your debut Rosie? your doing another show in November? or you mean the next show you do?
It takes one to be mentally strong to go though with the show , some people second guess themselves and the pre contest diet gets to them and they just quit. As long as you go though with your show then you did your best and that is all that matters!
Are you competing in figure, bodybuilding ?My first show is next Saturday. I made comments in my log post today as far as why I feel like this (humbling to have to admit, I might add).
Re diet, well, that will have happened all of the two weeks pre-competition and that's it - I know, any flaws are because of this, but I'm not going to be as lax any more. Everything else as far as training and posing practice, etc. has been fine though, and I've even been sleeping lately.
My next show is in November. Going straight from one to the Worlds, and there is NO room for error there - I'm not going to get up on a stage just to make up the numbers.
Figure. I don't have the muscle mass for Physique (and my arms are still 2-3 inches smaller than most Figure competitors).Are you competing in figure, bodybuilding ?
That's where I figured... :afro:Figure. I don't have the muscle mass for Physique (and my arms are still 2-3 inches smaller than most Figure competitors).
And that does not include nap time. It has been so long I almost forget what a nap is LOL.I really envy your sleep
The look re Figure differs between federations - NPC is a lot harder and more mass than some of the natural federations like the INBF, and if I were to compete in the NPC I would have to go Bikini. I'm still very small compared to most Figure competitors - the only areas I really have any mass in is my lower body and back.That's where I figured... :afro:
I like figure the most for women as far as look goes. Athletic but still very feminine. That's where I want my girls to compete. Incidently I have them reading your website as you are a good example for what I am trying to achieve with them.
Nutrition is the worst problem I face with them too.. they work hard enough and still look really good. I am sometimes a bit perplexed as my nutrition is better than theirs and I still have much harder time keeping trim.The look re Figure differs between federations - NPC is a lot harder and more mass than some of the natural federations like the INBF, and if I were to compete in the NPC I would have to go Bikini. I'm still very small compared to most Figure competitors - the only areas I really have any mass in is my lower body and back.
Just get them training as hard as I do, since I'm certainly not the best role model when it comes to nutrition, LOL
Diet is my bane, and my nutrition is terrible, LOL. I mentioned in my log that most competitors (and you are an example) will have dieted for at LEAST 12-16 weeks pre-competition and my dieting started 1-2 weeks out from the show - which was not smart, but usually worked (that's changing).Nutrition is the worst problem I face with them too.. they work hard enough and still look really good. I am sometimes a bit perplexed as my nutrition is better than theirs and I still have much harder time keeping trim.
Yah I prefer the look of the natural orgs for figure.
Great job John.September 27th 2010
Nutrition
280 P
240 CHO
25 F
2,300
cardio 40 minutes hard intensity first thing in morning
posing 15 minutes
chest shoulders, (biceps+triceps, forearms) abdominals that evening
Chest
Incline smith (shoulder hurt could not do this exercise)
managed to get 215 lbs=5x's
smith neck press
155lbs=5 full reps, 5 partials
Gironda dips(bodyweight)
8x's
Cable crossover
40lbs=12x's
Shoulders
Larry Scott seated dumb bell press(stripsets)
60lbs=8x's-50lbs=6x's-45lbs=6x's-40lbs=6x's-35lbs=4x's-30lbs=5x's-25lbs=2x's
Standing side laterals(stripset)
30lbs=12x's-25lbs=5x's-20lbs=5x's-15lbs=12x's
Lying side laterals
12lbs=8x's(2 partials)
bent over dumb bell side laterals
30lbs=12x's, 35lbs=12x's(3 partials)
Biceps and triceps(supersetted)
Preacher dumb bell curl 35lbs=8x's
PJR Pullover 85lbs=8x's
forearms, overhand wrist curls on preacher bench
20lbs= forgot to write down
Abdominal s ring of fire
sleep nine hours, sleep could have been better and I hear this is commkon pre-contest, although I think Hghpro helped me with sleep.
HGHPRO four capsules 45 minutes after last meal containing no carbohydrates(this is crucial)
Cycle Support two scoops
Stoked four capsules
RecoverPro three scoops one pre cardio, and two between meals
Essentials and joint-three scoops post workout
Body shaping is what is being displayed in Natural contests. Some definition but not as much as bodybuilding. This is what a natural woman looks like when she trains hard. A bit harder and leaner than bikini model. Anything more ceases to be attractive in my eyes.Diet is my bane, and my nutrition is terrible, LOL. I mentioned in my log that most competitors (and you are an example) will have dieted for at LEAST 12-16 weeks pre-competition and my dieting started 1-2 weeks out from the show - which was not smart, but usually worked (that's changing).
I dunno what I think - to me the natural federation figure girls really don't look too different from the average girl in the gym, but just a little leaner; no real muscle mass, like a bikini or glamour model. I still have a hard time thinking of this as a sport honestly, even though I know competitors train quite hard, albeit not all as athletes (and yes, I know there are exceptions, like those of us who are or have been competitive athletes).
Sounds like a solid plan.Right now the plan is to take a week off cardio . A lot of competitors are afraid to do this however it actually works the opposite, when you stop it and start it back up, it actually helps the metabolism.Contest preparation has been taking its toll on my body and I need to rest my body before I start doing hard contest prepping again. I'll still of course be dieting, training maintenance and getting my rest, and supplementation, on this "recovery week"
Time is on my side so i can afford to do this. also since fat loss may be stalled I am adding in even a lower fat diet consisting of low fat fish.
My shoulder has been acting up and I am going to have to cut certain movements out that may aggravate it for the next week and monitor progress on it. It gotten a bit worse and I feel if I keep pushing it like I have A injury. I would rather do maintenance training for a week then not be able to do this competition at all. I have to do what i can!
Ill post yesterdays stats up later. My buesiness appointments have been delayed today and I have one later so i think Im just going to sleep and sleep.
Yes and lean beef. I am switching fish in the place of chicken starting tomorrow to lower the fat content even lower.John you're properly rolling with the punches and you still got a good amount of time till the competition. I think its very wise how you are tending to your shoulder and more importantly listening to your body so that you dont get burnt out too soon.
This will be especially apparent once u hit those 1-2 weeks before the competition where I hear its the most rigorous and pain staking.
The workout looks very good. I can definitely take some pointers from you on how to round out my routine better once I start 531 and make sure there are no deficits. Excellent macro split.
Im assuming a whole lot of chicken breast?
Yes and lean beef. I am switching fish in the place of chicken starting tomorrow to lower the fat content even lower.
My routine is based on my own body weak and strong points coming into a show. I hit calves, biceps_triceps and forearms twice a week because I feel they lag, and if I can shoulders because I feel they lag due to my limited shoulder training. Your stronger than I ever been;I have always trained for bodybuilding though with the exception of some power exercises at various times
Never thought I would have these joint challenges, its my fault though, my form was off and I was not using proper form and too heavy weights ALL THE TIME, sure I got bigger, but I wore my tendons out.
I think you are on the right track taking breaks, another thing I do I know strongly prevents injuries is lower intensity at times, still training hard, just not super intense, like say I train 5 weeks balls out to the wall, past failure and beyond(forced reps), Ill take a 2-3 week de-load period,and even off for a week, then start training intense again but not past that line, and keep repeating
I used to be more into lower reps and heavier weights. and If I can I plan on doing it at least for a month, a month or so after my show is done.
You've got plenty of time your not even 24 and are you one of the top five strong guys in your home gym?Fish is an amazing source of lean protein. Tilapia is my fish of choice b/c it's cheap and loaded with protein. If more money...it would be salmon.
I like the idea of a 2-3 week deload period. I think i may need to encorporate this once ive been hitting 531 for several months. yeah it has a week deload scheduled in...but sometimes that may not be enough if you've been pushing yourself excessively. And just because you THINK im stronger then you've ever been doesnt mean you dont have a wealth of knowledge and experience in training and especially focusing on lagging muscle groups. That is something i think you do very well and something i feel i need to improve on greatly.
I hope im the strongest guy in my home gym...im the only one in there! Lol I work out in my garage so its not like i have much to compare myself to.You've got plenty of time your not even 24 and are you one of the top five strong guys in your home gym?
. When I was your age I was focused on getting strong, which I really needed to be focused on better form. One of the most overlooked of any beginner, and intermediate is form in bodybuilding.
Nice job John.September 28TH 2010
325 P
190 CHO
45 F
2,400 calories
Calves, hamstrings, quads, abs
Calves
Donkey Calve raises
345lbs=10x's
335lbs=10x's
dumb bell between feet reverse
50lbs=10x's
Supplements
Cycle Support two scoops
Stoked four capsules
Glycobol-two capsules
Essentials and joint-three scoops post workout
Seated leg curl
170lbs=13x's
200lbs=13x's
lying one leg at a time curls
60lbs=5x's
Quads
Nautilus Leg extensions
150lbs=10x's
leg press
Inner stance-5 plates=8x's
Normal stance 5 plates=8x's
left one leg leg extension
50lbs=12x's
abdominal s ring of fire ~
sleep eight hours
The Dc stretches are good after workoutsI hope im the strongest guy in my home gym...im the only one in there! Lol I work out in my garage so its not like i have much to compare myself to.
Yeah form has been a big focus on my lifts. And it seems a lot of my downfalls come abotu bc im naturally very unflexible so I stretch a lot
we will see I still have a bit of body fat to lose. Im so white its hard to see any definition out in the sun. Ill probably post either next week or the week after that again. I plan on posting more frequent now at the same angle, lighting and time of dayThe vid was for 6 weeks and 5 days so it looks like you're on track now.
Thank you Don.Nice job John.
10 hours of HghPro sleep that has to be invigorating..10 hours, must be nice
Hey John had to rewatch this I have some notes for you.YouTube - Six days and five days out from NGA Florida bodybuilding show
Just got this up a second ago. This is today
He could be behind schedule but the sun is really washing him out too. I am refering to how much smaller his waist has gotten since the last shot. He has done some serious catch up. If you obseve early in the video his waste is much smaller and the fat has gone down significantly. If he continues at this pace I don't forsee a problem but there's no letting up on that I agree. Hek when the fug is there eh... :shysmile:Hey John had to rewatch this I have some notes for you.
1: Can you pick a time of day that the sun is higher and not right in front of you but more above and only slightly in front of you so it can cast some shadows on your lines. 10-11 in the morning and 200-400 in the evenining may not be too bad. If the videos are washed out we really cant see enough to give you accurate feedback on conditioning.
2: Side shots triceps and side chest as well as biceps and side chest shot you are dipping your your fron shoulder down which will make you look less lean than you are. If you are not extremely low bodyfat the day of the show it will show it. Keep the front shoulder and your chest high.
3. On your Rear Double Biceps you are squeezing your back so tight to show definition in your back that it is pulling your lats back in a little. To combat that throw the pose up with the back squeezed at first for definition then spread the lats and shoulders out wide. Also make sure your fists are almost all the way behind your head. Maybe like the pinky being aligned with the back of your head this will roll the boall of your biceps into a position you can see the peak from the back especially the back and below you where the judges are sitting.
4. The pose you did with both arms behind your back and your quad flexed out in front, that is not flattering to your body in my opinion. It may be that you really let your chest drop but it made you not look very lean.
5. I may be wrong but to me you look a little behind schedule. Could be that it is washed out buy the sun but I don't think so. If you have some tricks up your sleeve to kick start some more fat loss I think you should honestly employ them now. It is better to do it now and then fill back up a little if you get ahead of schedule but if you want to have really good conditioning you are going to want to change it up a little bit in my opinion. We are probably talking about a difference of 1% but that is a big percent when it is between 5 and 6% or 4 and 5%. You still have time to pick it up in my opinion but I do think you should make some adjustments.
How interesting. I edited my post because i submitted on accident without adding all of the improvements I saw. If you look above now you see I mentioned that too. He has made a lot of improvements in my opinion. I also know what condition he is hoping for so don't want to be the guy rooting him on saying everything is great if things may need to be picked up a little.He could be behind schedule but the sun is really washing him out too. I am refering to how much smaller his waist has gotten since the last shot. He has done some serious catch up. If you obseve early in the video his waste is much smaller and the fat has gone down significantly. If he continues at this pace I don't forsee a problem but there's no letting up on that I agree. Hek when the fug is there eh... :shysmile:
lol cool, were always doing stuff like that...How interesting. I edited my post because i submitted on accident without adding all of the improvements I saw. If you look above now you see I mentioned that too. He has made a lot of improvements in my opinion. I also know what condition he is hoping for so don't want to be the guy rooting him on saying everything is great if things may need to be picked up a little.
So here we go. John, take a video of your self inside in some good overhead lighting soon so we can tell you for sure how things are looking with no question in our own minds regarding visibility.