ACutAbove06’s BodyBlog

Here we are 2 days after my show.  The show itself was awesome.  I had a great time and there is no better feeling in the world than being on that stage.  Unfortunately the scales were about 10lbs off which put me in the Middle weight class.  It pretty much threw everyone off.  I’m not using it as an excuse by any means.  Apparently not having a tan, not being able to pose and having severe cases of gyno is what it takes to win a bodybuilding contest in the state of Michigan.  For you to get accolades of any kind by the Michigan NPC Judges you must either pay them or be in with them.  No matter.  It is what it is and I had a great time none the less.  I came in 6th in the middle weight.  I believe I should have faired better, but that’s how it played out.  I’m not using anything above as an excuse.  Everyone that has been following me through out the months knows my level of dedication and commitment.  Everyone has seen my physique and they’ve seen my posing in different pictures I’ve posted.  Hey, it was my first time and I can’t wait to do it again.  Next time I don’t think it’s going to be in Michigan.  I’m going to spend my next year putting on size and getting that muscle maturity so that next time they can’t deny me.  That’s my plan.  So be ready to follow me through my next level of preparation and competition.  Thank you all for your support!

Finally, Friday!  I’m officially 1 day out from the Michigan Novice.  I’ve been dieting for 17 weeks and 6 days.  I spent the holidays with some chicken and sweet potatoes.  I was at the club drinking water.  I was up at 5am on the treadmill.  I was getting home at 8pm from the gym Monday thru Friday.  But the way I look at it is I didn’t do anything that anyone else didn’t do.  I’m not the biggest guy in the world and I’m tall.  Those aren’t advantages at all…so I’m going to have to out cardio them and I’m going to out diet them.  By them I mean my competition.  There have been days that I wanted to quit.  There have been days I wanted to throw my diet out the window…..There have been many days where I thought "go to the gym?  **** it!  I just didn’t want to go.  When I don’t want to go I feel like that’s when I need to be there the most.  There have been people in my life over the last 18 weeks that may not have agreed with my lifestyle and called it obsessive.  Others have said I’m going to do this show and get my ass handed to me.  The people that called me obsessive obviously have no idea about the passion I have for this sport.  This is something very important to me.  And I’ll be the first to tell you that they weren’t the most fit people in the world either.  That makes it even sweeter.  The people that doubted my abilities and said I’d get my ass handed to me….Well, maybe I will.  I’m going to go out there tomorrow and present the best Dennis I can.  If that’s not good enough, oh well.  I’ll know I gave it my best.  In the end I think that’s what this is about more than anything.  To say that you successfully made it through a contest diet says a lot about your character and you as a person.  It shows that you’re the kind of person with will power.  It shows that when you put your mind to something you don’t stop until you reach your goal.  I wonder if I can put that on a resume…..

Here we are…The homestretch!  Aside from the slight headache I’ve had since Monday, I feel pretty good.  I’m ready to get out there and do this.  Not to mention, I’m hungry and I need something other than chicken for a day or so.  I know that I’m sitting here now thinking this week will never end, but it’s going to be over before I know it and there I’ll be on Sunday wondering where all the time went…..as I’m eating a pizza.     

I took some pictures last night and they turned out good.  If they look good now I can only imagine how I’m going to look after my carb up.  I’m very excited. 

I would like to thank everyone on BodySpace that has given me positive comments and encouraged me to keep going.  This has been a hard time both mentally and physically.  Sometimes a good comment from someone can really make a difference if you’re having an off day.  So, thank you all. 

Yesterday was a much better day than the day prior.  I didn’t feel 100%, but I didn’t want to fall over and die either.  I have been extremely tired this week.  I was so tired yesterday that I went to my car and took an hour nap at lunch.  I have absolutely no problem going to sleep.  I am getting 7 or 8 hours a night right now and I could easily get 12.  LOL  I was in the Army for 6 years.  Being there, you learn you can sleep any where, any time, in any position.  I did my little workout yesterday which consisted of 1 set per body part for 40 reps.  When I was done I looked amazing.  That made me feel really good about this coming Saturday.  That was just the confidence boost/ motivation I needed.  Believe I’m going to go out there Saturday and give a 1st place performance.  Hopefully the judges agree.  If they don’t I know I need to hit it harder next time.  I’m not putting a lot of weight on this show as it is my first…..but I still want to win like anyone else.  But more than anything this is a learning experience.  It’s been so much fun to get to this point.  There have been ups and downs throughout the process but all in all it’s been a great time and I can’t wait to do it again. 

Yesterday was awful.  I had a headache all day and felt like crap.  I had no energy and was extremely tired.  I’m really hoping today will be better.  I’m sticking with it and mentally and physically preparing myself for the days to come.  I’m trying to take one day at a time and at the same time I’m thinking ahead to Sunday when I don’t have to eat like a freak for a minute.  I decided Sunday is going to be anything goes. I’m going to enjoy myself and my hard work.  Then Monday it’s back to business.  We may incorporate some additional food, but mostly going to stick with what I’ve been eating….only more of it. . I’m really looking forward to tipping the scales at 230+.  All the while staying at 10% body fat or below.  It’s going to be fun. 

Here we are in the home stretch.  It’s the final week.  If any week matters during this whole experience it’s this week.  Everything is so specific this week.  The cardio is done.  I have 3 full body workouts left.  I have to say that I thought I would feel some sort of relief once this show was over….I think it’s the opposite though.  Once Saturday comes 2 things will happen…..I will officially be an amateur bodybuilder (That’s always good     )  and I won’t really be working towards anything.  I’ll be bulking up and getting ready for my next show, but the structure and discipline will be much different.  Being prior military, I’m used to structure and everything being very organized.  Getting ready for this show gave me all of that.  To not have structure in my life, to me, is chaotic.  I’m just going to have to give it my all in the off season and start getting ready for my next show ASAP.  Everyone was right….the best part of this whole experience is the preparation.  You put yourself through so much and sacrifice quite a bit as well…..but in the end it’s all worth it.

Eleven more days to go.  I did my last chest and bicep workout last night.  Even though my trainer lowered my carbs and calories once again I was still able to lift heavy weight consistantly.  I felt great.  My energy is great, my strength is great.  I feel really good.  When I think about the last few months and how I’ve done as far as training and diet…..there isn’t anything I would change.  I really feel like I’ve given it 100%.  To me the biggest thing is to go into this with no regrets.  In the end I want to know that I did everything I could have possibly done and to the best of my ability.  That’s what matters the most. 

I’m 12 days out right now.  My diet is forever changing and the anticipation of finally doing this show is driving me crazy.  This is something I began preparing for September of 06.  At that point this show was more of an idea than it was a reality.  Here we are 12 days out and it’s quickly become more of a reality than just an idea. 

I’m ready to hit the gym tonight for one of my last workouts before the show.  I guess the best way to put all of this is…..when this show is over it will be bitter sweet.  In ways I will be very happy to have a "normal" life again.  I am definitely looking forward to bulking up this summer….but there was something about getting ready for this show that I will miss.  The positive support from people that know me and people that see me.  I guess that will be one of the things I miss the most.  And there is also something to be said for being able to tell people "I’m sorry, I can’t have that…..I’m dieting for a bodybuilding show"  LOL  Sounds corny, but the reaction you get from people when you say that is usually pretty cool.  People are usually all for it and really respect someone that would have the dedication to do something like this or they are completely against it.  I usually find more people for it than against it though.  Well that’s what’s been on my mind today.  Maybe it’s too early in the morning to be thinking this deep.  Maybe I’m still really tired from the time change..who knows….LOL 

It’s Friday!  I’m 2 weeks and one day out.  I feel great, I look great…What else can I say?  Things are going very well. 

Being this far in and to have my strength still going up is amazing.  Last night I hit a personal record for barbell rows.  I did 305lbs for 8 reps.  I was a little surprised myself.  Ok, I didn’t add correctly and thought it was less.  LOL  When I was through I looked at it again and was very surprised that I did that much.  Guess a lot of times it’s all in your head. 

My stomach virus is all better.  My appetite still isn’t back 100%, but I’m getting all my meals in.  I worked on my routine for about 30 minutes last night.  I’m really excited to do it in front of a crowd.  I can’t imagine a bigger adrenaline rush.  I could imagine wearing more clothes when I do it though.  LOL 

Well I’m sure you noticed there was no 17 days out blog….The reason for that is due to the stomach virus I currently have.  How the hell am I going to get sick 2 weeks from my show???  LOL  What a mess.  Hey, the show must go on.  I’ve been popping Vitamin C, taking amino acids and drinking lots of water.  The doc put me on some medication and here I am back at it.  If nothing else, this stomach virus will help me to come in leaner! 
This morning I was back in the gym for cardio and I’ll be there again tonight to tear it up!  Sickness or not, I’ve been working too damn hard for too damn long to give up now.  More to follow…