2008 Arnold Blog

I call this post, "Abstaining from Aunt Bea’s Super-Fantastic Apple Pie — Nuances of Winter Contest Prep…"  LOL, here goes…

No wonder competitors are dropping like flies — cold weather dieting is a — well, it’s a bitch.  The process started when I went home to NY for the holidays.  I cranked away on the Stairmaster circa 1992 at the local Y, and followed that with a trip to my parents to be greeted by dad.

“Why don’t you eat something normal?”

There are no vegetables in season; cardio outside may give you a little touch of the hypothermia.

In the Texas summer heat, being at 10% body fat is a real advantage; 100° air is in balance with my body and I save on electric.  Lately, I have been freezing.  The other night, I literally woke up in the middle of the night and loaded everything in my linen closet on top of my bedspread.  I woke the next morning in a mess of shams and hand-towels.

Whining aside, there are advantages to being in shape in the dead of winter.  Local photographers, without Bridezilla or graduating seniors consuming all of their time, are bored and far more likely to collaborate on an artistic project.  Also, if you want to go for an overall title at a smaller show, you’re already in shape for it!

If you’re not competing, you really should come to the Arnold Expo.  If you enjoy bodybuilding supplements or hot women, it’s a little slice of heaven.  If you are a meathead/science dork (like me) then check out the StrenthPro Strength-Training Summit.  Two of my profs from Baylor are speaking and I may assist them if I don’t make it to the amateur figure finals (I’m trying to see it as a win-win )  I’ll also be at the Hardfitness booth, probably on Friday.

So in conclusion: train hard; eat clean; check the date, love your state!