Reemy’s BodyBlog

The Beverly International Northern Kentucky was awesome!  Competing in that contest was one of the best things that I have ever done. I met lots of cool people and learned a lot about nutrition and tons about my body.  It has given me some new direction both workout and life-wise

Being a first time competitor, I didn’t know what to expect.  I went to the Friday night weigh-in hoping I would make weight and that I wouldn’t fluctuate or hold water etc. I had never cut down before, and a week and half earlier my weight hit 175 because of water I was holding (The cut off was 176lbs). There is no way that I wanted to be in light-heavyweight. 

It was overwhelming seeing all these musclebound young guys,  superstar billy graham looking older dudes, fitness chicks with the tighest jeans on you’ve ever seen, and female bodybuilders all in one room. It’s funny, because all the dudes are measuring you up trying to see if you’re in their weight class or not.  I don’t know anyone there, so its just little old me. I’m just looking around trying to take it all in. There were some big guys there.  That whole hotel was overwhelmed with bodybuilders. They were coming out of all sorts of doors and getting out of elevators, walking around in flip flops with pro-tanned legs. I’m looking arm my little golden brown arms like "Damn, I’m definiteley too light, and I should ‘ve started tanning even earlier"

 It turns out that I missed the novice weigh-in so I was there with all the Open Competitors.  Luckily, they were able to slip me in after the Middleweight Open guys. I hopped up on the scale and weighed in at 168lbs shredded! I hopped back in the car and headed to a resturant at Newport On The Levee to meet some friends. I figured I might as well stop since I was all the waty in Kentucky and Newport was on the way home. I got home at ten and ate a Chicken, a sweet potato, and green beans. I practiced my individual routine a couple of times since I was STILL struggling with a couple of aspects of that (sheesh!!), and then went to bed At 12pm.  Next time I’ll get to bed alot earlier!

Contest day I got up at 6 AM and immediately pounded a 8 oz sweet potato with a LITTLE Laura’s Lean grond beef that I cooked. Then I gathered all my stuff together and checked everthing.  Around 8 AM I wanted to take a meal with me but I was running behind.  I ended up having to eat a 7" pizza from Donatoes that I purchased the night before.  I had read Laynes thread on pre-contest preparation and took a few things from there that I thought might be pertinent.  He said that bodybuilders have benefited from eating a high fat, moderate protein and carb meal 2 hrs before pre-judging.  I mean, look at the guy. He obviously knows his stuff.

It was against my better judgement, considering my yeast problems (I figured my supps would control that and they did), and the fact that everybody is different. However, I needed something quick to eat.  When I got to KY, I stopped at a gas station to get M&M’s and a chocolate bar. I ran into a kid competing and he suggested frosting.  Next time I’ll make Beverly’s goo balls.  

I got to the competitors meeting and meet a guy competing in the Novice Lightweight. He was a good kid and it was his first contest as well.  We talked and watched all the intense looking bodybuilders.  After that, it was prejudging time.  I started eating M&M’s and boy were they GOOD.  I hadn’t eaten Candy in like 8 years. I’ve been a no sugar diet for like 2 years because of Candida overgrowth.  I also took sips of Gatorade per Layne’s "advices", and boy am I glad that I did.  I was the only one sipping on Gatorade before the pre-judging by the way.

When pump up time came, I met a guy,Vince Shiree, that gave me some great advice on pumping up and posing for the prejudging. It just so happens, that he won the Novice lightweight the year before and was competing in the open.  He is such a great guy. While pumping up, I got lots of complements from the older guys and a lot of looks from different competitors.  I was definitely one of the most conditioned guys there.

Time to hit the stage! Here we go!  I ended up in the first 9 to go out. There were 18 in the Middleweight Novice Class. There could’ve been more.  I know the kid that ate the frosting didn’t make weight so he and his friend ended up in Light Heavy (ouch!!).   We hit the stage, and the lightweights are warning us about the work we would have to put in.  I get out there, and go blank!  Feet straight instead of the v stance and arms too wide with my lats not flared and I was leaning back a little too much.  I was trying to emulate some of the bigger middle weights by putting my arms out instead of staying within my sphere. (Next time I come in heavier!!!I also should have carb loaded on Wednesday instead of Thursday morning.)  Straight Comedy, LOL!!!  Sadly I’m just now learning how to flare my lats out in a relaxed stance (wow) a week later. I should’ve spent much more time on my mandatories. You live and you learn!!  Despite all this comedy, I managed to get called out second. After our 5 to 10 minutes of posing they sent us behind stage and brought out the other 9.  WE waited for them to get done, and then they brought out all 18.  The top five got put to the side, and then they put us back in the lineup and we posed some more!  Luckily, I listened to Layne’s article and drank the gatorade. Guys around me were shaking, and legs were cramping. I felt fine, but just a little parched under those lights.

Afterwards, I hopped in the car to go home, and my  car breaks down halthway between Kentucky and where I live. I had to call the tow truck and I’m glad he was able to tow my car and get me home before 3pm to eat.  4:30 comes and my buddy drives back out to Kentucky.

As the eveninng show starts, I break out my gatorade and M&M’s.  We finally get told who made the top 5 and I’m in it.  So that means I got to get ready to do my individual rountine.  Only the top five were allowed because of the huge number of competitors and the limited amount of time. It’s time for the individuale routines! Here comes my cue, I have 4 counts to hit the rotating arrow and I nail it!  Everything else falls in line with the beat and I hit the drum at the begingining of each bar of the edited version of "Come Together" (Aerosmith,of course) that I prepared.  Soon as I shimmy me shoulders and then hit a rear double biceps, the crowd roars!!!  I got lots of props for the routine.  A lot of competitors, also told me I should’ve placed higher afterwards.  I was just happy I didn’t forget my routine!!

 6 days until the Northern Kentucky.  Don’t really know what to expect.  Monday -Wednesday I reduce my carbs until I hit Ketosis. While doing that, I use Ketostix to monitor where I am at, I should hit ketosis on Wednesday, and immediately carb up after that.  My goal was supposed to be 165-168 according to my mentor.  I will probably hit that on Wednesday. I don’t have too much more to lose.  Maybe in the oblique area and some water weight.   I’m anxious to see how I look when I carb up!!!  

I started tanning last week.  Rather do that than that messy pro tan!  Even though I know that’s the norm now a days.  It’s funny to see the reactions when I come in there.  I guess it’s not a common thing for black people to tan in Cincinnati. 

This week is pose, pose, pose. Gonna get waxed tommorrow, edit my music,  tan some more, Then pose, poae, poae. What fun!!! 

 I just got my posing trunks tonight. Nothing fancy….. No glittery aspects to the trunks either.  Just plain ol’ black!!! Black really sets my skin tone off and creates a nice contrast. I’m going to try them on when I get off of here.  I can’t believe I’m actually going through with this!!! Too late to turn back now!

I cut my carbs down to 150 grams this week.  I am definitely feeling it at work.  I can’t hold water for nothing. Not enough carbs or sodium to hold it. I’m drinking somewhere around or over 2 gallons of water the last two days. Talk about pisssing the night away!

Workouts are OK, even though todays leg workout  was downright painful. I finally got the order and poses for my routine down tonight!! That is a gratifying feeling.  We work on the transitions and the rest of the little nuances from next week on.  All I’m thinking about is pose, pose, pose, and pose.

 Everything is getting sharper, I still need to get rid of the last bit if fat around my waist. My cardio sessions are getting easier.  If I do another show, I’ll definitely start doing cardio sooner instead of just beginnning around week 4. Luckily my genetics/metabolism lets me get away with not having to do too much cardio.

 Man, I’m beat…I’ll write some more later when I’m not falling asleep every other paragraph!!!