Tim Martin’s BodyBlog

I continued my crazy year with a victory at the NPC New Jersey State Championships yesterday.  I got first Masters (35) heavyweight and overall, and first open heavyweight.  The lightheavy won the overall, but I think it must have been awfully close between him and me.  I have photos posted in my gallery.  Now it’s five weeks to focus on the Team Universe, and come in at my all-time best!

Check out the banner on the main page and interview with Dave Palumbo after winning the Atlantic States at: www.MuscularDevelopment.com

It’s Wednesday night, and I’ve got ANOTHER show this Saturday!  The good thing about stringing shows back to back is that your nerves are definately a lot calmer each time.  I’m trying not to overanalyze anything at this point, just to keep doing what I’m doing and have faith that I’ll come in peaked again.  The weird thing is that my bodyweight still seems to be climbing, probably averaging around 209 lbs. this week.  I’m not eating any more calories than previously, so I can only conclude that it’s muscle filling out.  I’ve also tried not to look too critically in the mirror for the past few days because I know that the body tends to "rebound" slightly after manipulating nutrients, and will only start to scrutinize things tomorrow when I lower Sodium again.
As for my mindset, although I do feel that I’m bringing some momentum into the show having won overalls at the last two regional contests, I also feel a little like a marked man.  There is a saying that the only reason you win a contest is because no one better showed up.  It will be interesting to see who’s competing, and I’m going to try to maintain focus on myself and bring my best package to the stage.

Well, it’s Sunday morning after a big breakfast.  I competed in the NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States and won overall in the open and masters divisions.  I don’t really believe it right now!  My weight was 206 at weigh in, and 208 by the evening.  I felt I looked better in the evening, but was pretty happy with everything.  The more you compete, the more you learn your body, and the lesson I’m continuing to learn is don’t mess around with ANYTHING the final week.  I kept my carbs consistent (100g) on Friday, moderately lowered Sodium Thursday and Friday, and re-introduced Sodium on Saturday, which kept me full and vascular.
This is my 25th(?) show and the most satisfying victory for me.  I’m learning not to judge those who use steroids so harshly because it is their personal decision, but the feeling I have of walking into that show clean and winning really makes it rewarding to me.

My original goal was to get down to 198 lbs., but that’s not going to happen.  I’m still keeping that option open for the Team Universe, because that weigh-in is Thursday with prejudging on Friday.  That gives a whole day to fill out after starving/depleting water - something I don’t do anymore because it just makes you look flat.  Right now (Thursday night) my weight is 208, so losing 10 pounds tomorrow just isn’t happening.  
On the positive, I’ve NEVER been this hard at this weight, so I think I’ll still be competive in the heavies.  A local friend who owns a nutrition store will be in my class for the next two shows.  This guy’s a monster, about 5′7" and will squeek in at 225 lbs..  It will depend on what the judges go for, but I’m keeping focussed on bringing my best package irrelevent of who I’ll be standing next to.

Finally set up this BodySpace page, this stuff is motivating!  I’m currently one week out from my next show, the NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States.  I’m excited to do this because as wierd as this sounds, I actually kind of prefer doing non-tested shows (I’m lifetime natural).  You just show up and compete, no drug testing appointments to make - and pay for!  I’m at sort of an awkward weight right now, averaging about 207 lbs. this week.  My original goal was to compete as a lightheavyweight (198), and though I still plan on trying to make weight, I won’t do anything stupid at the expense of ruining my presentation for that day.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks.