Memoirs of a reluctant Bulker

So here I am three and one half months into a cutting phase, 194 pounds and eleven percent bodyfat (BF). Now this is down from an all out one year (quite frankly) fattening stage, 220 pounds and 26 percent BF. When I first started this cutting cycle I had every intention of competing this last June in a natural competition. However, because of my EVIL job and its traveling requirements, my diet was not quite where it probably should’ve been. Let’s just face the facts here, when I came to the conclusion that my June contest aspirations were in the dumper, I had two potential goal options:

1. Stay on the cut, and see just how lean I might be able to get.

2. Trash the cut, and say hello to cheesecake, hamburgers, pizza, and the veritable plethora of processed entree’s that the rest-o-the Country seemingly is so obsessed with.

Well, as you have already surmised (most likely anyway), I chose to stick with the diet at least until the end of summer (for Phoenix, that’s the end of September). And so, with that, I have made some observations that will be beneficial for my next leaning phase before my competition next April:

1. First and foremost, I love the pump I get when I’m lean. The vascularity alone is addicting and dare I say, is almost pure ecstacy. Look, I know that sounds like a huge statement, but for those of you who know what I’m talking about (you in the back row), can I get an AMEN!!

2. By keeping my intake of healthy fats high: Olive oil on salads, Omega 3 and 6 supplementation, Hazelnuts, Pistachios, Amonds and Peanuts (all raw and unsalted of course), and Beef and Pork sparingly, my strength has not dropped too much, considering the amount of weight I’ve dropped. This by the way, has also kept my mood from dropping into the tank too much. During cutting phases of the past, which pretty much have been limited to protein, minimal fat and a bit-o carbs, my moods have been anywhere from less-than-pleasant to just all-out-penis-like.

3. With the inclusion of Mrs. Dashes no-sodium spice products and Vinegars and Oils on the salads, my diet is actually pleasant and almost enjoyable.

4. Since my main premise for the diet was to throw out most if not all processed foods (breads, microwave products, and pre-seasoned meats) I figured this diet might be hard to follow, because of inconvenience. Not so my friends!! It has not been a burden at all, and let me just get real here for a moment: My body is working so much smoother than it has in the last ten years! I think you know what I’m talking about here, right? No? Spelled out for the slower people (like myself most of the time okay) Digestive process regularity (got it). My overall health is so much improved as well. I’m talking about the duration of physical activiy equation: don’t get out of breath easy and can keep up with my twelve and eight year old sons with whatever it is they want to throw my way. I attribute these two improvements solely to the absence or lack of processed foods.

On a side note regarding processed foods: Have you looked at the amount of sodium in things nowadays……What are we doing to people with all that sodium?

Okay, back on track…..

5. And lastly, the comments I have received from people over the last month or so, have been first and foremost, flattering: but mostly, shocking. Remember, I’m 26 pounds lighter than I was before I started to cut. I have heard the following generic and summarized comment numerous times:

"Wow Scott, you look great! Are you working out again?"

Excuse me? Working out again?…..you know I never stopped thank you very much. Just because I looked like a bull moose, doesn’t mean I wasn’t moving the weights, okay!!

At any rate, the bottom line here, is that my shape and muscularity are finally coming out from behind that thermal insulator for people to see. And I must say, I am loving me the pump, as a result.

Moral of the story: Leaning out ROCKS!!

Generalized game plan for my contest next April is as follows: 

-Continue to lean and instill definition until the end of September

-Begin a three and a half month clean bulk phase: Clean carbs, limited processed foods

- Middle of January (yep, after the fattening holidays): Begin pre-contest cutting phase in hopes of being five pounds below weight by two weeks before the contest. During those two-weeks, I want to eat my way up to competition weight for a fuller effect.

For now that’s all from the clean burning BodyAuditor: Thank you BS and good evening!

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2007 at 2:35 pm and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.