The Fat man, this way cometh….
My friends and fellow bodybuilding enthusiasts, please do not be offended by my recent progress photo (yep that’s me on the right): Remember, I’m bulking!!
Thought I’d go ahead and post an update to my bulking phase since I am currently and exactly, two months into it. It actually started off rather fast, gaining 8 pounds almost overnight. Now I would suppose that most of that initial weight gain may be chalked off to water and the return of glycogen to my four-month-cut-depleted muscles. But in my own peaceful happy world, I would also like to think that some of the weight was actually new muscle. Now two months later, the gaining is much slower…Ever seen a snail crawl….ever actually watched one for an extended period of time?
Side note one: If so, you have some deep issues, and possibly, a limited life.
But anyway, if you have, then you can mentally envision how I feel my progress over the last month has been. As some of you may know, along with eating relatively cleanly, I am performing heavy duty movements everyday.
Side note two: My version of Heavy duty training is one complete muscle failure set per day, to include Bench press, Deadlifts, Military press, Leg press, Calf press, Dumbell supinated curls and Rope tricep extensions.
And with the heavy duty training, all of my weights have moved up and my drops sets are still causing serious muscle failure. However…..
Side note three: Ever noticed, that there is always a, "However," in every story? Just thinking outloud…sorry, back to the story.
However, it is somewhat frustrating that I’m am not as big as a house yet. At 202 pounds, I really felt as though I would be up to 215 by now. My starting goal, back in September was to be 230 by the end of December. Not sure that’s gonna happen, but we do still have the holidays to go through, and let me tell you folks, I can move some Turkey and stuffing….Sorry, just keeping it real. Now, can I move 28 pounds-worth over two months?….Well, that is the question, yes? Long and short of the matter, I may have to extend my bulking phase through January and that would give me roughly two and one half months to cut up for the contest in April.
Side note four: Two questions I am currently facing:
1. Will I be big enough to compete with the 35 -39 year old amateurs if I am 200 pounds and will I be cut enough, if I am at 10% bodyfat?
2. Will two and a half months give me enough time to shed about 8% bodyfat (As I will not go above 18 % bodyfat during this bulk)
Questions to ponder for sure…Anyone have any input….Any at all? Any thoughts on whether or not it would be nice to sign a 61 million dollar contract like Tony Romo of Dallas Cowboys fame just did? Tsuph, darn it, I digressed again…..Back on track we go…..
At any rate, my arms are back to 19 inches pumped up, my bench is back at the 300 # level, my dead weight, vertical leg presses are at 545 #, and my deads are up to 365 for reps, so I’m feeling some strength progress. My waist if fluctuating around the 31 inch mark (depending on how much salt I have consumed recently) and my large toe is back up to the one and a half inch mark, so feeling some progress there too!
Well, gonna keep on plugging away, and definitely gonna renew my focus on shoveling the clean food over the next, at least, two months.
Bodyauditor out: Peace to all! Happiness in all arena’s for the weekend, number seven for the ‘boys and remember: If you can’t imagine it, you can’t do it.
Bonus thought for the day: Enjoy this moment in life, make THIS moment count. You CAN control how the next moment of your life is spent: don’t waste it by spending it longing for another moment in time.
November 1, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Cute pic
November 2, 2007 at 12:34 am
hey, if thats you on the right, you’ve got some mad mass on your thighs! Slow progress is disappointing but rest assured, everybody hits a plateau. Maybe you could steer away from your current workout plan to something else for a couple of weeks and then continue to what you were doing. http://www.ironaddicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2003
This site has some interesting ideas but kind of follow the same guidelines you were doing. The one hard core set to failure. Just thought I would throw it out there, You are definitely somebody I deeply respect and look up to. Keep your head up. Even those who inspire must also be inspired! Don’t lose focus and you WILL win!
November 2, 2007 at 10:05 am
You are well on your way to your goals. I will be there with you eating clean for Xgiving.
Hang in there.
November 2, 2007 at 10:33 am
It’s that big toe measurement that is the most impressive - great gains!
Seriously, good luck in reaching your December goal - better to be sure that the mass you are adding is mostly quality versus mass at any cost (trust me, this one I know). Good luck!
November 2, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Plenty of time to shed 8% body fat. You could safely do 1% a week, I think, so you could go down to 8% if you want, which I think you should to have the competitive edge.
November 2, 2007 at 1:29 pm
ps the rapid weight gain was probably mostly water, maybe a pound of muscle. 1 gal of water weighs around 8 lbs…..
November 3, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Considering I’m gathering bodybuilding concepts from you, I am unsure of any ponderings of your the current estimates of your goals… I believe you can, though! Hope you have great success shoveling down clean food (tip: I found the "spork" increases shovel efficiency…)
November 4, 2007 at 9:12 pm
It Looks Like "Bulking" Is Going Well For You!…hehehehehe
November 5, 2007 at 7:10 am
Oh i’m so with you on the bulking…. I’m a eating machine last couple days….. feels good though…… I dont feel a urge to cut….. unless it’s gas…..lol
November 5, 2007 at 9:13 am
BA, In my opinion you already have the upper body size and, most importantly, symmetry to compete in a natural show (and do very well). Damn your Steeve Reeves shoulder width and narrow waist (haha). Seriously though, don’t mistake quantity for quality during your bulk. (Why add 10-12 pounds of fat before January?!) I’m not sure what your legs look like, but if they are your weakness (size and symmetry-wise) focus on bringing them up. Regarding what %BF to compete at, I think you’ll need to be in the 6% range to be competitive. Personally, I was 6% at my first show and a tad too smooth, so now I compete in the high 4’s. Cheers, Mike
November 5, 2007 at 9:25 am
Way to go on that big toe! Rooting for you Big Guy! Rah-rah-rah!
November 5, 2007 at 11:32 am
i’m with pixiglitterpants in terms of my embarassing lack of knowledge about bodybuilding, but yeah….enjoy all the extra food coming your way while you can!
November 6, 2007 at 9:02 am
Could be worse. You could have started a mass-building phase, only to have it interupted by surgery, and no way to shed the excess or put the extra calories to good use for six weeks. (*L* I know excuses, excuses)
November 6, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I’m right there with you on the bulking!! Gained about 10 like it was nothing but have slowed way down. I’m consuming about 4000 clean calories a day also!! And I hate to admit it but my big toe hasn’t budged….it’s as puny as ever….it’s so embarrassing!!
November 8, 2007 at 6:57 am
side note: I like the side notes.
side note 2: I think I’ll keep commenting like this because of side note 1.
side note 3: Don’t stress about the small stuff. Especially for your first show. Enjoy it and learn.
side note 4: You’ll see people from 4% to 15% at many amature shows. I believe you can easily break down under 10%.
side note 5: Bahama man has some great experience and looks freaking awesome
side note 6: I have a lot of side notes now.
side note 7: It’s almost addicting
side note 8: Keep it up you’re doing awesome
side note 9: I think this will be my last side note.