fighting40’s BodyBlog

Just returned from the 2007 INBFWashington State Natural show in Arlington, WA (just north of Seattle) produced by Kevin and Denise James.  This show was a total blast.  I couldn’t believe how nice everyone was….the competitors (not a single arrogant ass in the bunch), staff (very helpful and fun), and the audience (totally into the show).  The venue was a new perfoming arts auditorium that was absolutely fantastic.  If you are a natural competitor, and want a fun and competitive show….come to the 2008 show.  The James’ are fantastic folks and will help with any arrangements necessary for you to enjoy the show.  I just can’t say enough great things about this event.  This show is now the standard for what I will expect in any show.

Another quick word about the competition.  This show was full of great people with some terrific bodies.  I wouldn’t have wanted to be a judge at this contest because there were a lot of really sharp bods, but in my opinion, the judges got the scoring right.  It’s a lot more fun when there aren’t a lot of easy winners and I don’t think there were any "easy" wins this year.

 Now, how did I do…I felt great going into this show.  I had more size than before and still maintained a good degree of conditioning.  I was hoping my night routine would improve over my last attempt and made myself proud.  The routine went off without a hitch and I think it showed what I had pretty well.  I think I will start working on a new routine now so I’m ready for next year (it’s the part I’m the worst at).  I’m pleased to say that I finished 2nd in the open heavy weight and won the 40+ masters.  I am excited to get back into the gym and start improving my weak spots…maybe I can make an improvement in the open category next year (some more size would really help).  Good luck to everyone I got to meet at the show this year, and I can’t wait to see you all again next August. 

Well, last few days….feeling good.  I am pleased with the way I am looking and feel like I’m a bit bigger than my show in March, but I’m only a few pounds heavier.  One place I think I have improved is in my posing.  I am convinced, that the more you do it, and see it being done, the better you get.  The posing just feels a lot more natural this time.  I still don’t like the evening show part…I am not very artistic and don’t feel like my presentation is as exciting as I would like.  However, I feel that my routine for this show is far superior to the one in March….music is a ton better and it’s pace and beat allow for better transitions between poses.  I need to develop (or steal) a few more poses that look good with my body that aren’t run of the mill stuff.  Unfortuately, my balance sucks and I won’t be doing any kneeling ar squating type poses….the last thing I need to do is fall over on stage.  I am starting to get the butterflies; funny part is, that’s what I like.  I like the anticipation the most, thinking and dreaming of glory.  Anyway, I’m off to my last tanning bed appointment before the show (wish I was this dark all year long….I am a redhead, so compared to most, I’m still not that dark).  Later

Officially 9days out (not including today) from the INBF Washington State Naturals.  I’ve entered both the masters and open heavyweight classes of the contest.  I’d like to say that I do not care how I place, as long as I come in my best shape, but that’d be a lie.  I have worked a lot harder preparing for this show than I did my other (only other) and have learned a lot since then.  But, there are always guys out there that are bigger, stronger, fitter etc. and you have no control over who shows up.  I would rather lose in a big contest than win as an only competitor….so maybe I should quit worrying.  I guess this competition or the fear of competition helps keep me motivated…gives me a purpose for pushing an extra rep or skipping that cheat food.  I won’t write "I want to win" on my profile, but I sure am going to push myself hard in hopes that my doubts turn out to be just that…..MY DOUBTS.  Just in case, if you’re planning on competing in the above referenced show, I heard candybars help build muscle.

Well, I’m currently inside of 2 weeks to the Washington State Naturals in Arlington, Wa.  I feel much better about this contest than I did the first time I competed.  I have learned a lot and had some great help getting conditioned.  The biggest improvement in this training effort has been the carb cycling.  I just dropped carbs in chunks last time and by the time the contest arrived I had no energy.  My energy level is still up considerably and my training poundages have stayed a lot higher.  I think my contest day prep will be much improved (learned a few of the tricks) too.  I am definately coming in as ripped as last time, but with an extra 4 to 5 pounds.  For me, that is what matters….I am better than I was last time. 

PS Thanks to everyone who has left positive and motivationg comments, it really does help. 

This morning’s scale read 205. That’s down a couple of pounds from the other day and not much movement in the last few weeks. I may not worry about it for the time being because I was going to start a cut in June for an August contest. But, when I start a mass program on the other side of that contest, it looks like I may have to hit the 5000cal mark. In the meantime, I am going to keep my cals, foods, and ratios the same but start in with a bit more cardio. The goal would be to start trimming the fat but keeping enough cals to maintain the muscle. I know I over dieted going into my only other contest, I would like to hold a bit more size for the second. Currently, I am using only 1 serving of weight gainer, providing 600cals of my current 4500. I am eating about every 2 to 2.5 hours and keeping it clean. I won’t be able to get in another meal, so I will most likely have to up the cals in each meal slightly. I am already eating just over 2 grams/lb of protein and would probably make the extra cals complex carbs. I know it sounds kind of corny, but I actually like thinking about and tweaking my diet in search of better results. Mentally, I have never been as stoked for the gym as I have been in the last month. However, this soreness in my right shoulder is putting a huge hamper on my workouts. Chest work and anterior shoulder work is causing a bunch of pain. Pullups bother it too, but I can make up for the back with more rowing movements (they don’t seem to hurt as much). Since I am taking next week off work (my daughter Lauren is coming to town - We are going to go see her favorite band….My Chemical Romance) I may try to get to the doctor. I am not a believer in see the doc’s for this kind of thing, they never seem to help, but my shoulder has been bothering me since February and I am getting tired of it ruining my workouts.

I stepped on the scale this morning and found myself at 207lbs.  That is up from my March 31 contest weight of 195 and down from my pre-contest prep of 220.  Going into my first contest I really didn’t think I was going to lose that much weight.  I was however, very pleased with my conditioning at the contest and now consider that my benchmark.  I am preparing for my next contest in Aug and am trying to put on just a bit of size before I start my cut again.  I have been consuming about 4500 cals in a ratio of 45%carbs (whole wheat bread, oatmeal, yams, complex carbs in a weight gain product), 40% protein (96% lean beef, nf cottage cheese, egg whites, whey shakes and weight gain) and 15% fats (misc qtys in shakes, weight gain and 1/4 of all fat grams in an ounce of raw almonds).  I get nervous as the weight increases that along with that is going to come fat.  I know that’s what happens, but I just want to delay the start of my cut as long as possible before the show, so don’t wan’t the layer of fat to get too thick.  Compared to my contest, I already feel like a fat pig, but I can still see the obliques and the serratus so maybe I’m still ok.  I guess my goal would be to come into the Aug show 3-4 pounds heavier.  It doesn’t sound like much, but I bet it will make a big difference in the way I show.  If anybody has comments on the diet, let me know.  Thanks.

WOW!  When I start looking around at all the profiles, I am just amazed by the shape some of you are in.  Just when I think I am working hard and looking good, I see some of the dudes that are just huge and ripped and I know I am not working hard enough.  And the gals…pretty incredible.  I know it’s not about what others are doing, but how much am I improving.  However, on the bodybuilding stage, you have to stand next to others and allow yourself to be judged.  As they say, it’s not the destination, but the journey. I admire the dedication and hard work invested by all of you.  Keep smiling!

I am pleased and surprised by the support of the people on BodySpace.  It is motivating to read the positive comments provided in the short time since I put up my profile.  I am glad to know that there are lots of others who are setting goals and struggling to achieve them.  I assume everyone has their own reasons for trying to make changes, and the best part about this website is that regardless of "why", there are lots of people excited to share the "how" and provide that much needed mental boost.  Good luck to all in pursuit of your desires.

Just trying to kick this thing off.  I guess I will start using this thing like a journal until I get the hang of it.  The biggest thing on my mind right now is the tenderness in my right shoulder.  It is not muscle, but that makes me even more nervous.  I have been doing shoulder work and chest work unilatterally (just my left) until it starts feeling a bit better.  I worry that it will hinder my attempt to gain a few pounds before the Aug 11 show I am interested in.  I liked how ripped I was at the Vancouver show, but I still look way too skinny.  I know there are no magic gains waiting for me, so a couple of pounds every 6 months or so is what I am working toward.  One thing I learned from the last show is I need to practice my posing a bit more.  I couldn’t believe how nervous I was up there and it made my poses look too stiff.  A couple of pounds and better stage presence are my goals for the next show.

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