jcorbett’s BodyBlog

It was such a relief to stop the competition prep. There is always another competition. I reviewed my training notebook and plan to train legs twice weekly–targeting the adductor muscle via single legged squats, single legged leg presses, and single leg leg extensions. Walking lunges are a staple. I will alternate between plie squats, regular squats and hack squats. I have to watch the knee b/c it still aches at times.  I will continue cardio as a part of my training. I can only train three days a week so I will have to mix upper & lower body workouts.

I started abs last week. I hate core training and it hasn’t been a regular part of my routine. I have in the past allowed the decarb process to reveal abs, but soon after contest and carb consumption I carry a nice layer of water without any definition. I ordered the ab training book from Fitness Oxygen and will train moderately.

Plans for next year: Hire Bruno mid Jan. 2010 so that he can help me build deltoids, slim hips, muscle up adductors & hamstrings.

Compete as a amateur Master’s Bodybuilder April 2010.  Five months out & counting.

I am not ready to compete as a bodybuilder–my adductors aren’t defined and my hamstrings are a little too fleshy b/c I haven’t done enough cardio. Part of me wants to compete next week in the master’s figure instead, but I am not at my best so I’ll have to get over it and let it go. This comp prep I figured out the diet thing midway, but have missed a few cardio sessions, and I was distracted by my chaotic life.  I’ve got a thing about finishing what I start and the thought of not competing is bothersome, but in this sport if you don’t get the right combo of diet and training the body just doesn’t show well on stage. I failed this time, but am not giving up. My weight is down and part of me doesn’t want to scrap the dieting yet b/c I think there’s still hope–I may be delirious from the crash dieting, but I’m just being "real". This whole process was not this hard last year. Heck I was eating salted nuts by the handful and didn’t stop fruit until the week of the show and for the first decarb I didn’t give up oatmeal:)  New year new plan needed.
Now that bodybuilding has piqued my interest I will have to devise a new plan and execute it. April 2010 is a small show, the first one of the season. It is a realistic goal if I adequately prepare. I will need the help of my trainer so I will be asking Santa for some training money:) I need Bruno’s support and expertise to reach my competition goal–after this comp prep disaster I realize I have too many other things going on and can’t do this alone.

I’ve cut calories significantly and only have a.m. carbs and am pleased about my progress this week. I’ve had to increase the cardio, but am feeling okay. I was reviewing some bodybuilding posing routines to see if I "have what it takes". I think I can hang for a minute even with my stage fright issues. My abs are underdeveloped and they will need attention if I continue to compete. For now it’s time to drill the routine into my head and practice, practice, practice, posing.