mrdead’s BodyBlog

Ah, the joys of contest prep! Standing in line at the grocery store, behind a product of a VERY shallow gene-pool (think in-bred), merely to buy a bottle of water and a package of tuna for post-workout consumption. The individual mentioned, has 2 shopping carts. One full of items to return (that she didn’t even buy there) and another full of virtually the same items for purchase. The clerk/cashier is not having one of her better days, as she methodically checks and re-checks, and checks once more the items in the cart. Now, this is happening in the express line. No call for manager assistance, no opening of other registers. The customer, then decides she wants a complete breakdown of the transaction, and also sends her spouse to go get more items. By this time, my face is purple with rage, I’m shaking in anger, and the clerk says, "This should only be about 15 minutes." I then put my items back on the shelf, storm past the transaction STILL taking place, and drive 20 minutes to another store, just to get a bottle of water and some tuna!!!!

My workout, on the otherhand was great! Awesome pump, polite people, no wait for anything. Just as things should be. (At least in my carb-deprived brain, how things should be. *L*) I did chest, tri’s, and shoulders. The usual routine, but managed to maintain the weight I’ve been lifting, and increased the "V" bar tricep press-down, by 10 pounds. (Gotta love that NaNo-Vapor!) Then, did my 10×10’s, practiced posing, and hit the treadmill for 40 min. All of that wonderful bliss ruined in a flash, by the in-bred at the store! Oh, and don’t get me started on how the person in the car ahead of me did 10 miles under the speed limit on my 45 min drive home!!!! I hope today goes better.

Tomorrow, I turn in my entry form and fees. I’m very nervous/excited. I’m finally past the point of will I or won’t I follow through with the challenge of competing. I always told myself that I would compete at least once, before I turn 40. Well, 39 is here, and I’ve decided to step up and do it. Now, I won’t have to worry about woulda, shoulda, coulda. *L* Now I have to worry about surviving the grueling bouts of lifting and cardio my "Coach/Torture Master/Dear Sweet Wife" has in store for me. I’ve dropped a lot of weight since the middle of April, but it’s time to get serious in regards to trimming the fat. I’m relishing the challenge, and am meeting it head on. (Especially since I can’t chicken out now…*L*) Speaking of chicken, that, and tuna are now going to be my only protein sources, along with my Nitro-Tech. I’ll be marking down all of the restaurants that are on the way back from the contest, though *L*. Or, I’ll be having a nice piping hot sausage and jalapeno pizza delivered to the venue. *L*  

As I posted yesterday, I was getting concerned about the scale and fat not moving. Well, the culprit has been found. ME. It seems that I WAS overlooking something. Something, as in the 34 grams of carbs in my creatine, and the carbs before sleep. So, I’ll be taking those out. Taking plain creatine with water, and a cold glass of water before bed, to fill my tummy. Let’s all say it together… "Chris is a big dummy…" One more time, with emphasis… "Chris is a big dummy…". (Thanks, Kevin) I’m also going to add another 15 min to my cardio.

Training was good, last night. My "Coach" was not feeling well, and stayed home due to her having a "tummy-ache". But I strove on, and perservered. I decided to hit my back, again, to shock my system, and try and stimulate a bit of growth. My lats are lacking a bit. But, anyhow.

Until next time,

Chris

I’m less than 9 weeks out, now. And last week I got to thinking about how it would be a lot better for me, if I got some things straight, ahead of time. I started asking questions about hair removal, "color", posing suits, and posing music. Then I got to thinking about diet, for my last week. I realize, that on the diet thing, I was definitely "jumping the gun". However, the rest I feel is better to have in order, ahead of time, instead of rushing around at the last minute, and come in with those items obscuring everything I’ve worked hard for. I’ve narrowed my choices of posing music to possibly be: "Weird Science" or "Deadman’s Party", by Oingo Boingo, or "More Human Than Human" or "Super Beast" by Rob Zombie. Suit color will be black, and I will start getting my body used to shaving, this week.

But, back to the present, my weight and bodyfat are at a standstill. I’ve been watching my diet, and hitting cardio twice a day. And, it’s getting frustrating. I know Rome wasn’t built in a day, but even a little change would be nice. I just feel that I’m overlooking something, or even being overly anal. I don’t know, but something has to change!

No lifting yesterday, but did the 45 min. fast hill walk. And, for the evening 30 min on the eliptical. Any hints or suggestions are always welcome.

Until next time,

Chris

Any help and advice for pre-contest prep is very welcome. But down to my questions. Any ideas for a great hair removal system? What is the best coloring system to use? When do you start to carb load, instead of deplete? When do you start increasing and then decreasing water intake? How much posing oil is enough? Can I trust a mail order suit to fit? Buy one or two posing suits? I’m totally new to all of this, but D-Day is in just over 9 weeks, and I want to have all my ducks in a row, beforehand. So any advice or past experiences would be more than welcome!

Thanks in advance,

Chris (A.K.A.) Mr. Dead

I’m on my third day of 75 grams of carbs and twice a day cardio. Been feeling extremely drained, but I’ve been told that it will pass in a few days. After keeping better track of my nutrition, I’ve found out, that I need to give up my one true love. Peanut butter. I’m one of those people that can sit there, and down a jar of it, and not even think twice. I used to get 4 PBand J sandwiches in my lunch at school. But, after seeing the fat content and carb content, I must forego this childhood friend, until after my contest. Because, at this point, I can’t afford any self-sabotage or setbacks. I’ve come too far to turn back now. Sorry, just had to get my farewell to peanut butter over with.

Everybody tries to put a guilt trip on you, saying you’re not part of the "team", you better eat some of my (insert food item) or I’ll be offended. When you work in a hospital clinic with a vast majority of the staff being obese, it’s hard to explain to them that you’re on a diet and training for a goal. They just don’t understand! Then, afterwards, they waddle back from the feed trough, and gripe that they’re fat, and ate too much! Well, I stuck to my guns, ate my tuna and nuts, and downed my protein shake. (Away from all of that) Especially since I’ve got my diet down pat!

However, my cardio seems to be a sticking point. I seem to be adapting to my present routine, and am now just staying even, and even gaining weight. Bodyfat is the same, but I think it’s time to change it up, or maybe hit some two-a-days for the cardio. 11 weeks is both a short and long time, to make the kinds of changes in my body to be competitive. But, my drive is stronger than ever, and I’ll nail it, yet!

I’ve been staying at 100 Grams of carbs, 40 grams of fat, and 200 grams of protein per day for almost a month. And, my energy levels have dropped, and the amount of wieght I can lift seems to have gone down a little. I’m sure it’s just a mental block, but, it sure is annoying. I’ve been eating pretty much the same thing, day in, and day out. The only variations being what seasoning I put on my chicken breast or what flavor of protein shake. *L* But, I 100% dedicated to putting my best out on stage, come August.

If anyone has anysuggestions for bumping my energy level back up. I’d sure appreciate the input!

Over the weekend, my wife got me a brand new grill. 28 burger capacity, 52,000 btu, 4-burner, Flame Master. That thing is awesome! It cooks evenly, starts up like a dream, and even has the side burner. I love grilling. Since I can’t hardly have sauces, I can at least season, and enjoy flame-broiled goodness! I got it Sunday, and have used it 5 times, already. It’s going to make pre-contest dieting a lot more tolerable!

Since I’ve cut down to 100 grams of carbs or less, I’ve gotten some cravings that are unusual for me. I saw a brownie commercial last night, and I was practically drooling. What is odd about that, is that normally I don’t care for sweets. I’ll eat a few around christmas time, and that’s it. But, lately, that’s all that I seem to crave. Of course, I don’t give in. But to crave stuff I normally don’t even eat, to begin with. And, a final side note. cardio has now been pushed to daily.