mrdead’s BodyBlog

Well, last night was back and arms. I got a killer pump, but I really need to start bringing something with me to the gym to slam in some immediate protein afterwards. I do believe I’ll start bringing a dose of Anator p-70 with me to the gym for some immediate nutrition, as the 20-30 minute drive from the gym takes some time. I’m starting to get more and more keyed in to the nutritional aspect of things, as I really want to bring my best ever to my next two shows. This past show was my first endeavor, and my mass building was basically bulking/fattening. So I wound up having to drop 40 pounds before my show, and lost what I thought was size, but I guess was just fat. I’m also centering in on my supplements as well. Before, while I was working my days off at GNC, I was trying anything within the rules, but not anything consistantly. I’ve now settled into a core of supplements, and hope to make some great gains. My lats and pecs were severely missing last show, so they will be getting a LOT of "special" attention. (Torture *L*)

The workout went as follows:

Back:

Deadlifts: 5 sets of 10 with one set of 25 for warm-up

Close grip lat pull-downs to the front: 5 sets of 12

Wide grip lat pull-downs to the front: 5 sets of 12

Hammer Machine rows: 5 sets of 12

Triceps:

press-downs with the "V" handle: 5 sets of 12 with 1 set of 25 for warm-up

Extensions: 5 sets of 12

Biceps:

Barbell curls: 5 sets of 12

Incline dumbell curls: 5 sets of 12

High cable curls: 5 sets of 12

On a side note: Yesterday, my mom was diagnosed with "Fascio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy", which affects the muscles of the upper arms, traps and back. It’s genetic/hereditary and is most evidenced by scapular winging, degeneration of the biceps, inability to raise one’s arms, inability to purse the lips (whistle/drink from a straw), and facial drooping. It’s a degenerative disease that comes about slowly or quickly, more common in males than females (I don’t exhibit any of the signs or symptoms, and am more than likely just a carrier), and can have a 50/50 chance of affecting one’s offspring. It’s not a "fatal" disease, but incurable. Treatment currently is just maintaining quality of life. As I find out more, I will post. As I said, though, I do not exhibit any of these symptoms, and more than likely am unaffected. If anyone has better knowledge of this and can shed a little more light on the subject for me and my family, it would be greatly appreciated.

Monday, was chest and shoulders. This marks my 2nd week on the "HUGE" program, and the 2nd week of taking Anator p-70. I had some killer pumps, and some serious soreness. What the 1st 3 weeks of the program entail is doing 3 exercises 5 sets, and 10-15 reps for large muscle areas (Chest, back, and quads) and 2 exercises 5 sets, and 10-15 reps for smaller areas (Bi’s, tri’s, calves, shoulders, abs, etc…). But it goes through different phases, throughout the year, and keeps the body from adapting. But, the pumps I’ve had, are incredible!!! (Between that, and taking NaNo-Vapor beforehand *L*) My nutrition is slowly evening out, and I’ve gotten myself to stay in the 190’s, for now. My abs, are back to where they were 6 weeks out from my last show. (Oops!) 

Tuesday, was back and arms. The vascularity in my arms and delts really has come out!!! It’s exciting to see all the veins starting to pop out, and criss-cross.

Wednesday was a rest day. Whoopity doo!

Tonight, life has intervened, and I will not be going to the gym, but to the Raiders and Seahawks game. I will have the privilage of watching my beloved Raiders from box seats on the 50 yard line. The "Coach/Torture Master/ Dear Sweet Wife" has a co-worker that has season tickets for the Seahawks, and found out that we were Raiders fans, and offered us tickets to go. Hmm… Free tickets, box seats, 50 yard line, Oakland Raiders? Oh, yeah… I’ll be all over that!!! (For those that don’t know, I’m a big time football junkie… *L*) So, tomorrow will be my day to annihilate my abs and legs. 

Well, last night I spent an hour and a half doing nothing but posing. Hitting every pose, holding it, repeating it. Then the "Coach/Torture Master/Dear Sweet Wife" would call out poses, and I would hit them. I would have to continue to do said poses until I got them right, and could hold them for "X" amount of time. Let’s just say that my muscles are feeling it. Posing is also helping me see what muscles need some more, or a TON of work. I also did abs and 10×10’s afterwards. I woke up whimpering like "A little Girly Man" *L*.  I figure I will do this at least 2-3 times per week, from here on out. And holding them for longer and longer. On regular gym days, I will still run through my mandatory poses as normal. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, I will be posing to Guns-n-Roses’ "Welcome to the Jungle". Choreography for that is a work in progress, and I won’t be doing anything fancy. Ed Corney, Darrem Charles, Melvin Anthony, and Kai Greene’s jobs are VERY safe. *L*

The question about nutrition has popped up a few times. It’s not anything real fancy. Different variations of packaged chicken breasts, tuna, Iso-pure Zero Carb protein RTDs, Nitro-tech, and if I’m a good boy, a bowl of oatmeal. No carbs after 6 PM, and I make sure to get some protein in me before going to bed, and when I wake up. I take in between 100-150 grams of protein in a day. (Occasionally I will get in 200 grams) Carbs have been between 30 and 50 grams, and fat has been very low, with a limit of 40 grams, that I rarely even get close to.

Supplements have pretty much been whittled down to the protein shakes mentioned above. NaNo-Vapor for a pre-workout jolt. I love that stuff, because it has most everything I need, in one cocktail. And a multi-vitamin, to top things off.

Tonight is legs, happy happy joy joy!  

Last night, I had a great workout. Got a killer pump, but the poundage I was lifting trailed off, towards the end. I did chest, tri’s, and front/side delts. Strength-wise, I was just off. By the weight equivilance of what I normally use for my last/heaviest set. Guess what was missing? My pre-workout shot of nano-vapor, and my pre-workout supplements. In my haste to get to the gym, and get my photos back from being developed, I forgot my pre-workout goodies. (Yes, I am a big dummy). Cardio was killer. I hit the treadmill after lifting, for 30 min. incline of 9, and speed of 4.3 . This was followed by 10×10’s, and posing.

Well, I got my pictures back. And, a flash should have been used. (I’ll shoot my "Photographer/Coach/Torture Master/Dear Sweet Wife" later. I still need her pushing me on, at least until this contest thing is over. *L*  Just kidding, Dear) But, I also posted my most horrible and emberassing pics, from Day one, of starting this journey. Just to give myself and others an idea of how far I’ve come. So, remember, when you give someone a bad rating on their pic, just how much guts it takes to put a pic of themselves up on here. They may have worked their butt off, just to get where they are. That could be the best shape they’ve ever been in. Or, it could be day one of their journey. I’ll get off my soap box for now, on that.

I’m starting my cutting phase on May 16th, but I’m clueless when it comes to fat burners. I can’t take this, because it has this. I can’t take this, because it has that… It gets old, after a while. It seems that all arrows point towards Hydroxycut Hardcore or The Six Star equivelant. Waaaay back it was ripped fuel, but that seems to not be the way to go. I’ve already got my protein, creatine, and No2 lined up. And I’ve got a pretty good hold on my diet. But this whole cutting phase will be a new frontier. I’ve also, have one of those annoying metabolisms that allows me to drop weight quickly. I’ve had to force feed myself to get the weight that I have. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Chris

Six Star Muscle Fuel has a new "Hardcore" Nitric Oxide booster that is VERY similar to Muscle-Tech’s NaNo X9. And, they now have hardcore creatine, protein, and fat burners. I wonder if the 2 companies are related, in any way. I’ve gotten the same results on the Six Star products, that I got on the Muscle-Tech. And, for a fraction of the price. But, I am now at a plateau, and am now considering trying Aplodan. That along with some nutritional, program, and other supplemental tweaks. I’m going to continue to try and bulk, until May 16th (The day after my birthday.). That will give me nearly 3 months for a cutting phase. Anyhow, until next time, take care, and shake the haters off!