sizzahanz’s BodyBlog

Yesterday was our annual Tug Across the River against the Canadian Firefighters. We smashed them again for our 4th win in a row. I was 30lbs. lighter this year so I wasn’t winded at all. The turnout was great and we almost broke the record for time. Our buoy was on the docks while they still had about 200ft to go to pull theirs in. Pics will be posted as I get them. GO USA!!!

 After a total of nearly 20 weeks of dieting and contest prep, I’m lost. I have no clue as to what’s next. I’ve been given the advice by many to chill for a while and take it easy. But what is light and easy?  I only know how to train hard, whether lite or heavy weights.

I don’t know what to eat since I don’t want to lose any more weight, neither do I want to lose these abs. Summer is around the corner and I want to retain my F.I.L.F. status and sexy.

I’ve decided (at the time of this writing) not to compete again until next season, working on my lagging parts and weak spots. But there is a firefighter calendar I have the opportunity to be involved in.

I have come to the conclusion that there is no off-season. You’re always working on something. Getting leaner, adding more mass, staying toned, something. I’ll probably stay within 10-15lbs. of my contest weight so I wont have to diet down so hard but I’d like to move up to Lt. Heavyweight. We’ll see…I’ve got the off-season to decide…

6th place. In a state contest judged by a sanctioned body. In a national level competition. My second contest ever. Competing naturally, just genetics and hard work; against a majority of guys who aren’t ‘all-natural’. Against guys with years of experience. Am I happy I didn’t place? No, far from it. But I have to realize what I’m up against when competing in non-tested shows, that’s the nature of the beast. Sure I can choose to compete in drug tested natural shows, and I will, but I like to test my gangsta against the hardcore guys and make em second guess and look over their shoulder. Last nite, I was a little bitter and disappointed. But then I thought about it and put it in perspective. the 5 guys placed before me showed signs of drug use, and if that’s what has to be done to beat me, fine, go ahead, just know that I’m waiting in the shadows and my turn is coming….NATURALLY!

I’m sitting here with my DreamTan on (yes, Men of color have to tan for a show too) eating my rice cake w/peanut butter (yes, a ‘treat’) Listening to my song, going over my routine. The past 6 weeks lead up to tomorrow, one of 2 of the biggest competitions in the state. My 1st every competition was just over  weeks ago. People told me to try the smaller show, get some experience under your belt before taking on the big dogs….Screw the big dogs! Iron sharpens iron! I need to be in with the best to truly see where I am in this life of bodybuilding. I don’t want to start with the guppies, put me with the sharks where I have to scrap and scratch to survive, putting myself to the test. I’m not doing this just to say I competed, I’m doing it to say I COMPETED and challenged! I may be a newcomer to the sport, but this is now my lifestyle! 

That’s what my trainer calls these upcoming weeks. She got me started on my 2 a days yesterday and cut my diet again. She texts me throughout the day, encouraging and chastising me. She won’t tell me what’s coming up, but said I may be sleeping on the couch at home (doing that already   I’m excited, yet somewhat afraid…lol We’ll see what she puts me through to get me ready…

…you wake up at 5am to ‘hit’ the gym…you cook 4 meals in one sitting…you think pain is a gain…you dissect every food down to the macronutrients…you buy your shirts a size too small…your recycle bin is full of water bottles…all you can think of is your next meal in 3 hours…you have more sweatsuits than dress suits…your clothes are divided not by winter or summer but by contest prep and off season…all you think about is your next split…your supplement cabinet looks like an aisle in GNC…you take more pills than you can count…you are a bodybuilder…

Placed 5th in middleweight div.  had the mass and symmetry but stumbled on posing and conditioning…did better in the Finals than in prejudging…lessons learned, experience gained, and a had a great time…12 weeks of pain for 5 minutes of fame…the crazy life we lead!  Will elaborate more after a few slices of pizza and some sleep!

Today’s the big day…after 14 weeks of the same food and hard work, time to show my work onstage.  This has definitely been a learning experience and a stepping stone. I haven’t felt and looked this way in, well…I don’t know how long.  I’m going in happy that I was able to compete and had the dedication to get my body to where it is now. We’ll see what the judges think…