WNSO/FAME Pro-Qualifier Prep - 10 Weeks Out!

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by DavidKH

our show is on the same date. Ill be posting pics this weekend. This will be a good indicator on conditioning for me since this is my first contest Im not sure how lean I should be with the weeks to come.

Well, being ahead of schedule is better than being behind, so as long as you're ripped and pretty much ready to step on stage 1-2 weeks before your show date, you're good to go. Have your fat levels down exactly where you want them to be by the 1-2 weeks out mark...from then on, you can just maintain and get ready for your last week's nutrient manipulations.

If I could redo my contest prep this time around, I would of started dieting back in December...because I feel I am a little behind of where I would of liked to be for this far out. I know I can get ripped in 8-9 week's time (I started dieting at about 11 weeks out this time), but it's always better to give yourself more time...especially if it's your first show....because you have enough **** to worry about ...and you don't need to be stressin out over whether you've lost enough fat or not...ya know?

I'll take some pics this weekend as well, and post them up here on Monday.

[mindyk]

hows the cut coming??

[FitIron]

Originally Posted by mindyk

hows the cut coming??

Hey man, just dropping by to see how things are going!!??

[FATHER FLEX]

What they said. How is it melting?

[Hardcore Natural]

Hey everyone!

Here is a small update on my conditioning:

The body fat levels are coming down nicely! I'm down to an even 200...actually it was 199.8 first thing this morning

My abs are beginning to show a lot better now, but I still got a little fat on the lower abs that still needs to go..which I know will in the next remaining 6 weeks!

My skin on certain parts of my body like arms is near paper thin with a lot of vasularity showing through...I am even starting to see some veins beginning to appear in my lower quads..and faintly in the front delts.

The separation between my shoulders and tri's is really coming through good, which I am happy about...my phisique no longer looks like a block, and the symmetry of my physique is taking shape nicely.

I will have some new pics posted on Monday! Stay tuned, and thanks for checking in everyone, it means a lot to me!

-Todd

[FitIron]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

Hey everyone!

Here is a small update on my conditioning:

The body fat levels are coming down nicely! I'm down to an even 200...actually it was 199.8 first thing this morning

My abs are beginning to show a lot better now, but I still got a little fat on the lower abs that still needs to go..which I know will in the next remaining 6 weeks!

My skin on certain parts of my body like arms is near paper thin with a lot of vasularity showing through...I am even starting to see some veins beginning to appear in my lower quads..and faintly in the front delts.

The separation between my shoulders and tri's is really coming through good, which I am happy about...my phisique no longer looks like a block, and the symmetry of my physique is taking shape nicely.

I will have some new pics posted on Monday! Stay tuned, and thanks for checking in everyone, it means a lot to me!

-Todd

Awesome job bro!!!

keep it up.......

[jaim91]

Solid job Todd!! Congrats on the loss!

Can't wait to see progress pics!

[DavidKH]

I posted a couple of shots. I am a little behind so hopefully by adding hit and lowering my calories ill drop more than a 1lb a week. looking forward to seeing your 7 week out pics

[topcornr]

your really leaning out nicely and looking really thick as well...cant wait to see updated pics..
-perseverance is key

[DavidKH]

6 weeks out hows the conditioning coming?

[Joe Go]

Originally Posted by DavidKH

6 weeks out hows the conditioning coming?

What he said?

[Hardcore Natural]

Due to certain events, I will not be competing in this expected show. I am pretty bummed out about this, but figure there is a good reason for it...like all things that happen.

I will be looking to see if there are any other shows happening in my area between the summer and fall, and if not, then I will do a pro-qualifer come next spring for sure.

I am still dieting down to get super ripped because I want to do it for myself and to start off with a clean bulk, where I can remain very lean while slowly adding quality muscle to my physique.

By staying a lot leaner year-round after my cut, I hope to remain at most 15 pounds out from competition conditioning, so when I do find a show I want to do, I'll be pretty much ready.

I will still be updating this thread with progress pics of my conditioning as the weeks pass. My goal is still to get ultra shredded, and then ease up to a comfortable lean-ness and stay that way, while adding on quality muscle.

Sorry for the big delay in updating my thread, I will have some NEW pics up shortly...and yes, I am definitely leaner than before...stay tuned for next photo update. Currently sitting at 198 pounds.

Thanks guys/girls for all your support and following!!

-Todd

[Joe Go]

Awww Man! It's all good bro. Keep pushing. Good video of you in your bodyspace area.

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by Joe Go

Awww Man! It's all good bro. Keep pushing. Good video of you in your bodyspace area.

Thanks Joe, that means a lot. I am pretty disapointed, but at the same time, I know continuing to diet down and get shredded will be another great learning experience for me...so I am still looking forward to a lot!

[FATHER FLEX]

Good head on your shoulders bro, but just like you said there will be other shows. I can't wait to see what all the improvements in your quads will look like once you get leaner. Those things are insane!

[Hardcore Natural]

Thanks FF! I am eager to see what my improvements are too...should be good!

[jaim91]

Oh Todd, I'm so sorry to hear what happened. I recently suffered a set-back myself and can't compete, so I empathize 100%. If there's anything you need, please let me know. Hopefully, everything will work itself out for you and we'll still meet at an upcoming FAME show.

xoxo

[Norwegian]

Man, I just found your log and was stoked to see someone posting pics leading up to pre-contest, because I am myself in contest preparations for my FIRST contest ever, and I don't know 'where I'm supposed to be at, and when I'm supposed to be looking so and so .. ' you get the idea ..

So I get to page 3, and you're BAILING ?! ARRRGHH ! Sorry to hear you had to do that ! Personally, I dieted down to ~6-7 % last semester (see avatar), and in December I decided I was going to to the Texas Shredder 2008 on April 26th, and I'd be WAYYY ahead of schedule being that I was in such great condition then. Then came January 3rd, and I fell while snowboarding and separated my AC joint (shoulder). Needless to say, I was screwed ..

I'm fully recovered 7-8 weeks later @ the end of February (including 5 weeks of NO back/shoulder/trap training, and 3-4 weeks with no chest training), and I get on pre-contest prep thinking I could get ready for the Shredder in 7.5 weeks. It took me 2 weeks to realize the impossibility, because like you said, you want to be 'ready' a couple weeks prior to contest so you don't need any drastic last-week changes to get rid of some extra water or flab or whatever.. However, 3 weeks in to my cut, I knew I was not gonna stop cutting, because summer's around the corner, and I still need to do my FIRST bodybuilding show ! So, I've been browsing the NPC.com website, and there were a couple options I had when it came to potential contests. Now, I am aiming for the LoneStar Classic in Plano, Texas on June 7th. That's about 10 weeks from NOW !

I'm following the U.D 2.0 routine as my pre-contest actually. Here's a link in case you're interested in seeing what kind of training that is. I'm a very detailed logger, so it's all there. I was just asking myself, HOW can you get away with less than one hour of cardio (even though it's HIT-training) per week ? Your metabolism must be above and beyond ! If you look at my log, I'm doing cardio twice/day four times per week, and another 2-3 sessions on the weekend ! (dropped 15 lbs in the past 12 days of carb depletion. After my carb-load yesterday, I gained back no more than 4 lbs, so that equates to an 11 lbs drop in 12 days !)

Anyway, I'm hoping you'll continue working as hard as you would've in pre-contest mode (although few would have the stamina to) because seeing those week-by-week pictures was awesome in terms of your transformation !

Good luck to ya !

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by Norwegian

Man, I just found your log and was stoked to see someone posting pics leading up to pre-contest, because I am myself in contest preparations for my FIRST contest ever, and I don't know 'where I'm supposed to be at, and when I'm supposed to be looking so and so .. ' you get the idea ..

So I get to page 3, and you're BAILING ?! ARRRGHH ! Sorry to hear you had to do that ! Personally, I dieted down to ~6-7 % last semester (see avatar), and in December I decided I was going to to the Texas Shredder 2008 on April 26th, and I'd be WAYYY ahead of schedule being that I was in such great condition then. Then came January 3rd, and I fell while snowboarding and separated my AC joint (shoulder). Needless to say, I was screwed ..

I'm fully recovered 7-8 weeks later @ the end of February (including 5 weeks of NO back/shoulder/trap training, and 3-4 weeks with no chest training), and I get on pre-contest prep thinking I could get ready for the Shredder in 7.5 weeks. It took me 2 weeks to realize the impossibility, because like you said, you want to be 'ready' a couple weeks prior to contest so you don't need any drastic last-week changes to get rid of some extra water or flab or whatever.. However, 3 weeks in to my cut, I knew I was not gonna stop cutting, because summer's around the corner, and I still need to do my FIRST bodybuilding show ! So, I've been browsing the NPC.com website, and there were a couple options I had when it came to potential contests. Now, I am aiming for the LoneStar Classic in Plano, Texas on June 7th. That's about 10 weeks from NOW !

I'm following the U.D 2.0 routine as my pre-contest actually. Here's a link in case you're interested in seeing what kind of training that is. I'm a very detailed logger, so it's all there. I was just asking myself, HOW can you get away with less than one hour of cardio (even though it's HIT-training) per week ? Your metabolism must be above and beyond ! If you look at my log, I'm doing cardio twice/day four times per week, and another 2-3 sessions on the weekend ! (dropped 15 lbs in the past 12 days of carb depletion. After my carb-load yesterday, I gained back no more than 4 lbs, so that equates to an 11 lbs drop in 12 days !)

Anyway, I'm hoping you'll continue working as hard as you would've in pre-contest mode (although few would have the stamina to) because seeing those week-by-week pictures was awesome in terms of your transformation !

Good luck to ya !

Thanks dude! And good luck with your pre-contest diet. Tear it up on stage bro!

I will definitely post some more progress pictures soon. I've eased up just a tad on the diet since I have no real deadline now, but I am still planning on getting fully shredded by summertime for sure. I seem to be comfortable dropping 1-2 pounds max per week while being able to keep my strength up in the gym.

Right now my legs are more separated and overall I look more defined. Not shredded yet, but that's going to come. Once I do get shredded, I am using Team Scivation's personalized workout plan to build up my foundation even more. I am going to concentrate on the main lifts that REALLY MAKE YOU GROW. Squats, dead lifts, bench presses are going to be my primary focus on inreasing those numbers and adding a BOAT LOAD of mass to my frame.

I am going to focus solely on gaining lean muscle weight, not fat. I am going to watch my diet and be precise with it...feeding myself just enough to spark new growth, yet nothing more.

My new weapons of mass construction include XTEND, whey protein, creatine, EFA's and a well constructed diet of course.

I will continually update this thread with pics and workouts.

Thank you to everyone who has (and continues to) support me, encourage me and motivate me to kick some ass in and out of the gym.

-Todd

[jaim91]

TEAM SCIVATION ALL THE WAY BABY!

You are going to tear S*** up when you decide to get back on stage...NO QUESTION!

[FitIron]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

Thanks dude! And good luck with your pre-contest diet. Tear it up on stage bro!

I will definitely post some more progress pictures soon. I've eased up just a tad on the diet since I have no real deadline now, but I am still planning on getting fully shredded by summertime for sure. I seem to be comfortable dropping 1-2 pounds max per week while being able to keep my strength up in the gym.

Right now my legs are more separated and overall I look more defined. Not shredded yet, but that's going to come. Once I do get shredded, I am using Team Scivation's personalized workout plan to build up my foundation even more. I am going to concentrate on the main lifts that REALLY MAKE YOU GROW. Squats, dead lifts, bench presses are going to be my primary focus on inreasing those numbers and adding a BOAT LOAD of mass to my frame.

I am going to focus solely on gaining lean muscle weight, not fat. I am going to watch my diet and be precise with it...feeding myself just enough to spark new growth, yet nothing more.

My new weapons of mass construction include XTEND, whey protein, creatine, EFA's and a well constructed diet of course.

I will continually update this thread with pics and workouts.

Thank you to everyone who has (and continues to) support me, encourage me and motivate me to kick some ass in and out of the gym.

-Todd

Hey bro!

How's the training going?

Man XTEND is one of my staples....I swear I could OD on the stuff!!

LOL...

[FoxyT]

Hey Sexy Man!

We will have to take some pics of you soon, so you can post them up!
I Love the way you have conditioned your bod. You have really made some big changes and I like how I can see your v-taper and abs again

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by FitIron

Hey bro!

How's the training going?

Man XTEND is one of my staples....I swear I could OD on the stuff!!

LOL...

Training is going really well, thanks! Been very consistent and hitting it hard every time...while staying lean and having fun.

And hellz yah in regards to Xtend...I love that stuff too! Can't seem to get enough...I actually get cravings for it during the day while at work haha!

Originally Posted by FoxyT

Hey Sexy Man!

We will have to take some pics of you soon, so you can post them up!
I Love the way you have conditioned your bod. You have really made some big changes and I like how I can see your v-taper and abs again

Yes, we'll get some pictures snapped by week's end if possible..and then throw them up here! The abs and v-taper are definitely out just in time for summer! Booo-yaaah!

[Hardcore Natural]

Hey everyone,

Here is a small update on my progress. I've continued to lean down a bit very slowly and will probably drop another percentage or two and then remain there year round while slowly adding more lean muscle.

I am down to 186 pounds in these photos, and it feels good to not be 220 carrying around the extra weight.

I am most likely going to shoot for another show next spring and go for my natural pro card at that time.

Any comments, critiques, etc is welcome...

-Todd

[Hardcore Natural]

Here are a few more....

[FATHER FLEX]

Awesome job!

Those quads are so unnecessary! Knock it off! LOL

[Hardcore Natural]

Thanks FF, that means a lot especially since my quads use to look like this....

[Lando33]

for real! Those quads are off the hook!

Fantastic progress!

[Hardcore Natural]

Thank you very much Lando....comments like that means tons coming from guys who are at the elite tiers of the sport. I am going to keep on working to bring up my weak points.

Any constructive criticisms or critiques from anyone???

Thanks tons guys...

-Todd

[yzrider400f]

you look great, dude.. when you get lean enough you will definitely have a good shot at that pro card.

critique:
looks like you're in the same boat as me with back. Need to focus on width for those front and rear double bi shots. Looks pretty good in your lat spread though. Another thing that I noticed was glutes . Smith machine lunges hit those babies hard, and of course squats/deadlifts if you aren't already doing those