Oak's Rock'em, Sock'em, Master Blaster '09 Season Thread

[aguy fish]

I know what you feel regarding the photods. you look great but the angle sucks. That happened to me in my last show and I was very disapointed too. You looked great though, huge arms! Good luck for your next show!

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by RooRooTJ

Damn Oak I need some guns like that. Ridiculous. Awesome job

Originally Posted by aguy fish

I know what you feel regarding the photods. you look great but the angle sucks. That happened to me in my last show and I was very disapointed too. You looked great though, huge arms! Good luck for your next show!

Thank you guys. I felt like I peaked pretty well. But im aiming to be a bit more full and dry for this last one.


Got a couple more that I did some work with zooming and cropping. That is one saving grace of these pics.....you can zoom way in and not lose any quality. So, I can crop myself out and make a decent stand alone shot.

I am pretty happy with these pics.

.

[ever1964]

Those are some nice shots Oak. Arms are incredible! Concerning the color, I followed Chris' plan and used the Jan Tana Competition pack. I also got an extra bottle of color, but didn't come near needing it, so I have plenty for another show. I did the following:

Tuesday morning shower: Exfoliate, apply moisturizer
Wedneday morning shower: Exfoliate, apply moisturizer
Early Thursday night shower: Exfoliate; Apply one coat of color, rinse before bed
Early Friday morning: Apply one coat of color, rinse 3 hours later
Friday night: Apply one coat of color, no rinse
Early Saturday morning: one coat of color, no rinse
At comp, apply glaze prior to pre-judging and refresh prior to evening show

I was darker than the majority of the competitors and they seemed to lean toward Dream Tan and the promoter was spraying them with Pam. I did not allow them to spray me since the Jan Tana instructions specify not to do it.

[J_Bo]

I just wanted to throw this out there, Oak:


Last year vs. this year

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by ever1964

Those are some nice shots Oak. Arms are incredible! Concerning the color, I followed Chris' plan and used the Jan Tana Competition pack. I also got an extra bottle of color, but didn't come near needing it, so I have plenty for another show. I did the following:

Tuesday morning shower: Exfoliate, apply moisturizer
Wedneday morning shower: Exfoliate, apply moisturizer
Early Thursday night shower: Exfoliate; Apply one coat of color, rinse before bed
Early Friday morning: Apply one coat of color, rinse 3 hours later
Friday night: Apply one coat of color, no rinse
Early Saturday morning: one coat of color, no rinse
At comp, apply glaze prior to pre-judging and refresh prior to evening show

I was darker than the majority of the competitors and they seemed to lean toward Dream Tan and the promoter was spraying them with Pam. I did not allow them to spray me since the Jan Tana instructions specify not to do it.

Thanks for the advices! Yes, Chris sent me the protocol. I would love to give it a shot.....and I may. The only problem is that im three shows in now and the season has cost me a ton just in entry fees, polygraphs, membership cards, prep coach.....and I bought a bunch of pro-tan and dream tan already (which is not cheap). Not to mention supps. Might seem trivial at this point to spend another 50 bucks on tanner stuff, but spendible income has dried up. If I can swing it, ill try it. If not, ill give it a shot next year. Im leaning towards a whole crap load of pro tan coats and one single dream tan coat.

Originally Posted by J_Bo

I just wanted to throw this out there, Oak:


Last year vs. this year

Thanks J-Bo. Ive been meaning to do some side by side comparisons and havent had the time. That shows some improvement there. I guess the most noticeble thing is the increase in hardness and the color improvement, but it looks like I added a little bit of size to my chest. I actually forgot about that divit in the middle of my chest that I had last year that used to bother me. Filled it in a bit!

[AustrianOakJr]

Now you got me started.

[J_Bo]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

Thanks J-Bo. Ive been meaning to do some side by side comparisons and havent had the time. That shows some improvement there. I guess the most noticeble thing is the increase in hardness and the color improvement, but it looks like I added a little bit of size to my chest. I actually forgot about that divit in the middle of my chest that I had last year that used to bother me. Filled it in a bit!

Definitely a very noticeable improvement in hardness. But you're right, this shows how big of a role color plays....and yours was quite a lot better this year.

[jked4life]

Big improvement in the color this year. It's also really noticable how much leaner you were this year with those side by side pics. Big improvements!!

[ever1964]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

Thanks for the advices! Yes, Chris sent me the protocol. I would love to give it a shot.....and I may. The only problem is that im three shows in now and the season has cost me a ton just in entry fees, polygraphs, membership cards, prep coach.....and I bought a bunch of pro-tan and dream tan already (which is not cheap). Not to mention supps. Might seem trivial at this point to spend another 50 bucks on tanner stuff, but spendible income has dried up. If I can swing it, ill try it. If not, ill give it a shot next year. Im leaning towards a whole crap load of pro tan coats and one single dream tan coat.

Not trivial at all. I understand about the $$$. That is the main reason why I only did one comp. None were close to me, and the cost of travel was prohibitive. And let's not get started about the investment in supps.

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by J_Bo

Definitely a very noticeable improvement in hardness. But you're right, this shows how big of a role color plays....and yours was quite a lot better this year.

Hopefully ill be able to improve it further for this last one.

Originally Posted by jked4life

Big improvement in the color this year. It's also really noticable how much leaner you were this year with those side by side pics. Big
improvements!!

Thanks man. Im trying!

Originally Posted by ever1964

Not trivial at all. I understand about the $$$. That is the main reason why I only did one comp. None were close to me, and the cost of travel was prohibitive. And let's not get started about the investment in supps.

Yea, luckily the first show was in my home town.......the second one we got a priceline deal on the holiday inn for 45 bucks for the night (inc breakfast!), and this next one is in my parents neck of the woods so we'll be staying there. Travel hasnt been too bad, but the whole three different orgs is a real pain b/c its 3 cards, 3 polys, and 3 entry fees. Killer.

[aguy fish]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

Thank you guys. I felt like I peaked pretty well. But im aiming to be a bit more full and dry for this last one.


Got a couple more that I did some work with zooming and cropping. That is one saving grace of these pics.....you can zoom way in and not lose any quality. So, I can crop myself out and make a decent stand alone shot.

I am pretty happy with these pics.

.

AMAZING ARMS ! Congrats bro !

[debrovnik]

Holy sh!t @ bicep!

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by debrovnik

Holy sh!t @ bicep!

Originally Posted by aguy fish

AMAZING ARMS ! Congrats bro !

Thank you...unfortunately, I gotta give them a break. I think ive got a minor tear in the right bicep tendon. I was doing light preachers on friday and I could feel it clicking near the joint and sure enough I look down and could actually see something popping under the skin on every rep. I havent been able to use heavy weight for curls in a few weeks and as soon as the comp is over, ill be eliminating direct bicep training until it feels better.

Anyone know (if it is a tear in the tendon), will it heal naturally or is that something in need of surgery to reattach?

[stayfit2008]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

Thank you...unfortunately, I gotta give them a break. I think ive got a minor tear in the right bicep tendon. I was doing light preachers on friday and I could feel it clicking near the joint and sure enough I look down and could actually see something popping under the skin on every rep. I havent been able to use heavy weight for curls in a few weeks and as soon as the comp is over, ill be eliminating direct bicep training until it feels better.

Anyone know (if it is a tear in the tendon), will it heal naturally or is that something in need of surgery to reattach?

You talking about the Bicep Tendon attached to the shoulder joint? If so,..I am recovering from this as well. I may have mentioned I was going to get it looked at after the Olympus. Well my Dr. doesn't feel it's anything worse than tendonitis,..was reffered to a PT and he concluded, w/out and Xray yet, it is the Bicep tendon. There are two,..one that wraps around the collar bone, and another that attached to the shoulder. The treatment is,..staying off it for a cpl weeks,..PT sessions three times a week which involve three types of deep heating, you know,..that stimulated stuff, infra red, electrode,...I was also given a Decadron shot,..type of Cortisal in the area for inflamation and also on perscribed inflamatories.

It feels better and I can make stretching movements that I couldnt before. Once I get the go ahead,..I'm going to get back into shoulder, chest and bicep training starting arounf 70%

I think I will get and Xray hopefully to rule out anything worse.

[AustrianOakJr]

^^ No, its bothering me near where it attaches at the forearm.

Good that its nothing too serious for you. A few weeks off isnt the worst thing in the world. And you can still train everthing else.

[stayfit2008]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

^^ No, its bothering me near where it attaches at the forearm.

Good that its nothing too serious for you. A few weeks off isnt the worst thing in the world. And you can still train everthing else.

Then really take it easy on the forearm,..a friend of mine in the O35 section had a similar injury to yours and has been off for months. Be extra careful! Your arms are big fortunately so you can train light with these and still come in tight. Think LEAN ! You feeling good for next week?

[Ian_B]

Hit a biceps shot and post a pic if you can. It'll help narrow it down a bit - may be a tendon tear or a forearm strain. Could be a tear of the actual muscle off the tendon but that would be a little more obvious.

[aguy fish]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

^^ No, its bothering me near where it attaches at the forearm.

Good that its nothing too serious for you. A few weeks off isnt the worst thing in the world. And you can still train everthing else.

I had the same last year when i prepped. the physiotherapist massaged me very hard twice a week then I iced it as often as I could with some healing cream too. I also stretch as often as possible and it really helped !

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by stayfit2008

Then really take it easy on the forearm,..a friend of mine in the O35 section had a similar injury to yours and has been off for months. Be extra careful! Your arms are big fortunately so you can train light with these and still come in tight. Think LEAN ! You feeling good for next week?

Originally Posted by Ian_B

Hit a biceps shot and post a pic if you can. It'll help narrow it down a bit - may be a tendon tear or a forearm strain. Could be a tear of the actual muscle off the tendon but that would be a little more obvious.

Originally Posted by aguy fish

I had the same last year when i prepped. the physiotherapist massaged me very hard twice a week then I iced it as often as I could with some healing cream too. I also stretch as often as possible and it really helped !

Yea, im not super worried about it. It really only hurts when I pile the weight on the bar. Im done with heavy training as of saturday anyways. Ill be depleting at about 70% and will just knock the bicep specific movements down to about 50% and all will be good for the show. Beyond that, I think some rest and stretching will be good for it.

[stayfit2008]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

Yea, im not super worried about it. It really only hurts when I pile the weight on the bar. Im done with heavy training as of saturday anyways. Ill be depleting at about 70% and will just knock the bicep specific movements down to about 50% and all will be good for the show. Beyond that, I think some rest and stretching will be good for it.

Hey sean,..I think you are very smart competing in these organizations. I think they real like the physique you bring to tha platform.

[Ian_B]

Do you do a lot of straight barbell curls?

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by stayfit2008

Hey sean,..I think you are very smart competing in these organizations. I think they real like the physique you bring to tha platform.

I hope so!

Originally Posted by Ian_B

Do you do a lot of straight barbell curls?

I do my fair share of heavy, straight bars. This is usually my one heavy movement for my biceps and usually include cheats.....usually do 3 sets every other week. On the opposite weeks, I rotate a different heavy move in....often heavy single arm DB curls. I also do a lot of preachers.

[JimmyChitwood]

Oak,
Those latest quality shots you posted are insanely awesome. Amazing hardness and detail. Vascularity is way up. The side chest is nuts - shredded wheat framed by massive arms and delts. Who knew that a fat garbage man physique was hiding all of this?
Seriously though - you've done some quality work. You are the real deal.

On the bicep thing - I knew another guy that had the same thing happen. He was 78 years old, though. His bicep tore clean off at the forearm and came rolling up his arm like a window shade. So don't do that. OK? That took some surgery - I think they ended up drilling a hole in the forearm bone and pulling the tendon through it and basically tying a knot or something equally crude to hold it in place. Could be cool to get this done, though since you might be able to specify the insertion point to the surgeon to maximize leverage in the gym.

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by JimmyChitwood

Oak,
Those latest quality shots you posted are insanely awesome. Amazing hardness and detail. Vascularity is way up. The side chest is nuts - shredded wheat framed by massive arms and delts. Who knew that a fat garbage man physique was hiding all of this?
Seriously though - you've done some quality work. You are the real deal.

On the bicep thing - I knew another guy that had the same thing happen. He was 78 years old, though. His bicep tore clean off at the forearm and came rolling up his arm like a window shade. So don't do that. OK? That took some surgery - I think they ended up drilling a hole in the forearm bone and pulling the tendon through it and basically tying a knot or something equally crude to hold it in place. Could be cool to get this done, though since you might be able to specify the insertion point to the surgeon to maximize leverage in the gym.

Thanks sucka. The cool thing is that I can morph back and forth between garbage man and bodybuilder at will. I thought about doing the garbage man thing for halloween, but then with the show coming up and all......

Thanks for comparing my biceps to your 78 yr old friend. I am slightly concerned about rolling it up, but im hoping it just fixes itself. However, the possibility of added leverage is tempting except I would feel the need to have the surgery done to both arms.....wouldnt want to have to load up up the EZ curl with uneven weight.

[AustrianOakJr]

Update on the progress.................

Been maintaining a steady 166 lbs for the past 2 weeks. I started water loading yesterday so I expect the weight to drop a bit within the next two to three days. Right now im feeling pretty good b/c my carbs have come up a bit and have been basically sitting at maintenance. Im expecting that good feeling to end by tomorrow as I have dumped a good chunk of carbs and will begin the first of three depletion workouts today. Im already really quite flat, so im gonna be very depleted and primed for the load coming up. I havent talked to Tommy yet, so I havent settled on any numbers, but im thinking of increasing my carbs by 100g each day of my load for a little more fullness than even my last show (which means i'll make a nice pan of baked oatmeal ). I felt good and full at the Olympus, but I think I can push the envelope a little more without really worrying too much about spilling. Should be interesting.......time is closing in and im getting pretty pumped!

[J_Bo]

Yeah Buddy!

[RooRooTJ]

Nice. time to bring it all together again. Really interested in how you fill out this time with some more carbs.

[AustrianOakJr]

Originally Posted by RooRooTJ

Really interested in how you fill out this time with some more carbs.

For me, its very dramatic. The difference between flat and full is huge for my physique. These pics were taken one week apart at the two different shows.......first one I felt pretty flat, the second about 80% full.....much harder and more vascular.

[liftjunkie06]

Originally Posted by AustrianOakJr

Update on the progress.................

Been maintaining a steady 166 lbs for the past 2 weeks. I started water loading yesterday so I expect the weight to drop a bit within the next two to three days. Right now im feeling pretty good b/c my carbs have come up a bit and have been basically sitting at maintenance. Im expecting that good feeling to end by tomorrow as I have dumped a good chunk of carbs and will begin the first of three depletion workouts today. Im already really quite flat, so im gonna be very depleted and primed for the load coming up. I havent talked to Tommy yet, so I havent settled on any numbers, but im thinking of increasing my carbs by 100g each day of my load for a little more fullness than even my last show (which means i'll make a nice pan of baked oatmeal ). I felt good and full at the Olympus, but I think I can push the envelope a little more without really worrying too much about spilling. Should be interesting.......time is closing in and im getting pretty pumped!

still eating the baked oatmeal I see?

[debrovnik]

You can definately see the change in vascularity - looking awesome! Chest is seriously think!