Relentless 2009-2011: Eric Helms forging a physique that leaves no doubt.

[Quelly]

2009 Contest Season Recap

after 269 days of dieting and having my life changed forever both through bodybuilding and through the craziness that we humans are blessed to call living, I was left with the following to look back on in the small arena that we focus on here at the bodybuilding.com forums:

February 28th: APA Norwestern "ALL RAW" Regional Championships
-2nd Place 198's 1205 Total 300 Bench, 405 Squat, 500 Deadlift. A new PR total in a lower weight class.

May 2nd 2009: ABA/INBA 14th Annual Silver & Black Muscle Classic
-3rd Place Open Men's Tall Division

June 20th 2009: NGA Mr Natural California
-2nd Place Open Men's Light Heavyweight Division
-Best Poser Award

July 18th 2009: INBF Capital City Natural Bodybuilding Championships
-1st Place Open Men's Heavyweight Division

August 8th 2009: INBF 4th Annual INBF Washington State
Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships
-1st Place Open Men's Light Heavyweight Division

September 26th 2009: INBF West Coast Classic
-2nd Place Open Men's Heavyweight Division

To say I was proud of myself, and ready to transition out of dieting would be true

2009-2011 Goals

For my next phase of development before I enter into bodybuilding preparation again I have the following goals:
-Stay Injury Free: This will consist of weekly yoga, foam rolling, stretching, mobility work, sports massage and continuing my education in fitness and wellness. And most importantly, keeping my ego in check in the gym.
-Make it through the end of 2009 weighing in under 200lbs: Last season in 2007 I put on 48lbs in 2 months, and that will never happen again...so this little goal is an accountability issue to make sure I keep body fat in check and not hamper my time spent gaining muscle.
-Get back to some good old RAW power lifting: Provided I stay injury free and my hamstring continues to rehab as it is, I plan on doing as many RAW meets as possible during my offseason with the following lifting total goals in the RAW 198's:
Bench: 335
Squat: 455
Deadlift: 525
Total: 1300+
-Expand The Natural Movement on the west coast, and spread science based, sustainable and optimal approaches to Drug Free Bodybuilding. More on this to come stay tuned
-Develop a Professional Caliber Physique:
Add 8-10lbs+ of lean body mass.
When the time comes...get more shredded than last time.
Lats, Quads, Calves and arms..."gimme so mo!" like Busta Rhymes.
-Compete in 2011, with the goal of attaining pro status and competing in my first pro show. It looks like the IFPA/OCB/NANBF and the WNBF/INBF are both massively expanding here on the west coast so when the time comes I will have many options.

So how are you gonna do it?

-Nutrition
First off we have to rehab my metabolism...the diet got me as low as 1500kcals and 2/day cardio for a brief stint in order to really dial in my glutes, hammies and get my quads cross striated. It was worth it...but now I'm left with a 85 year old's metabolic rate with a sedentary job.
So, starting Monday I'm back on macros and we're going to slowly increase my calories back up to workable levels.
Secondly I'll be focusing on getting more quality in my diet this off season...getting down as low as I did calorically you really see what vitamin deficiencies can do, so I plan on keeping essential fatty acids, micro nutrients, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants present in the diet through an appropriate amount of proper food choice such as blue berries, broccoli, fish oils, bananas etc.

-Training
I will ALWAYS be on a strucutred, periodized program from here on out. We will fluctuate from programs focused on intensity, frequency, or volume depending on the prior program and the results from them. Nothing set in stone but don't be surprised to see things like Max OT, PHAT, GVT varients, DC, Smolov, Sheiko, Westside, Ivory Latino Frequency Training, and scheduled deloads all along the way.

-Supplementation
I am still proud to be sponsored by controlled labs, and they provide me with quality staple supplements like branched amino acids, essential amino acids, creatine, joint support, beta alanine, citrulline malate, digestive aids, and workout nutrition shakes.
The supplements I currently use are as follows:
Purple Wraath
Blue Gene
Orange Triad
Green Bulge
The supplements I plan on adding that look amazing are as follows:
Golden Gains
Purple InTrain

Upcoming Events

There is a RAW meet here in Sacramento in November which I probably will compete in as long as I can get even a decent total, just for fun really, and who knows what kind of strength rebound I'll have post prep?

I will be going on vacation to Hawaii from Oct 13-20th I am currently deloading post show and I'll be taking a break from training and macros while I'm there, and when I get back the deload will be over the gaining phase will be in full swing!!!

are yall ready? I sure as hell am

[will-work4ANDRO]

ALL IN for this

[JENerator]

Absolutely IN on this!

[Ian_B]

In.

[rallyum]

Guess i'll join too..not too happy about it though..but i'm IN!

[visionz1234]

Count me in!

[bballbrett5]

in on 1st page of destruction

[TigerStealth]

in of course!

[The Solution]

In it till the end.

[ehlisl]

are yall ready? I sure as hell am

Eric, I was born for this ****!

[Blazed]

Looking forward to this =)

[B-Neva]

first page

[stayfit2008]

Thank Goodness,..your journal I can finally keep up with,..still looking for Cliff notes of your first journal,.Ha!

[Whomper107]

This is gonna be a good one. When you have a chance Eric, I'd like to hear a list of the top few things you will do differently for your next prep. I think it's something we could all benefit from... but no rush on answering that, just enjoy being a human again for now.

[BaFtub]

Wanna see you face to face on stage in 2011 in Ny!

[bryce126]

Eric, everything I think I wanted to say about this trip and your season I've said, but like I said to Brad, I've earned a friend here, and you have as well. A small piece of me went on stage with you, and the hugs and release and experiences this weekend were worth every hour spent driving.

-Expand The Natural Movement on the west coast, and spread science based, sustainable and optimal approaches to Drug Free Bodybuilding.

I WILL be in for this. More about the copier and graphic design whenever anyone's ready.

."gimme so mo!" like Busta Rhymes.

One of my FAVORITES.

are yall ready? I sure as hell am

ready as I'll ever be. Speaking of which, it's about time to start an off-season log myself.

[anti-steroids]

Came in on the tail in of contest prep def wanna be here from the start for offseason

[gymratluke]

You know Im in brotha!!

[J_Bo]

Awwwwwwwwwe snap!

[Barn01]

Good job bro ... That was the most massive dieting and training duration and you deserve the well needed break. I can see you coming back fuller and better ... Eric V.2

[TQsmooth5]

Yes, yes!...in like Flynn!

[user7878778786]

In in in!

[thebasil]

omg post #23

[141455675]

Follwed the last log lurkingly mate. I'll let my presence be known for support on this one.

Kill these next ~2years!

[bwelch1985]

Can't wait to see you run Max-OT! I think you'll love it dude.

[chuckles_345]

Count me in!

Chuckles

[entropy1]

nice, i didnt realise you where also a powerlifter. you'll have to let everyone know what your diet is gonna be like

[devinh]

You know I can't be left out of this one. Do the damn thing

[Litewatenatty]

subbed

[Salaam86]

I'll definitely be following along, looking forward to seeing how you organize your training as the year progresses.