My name is Matt and I enjoy lifting heavy things.

[Matt593]

SOrry, I know I have not been on here in a wehile. I peek in every so often, but things are going great at this point. Diet is great, training is great, posing is also going well. I have still been hitting everything hard. This past week I was busy with moving back to Cincy and now I am in Youngstown with Erica visiting her family. Hopefully I will be back to posting on here within a couple of days .

A few brief highlights of where strenth is still at:

Flat Bench - 315x3
BB Rows - 275 x 11
1 Arm DB Rows - 150's x 8
Squats - 365 x 6
Military Press - 185 x 9
Across Hammer Curls - 70's x 12

So strength has gone down a bit, but thats ok. Aside from that, training is largely about the "feel" right now. Feelin great!

[rich55]

Good posing last week Matt!! Thanks again for dropping the flyers at the Cinci this weekend. A little preview of things to come:






Remember the little things we talked about and keep up the great work!

[deltpecx]

looking good, Matt!

How many weeks out are you?

[cawiau]

Looking freaking amazing bro
Shredded indeed... now just need to replace some of the surprised looked in your face by a smile and you are good to go

[cawiau]

Hey Matt, hope all is well and you are still kicking ass!

[RooRooTJ]

He is hiding and waiting to unveil the package at the Buckeye. Keep it going Matt

[cawiau]

He is hiding and waiting to unveil the package at the Buckeye. Keep it going Matt

I understand but a simple update woul not hurt

[Matt593]

I understand but a simple update woul not hurt

Sorry guys, I have been terrible about not being on here lately. Anyways, bodyweight is down to 182. We will see what happens these last few days. The last set of pictures are not that great for progress pictures since everything is washed out in them. Not, only that, but I have changed the side shots a bit so that my front leg is not so far in ahead of the rear leg. This way makes the side shots look more appealing in my opinion. Striations are visible on my right tricep, the glutes, lower back, quads, and of course the chest and shoulders. Lats are visible all the way down for a full tree on the back shots. Veins are also popping on the hamstrings as well as the outer quad/ham tie-in area. I am very happy with where I am at right now. I just have not posted pictures because I lost my camera cord, not to mention that the quality of the pictures always change depending on where they are taken, what lighting, which camera, etc. In teerms of strength, I managed to maintain alot of it. This past week I squated 365 x 5, benched 275 x 5, BB rowed 275 x 10, 1-Arm DB rowd 150's for 9, curled 135 for 6, did some EZ extensions at 130 for 7, and did 185 for 10 of BB Military. However, the rest of the workouts have felt great! Just tring to feel every repetition.

Tomorow and Tuesday shold be my last lifting days. Just doing some light upper body along with two 30 min cadio sessions each day. Up till now I have done four 25 min cardio sessions each week. Carbs are loered for tomorrow and Tuesday as well, then I imagine Rich will have me begin to raise them after that. Overall I am feeling good. Tired, but feeling good never the less.

Oh, and I am now smiling during my poses No more scary looking facial expressions.

Less than one week Justin and I will see you there!

[cawiau]

Thanks for the update bro, appreciate it!
Wish you the best

[The_Animal11]

huuuuuuuuge congrats man!!!!

[Matt593]

Now that the Buckeye is over, I have decided to hold off on the Tri State in Dayton this year. However I do plan on doing the Buckeye again and the Tri State next year. Right now I just need to put forth as much effort as I can towards starting my career. I have a job right now, but I would rather have a career. That is more important to me at this point.

I will however continue to train hard, going back to a Push/Pull/Leg split again. I will also continue to eat well. I am relaxed on the diet today, which is how it should be since I am not competing again till next year. Last nights food was very good. Did not go that crazy in terms of quantity, but it was definately satisfying. I am going to grab a bite at Bob Evans soon with Erica, so that should be yummy. Other than that, I had a blast yesterday. The day went by so fast. Also, I will admit that I am guilty of slacking off in the bodyspace forum department. But I do plan to keep up on a journal at least for every workout that I get in from now on. So if anyone still even reads up on this, I guess I should mention that I ended up taking 1st in the novice heavyweight class as well as the NOVICE OVERALL, which was a battle against 17 of us! There were some very tough looking novice lights, especially the 28 year old who went out with me for the overall. He was right at the top of his weight class around 168, but that was a VERY deceiving 168. Dude is big and THICK. All in all a great time. Now it is just time to eat a Bob Evans omelet and some hotcakes. My calorie intake for today so far is probably somewhere around 2500, which really is not that much for after a show compared to most people. So I think I can afford this next meal.

As for this week, I plan to kick it off tomorrow with a lighter Leg day to start it off right. This next year I will fucus heavily on adding more thickness to my back and legs. I would like to get up to solid 200 lbs (up 4 lbs from 196 this year). But like I said, Bob Evans is calling my name...

[Matt593]

huuuuuuuuge congrats man!!!!

Thanks Mr. Manlet! It was a blast! I will try to get some pictures up within the next few days.

[The_Animal11]

Thanks Mr. Manlet! It was a blast! I will try to get some pictures up within the next few days.

lookin forward to um man! now go eat some food you got some growin to do!

offseason ftw!

[cawiau]

So if anyone still even reads up on this, I guess I should mention that I ended up taking 1st in the novice heavyweight class as well as the NOVICE OVERALL, .

Damn, you had to do all this ramble before mentioning that

But seriously,

CONGRATS!!!!

But I cannot say I am surprised because you were looking freaking amazing... so was expected.
So really awesome job bro I am proud of you!


Now post those DARN pictures already

[rich55]

You looked incredible bro and were deserved the win! Have to say that I told you so. Beating that many bodybuilders with some really good talent is certainly an accomplishment and I can only imagine what the future will hold.

[RooRooTJ]

Matt great job at the Buckeye. You looked great. I got some pics of your class that I will get up here, plus I believe I got the video of your routine, so i will get that up here as well for you. Again, great job and good luck with your job search and everything. Too bad I wont see you at the Dayton show, but definitely understand why you have to skip it.

[RooRooTJ]

[deltpecx]

Congratulations! Nice Job!

[cawiau]

Great job bro

[Matt593]

Matt great job at the Buckeye. You looked great. I got some pics of your class that I will get up here, plus I believe I got the video of your routine, so i will get that up here as well for you. Again, great job and good luck with your job search and everything. Too bad I wont see you at the Dayton show, but definitely understand why you have to skip it.

Thanks!! Luckily I will be there to watch you and Jim Flanigan tear it up

Great job bro

Much appreciated!

[Matt593]

You looked incredible bro and were deserved the win! Have to say that I told you so. Beating that many bodybuilders with some really good talent is certainly an accomplishment and I can only imagine what the future will hold.

Haha, yeah yeah I guess you did tell me so I cant wait till next year! Thank you for the great diet plan and for a great show! And as you always say, its time to grow.

[Matt593]

Congratulations! Nice Job!

Thank you!

[Matt593]

So after a great first competition, I have gone back to the Push/Pull/Legs split. I actually went this past week on Mon, Wed and Fri. Just got a few basic movements in with not much volume at all. Also, nothing was really taken near failure. I have plenty of time to build some power and size.

Mon 4/19 - Legs

Squats
95 x 10
135 x 8
225 x 8
315 x 8

Narrow/High Leg Press - My gym has not only 45 lb plates, but 100 lb plates as well . So the weight listed from now on will be in pounds instead of plates per side since there will be a bountiful mix of plates at times. And I dont know how much the sled weighs, but who cares.
200 x 8
400 x 8
600 x 8
690 x 6

Lying Leg Curls
40 x 10
60 x 10
80 x 10

4/21 - Pull

Rack Pulls
135 x 10
225 x 8
315 x 8
405 x 8

HS Low Row
2 plates pe side x 8
3 pps x 8
4 pps x 8

Weighted Pullups, Mediu Width
BW x 8
+45 x 8
+45 x 6

DB Shrugs
120's x 10
140's x 10
150's x 10

BB Curls
65 x 8
95 x 6
115 x 6
135 x 4

4/23 - Push

Flat Bench
95 x 10
135x 10
185 x 5
225 x 5
275 x 5
315 x 1

Incline DB Press
80's x 6
90's x 6
100's x 6

Standing DB Laterals
30's x 8
40's x 8
50's x 8

V-Bar Pressdowns
120 x 10
150 x 10
180 x 10

I will upload a few pictures from the show once I receive the CD from the photographer. I will also probably start a new log and I will make a better effort to keep up with it and track my progress as well as keep up with everyone else's workout logs more consistently I will keep it posted.

[rich55]

I will also probably start a new log and I will make a better effort to keep up with it and track my progress as well as keep up with everyone else's workout logs more consistently I will keep it posted.

Sounds good! Here is one. Shredded!!

[Matt593]

4/26 - Legs

Volume is still low, still just focusing on good form and getting in the basics with some power.

Squats
95 x 10
135 x 8
225 x 6
315 x 6
365 x 5
405 x 2

High/Narrow Leg Press
200 x 8
400 x 8
600 x 8
800 x 6

Lying Leg Curls - Nice and slow
50 x 10
70 x 10
90 x 10

Finished it off with a set of hanging leg raises at the end Pretty solid so far.

[Matt593]

4/28 - PULL

Decent day today. Was a little disappointed with the rack deadlifts. But I keep forgetting that I am just getting back into it, not to mention the strain that I put on my back on some days at work due to physical labor.

Rack Deads
135 x 10
225 x 8
315 x 8
405 x 8
495 x 1

HS Low Row
2 pps x 8
3 pps x 8
4 pps x 8
4.5 pps x 6

Weighted Wide Grip Pullups
BW x 8
+45 x 8
+55 x 6
BW x 12

Row Machine Varying neutral and overhand grip
120 x 10
150 x 10
180 x 10
200 (stack) x 10

DB Shrugs - Slooow
120's x 21
120's x 30, last 10 were a bit faster

BB Curls
65 x 6
95 x 6
115 x 6
135 x 6

I then finished it off with two sets, one of which was a drop set, of bent over single arm hammer curls on the cable machine. After that I smashed some oatmeal and protein followed by some pulled pork BBQ from this awesome BBQ place in town as well as a sweet potato

[cawiau]

Lifts are still sick bro
Where are the pictures you promised
and how are you liking off season so far?

[Matt593]

Lifts are still sick bro
Where are the pictures you promised
and how are you liking off season so far?

So far so good!

As for pictures, I am waiting on the CD to arrive in the mail. Should be here any day now.

[Matt593]

4/30 - PUSH

I felt stronger today. Lifts are definately coming back up nicely. To my suprise I ended up crushing the 110's on the incline db press.

Flat BB Bench
95 x 10
135 x 8
185 x 5
235 x 5
275 x 5
315 x 3

Incline DB Press Originally planned on getting 6 for the last set since 100's x 6 were tough last week. But oh no my friends, not the case
80's x 6
100's x 6
110's x 8

Seated Laterals
35's x 10
40's x 10
45's x 10
-SUPERSET-
Lying DB Extensions
35's x 10
40's x 10
45's x 10 - Last few were very tough!

Overhead EZ Extensions
60 x 10
80 x 10
85 x 10
-SUPERSET-
Bent Laterals Not trying to crush the rear delts since they are worked during Pull excercises. Pretty easy, just getting some blood flowing.
30's x 10
30's x 10
30's x 10

Freemotion Cable Flyes - Again...nice and slow. Pretty easy, just to get the blood flowing in the upper chest before leaving the gym.
70 x 10
70 x 10
35 x 5

The only sets that were taken very close to failure were the last sets on flat bench and incline bench. The laterals and lying db extension supersets were tough as well. Volume is slowly coming up, but I need to remember that I am focusing on one thing... POWER!! Everything else will come together after that, especially once I start to try out a Power/Hypertrophy split down the road. Never tried it before, but it sure would'nt hurt. Anyone have any thoughts on that kind of split?

Also, now that I am getting back into it, my current split will be for every 6 days instead of 7. So its pretty simple. I just go to the gym every other day.

So legs will get worked in about an hour from now. The 405 lb set will be mine, I will own the weight today...

[Matt593]

4/2 - LEGS

Like I said, 405 was mine for 4 clean reps. Next week it will be 6 then its on to bigger weight the following week!

Squats
Bar x 10
135 x 10
225 x 5
315 x 5
365 x 3
405 x 4

Walking DB Lunges
BW x 12 steps each leg
40's x 12 steps "
60's x 12 steps "
80's x 12 steps "

Lying Leg Curls
60 x 10
80 x 10
100 x 10
120 x 8

Quads and Glutes are already sore from the lunges. It is such a nice feeling lol.