No adversity can slow this train (Journey to the stage in 2012)

[Rypt1]

Pics look great! Great job!!

What are the plans going forward from here?

I compete in the Northern States Natural in 17 days. It is a pro-Qualifier, so it should be a big show.

Nice pics dude! Looked good

How did that dude in novice get 4th place? (green trunks) He's a beast!

Yeah, he was tall, like 6' 5. He had good size but his conditioning and posing probably led to his 4th place finish. I noticed that my posing in the open pretty much sucked but the pics definitely gave me things to improve upon and I've already been working in. So I'm hoping to be much improved in my next outing.

[demonwareltd]

Congrats on your past show - didn't even realize it had come to pass! Those are some really crisp, high detail pics and you looked great!

I can't imagine posing in 3 classes, so that had to have been tough. I guess if you have prejudging pics from all 3 rounds you can see if the judges were being real or just blowing smoke.

Overall posedown is pretty epic, isn't it? It's like finding the joy of being on stage all over again - great work!

[phillysteak]

Awesome showing dude! I'm def in here for the next one

[Rypt1]

Congrats on your past show - didn't even realize it had come to pass! Those are some really crisp, high detail pics and you looked great!

I can't imagine posing in 3 classes, so that had to have been tough. I guess if you have prejudging pics from all 3 rounds you can see if the judges were being real or just blowing smoke.

Overall posedown is pretty epic, isn't it? It's like finding the joy of being on stage all over again - great work!

Thanks Stat! Yeah, getting to pose in an overall is an awesome experience. Definitely a "cherry on top" type of thing.

Awesome showing dude! I'm def in here for the next one

Thanks, I'm hoping to be 10x better this time around. I saw room for lots of improvement in my posing as well as a bit more in carbing up.

Thursday 10/2 - 16 days out

Weight = 170.8lb

Weight on Tuesday after competition = 179.8lb
weight on Wednesday (yesterday) = 174.8lb
Weight today = 170.8

Definitely nice to get that water out. I was definitely still a bit flat on stage. Legs are looking good right now, actually I'm happy with where I'm at. Just need to carb up a bit more.

Today's workout

bench press
225 x 4
245 x 2
185 x 11
155 x 12

DB incline bench
65's x 12

incline cable flyes
47.5's x 12 x 3 sets

seated DB laterals
35's x 12
30's x 12
25's x 14
20's x 15

DB rear laterals
20's x 12 x 3 sets

overhead tricep extensions
155 x 10
150 x 12 + DS 90 x 14

tricep extensions
145 x 12
135 x 12
125 x 12

I also had early morning cardio with 32 min of LISS @ 362kcal on the elliptical and posing practice.

[Rypt1]

Monday 10/6 - LPP WK #14 - (legs A)

12 days out

weight = 166.8lb - A Monday low!

front squats
120 x 4
150 x 4
180 x 3
160 x 5
130 x 10

lying leg curls
164 x 8 x 2 sets
144 x 10
125 x 10

seated leg extensions
216 x 8
202 x 10
182 x 10
165 x 14

cable leg adductor
47.5 x 12 x 3 sets

seated calf raises
237.5 x 16 x 5 sets

ab ball (weighted)
bw+50 x 12
bw+60 x 12 x 2 sets

Got 12 more days until show time. Feeling great and been working on improvements to posing.

[Rypt1]

Thursday 10/9 - LPP WK#14

9 days out!!

Weight = 165.2lb

I'm at the same weight I was at 9 days out from my last contest. I've been slowly bumping up carbs, so I'm feeling fuller yet a tad learner, especially in the legs. I've really worked on the poses that needed work (front and back double biceps, front relaxed, and all back poses). I'm feeling ready to kill it in this next contest even though it will be a much bigger show (pro qualifier). I did this show as one of my first shows, three years ago, and it was overwhelming. Now I feel so much more experienced. Also, I looked at the competition from last year and although very tough, it looks more in line from what I'd expect out of a tested show. The show I was in 3 years ago had at least a half dozen guys doing bodybuilding that looked like they had hit the genetic jackpot (on par with Arnold S.).

Got pull B today. Strength has gone up a bit since I've started increasing carbs a little. Here are some numbers from Tuesday's workout:

DB incline bench
70's x 12
65's x 13 (+5lb, +1 rep vs last time)

decline bench press
195 x 12
155 x 12 (+5lb, +2reps vs last time)

cable flyes
55's x 12 x 3 sets (+5lb vs last time)

OHP
95 x 12
100 x 9
80 x 10 (+5lb vs last time)

[IK9]

You handle prep like a seasoned pro.. This last show ain't nuthin!

I'd like to win the genetic jackpot ^_^

[Rypt1]

You handle prep like a seasoned pro.. This last show ain't nuthin!

I'd like to win the genetic jackpot ^_^

Thanks man! Means a lot.


Monday 10/13 - Peak Week #2

Weigth is holding steady at 165.6lb. My last peak week, 4 weeks ago, I was at 166.0lb. I've got a depletion workout today, tomorrow and Wednesday and I start front loading today and tapering carbs as the week goes. I may need to bring carbs back up by Friday, we'll see. Definitely feeling like a zombie from over the weekend but I feel like I look evern better than 4 weeks ago. Legs have improved and I've worked on poses that need working on. So here we go, the march to the Northern States Natural Classic!

[Rypt1]

Wednesday 10/15 - Peak Wk #2 - 3 days out

weight = 167.6lb

I finished my last workout. Cardio has been light walking on a treadmill with some incline. Show time in 3 days.

I started my pre-loading on Monday with 600g of Carbs. My weight jumped from 165.6 to 168.6. I tapered down to 350g of carbs yesterday and today's weight was at 167.6lb. I'm tapering down to 300g for today. I'm planning on tapering down a bit more to 275g for tomorrow but I'll see what my weight is doing. I'm likely flattening out and will need to increase carbs again on Friday. Mirror-wise, I'm happy with what I see, just need to get a bit fuller. Feeling very ready.

Since I also won my novice class a few weeks ago, I qualified for the DFAC World Championships in Miami, Florida on Nov. 1st. I'd love to do it but probably won't since baby #5 is due any day now with the official due date being on Nov 6th. It would kill me if my wife went into labor while I was gone. Also, having to be with 4 kids on her own, don't think my wife would let me do that. But definitely an honor.

Ready for this weekend and very excited!

[deltpecx]

Wednesday 10/15 - Peak Wk #2 - 3 days out

weight = 167.6lb

I finished my last workout. Cardio has been light walking on a treadmill with some incline. Show time in 3 days.

I started my pre-loading on Monday with 600g of Carbs. My weight jumped from 165.6 to 168.6. I tapered down to 350g of carbs yesterday and today's weight was at 167.6lb. I'm tapering down to 300g for today. I'm planning on tapering down a bit more to 275g for tomorrow but I'll see what my weight is doing. I'm likely flattening out and will need to increase carbs again on Friday. Mirror-wise, I'm happy with what I see, just need to get a bit fuller. Feeling very ready.

Since I also won my novice class a few weeks ago, I qualified for the DFAC World Championships in Miami, Florida on Nov. 1st. I'd love to do it but probably won't since baby #5 is due any day now with the official due date being on Nov 6th. It would kill me if my wife went into labor while I was gone. Also, having to be with 4 kids on her own, don't think my wife would let me do that. But definitely an honor.

Ready for this weekend and very excited!

I hope you do well this weekend!

Congrats on qualifying for the World Championships.

Will you earn a pro card if you win this weekend?

[Rypt1]

I hope you do well this weekend!

Congrats on qualifying for the World Championships.

Will you earn a pro card if you win this weekend?

Thanks, very much! Yup, if I won, I'd win my pro-card. I think I have the potential. Size, overall is what holds me back, especially for being tall but with that, I definitely go for superior conditioning, posing and symmetry. We'll see what this weekend brings. No matter what, I'll have fun!

[phillysteak]

Looking forward to it! Thanks for dropping in my log too man. Go get em!

[jaredmus]

good stuff DFAC shows, have heard good things best of luck