Peter Fitschen - Contest Prep 2012

[chuckles_345]

Many of you probably remember me from previous contest preps and journals I have had on bodybuilding.com. For those of you who don't, I am a 25 yr old competitive natural bodybuilder. Below is my contest history:

2004 NANBF 10,000 Lakes:
Teen: 2nd
Novice-Medium: 4th

2006 NANBF Eagle's Wings:
Novice-Medium: 1st
Open-Short: 2nd
Best Poser Award

2006 NANBF Best of the Midwest:
Open-Medium: 2nd (1 pt decision)

2008 OCB 45th Parallel:
Open-Tall: 2nd

2008 NANBF Mr. Natural Minnesota:
Collegient: 2nd (1 pt decision)
Open-Medium: 1st


Since 2008, I've been working on adding mass and lifting heavy. I've had a couple of back injuries set me back and I still have to be careful so that my lower back doesn't start acting up. However, I feel like I've gotten quite a bit stronger and made some progress. On the real world side of things, I finished up my B.S. in biochemistry with a nutrition minor in 2008, my M.S. in physiology in 2010, got married in 2011, and began working my PhD in Nutritional Science at the University of Illinois in June 2010.

Currently, I'm weighing in at 195lbs 1st thing in the morning. This is by far the best I've looked at this bodyweight. I've attached a link to some current pics and some pics from the start of my last prep where I was 190lbs for comparison. I know I am only 5lbs heavier, but I feel like I have made some progress in the past 4yrs, but I could be wrong.



Current Pics:
http://sports.webshots.com/album/581927732MwYfwX


Pics from start of 08 prep:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561164005UctJWg


Pics from a photoshoot the week between my contests in 2008:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563165057rVPjyD



My current best lifts are Squat: 425x1, 395x2, 385 3 sets of 2, 365 3 sets of 5, Deadlift: 515x1, 475x3, 455x5, 405x10, and bench: 320x1, so nothing spetacular on the strength end of things, but much stronger than I was at the start of my last prep. I have used a combination of PHAT, Sheiko, and Westside over the course of the past few years and really focused on heavy weights and compounds. I've added 60lbs to my squat, 60lbs to my dead, and 45lbs to my bench all time prs over the past 4yrs at roughly the same bodyweight.



As for my contest prep, I will be starting Saturday December 17 and will be working with Layne Norton again this year. I worked with him during my 2006 and 2008 contest preps. Here are the contests I'm shooting for:

June 23: NGA Titan Classic (NGA PQ)
July 7: NANBF St. Louis Natural (IFPA PQ)
1 more show to be named once the entire schedule is out


I'll do my best to keep this thing updated as I go. Things can get pretty crazy with my research/school schedule, but I will do my best to keep this updated. Thanks to everyone for following along.

[adamjohn32]

in, looking forward to following. good luck with doing this prep while doing research/school, brave man lol.

[Trapzillaoo7]

I'm in, time to watch you tear it UP!

[chuckles_345]

in, looking forward to following. good luck with doing this prep while doing research/school, brave man lol.

Thanks! There is a good chance this will be the only time I prep until after I graduate (which as of right now should be around 2015). I also haven't competed in nearly 4yrs so I plan on making the most of this.

I'm in, time to watch you tear it UP!

Thanks for the support as always!

[Quelly]

definitely subbed for this Looking like you've added a good bit of quality size and improved your proportions Peter, and those numbers are nothing to sneeze at for strength my man!

[AustrianOakJr]

Ill be interested to follow along! Good luck man. That strength increase will certainly be noticeable in your physique....cant wait to see you get pealed.

[SiSu247]

IN! Looking forward to trollin this!

[Bnizzle163]

Definitely looking forward to this Pete! I don't post on here much anymore, but I'll definitely be popping in

[jpfaherty]

In on this! motivation fo sho!

[chuckles_345]

In on this! motivation fo sho!

Thanks for following along!

Definitely looking forward to this Pete! I don't post on here much anymore, but I'll definitely be popping in

Thanks! I don't post on here a whole lot anymore due to my schedule, but I figured I'd get something up and going for prep.

IN! Looking forward to trollin this!

Thanks for the support!

Ill be interested to follow along! Good luck man. That strength increase will certainly be noticeable in your physique....cant wait to see you get pealed.

Hopefully the strength increase will be noticible once I get lean. Hoping to be a whole lot thicker this time. Hopefully I don't disappoint.

definitely subbed for this Looking like you've added a good bit of quality size and improved your proportions Peter, and those numbers are nothing to sneeze at for strength my man!

Thanks for the support. I'm hoping I brought up some weak points and will have more mass when it comes time to step onstage. Hoping to achieve some conditioning like you did during your last prep.

[Frankdaddy]

In on this teammate. I am also competing this coming summer. Good luck with everything. Also, what was your stage weight during your 2008 prep?

[chuckles_345]

In on this teammate. I am also competing this coming summer. Good luck with everything. Also, what was your stage weight during your 2008 prep?

Good luck on your prep. I've been lurking in your journal and you put up some crazy numbers. I'll definately be following. As for my 2008 weight, I started prep at around 190 and competed at 162-163. I'm not sure what I will weigh this time, nor do I really care, as long as I am leaner and look better.

[Cytrainer913]

Good to see you ready to go and with all your knowledge you have soaked up, the rewards and presentation will be great! Good luck PETE!

[chuckles_345]

Good to see you ready to go and with all your knowledge you have soaked up, the rewards and presentation will be great! Good luck PETE!

Thanks Craig!

[fltallpaul]

Great to see you accomplishing so much already, congrats on the degree, the wedding and getting started on your PHD. I know another guy who got his PHD from Illinois...Layne something or other.

[chuckles_345]

Great to see you accomplishing so much already, congrats on the degree, the wedding and getting started on your PHD. I know another guy who got his PHD from Illinois...Layne something or other.

Don't know who you are talking about....lol.



Actually, Layne graduated with a PhD from the same program I am currently in. However, he was in a different lab than I am in.

[chuckles_345]

I know my prep doesn't officially start until Saturday, but I figured I'd log my workouts from this week. Macros are 225gP, 500gC, 80gF right now. Currently doing no cardio.



12-12 Monday: Upper

DB Bench:
1. 110x8
2. 110x8
3. 110x6

Rack Chins:
1. 120x8
2. 120x8
3. 120x8
4. 120x6
5. 120x6

Lying Shoulder Press Machine:
1. 240x8
2. 240x8
3. 240x8

Chest Supported DB Row:
1. 100x8
2. 100x6
3. 100x6

Seated Side Raise:
1. 35x10
2. 35x10

V Bar Pulldown:
1. 220x10
2. 220x8

Standing EZ Bar Curl:
1. 110x7
2. 110x6
3. 110x6

Weighted Dips:
1. 90x8
2. 90x8
3. 90x6

Preacher Curl Machine:
1. 12 plates x7
2. 10 plates x9

Cable Pressdowns:
1. stack x10
2. stack x10








12-13 Tuesday: Lower

Squat:
1. 365x6
2. 375x3
3. 375x3
4. 315x5
5. 315x5

Assisted Glute Ham Raise off Ground:
1. 6
2. 6
3. 6

Seated Calf Raise:
1. 4 plates +25 x8
2. same
3. same weight x7
4. same weight x6
5. 4 plates x10

Leg Extension:
1. stack x10
2. stack x10
3. stack x8

Seated Ham Curl:
1. stack x10
2. stack x10
3. stack x10

Standing Calf Raise:
1. 270x8
2. 270x8
3. 270x8

Donkey Calf Raise:
1. 225x10
2. 225x10





Prep starts Saturday!

[Frankdaddy]

Well you look really great at 190, and the progress shows. I remember looking at your logs back in the day as you were one of the first I read about doing natural shows, use to really shock me that you were in the 160s and looked like you did. Looking forward to see what 4 years done for you. I took 2.5 years off, and it was rough but I almost wouldnt have minded taking many more off for progress reasons. My goal is to keep my strength up the best I can and try for a good rebound this time. I had a good one last time, but I think with a better prep routine I will maintain even better.

[chuckles_345]

Thanks for the compliments. I'm actually 195 in the most recent pics. Its funny you say that I looked big in the 160's because when I get that lean, I think I look small and I start getting comments from people about how small I look. Looking forward to following your prep. You move some big weights so I'm looking forward to see those big weights translate over into improvements onstage.

Well you look really great at 190, and the progress shows. I remember looking at your logs back in the day as you were one of the first I read about doing natural shows, use to really shock me that you were in the 160s and looked like you did. Looking forward to see what 4 years done for you. I took 2.5 years off, and it was rough but I almost wouldnt have minded taking many more off for progress reasons. My goal is to keep my strength up the best I can and try for a good rebound this time. I had a good one last time, but I think with a better prep routine I will maintain even better.

[chuckles_345]

Here is a link to a new interview I did with the natural pursuit bodybuilding website.


http://naturalpursuit.wordpress.com/...hen-interview/

[fltallpaul]

Don't know who you are talking about....lol.



Actually, Layne graduated with a PhD from the same program I am currently in. However, he was in a different lab than I am in.

Don't mention Layne's name around the rats, they will become stressed and your results will be altered due to all the cortisol released, lol.

Do you hang out with Gabe Wilson? I get to hang with his brother Jake quite a bit, great guy. Actually I will be hanging with Jake and Layne tomorrow for Layne's 30th.

[NaturalPursuit]

Hi Paul! Published the interview we conducted here! Figured the followers of your blog would appreciate it!

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=140534241

Thanks again for taking the time to do it!

[chuckles_345]

Don't mention Layne's name around the rats, they will become stressed and your results will be altered due to all the cortisol released, lol.

Do you hang out with Gabe Wilson? I get to hang with his brother Jake quite a bit, great guy. Actually I will be hanging with Jake and Layne tomorrow for Layne's 30th.

I actually work primaily with humans with muscle wasting conditions, so I think the rats are safe for now. I hung out with Gabe Wilson when we had free time. I went to the Michigan/Illinois football game with him just last month and once and a while we were able to get a solid leg workout in on a Saturday morning when our schedules lined up. He just finished up his PhD. I know his brother Jake also. I'm currently working on a writing a paper with both of the Wilsons, but more info on that months from now when the paper is finally published. For those of you who don't konw who Gabe and Jake Wilson are check out abcbodybuilding.com

Hi Paul! Published the interview we conducted here! Figured the followers of your blog would appreciate it!

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=140534241

Thanks again for taking the time to do it!

Awesome! Keep up the great work with the website.

[FATHER FLEX]

Good to see you back on the grind again

[chuckles_345]

Good to see you back on the grind again

Thanks, glad to have you following along. I'd be thrilled if I can just get remotely near your level of conditioning.

[Cytrainer913]

Pete, sent you PM

[CHRIS925]

In. Photoshoot shots are juicy

[ExPwner]

Illini Bodybuilding up in here!

[DoWork13]

Illini Bodybuilding represent. Subbed, Peter. Time to dominate!

[wilke2]

Good luck Peter! IBBC