>> Blazed's 50 Week Journey To The Pro Stage <<

[Bnizzle163]

Looking massive in the new pics (in a good way). Plenty of time to dial it in!

[Vanguard1965]

I wouldn't say huge lol! Chest was a BIG weak point of mine back in 2011.....hope to have brought it up once dieted down. Time will tell.

REST DAY!

Morning Weight
218.6 (5 Day Average 219.4, Boom down again! Very legit 4.2lbs lost thus far)

Sleep
7 Hours, with crazy dreams, great REM

Diet
Nailed 90/500/200 Yesterday
Same goes for today, gotta enjoy these macros while they last =D

Training

Nada, 3rd rest day this month haha!

Musings

Happy I am getting lighter, also very excited to start hammering upper body hard again. Curious to see if smolov helps me with strength in my other leg exercises too. 3 Short days till I start full blown prep, watching Berto/Ron Parmeters video of the Yorton Cup shenanigans and pre judging has my motivation absolutely through the roof, gonna have to rewatch when I'm in the slumps 6 months from now loL!

Pictures look good. Like you said is just the starting point and it will be cool to watch the changes as they unfold. Nice to see the scale moving in the right direction especially with the macro's up so high still. Video was very cool and motivational. I would think the changes you see from now andult then will be huge motivation but a little extra help never hurts!

[JPlevell]

Pictures look good bro!

Are you worried at all about your binge eating coming back deep into prep? You had problems before in the past, right?

[The Solution]

Pictures look good bro!

Are you worried at all about your binge eating coming back deep into prep? You had problems before in the past, right?

This is my only fear with him doing a very very long prep as it did haunt him before, and let alone he was having a hard time putting down the reese cups post-contest

If paul holds his composure the entire prep he will bring a new level of conditioning that he has never achieved., and really open some eyes on stage. He had a few setbacks last prep and had to do some drastic things to get into shape the last few weeks because of the slip-ups. Mental Strength is the hardest part of prep IMO, some people lose it towards the end as the diet prolongs. Stay strong paul.

[Blazed]

Looking massive in the new pics (in a good way). Plenty of time to dial it in!

Thanks buddy! I hope to be ready a lil early. So many good shows in the Spring =)

Pictures look good. Like you said is just the starting point and it will be cool to watch the changes as they unfold. Nice to see the scale moving in the right direction especially with the macro's up so high still. Video was very cool and motivational. I would think the changes you see from now andult then will be huge motivation but a little extra help never hurts!

Changes will definitely be motivational, I get a lot of outside motivation though. Stay humble and work hard =)

Pictures look good bro!

Are you worried at all about your binge eating coming back deep into prep? You had problems before in the past, right?

I am not worried at all, I feel like a different bodybuilder 2 years later =)

This is my only fear with him doing a very very long prep as it did haunt him before, and let alone he was having a hard time putting down the reese cups post-contest

If paul holds his composure the entire prep he will bring a new level of conditioning that he has never achieved., and really open some eyes on stage. He had a few setbacks last prep and had to do some drastic things to get into shape the last few weeks because of the slip-ups. Mental Strength is the hardest part of prep IMO, some people lose it towards the end as the diet prolongs. Stay strong paul.

Bob NAILED IT! I did PSMF into my last shows. This time will be a night and day difference. I have 2 years of offseason invested, a matured mentality, and a great support system in place. Really look forward to surprising even myself with the finished product. But as Jeff tells me, one day/step at a time.

I am REALLY looking forward to starting on Saturday.

Evening Update

Felt good to not lift today but I still worked a 9 hour shift on my feet. Tomorrow will be upper push -> Work 7 Hours -> out to dinner for my GF's brothers birthday at the cheesecake factory, they list calories so I will just guesstimate macros based off those. Saving 2k for dinner =)

Friday I am off work and hitting upper pull, will be getting some delicious Sushi after as well as hitting happy hour at the local Brewery to get in my last Hoorah before starting full blown prep.

Hope everyone has a great night!

[IK9]

Cheesecake Factory.. Sushi.. dude I envy you!!

[Blazed]

Cheesecake Factory.. Sushi.. dude I envy you!!

You will be done after this weekend, and I won't be enjoying this things for the next year lol!

2 Days Till Full Blown Prep Mode

Morning Weight

220.2 (5 Day average 219.3, nice lil bump from the late dinner and increased sodium Yesterday)

Sleep
6 Hours

Diet
Hit 105/500/205 Yesterday

Today will be a guesstimated 100/500/200 Since I'm going to the cheesecake factory and saving ~2000 cals for the that meal.

Training

Upper Push

BB Bench
45 x 12
95 x 12
135 x 12
135 x 12
185 x 10
225 x 8
245 x 5
225 x 8

Cable CrossOver
60 x 12
70 x 8
80 x 8

Pins just below new here
60 x 8
70 x 8
70 x 8

Tricep rope Pressdown
80 x 15
100 x 12
100 x 12
120 x 10
120 x 10

DB Seated OH Press
65's x 3 x 8

Side Lateral Raises
35's x 3 x 10

Upright Row
100 x 3 x 8

HS Incline Press
1pps x 15
1pps+25 x 12
2pps x 8

Peck Deck
180 x 8
210 x 6

Done n Done

Musings

Good workout, kept it light since I haven't really pushed hard on upper in almost a month since I started Smolov, also trying to get this Thoracic outlet issue resolved. Dinner today should be good, but my weight will be all over the place through the beginning of next week.

[MikeWines]

trying to get this Thoracic outlet issue resolved.

When did it start and what do you think caused it?

[The Solution]

What will macros be in 2 days? I am sure you can still include a lot of the things you eat now.

[Blazed]

When did it start and what do you think caused it?

Started a few months ago, but got worse right before/during smolov. No idea what caused it, prolly lifting and not doing enough mobility, but I can only speculate.

What will macros be in 2 days? I am sure you can still include a lot of the things you eat now.

NO idea yet, get my protocol from Jeff tonight.

Back Attack Day, Last day before prep start!

Morning Weight
218.6 (5 Day Average 219.0, down 4.6lbs going by that)

Sleep
8 Hours

Diet
Hit ~4,200 Cals yesterday...a couple hundred more than I planned but no biggie.
Today I will be roughly hitting 100/500/200 but guesstimating as I will be eating out.

Training

Upper Pull

Lat Pulldown
90 x 15
120 x 12
150 x 10
180 x 10
210 x 8
240 x 8
270 x 6

Neutral Grip PD's
270 x 7
255 x 6
240 x 8

HS Iso Rows
1pps x 15
2pps x 12
3pps x 10
3pps+25 x 2 x 10
3pps x 10

DB Curls
55's x 10
45's x 8
47.5's x 8

Reverse Grip BB Curl
80 x 10
90 x 8
80 x 8

HOrizontal Lat Pulldown
140 x 12
160 x 8
180 x 7

Cable Rows
150 x 10
180 x 8
210 x 8
240 x 6

DOne and done

Musings

Good workout and good times yesterday. Today I'll be getting any last minute eating out of my system =D

[JPlevell]

Just a question. How do people determine how much protein to get? How come you aren't getting 1g per lb. of body weight right now?

[Devils]

Just a question. How do people determine how much protein to get? How come you aren't getting 1g per lb. of body weight right now?

it doesn't really matter if you're getting enough calories, and it matters even less if you've been training for many years.

[Blazed]

Just a question. How do people determine how much protein to get? How come you aren't getting 1g per lb. of body weight right now?

it doesn't really matter if you're getting enough calories, and it matters even less if you've been training for many years.

Devils is on the $$. In a surplus it doesnt matter. I am a firm believer that 1 gram per lb of lean body mass is enough......and im def getting more than that.

Got my diet/training/cardio from Jeff. Start tmrw......game time gentleman

[Vanguard1965]

Devils is on the $$. In a surplus it doesnt matter. I am a firm believer that 1 gram per lb of lean body mass is enough......and im def getting more than that.

Got my diet/training/cardio from Jeff. Start tmrw......game time gentleman

Good stuff! I am hoping I hear from Alberto tonight as there has been nothing so far. Weight is moving along nicely as well.

[Buns09]

Prep Day 1:
Morning weight-134.2.... What did you expect after a weekend of cheesecake factory, beer, ice cream and sushi!!!
Starting Macros 40/150/135

Today's workout- Push Power

Bench press (bar)
Warm up
75lbsX9
85lbsX6-3 sets

DB incline press
Warm up
25lbsX6-3 sets

Rope press downs
Warm up
50lbsX9
60lbsX6-3sets

DB shoulder press
Warm up
25lbsX6-3sets

Today's goals will be not to sample anything at work today. (I work at Trader Joe's and we do big tastings every Saturday)

[Blazed]

Good stuff! I am hoping I hear from Alberto tonight as there has been nothing so far. Weight is moving along nicely as well.

Any luck??

Prep Day 1, 34 Weeks out

Morning Weight
220.2 (5 Day Average 219.3) Nice Bloat from Sushi+Wing+Beer extravaganza

Sleep
5 crappy Hours

Diet

Nailed 75/400/240 Today =)
Tomorrow will be the same.

Training

Push Power, cycle 1

External/Internal Rotations on Cable

BB Bench
45 x 15
95 x 12
135 x 12
185 x 10
225 x 8
255 x 6
255 x 6
255 x 6

Incline DB Press (First time doing these in like 1.5 years!)
65's x 12
75's x 8
90's x 6
90's x 6
90's x 6

Tricep Rope Pressdown
120 x 12
140 x 10
150 x 6
150 x 6
150 x 6

Seated DB Shoulder Press
65's x 8
75's x 6
75's x 5
75's x 6

Done and done!

Musings

Super happy to have started the new protocol. Macros were a breeze today, actually have 16/60/30 left for a late night snack in an hour or two. The new training program is going to take a little bit of adjusting to, especially since I am doing exercises I normally do not do. Going to just take things one day at a time and enjoy the **** out of this prep =)

Tomorrow is a nice Pull Power session followed by a day off work. For the first time ever I will be deadlifting on back days and just squatting on leg days =)

[StaticZ]

[The Solution]

Grind time now Paul.

[jpfaherty]

And we're off!

[IK9]

Awwww yeahhh you started with Jefffff awesomeee!!!

[Bnizzle163]

Time to kick it into high gear

[Blazed]

Grind time now Paul.

And we're off!

Awwww yeahhh you started with Jefffff awesomeee!!!

Time to kick it into high gear

Thank you guys!!! Feels amazing to be back on the grind, knowing I am working for something so unique and challenging =)

Prep Day 2

Morning Weight
217.8 (5 Day average 219.1)

Sleep
8.5 Hours =) thanks to daylight savings time.

Diet

Hit 73/398/244 Yesterday
Shooting for as close to 75/400/240 as humanly possible today

Training

POWER PULL

Deadlifts
45 x 20
135 x 15
225 x 10
315 x 7
315 x 7
315 x 7 (Felt Surprisingly heavy since I have not deadlifted in over a month, only place to go from here is up =D )

Lat Pulldowns
120 x 15
150 x 12
180 x 10
210 x 8
240 x 7
240 x 7
240 x 7

BB Rows
135 x 15
185 x 10
225 x 7
225 x 7
225 x 7 Volume PR!

Hammer Curls (SS'd w/ EZ Curls)
50's x 8
65's x 7
65's x 7
65's x 7 Volume PR

EZ Bar Curls
80 x 10
100 x 7
100 x 7
100 x 7

Cardio

3.4 MPH Walk up a 7.0 Incline, 350 Calories burned, 1.7 miles, 31:45......HR towards the end 150-151 BPM

Musings

Great workout today, I know the deads are nothing special since I was pulling 400+ for reps not too long ago.....but the program I have from Jeff will have me progressing week by week and month by month so my lifts will be going up for the foreseeable future. Had a good pump, I decided to do cardio today since I was waiting for my laundry next door to dry and I had 30 minutes to kill. I fell 50 calories short of the 400 prescribed, but I'll make up for it with a 450 cal session on my next off day from lifting. Tomorrow is a rest day and I have Legs Power on Tuesday morning.

No work today so I have to go grocery shopping for prep food. Its been a while since I had lower fats and higher protein so I have to purchase slightly different food than I am used to buying after a 2 year growing season. Should be fun though. Trying to work out a budget where I spend no more than $100/week on food.

I was also famished after my workout, I train fasted and the cardio after definitely did it. Next time if I do cardio after weights I'll be sure to get a small meal in me beforehand.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday Funday =)

[IK9]

Yeah hey, I see a lot of people train fasted.. what is the reasoning behind this? I always feel like crap if I don't get some food in me :P

[Blazed]

Yeah hey, I see a lot of people train fasted.. what is the reasoning behind this? I always feel like crap if I don't get some food in me :P

A few reasons, I roll out of bed ->drive to gym and train-> then eat/shower/get ready for work......I don't want to wake up 1-2 hours earlier just to eat a meal and wait for it to digest.

Also, having dinner at ~10 PM most nights, first thing in the morning energy levels are good, food is digested, blood glucose is nice and steady......down a pre workout and crush it.

I also tend to feel sluggish with food in my belly. When I get leaner and more depleted I might start knocking back 10g CHO/5g BCAA with my preworkout or something if I feel the need to. But I'm usually pretty satisfied from last nights meal.

[Vanguard1965]

Glad to see you are liking the new routine. Got mine from Alberto last night, so Monday I will start my new workout and started the new macro's today. Time for us to crush it!

[The Solution]

A few reasons, I roll out of bed ->drive to gym and train-> then eat/shower/get ready for work......I don't want to wake up 1-2 hours earlier just to eat a meal and wait for it to digest.

Also, having dinner at ~10 PM most nights, first thing in the morning energy levels are good, food is digested, blood glucose is nice and steady......down a pre workout and crush it.

I also tend to feel sluggish with food in my belly. When I get leaner and more depleted I might start knocking back 10g CHO/5g BCAA with my preworkout or something if I feel the need to. But I'm usually pretty satisfied from last nights meal.

^^^ Bingo. big late night meal fuels morning training.
Team Training Fasted FTW

[jpfaherty]

A few reasons, I roll out of bed ->drive to gym and train-> then eat/shower/get ready for work......I don't want to wake up 1-2 hours earlier just to eat a meal and wait for it to digest.

Also, having dinner at ~10 PM most nights, first thing in the morning energy levels are good, food is digested, blood glucose is nice and steady......down a pre workout and crush it.

I also tend to feel sluggish with food in my belly. When I get leaner and more depleted I might start knocking back 10g CHO/5g BCAA with my preworkout or something if I feel the need to. But I'm usually pretty satisfied from last nights meal.

Glad to see you are liking the new routine. Got mine from Alberto last night, so Monday I will start my new workout and started the new macro's today. Time for us to crush it!

CRUSH IT Guys! 3DMJ in the house

[jked4life]

In on this fo sho!

[Blazed]

Glad to see you are liking the new routine. Got mine from Alberto last night, so Monday I will start my new workout and started the new macro's today. Time for us to crush it!

Nice! I saw that sweet bump in carbs =)

^^^ Bingo. big late night meal fuels morning training.
Team Training Fasted FTW

W00t!

CRUSH IT Guys! 3DMJ in the house

We takin over

In on this fo sho!

Hey Matt! Missed ya buddy!!

Prep Day 3

Morning Weight
216.2 (5 Day Average 218.6, nice drop =D )

Sleep
7.5 Hours

Diet
Nailed my 75/400/240 yesterday as well as today

Training

REST DAY OF PEACE

Musings

Worked 13 hours today on my feet, needless to say I am exhausted. Saved 25/85/34 for my late night dinner so I am bout to grub now. Wonder if weight will bump a bit cause of the late night meal, #YOLO

Got legs power on tap TMRW, followed by Push Hyper on Wednesday. Pretty stoked, Thursday I will go do mobility, cardio, and maybe a lil posing if I am not feeling too buttery.

[Vanguard1965]

Wow weight is dropping like crazy, you making this look easy!