First time competing

[absolute1]

These pics a from roughly 4 weeks out from the show. Any comments are appreciated.

[Big Natural]

Good symmetry! Not too thick but that doesn't matter, it's more about shape than size I think. How much BF% do you have right now? Looks like you got some serious cutting to do to get down to 4%...(I could be wrong).

[absolute1]

Originally Posted by Big Natural

Good symmetry! Not too thick but that doesn't matter, it's more about shape than size I think. How much BF% do you have right now? Looks like you got some serious cutting to do to get down to 4%...(I could be wrong).

Until this point I had been cutting with diet and training alone, no cardio or fatburners. At that time i had just stopped taking creatine that day, so the smoothness is probably from that. I am now roughly 2 weeks out, significantly leaner, but still have more to go. I'm not sure of the exact BF%.

[mliedtke1983]

Seems like your cutting it close with losing body fat..

[Big Natural]

Originally Posted by absolute1

Until this point I had been cutting with diet and training alone, no cardio or fatburners. At that time i had just stopped taking creatine that day, so the smoothness is probably from that. I am now roughly 2 weeks out, significantly leaner, but still have more to go. I'm not sure of the exact BF%.

Ah I see . Question: Is it okay to use creatine for a contest? I know it makes you retain water but only in the muscles? Thus making you look bigger?

Some chest pics would be cool too .

[absolute1]

In the last 2 weeks (after these pics were taking), I have added in a mild thermogenic, cardio 5 times per week, and decreased rest between sets. Very good results so far. Also, the competition that is only 2 weeks away now, I am using as somewhat of a practice round, the show that is most important to me is 3 weeks following, so it is 5 weeks out from now. If I enter this one looking a bit smooth, I can deal with that. The hardest part is the posing, and getting out there in front of all the damn people.

[Big Natural]

Originally Posted by absolute1

In the last 2 weeks (after these pics were taking), I have added in a mild thermogenic, cardio 5 times per week, and decreased rest between sets. Very good results so far. Also, the competition that is only 2 weeks away now, I am using as somewhat of a practice round, the show that is most important to me is 3 weeks following, so it is 5 weeks out from now. If I enter this one looking a bit smooth, I can deal with that. The hardest part is the posing, and getting out there in front of all the damn people.

Haha yea, you need to have balls to stand in front of a crowd showing off your body, respect...

[Joel H]

No front or side poses?

[absolute1]

Here is a front shot. No my abs are not flexed but I was completely exhausted by this point and was only looking for symmetry. Also, the lighting in our locker room sucks.

[absolute1]

Pic of Calves. All of these pics were taken un-pumped, prior to training.

[Joel H]

Looking good bro. Nice wide detailed back, calves look good, adequate forearms, good bicepces, my only crit for next contest is to bring up your triceps a bit, the rest looks pretty proportioned. Nice work and good luck!

[absolute1]

Thanks for the replies. I'll need the luck. Yeah, I know the triceps need work, and the thickness in the quads as well. For the record, I had to take just over 8 months off from the gym last year from the end of February 2004 until November 2004. This leave of absence was due to a horrible strain in my lower back muscles.

[mliedtke1983]

if that front shot is of you 2 weeks out you need alot of work losing that bodyfat..IM just being honest with you. there should b e alot more striations and cuts in the muscles then that...

[absolute1]

Originally Posted by mliedtke1983

if that front shot is of you 2 weeks out you need alot of work losing that bodyfat..IM just being honest with you. there should b e alot more striations and cuts in the muscles then that...

Thanks for being honest that is what I am looking for. The Pics are from 2 weeks ago, 4 weeks out. Since the photos, I have begun thermogenics and cardio and have gotten significant results. I do not have caffine or any other stimulants in my diet year round, so the thermogenics are working absolutely amazing when combined with the cardio. Also, there are 2 shows that I am competing in 3 weeks apart. The first of which is 2 weeks away from this Saturday. The competition in June is the one I want to be in peak condition for. The first one is going to be more or less a practice go of things. I'm open to any suggestions for cutting, since I truly have very little experience with this. I can only go off of what I have read or been told.

[Big Natural]

Originally Posted by absolute1

Thanks for being honest that is what I am looking for. The Pics are from 2 weeks ago, 4 weeks out. Since the photos, I have begun thermogenics and cardio and have gotten significant results. I do not have caffine or any other stimulants in my diet year round, so the thermogenics are working absolutely amazing when combined with the cardio. Also, there are 2 shows that I am competing in 3 weeks apart. The first of which is 2 weeks away from this Saturday. The competition in June is the one I want to be in peak condition for. The first one is going to be more or less a practice go of things. I'm open to any suggestions for cutting, since I truly have very little experience with this. I can only go off of what I have read or been told.

I am cutting right now, I learned this from reading the boards:

Ideal cutting diet should contain 60% protein, 20% Carbs (prefferably slow carbs) and 20% fat (the good fats like in olive oil that will lower your cholestrol). Eat 500 calories or less below your maintenance level to lose fat only and not LBM.

Try to up your vitamin intake with some supplements like Animalpak because you will get less vitamins in you when you eat less than normal.
I bought some Protein powder that gets digested a bit slower than the Pro Whey stuff so I can use a shake as a meal to keep my protein levels high.

Sleep well and do cardio in the morning, moderate/intense for 40 mins (fat burning starts after 30 min).

Ofcourse there is way more to it, check http://www.skippypodar.net for some great info on dieting for contest shape.

[absolute1]

Originally Posted by Big Natural

I am cutting right now, I learned this from reading the boards:

Ideal cutting diet should contain 60% protein, 20% Carbs (prefferably slow carbs) and 20% fat (the good fats like in olive oil that will lower your cholestrol). Eat 500 calories or less below your maintenance level to lose fat only and not LBM.

Try to up your vitamin intake with some supplements like Animalpak because you will get less vitamins in you when you eat less than normal.
I bought some Protein powder that gets digested a bit slower than the Pro Whey stuff so I can use a shake as a meal to keep my protein levels high.

Sleep well and do cardio in the morning, moderate/intense for 40 mins (fat burning starts after 30 min).

Ofcourse there is way more to it, check http://www.skippypodar.net for some great info on dieting for contest shape.

Thanks man. Right now I am at 54%, 22%, 24%, monday I planned on going to the 60,20,20 that you mentioned. Thanks again for the help.

[absolute1]

Here's a new pic from this past Firday, a little over 2 weeks out now. Getting leaner but still have quite a bit to go. Its a bit fuzzy, but I'll have new ones later in the week.

[DieselFella]

Nice calves, I hope you win! Good luck.

[absolute1]

thanks.

[josh689]

Cutting it close looks like you have some fat to lose in the next 2 weeks and probably going to have to do something crazy to get it down to how you want due to how close your cutting it but good luck hope to see pics in 2 weeks w/ that BF down

[mliedtke1983]

ya i would have to agree with josh...your body fat seems fairly high for 2 weeks, even for 4 or 5 weeks i would say honestly...you will need to do something crazy to get it down...dont eat alot, go a day without water, i dont know but do something

[str8flexed]

Originally Posted by Big Natural

Ah I see . Question: Is it okay to use creatine for a contest? I know it makes you retain water but only in the muscles? Thus making you look bigger?

Some chest pics would be cool too .

i took creatine everyday and even the day of my show. Do I look like i'm holding water?

absolute, you are big but you are going to be cutting it close to get lean enough in time. Best of luck to you.

[johnsbod]

Originally Posted by str8flexed

i took creatine everyday and even the day of my show. Do I look like i'm holding water?

absolute, you are big but you are going to be cutting it close to get lean enough in time. Best of luck to you.

Fat boy.
















j/k

[absolute1]

Originally Posted by str8flexed

i took creatine everyday and even the day of my show. Do I look like i'm holding water?

absolute, you are big but you are going to be cutting it close to get lean enough in time. Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the commments. Do you think I should not have discontinued the use of creatine? I stopped 2 weeks ago, and have noticed a difference in fullness. I was using Satur8 and it made me way more vascular. Since the stopping of it, vascularity has significantly decreased even though I have gotten leaner. Should I go back to using the Satur8?

[absolute1]

This is the way the diet is looking right now, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I was told by someone at my gym to eliminate the grapefruit, and use 1/4 cup dry oats instead for my morning carbs.

[sb00n]

Originally Posted by absolute1

These pics a from roughly 4 weeks out from the show. Any comments are appreciated.

WTF?? First time competing??? You're a seasoned competitor you can fool me! Now how many trophies are you hiding?????? Keep it up!!!

[str8flexed]

Originally Posted by absolute1

Thanks for the commments. Do you think I should not have discontinued the use of creatine? I stopped 2 weeks ago, and have noticed a difference in fullness. I was using Satur8 and it made me way more vascular. Since the stopping of it, vascularity has significantly decreased even though I have gotten leaner. Should I go back to using the Satur8?

if you are 2 weeks out you'd probably be ok but I'd be hesitant as it could affect your water balance so close to the show... it's a tough call.

[absolute1]

Here are some new pics roughly 5 days from the show. Carb depleting is showing now, muscles don't want to pump. In these pics I look a little smooth, and the ab shot is terrible. I think training them earlier made them go flat.

[LaxPro]

hey reguardless of how you place it is your first contest so treat it as a learning experince =)

You look real good man, not lean enough, but good.

[absolute1]

thanks. I hear ya on the not lean enough. I waited a bit too long to start doing cardio.