WNSO/FAME Pro-Qualifier Prep - 10 Weeks Out!

[Hardcore Natural]

Ok, here's the scoop...

I am currently dieting down for my 2nd show ever. It's the WNSO/FAME Derrick Brown's Prairie Championships on April 26th, 2008. This show is a regional pro-qualifier show, and I'm gunning for my pro card.

This is me in contest condition (178 lbs) from 2004, which was my first contest. I took 1st place in the Light Heavy-weight division and 2nd Overall.


For this upcoming contest, I started dieting down from 221 lbs., which was my heaviest this past offseason. I am currently sitting at 209 pounds...and will continue to lose at a rate of 1-1.5 pounds per week.

Here are some progress pics taken this past Saturday (February 8th/08).

Any and all critiques, comments, questions, etc are welcome!

[Hardcore Natural]

Here's the remainder of my progress pics as of Saturday February 8th, 2008...

[Rippinit]

Your quads are ridiculous man-good luck and ill be watching this

[Kevin-T]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

Here's the remainder of my progress pics as of Saturday February 8th, 2008...

The quads are packing good mass. When is the WNSO/FAME pro qualifier? I won't be competing this year in WNSO, but I will probably watch it.

Kevin

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by Rippinit

Your quads are ridiculous man-good luck and ill be watching this

Thanks for the comment man, I appreciate it.

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by Kevin-T

The quads are packing good mass. When is the WNSO/FAME pro qualifier? I won't be competing this year in WNSO, but I will probably watch it.

Kevin

The qualifier is on April 26th, in Calgary, Alberta.

[Kevin-T]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

The qualifier is on April 26th, in Calgary, Alberta.

I will be in town still on that weekend. A buddy of mine is taking part in the show too as a novice. Good luck to you on this, Todd!

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by Kevin-T

I will be in town still on that weekend. A buddy of mine is taking part in the show too as a novice. Good luck to you on this, Todd!

Thanks Kevin! I am going to do my best to not disapoint! Good luck to your buddy as well, should be a great experience all around. Maybe I'll see you there!

[Hardcore Natural]

Back was the menu, so here's what took place last night...

Chins - 3 sets of 10 (bw)

Bent-Over Rows - 3 sets of 8-10 reps

Low Cable Rows - 2 sets of 8 reps

Dead lifts - 3 sets of 6-10 reps (after warm-ups)


I am still right around 209 pounds and strength is still up there.

[deags]

Hey Todd -

Looking big - legs look great. My calcaulations have you at 11 weeks out - I honestly think you are a bit behind schedule but what do I know. You younger guys can drop weight so easily. Just wanted to add some constructive criticism - you should aim to be leaner than your last contest and you should own it!

Best of luck to you and diet hard - get as lean as possible!! Lot's of HIIT to make those legs look huge with cuts.

Mike

[yzrider400f]

10 weeks out on a full bulk? I'm sure you'll come in shredded based on your first showing. I only dieted for 7 weeks for my first show but my weight drops so easily..

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by deags

Hey Todd -

Looking big - legs look great. My calcaulations have you at 11 weeks out - I honestly think you are a bit behind schedule but what do I know. You younger guys can drop weight so easily. Just wanted to add some constructive criticism - you should aim to be leaner than your last contest and you should own it!

Best of luck to you and diet hard - get as lean as possible!! Lot's of HIIT to make those legs look huge with cuts.

Mike

Thank you for the comments...yah, I do drop fat very easily, as I have a naturally fast metabolism. I am definitely aiming to be leaner than my first showing...that's the goal, for sure.

Also funny you say that I should do HIIT...because that's exactly what I'm doing! Hell yah!

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by yzrider400f

10 weeks out on a full bulk? I'm sure you'll come in shredded based on your first showing. I only dieted for 7 weeks for my first show but my weight drops so easily..

Seeing how I only dieted for 8-9 weeks for my first show, I'm hoping a couple extra weeks will do me good this time around. I'm going to do all I can to come in better conditioned than before!

I'm not sure what my body fat% is, but I've never tracked it before, so I basically only go off what the mirror shows me...that's about it.

[tvicemanXXL]

Maybe it's just because you're not lean yet, but you to me it looks like you've actually lost size on your chest vs. your competition pictures. But I agree with everyone else about your quads - they're full of muscle.

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by tvicemanXXL

Maybe it's just because you're not lean yet, but you to me it looks like you've actually lost size on your chest vs. your competition pictures. But I agree with everyone else about your quads - they're full of muscle.

Yah, you're right, it does LOOK like that at the moment...but as I diet down more, get tanned, tighten up, etc...the size will become more evident.

I remember thinking the same thing last time I dieted down...thought I had maybe even lost size, but as the weeks went on... it was crazy how much muscle begins to show through more and more as the fat is stripped away.

I should start to look better and better as the weeks go on, but I see what you mean...it's sort of deceiving for sure.

[ReSpAwN DeMoN]

I'll be watching this one.


The only thing I hate about "dieting down" is looking smaller in clothes.


When your bulked up as you are you look big as **** in clothes and tiny dieted down. But once the shirt comes off.... ****, even I get a hard on (no homo)

[Hardcore Natural]

So far today, I did Max OT Cardio this morning at 9am - 16 minutes of HIIT on the treadmill. Power-walked the entire time, switching up the speed and incline every 2 minutes....result = Distance of 1 mile, 124 calories burned.

Tonight is shoulders & Tri's workout right after work.

Bracketing my workouts/cardio sessions with Xtend, ON 100% Whey Protein, and micronized creatine.

Notes: Starting to look slightly leaner, even since Monday. Should be down 1-2 pounds from 209 come this weekend.

[crazyk]

Awesome quads, chest, arms. Just work on getting a little bit more thickness and width in the lats and you'll be pro quality.

[Hardcore Natural]

I will definitely drive that piece of advice into my mind for every back workout from here on out! Thanks for the honest critique!

-Todd

[FATHER FLEX]

10 weeks would be cutting it close, but you know your body. I am sure you will be fine.

Those quads....What do you feed those things. LOL

I am about 10 weeks out myself, so I will make sure to stop by for sure. Again those freaking quads!

[mindyk]

If you said you only had 8-9 weeks of dieting for your first show, and your avi is from your first show, then the extra couple of weeks will do you good. Your body obviously responds well to your diet and training so just keep at er.

good luck!

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by FATHER FLEX

10 weeks would be cutting it close, but you know your body. I am sure you will be fine.

Yah, it is sorta cutting it close I suppose, but at the same time, I do have a fast metabolism naturally and seem to be able to drop body fat pretty quickly. As long as I feed my body what it needs and don't miss meals, I will be able to keep the majority of my muscle while losing the fat. Guess we'll see how things go this time around!!

Those quads....What do you feed those things. LOL

Dat der cell-tech..like Ronnie.

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by mindyk

If you said you only had 8-9 weeks of dieting for your first show, and your avi is from your first show, then the extra couple of weeks will do you good. Your body obviously responds well to your diet and training so just keep at er.

good luck!

Thanks a lot, I look to do my best with the time I have available to me!

[Hardcore Natural]

Taken Sunday February 17th/08 (10 Weeks Out).

[Hardcore Natural]

Pics continued....

[jth16]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

Pics continued....

Dang man, you drop the bodyfat quickly! Congrats man, good luck at your competition.

-Jordan

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by jth16

Dang man, you drop the bodyfat quickly! Congrats man, good luck at your competition.

-Jordan

Thank you Jordan. I'm doing all I can to come in diced in 10 week's time LOL.

[Hardcore Natural]

I am currently 207 pounds and my abs are starting to show even more now, which is cool because I have not seen the outline of my entire 6 pack for some time now. I see slightly more definition all over my body as well...even since this past weekend.

Last night I did the following for legs...

QUADS:

Squats - 3 sets of 6-10 reps (after warm-ups)
Leg Press - 3 sets of 8-15 reps
Leg Extensions - 3 sets of 6-10 reps


HAMSTRINGS:

Lying Leg Curls - 3 sets of 6-10 reps
Seated Leg Curls - 2 sets of 6-10 reps **last set was a drop set**

Notes:

Got major pump in quads and hamstrings and had plenty of energy even though in a calorie deficit.

The weight for squats and leg press actually felt lighter than normal, which was surprising!

My focus is on taking my diet day-by-day and getting all of my meals in on time.

-Todd

[TigerStealth]

Hey Todd,

You have awesome size and I am very impressed (and jealous) of your top to bottom symmetry

Looks like you are really gonna do some damage at your show! Good luck, i'll be following your thread,

--Joe

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by TigerStealth

Hey Todd,

You have awesome size and I am very impressed (and jealous) of your top to bottom symmetry

Looks like you are really gonna do some damage at your show! Good luck, i'll be following your thread,

--Joe

Thanks Joe, means a lot...and I too will be following your progress all the way till show day! Keep doing what you're doing...and listen to Layne...and you'll be good to go!