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

[Blazed]

First of all, hello and thank you for stopping by.

I am making this prep log/journal in hopes that it will help keep me focused and motivated on my journey to the stage. I am hoping to keep this log as detailed as possible with regular updates, pictures, comments, feelings, maybe even questions if I am lucky enough to catch the eye of some of you more experienced BBers on these boards. I started my Journey 4 months before the below mentioned pic was taken. I tipped the scale at 295lbs at 6' tall. My BF % was ~40%. In the picture bellow I am roughly 275lbs @ 35% BF 4 months down the road.


I continued to lift and diet. Eventually I reached about 20% BF and through inconsistency in training and diet I fluctuated from 15-22% BF over the past year.

The leanest I have been is my current avatar picture.

Probably just under 15% BF

Here is my starting point pictures On OCT 1st. Almost exactly one month ago.



I will take full set of update pics Nov 1st. Including, legs, back, a few mandatory shots.

As far as current stats I have taken measurements on Oct 1st as well.

Neck:17.3
Bicep:17
Forearm:12.6
Chest:44.5
Waist:39.7
Hips:41
Thigh:26
Calf:15.3
sad I know

And my my caliper and mirror calculations I have somewhere around 175-180 lbs of lean body mass right now.

Goals are to get into contest condition at a respectable weight by mid November 2009. Compete of coarse!

Short term goal, get to a more respectable body fat percentage over the next two months. I will start actual contest prep Right after July 4th. That gives me just over 8 months to recomp a bit, put on some muscle where needed, and hopefully keep my body fat % in check the entire time.

I follow a 3 day split currently Which runs

Day 1 Chest/Upper Back

Day 2 Rest

Day 3 Lower Back/Legs

Day 4 Rest

Day 5 Shoulders/Arms/Abs

Day 6 Rest

Rinse and repeat.

Routine focuses currently on lower volume high intensity workouts. Free weights for the most part using as many compound exercises as possible.

I am currently not supplementing with anything. Looking to get some creatine and whey asap.

Diet is currently a basic caloric deficit. My maintenance is around 3700-4000/day and i shoot to eat about 2200-2700 calories a day 2200 on off days 2700 on lifting days. With protein being about 150-200g a day and healthy fats 60-90g a day range.


Most importantly this is going to be the biggest learning experience of my life. I am looking for critique, advice, tips, insight, etc.... anything that helps is more then appreciated.


Thanks for reading. Enjoy your stay.

[thebasil]

Good luck man, I'll be following you.

Stick to your goals and you'll succeed for sure!

[ComeTakeThem]

maintenance cals look a little high but good luck!

[Blazed]

Quick Lower session last night.

Ass to grass Squats
45 x a lot
135 x 8
225 x 8
225 x 8
225 x 7

Deadlifts
135 x 8
225 x 8
225 x 8
275 x 8

Calf Raises
400 x 12
400 x 12
365 x 12

Done and done.

Diet yesterday was a bit off, Ate only 1700 cals or so all day.

Good luck man, I'll be following you.

Stick to your goals and you'll succeed for sure!

Thank you!

maintenance cals look a little high but good luck!

Heya, I know they do but I am a fairly active 223lb guy. =) And thank you

[Blazed]

Oh I took measurements this morning to mark one month of progress at the gym. These are pretty crazy changes for a month. I think I forgot to add this in but on Oct 1st I also returned from a 5 month lifting hiatus where I fell off the banwagon for a while. So I am just getting back to where I was before I stopped.

Neck:17.3 +/-0
Bicep:17.5 +.5
Forearm:12.6 +/-0
Chest:45.7 +1.2
Waist:38.6 -1.1
Hips:39 -2
Thigh:26.4 +.4
Calf:15.7 +.4

Pretty happy with these results. Today I begin my second month of cutting. Looking to drop another 2% BF and hopefully stay above 215lbs. Will snap some progress pics at the gym today.

[thebasil]

Nice inch lost on the waist, that's my favorite place to measure loss while cutting. Keep it up!

[Blazed]

Shoudlers/Arms/Abs

Warm Up RC Work

Seated DB Press
35's x 8
60's x 7
60's x 5
50's x 8

Side Lateral Raises
20's x 8
25's x 8
25's x 8
30's x 7

Alt DB Curls
35's x 8
40's x 8
40's x 8
40's x 8

Lateral Rows
70 x 8
80 x 8

Decline Sit Ups
BW x 12
BW x 10
BW x 7

Tricep Press Downs One Armed
70 x 8
80 x 8

Done and Done, Weight 220lbs Clothed.

Diet today was spot on. Hit 2,000 cals so far and 130g of protein. One more shake before bed.

[Blazed]

Nice inch lost on the waist, that's my favorite place to measure loss while cutting. Keep it up!

Mine too haha! I need to get my taper to a respectable 10" difference between chest/waist. 15" ultimately (^_^)

[thebasil]

Mine too haha! I need to get my taper to a respectable 10" difference between chest/waist. 15" ultimately (^_^)

Interesting goal! I like it! That would make for a nice physique. Actually, that's a great longterm goal dude, props.

[AustrianOakJr]

Good luck man. I started out back in January at around 22% BF and was quite hefty myself. I just finished 2nd place in my first show this past week. It was a long haul, but well worth it. Stick with it and dont ever look back. Food is good; but personal change and the sense of accomplishment is much better. My prep log is found lower down in this section if you care to check it out. It can be done with the proper determination. Did you pick a show yet? Thats really the clincher there.....once you commit to an actual show, things get intense! Ill be watching this thread!

[Blazed]

Good luck man. I started out back in January at around 22% BF and was quite hefty myself. I just finished 2nd place in my first show this past week. It was a long haul, but well worth it. Stick with it and dont ever look back. Food is good; but personal change and the sense of accomplishment is much better. My prep log is found lower down in this section if you care to check it out. It can be done with the proper determination. Did you pick a show yet? Thats really the clincher there.....once you commit to an actual show, things get intense! Ill be watching this thread!

I actually have! Nov 7th 2009. That gives me 8 months to get my body a little more up to par and then have 16 weeks to do of actual conditioning/prep.

And bro, I read every post in y0our prep log. On every page lol. Big congrats your transformation was inspiring to say the least.

[AustrianOakJr]

I actually have! Nov 7th 2009. That gives me 8 months to get my body a little more up to par and then have 16 weeks to do of actual conditioning/prep.

And bro, I read every post in y0our prep log. On every page lol. Big congrats your transformation was inspiring to say the least.

Well, great! Thats a good time table. Plenty of time to crank it up and come in top shape. Ill be doing my second show right around that time. So, ill be watching you the whole way. Time to get serious.

What show? I see youre in NY.

[Blazed]

USBF New York State Natural Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
Syracuse, NY
Location: Drivers Village Conference Center, Cicero, NY
Mike Halsey (315) 415-6801
abfreak@aol.com
www.nysnatural.com

Thinking about this one. Will see what the other options are that month as far as somethign closer. Not many places have their scheduals 12 months ahead of time >..<

[AustrianOakJr]

USBF New York State Natural Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
Syracuse, NY
Location: Drivers Village Conference Center, Cicero, NY
Mike Halsey (315) 415-6801
abfreak@aol.com
www.nysnatural.com

Thinking about this one. Will see what the other options are that month as far as somethign closer. Not many places have their scheduals 12 months ahead of time >..<

I may actually do that show. Depends on when the NGA Olympus falls next year. Olympus is priority, but I was thinking of doing one of those USBF shows as well (Syracuse or Binghamton) just to try out another organization......I would like to see if one of them falls before the Olympus.

[Blazed]

That would be awesome Oak. I live on Long Island but have no problem doing a bit of traveling. I too am not 100% sure of which exact show I will be doing I know I would like to compete around that time and this is one of the few shows within driving distance that already has a date posted.

Today is an offday from the gym for me. I feel pretty good. Legs are still sore from that leg session a few days ago. Going to hit Chest/Back tomorrow. I still have to take update pics. Gah!

[AustrianOakJr]

That would be awesome Oak. I live on Long Island but have no problem doing a bit of traveling. I too am not 100% sure of which exact show I will be doing I know I would like to compete around that time and this is one of the few shows within driving distance that already has a date posted.

Today is an offday from the gym for me. I feel pretty good. Legs are still sore from that leg session a few days ago. Going to hit Chest/Back tomorrow. I still have to take update pics. Gah!

I used to live on L.I. Its not a bad drive to North Syracuse (which is actually where I lived for most my life). As long as you dont hit traffic coming off the island, you can make it to North Syracuse in just under 5 hrs.

[Blazed]

Hit Chest/Upper Back tonight. Quick session. My head wasn't in the right place.

Pull Ups
BW x 6
BW x 5
BW x 3

Flat DB Bench
40's x 8
70's x 8
70's x 8
70's x 7

Lat Pulldowns
135 x 8
150 x 8
165 x 8
180 x 4
165 x 6

Machine Flys
195 x 8
210 x 8
195 x 7

Low Cable Rows
135 x 8
150 x 8
165 x 8
150 x 6

Done and done

Weight 224 clothed. Had a shake and a shower after the gym and it was nice.

[thebasil]

Strong flyes and pulldowns there man, keep it up.

[Blazed]

Thanks for the complement but I felt weak in the gym last night. I made the mistake of going 5 hours after my last meal and was feeling very weak. I tried to give it my best shot and feel the soreness today from a good workout. Sometimes you just gotta get in there and get it done.

I weighed myself on campus today on a digital scale and weighed in at 216.5 clothed. Yikes did I freak out. I was hoping my weight would hold above 215 for a few more weeks but it look as though I will be under that shortly.

I cooked steak stirfry using 99% lean meat and vegetables. No rice or potatos. Was yummy and the macros were great. Going to be making this again. I am trying to rethink my cut approach as I feel the fat I am trying to lose is becoming more and more stubborn. I will re evaluate my efforts on thanksgiving, till then its the usuall.

Good night all. Lower day tomorrow and I'm psyched my legs might look like I actually lift for once. Never been lean enough to see seperation and its lookling like im 4-5% away from some nice cuts on my quads.

[Blazed]

Hit a fast lower session today. Felt like I was going to puke after deads so I skipped calves.

Squats (Ass to grass)
45 x a lot
135 x 12
225 x 8
245 x 8
275 x 4
225 x 8

Front Squat(ass to grass)
135 x 4
135 x 4

Deadlifts
135 x 8
225 x 8
275 x 8
225 x 7

Done and done.

Weight 224lbs Clothed. Diet today was a little off. Too many carbs, not enough protein. Going to remedy this with my last meal.

[thebasil]

Don't sweat the water weight, good attitude. Keep that chin up man.

[Blazed]

Yea the scale made me feel much better today lol. Go figure im stressing my weight being too low on a cut. Fixed the diet by eating mostly protein for my last two meals of the day. Off day tomorrow. Legs are feeling good after that session a few hours ago.

Are you lookin to compete yourself mate?

[Blazed]

Weight 222lbs clothed. Today was a good day in the gym. Separation is really starting to show on my shoulders/traps/arms/chest once I get a decent pump going. I still need to take pics, I keep forgetting to bring the cam with me.

Random R/C Work 5 min

Seated DB Press
50's x 8
60's x 8
60's x 8
60's x 7

Side Lateral Raises
20's x 8
25's x 8
30's x 7

Alt DB Curls
35's x 8
40's x 8
40's x 8
45's x 5
35's x 7

Tricep Pressdowns
170 x 8
180 x 8
160 x 8

Leg Raises
BW x 12
BW x 8
BW x 8

Felt pretty good, although my left shoulder felt like it was going to explode by the end of this workout.

[Blazed]

Chest/Back

Pullup
BW x 5
BW x 4
BW x 3

Low Cable Rows
120 x 12
150 x 8
165 x 8
165 x 8

DB Press
50's x 10
70's x 8
80's x 8
80's x 6

Lat Pulldowns
150 x 8
165 x 8
165 x 8

DB Flys
40's x 8
35's x 8
35's x 6

Inc DB Pres
60's x 7


Weight 225 clothed

[thebasil]

Solid work, keep it up.

[Blazed]

Solid work, keep it up.

Thanks bro. Any plans on competing yourself?

[thebasil]

Thanks bro. Any plans on competing yourself?

Most definitely, but not any time soon. I need to add on lots more muscle before that'll happen. Right now my first comp is tentatively scheduled for May or June of 2010, because that's the last chance I'll have to enter as a teen.

My goal is to WIN my first show, so I might as well take my sweet time and make sure that happens

[Blazed]

Makin a lil progress





Just a teaser, full set of pics coming soon!

[Blazed]

And these three came out really washed out.

[AustrianOakJr]

"Lil progress" over a long time is all you need. Keep it up. Your taking some shape now.....keep cutting diligently.