Blood All Over the Iron Part 2; The Redemption

[ArchAngel'73]

Last time I started a thread in here I failed at my prep for my first show.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=6410761

I don't like failing.
Ever.

After I knew I was in trouble I contacted the man who's article I was using and he clued me in real fast as to where I stood. He started me on a true prep diet right away and I messed up on that so many times I lost count.
Out of sheer respect for him I eventiually got it together and followed the plan.

But we did not see the results we should have...
Then I found out I had an endocrine disorder, mostly from working overnight shifts. I was put on TRT by my physician and was decimated psychologically. I was no longer "natural" in my eyes. My TEST scores are a little below middle of mid range and I have months of bloodwork to back it up.-but that's a discussion in another section on here

But through Layne Norton's assurances and by contacting the owner of the IDFA I discovered I am still able to compete.


And compete I shall.
With the IDFA, October 24, 2009 in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Novice Class.
http://www.canadian-classic.com/

I started lifting weights when I was 15 years young. I just wanted veins in my arms.
20 years later I got 'em.
Always fat or obese most of my life, but the first time I stepped in a Nautilus leg press machine and did the stack I was hooked.

Its been my dream to compete since elementary school.
I've sacrificed a lot for a long time and its time to bring this home.

I will post pics the last post.

[ArchAngel'73]

I'm going to go back a little to cover my training sessions up until now.


September 23, 2009

Legs

Leg Press, Plate Weight Only
20x180, 20x360, 10x540, 6x720
6x1,080, 6x1,080, 6x1,080

Icarian "Power Squat"
10x720(max weight that can be added), 15x720

Hammer Strength standing single Ham Curl, Plate Weight Only
10x50, 6x95, 6x95, 3x95

lying Ham Curl
10x200(stack), 6x200, 6x200

leg press Calf Raise, PWO
30x360, 20x540, 12x720, 10x720, 6x720

seated Calf Raise, PWO
21x135, 10x225, 10x225, 10x225

Extensions
6x280(stack), 6x280, 6x280, 10x140


25 LI cardio

P.M
30 LI cardio
-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

HIIT cardio done on the Stationary bike @ the gym.

Lying leg raises
and
bench knee up/crunches (1 movement)

-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

REFEED!

standing cable Flye
25x40, 15x60, 6x80, 7x100, 10x100, 3x120

incline DB Press
10x40, 10x40, 6x60, 6x60, 6x70

HS Dip machine (for chest), PWO
16x140, 8x230

IC Chest Press#2 (new machine @ the gym)
3x200(stack), 8x120, 10x120, 7x140, 7x160, 2x180

IC Shoulder Press-reverse facing
8x200(stack), 6x200, 8x200, 6x200

-regular facing
5x200, 8x200, 8x200, 8x200

IC Tri Extension
15x60, 20x60, 10x80, 8x80

Tri Pushdowns
10x150(stack), 10x150

30 LI @ the gym.


P.M
25 LI cardio
-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

HS Row, PWO
-1 arm 20x45
-2 arm 20x90, 12x140, 10x180, 10x230, 6x270, 10x270, 6x320

narrow grip PullDowns
19x140, 10x140, 2x200, 8x150, 6x150

Good A.M's
20x45(bar), 6x135, 6x135, 20x135


behind the back braced BB Shrug
25x135, 15x225

reverse Pec Dek
20x100, 8x120, 8x120, 8x120

HS Preacher, PWO
15x45, 6x90

25 LI @ on the gym bike.

P.M

30 LI on my home bike.
-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

2 sessions of HIIT on Sundays.



A.M

HIIT and abs

lying leg raise
20,8,6,6,6

knee raise/crunch
10, 10, 10


P.M
HIIT @ home
-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

REFEED!

incline Smith Gironda's Neck Press, PWO -
20x50, 10x100, 6x150, 5x170, 0x200(fail)/6 1/4 reps x200, 3x170, 3x170

DB Pullovers (for chest)
10x60, 10x70, 6x80, 6x90, 6x100

IC Flat Press #2
7x200(stack), 6x200, 6x200

standing cable Flye
12x60, 8x80, 5x100


IC Shoulder Press
10x200(stack), 6x200, 6x200

-reverse facing
8x200, 6x200, 8x200

seated Smith Shoulder Press, PWO
15x50, 5x100


overhead Tri cable Extensions
20x150(stack), 15x150

reverse grip Smith Bench aka underhand bench, PWO
15x90, 8x140, 6x180

Tri Pushdowns
10x150(stack)


25 LI


P.M

30 LI on the bike
-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

Deads-I use 25 lb'ers for the stretch, not 45's
20x45(bar), 15x95, 8x145, 6x195, 4x245, 3x345, 3x345, 2x345 fail, 3x295

Good A.M's
6x45(bar), 10x135, 6x185, 8x185

Chins
10, 6, 4

narrow grip Pulldowns
4x250(stack), 8x180

HS Row, PWO
4x450(max weight that can be added)

braced behind the back BB Shrug
20x135, 12x225, 12x315


reverse Pec Dek
10x140, 8x140, 12x100

pre-loaded EZ Curl
8x70, 6x110(heaviest bar)

standing cable Curl
8x150(stack), 6x150

HS Preacher
15x45


30 minutes cardio Rower


P.M
25 LI
-posing practice

[ArchAngel'73]

I fight every Wednesday with the same punk for 45's and the Icarian power squat, albeit silently. I had no patience with this guy today and rushed through my warm ups on the leg press so I could hog all the 45's and jump to the power squat before he got there.

Back in the day, people moved when a bodybuilder was prepping.

Leg Press, PWO
20x180, 10x360, 10x540, 10x900
6x1,080, 6x1,080, 6x1,080

Icarian "Power Squat"-there were 2 100 lb plates on the machine when I got thee, I left 'em on and loaded the rest of the space with 45's.
PWO
10x740, 10x740, 10x740

standing, single HS Ham Curl, PWO
8x50, 6x95, 6x95, 4x105

lying Ham Curl
10x200(stack), 8x200, 8x200

leg press Calf Raise, PWO
20x340, 10x720, 10x720, 13x630, 11x630

seated Calf
12x135, 10x225, 6x225, 10x180

Extensions
6x280(stack), 10x160-quads done

adductor machine
15x100, 15x100, 12x150(stack), 10x150


15 min Stationary bike @ the gym




40 min LI left for tonight and posing practice.

[ArchAngel'73]

I took these last week in the gym for my update, I was 223 lbs..

221 now.

1st and foremost, I recognize I'm not going to be the leanest up there and I'm battling loose skin. Keep in my mind I have an endocrine disorder and this is my first show after being obese for most of my life.

It only gets better after this.
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/003-4.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/027-3.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/007-4.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/008-5.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/019-1.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/014-4.jpg



If you have any questions feel free to ask, I'm a Fiend in the gym only.

[ArchAngel'73]

1 session if HIIT with Stationary bike.
15 intervals

lying leg raise
20, 12, 12, 10, 6

knee up/crunch
12, 12, 12

[Tifflex]

In.

[ArchAngel'73]

Chest, Delts, Tri's

incline Smith, PWO
20x50, 15x100, 6x150, 6x170, 3x190, 6x150

HS Dip machine, PWO
30x90, 15x180, 7x270

IC Chest Press
4x200(stack), 6x150, 6x150, 17x70

standing cable Flye
15x60, 7x80, 6x80

Pec Dek
15x110

seated Smith Shoulder Press, PWO
16x50, 6x100, 6x100, 6x100

IC Shoulder Press-reverse facing
8x200(stack), 6x200, 6x200,

regular facing
6x200, 8x200

reverse grip Smith Bench (aka underhand bench), PWO
12x90, 6x140, 6x140

Tri Pushdowns
12x150(stack), 8x150, 8x150

55 min LI cardio done on my stationary bike @ home while playing my PS3.

-had to decrease my synephrine intake by 1 tab. Made me too edgy for work

[ArchAngel'73]

A.M
20 min Treadmill @ work


P.M
-my left forearm is strained or torn. I did what I could to protect it until the show is over.

HS Row, PWO
30x90, 15x180, 8x270, 6x360, 10x270, 8x270, 20x180

Chins
6,5,5,5

IC Row
9x260(stack), 10x260, 10x260

n. grip Pulldowns
1x250(stack), 8x150, 10x120

HS Preacher, PWO
20x45, 6x70, 3x90

standing cable Curl
6x150(stack)

35 min Stationary bike @ home.

-posing practice


Check in and pics sent to Layne.
No changes.
If he's happy, I'm happy.

-2 lbs. this last week, 220 now.

[ArchAngel'73]

double HIIT day.

A.M

35 min., 15 intervals Stationary bike @ home


P.M

35 min, 15 intervals Stationary bike @ the gym,

Didn't do abs as the gym closed, couldn't go until after work.
Will do them tomorrow on my "days off". I work 6 shifts, have 3 off. My "weekend" starts now.



Had a stellar test of will power today.

I HAD to go to a dinner function for a charity. There was a buffet.

I ate until full.


Full of salad and chicken. Thank Layne my macros have a lot of protein.

I did not dare to look the cheesecake in the eye (and there were many cheesecakes to be had, chocolate ones too!).

Today I looked into the eyes of the devil and kicked him square in the NUTZ!

20 days left...



I love the smell of Dream Tan in the morning.
It smells like...
VICTORY.

(my thanks to Robert Duvall and "Apocolypse Now")

[ArchAngel'73]

In.

I've met you in another journal someplace around here, yes?

[ArchAngel'73]

incline Smith Neck Press, PWO
25x50, 10x100, 6x150, 6x150, 6x150, 10x100, 20x50

flat Smith Neck Press, PWO
15x50, 8x100, 13x50, 20x50

HS Dip machine, PWO
20x140, 13x140

IC Chest Press
2x200(stack), 10x110

standing cable Flye
15x50, 15x50, 8x70, 10x40

IC Shoulder Press
8x200(stack)

side DB Raise
15x15-light due to forearm

IC Shoulder Press
10x200, 7x200, 6x200, 8x200, 6x200

side DB Raise
10x20 both/5x20 left only
6x20 both/5x20 left only


Tri Pushdowns/overhead cable Extensions
8x150(stack)/10x150
8x150/6x150, 6x150/6x150



15 LI in the gym.





P.M
40 LI @ home
-posing practice



-went swimming


and refeed.

[ArchAngel'73]

Deads
20x45(bar), 20x95, 10x145, 1x245 (one, no typo), 3x345
2x395 -post contest, I'm gonna make U ma new b*tch
15x195

HS Row, PWO
6x450(max weight that can be added)/6x360/10x270/15x180/25x90-drop set
7x270

Chins
7, 4, 3

narrow grip PD's
7x200, 8x140

kneeling PD's (see vid in my bodyspace)
25x150(stack)


Good A.M's

20x45(bar)
6x135


preloaded EX Curl
15x50
6x110(max weight available)


HS Preacher, PWO
15x45, 6x90


5 min on cardio rower before my grip wore completely out.
15 LI on the bike.

30 walking to and from the gym...total.


P.M
35 min LI bike @ home.
-posing practice



The head personal trainer came up to me today and said I was looking good. She has competed a few times in the Canada's. 'Twas good to hear.

[ArchAngel'73]

Oh boy what a day.

I accidently double dosed my pre workout stims and I didn't clue in until I was 2 hrs into leg day and didn't feel like stopping.


I felt the need to do squats today. My 1st love.

Squats
20x45, 8x135, 6x226, 3x315
1x365-no accessories
2x365-my weight belt hangs off of me now, couldn't use it. knee wraps still fit though

6x315
6x315



Leg Press, PWO
8x540, 8x810,

2x1,080-got the janitor to take pics and he didn't get the bottom of the rep but I do go knees to chest
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/003-5.jpg
-please note the dood on the other leg press and the weak sauce weight on the Olympic bar behind me...that's the kinda b.s I train around every day.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_73/002-3.jpg
-finished, can ya tell?


knee wraps
6x1,080, 6x1,080, 6x1,080



leg press Calf Raise
16x720, 20x540, 13x540, 30x360

HS standing sigle Ham Curl, PWO
8x75, 4x100, 4x100

lying Ham Curl-was phuckin' BROKEN!


seated Ham Curl
10x160, 10x160, 6x160

seated Calf, PWO
25x135, 12x225, 6x225

Extensions
10x120

DB lunges
10x30

Adductor machine
10x150(stack), 12x150, 15x150


knee up/crunch
15, 15, 12-its not ab day, this is my doubled up stim dose talkin'


AND THEN MY EYE SPYED IT WAS NOON.
I READ MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT, THE BEST SECTION IN THERE IS LAYNE'S AND THE 2ND IS BRANDEN REY'S (3rdsies go to Gregg Valetino but I save that for power bombs in the crapper)...

BRANDEN HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, most of the people there are CIVILIANS.

MAN I SPEND MORE EFFORT DODGING CIVIALIANS IN MY TRAINING SESSIONS THAN TRAINING.

Wouldn't know WORK if it came up to them and bit them on the a$$.

ANYWAYS...NOON. On lunch break, they INFEST the place.

And they all stand in front of the dumbell rack and the mirrors so ya can't see a DAMN THING you're doing.

So today I went and stood in front of them and hogged the space.

bOO YEAH!


preloaded EZ Curls

I MADE SURE TO MAKE IT 10 SECONDS A REP SO THE VEINS POPPED AND STRIATIONS SPRUNG so these mo fo's would lose their lunch.
12x60

side DB Raise
-I DIDN'T WANNA LIFT ANYTHING HEAVY HERE. NO. NO, NO, i WAS GOING TO TRAIN JUST LIKE THEY DO.
15x10
12x15
10x20, 6x30, 6x40

front Db Raise
10x20


OMFG, I think I see sweat!!

TIME TO CALL IT A DAY WHEN THAT HAPPENS!





6 min on the bike and I swore my heart was going to explode.

I shall save up my 55 min. of LI for tonight when the caffeine and synephrine have run its course.



2 weeks, 3days left and heart attacks are NOT on the menu.

[BuckSpin]

In & subbed....

[ArchAngel'73]

HIIT on Stationary bike
15 intervals, 35 min total

A mix of lying leg raises, knee up/crunches, crunches, and vacuums until I no longer felt my abs.


I also had to do a lot of walking today, 70 min. total.

[ArchAngel'73]

Chest, delts, Tri's

Refeed

incline Smith Neck Press, PWO
20x50, 12x100, 6x150, 6x150, 6x150, 10x100

flat Smith Neck Press
10x100, 6x150, 6x150

IC Chest Press
2x200(stack), 5x150, 10x110

standing cable Flye
20x60, 10x70, 8x80, 6x100, 6x110(total weight is now more than mine )

Pec Dek-leaning out for the stretch
6x280(stack), 8x280, 8x280

side DB Raise
25x10, 15x15, 10x20, 6x40
seated side DB Raise 15x15, 15x15

IC Shoulder Press
15x200(stack), 6x200, 7x200

seated Smith Shoulder Press, PWO
15x50, 5x100

Tri Pushdowns/overhead Extensions
10x100/6x100, 6x150(stack)/8x150(stack), 6x150/6x150, 6x150/10x150

15 LI @ the gym



P.M

40 LI @ home


I dropped 4 lbs. this week alone, some huge changes were made

[ArchAngel'73]

Deads
25x45, 10x95, 10x145, 6x245
-janitor lady is vacuming right behind me, this is an accident waiting to happen. I know I look uber pissed right now, so I put on my happy face and explain to her why I need her to move.
She does not speak Engrish.
but...
she does get the hint and goes someplace else.
3x345, 1x395, 8x245, 6x245, 6x245

Chins
10, 6, 4 with a 6 sec. hang last rep, 5 w 6 sec. hang, 5, no hang, 3 full/6 quarter reps

HS Row, PWO
8x270, 8x270, 8x270

n. grip Pulldowns
8x150
-leaning back 10x150, 8x180, 6x220

front of body EZ bar Drag Curl
12x60, 8x80-fail, 10x60-fail

HS Preacher, PWO
10x45, 6x70, 3x95

[ArchAngel'73]

I hate when work interferes with my prep.
Don't these people know I'm on a mission here??

Despite working stupid hours, I got 'er done.

A.M

HIIT @ home



P.M

HIIT @ home

crunches

posing practice

swimming.

[ArchAngel'73]

A.M

25 min walking


P.M

incline Smith, PWO
20x50, 12x100, 6x150, 6x170, 3x190, 8x150

HS Dip machine, PWO
10x270, 4x360 f'in fail, 6x320, 6x320

IC Chest Press
6x200(stack), 6x200, 6x200, 6x200, 6x200

standing cable Flye
12x60, 10x60, 6x80

IC Shoulder Press
12x200, 6x200, 6x200, 8x200, 6x200, 8x200, 6x200

-a titanic struggle to hold on to what I got. Nothing less than 6, but go for the gusto every set

seated Smith Shoulder press, PWO
12x50, 6x100, 3x100 fail

reverse facing IC Shoulder Press
6x200(stack), 6x200, 6x200

Tri Pushdowns/overhead cable Extensions
12x150(stack)/8x150(stack), 7x150/6x150, 6x150/6x150


30 LI Stationary bike.


-lots of flexing in between sets, no posing practice. "Peak jours" @ the gym and they don't like bodybuilders showing off their wares.

[ArchAngel'73]

A.M

50 min walking-fer work


P.M

Chins - PR dedicated to IronWill
14 (PR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT) +1 over the old PR
-and that was it
4, 4, 4, 5

1 arm DB Rows, off the rack
10x80
8x130(heaviest DB's in the gym), 6x130

HS Row, PWO
6x360, 6x360

Deads
10x135, 6x225, 3x315

narrow grip Pulldowns
6x200, 10x140

EZ preloads
15x50-very slow
8x110(heaviest preload in the gym)

HS Preacher
8x50, 6x75

in front DB Curl
10x20

alternating supinated DB Curl
8x30



-5 sets for bi's, no more, not needed. This is a small muscle group folks, no need to do umpteen sets for them.


35 min LI Stationary bike

[ArchAngel'73]

Leg day

To my surprise the guy who I usually fight with for plates on leg day gave up his leg day for me. I think anyway. He was there, but sitting on the preacher bench.

But, the phuckwad (and I'm dead serious about this guy) who is 55% bf, goes to the gym 2x/day, does cardio and seated hamstring curls with his shoes off. and does the same exercises every time he comes in was there.

I'm gonna smack him soon.


He IRRITATES me so bad, when I did cardio this day he was also doing cardio.
I TURNED THE BIKE AROUND SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO LOOK AT HIM. Yes sir, he and I are the only ones doing cardio and my bike is turned around with my back to him.
Do ya think he gets the hint he's phucking disgusting??


To make my morning the leg press is out of position, crooked, and too far away from the wall.
I moved the whole damn thing.
This gym and I are done after the show. I'm not even giving them credit in my IDFA application.

Leg Press, PWO
-feet in new position as per Layne's suggestion
20x90, 12x360, 10x540, 10x720, 6x900...its all warm ups 'til I load the sled
6x1,080, 6x1,080,
you will not outwork me
10x1,080


IC Power Squat, PWO
10x720 (max weight that can be added), 8x720
you will not outowork me
16x720

HS standing single Ham Curl, PWO
10x50, 8x75, 5x100, 6x100

HS lying Ham Curl- was not broken today
8x200(stack), 6x200


leg press Calf Raise, PWO
21, 14, 13,,12x540 30 sec. rest in between sets


seated Calf, PWO
15x135-flexing/posing
15x135-f/p
15x135-f/p
12x135-f/p
8x180-f/p
6x180-f/p
-numbness

SLDL
20x45(bar)

Extensions
8x280(stack), 6x280, 6x280, 10x160

Adductor machine -an attractive woman was beside me using the abductor machine. She looked @ me kinda funny when I spread my legs apart and "mounted" the machine. LOL
10x150(stack), 10x150


15 min Stationary bike


later on in the Fiend cave


40 min Stationary bike @ home

[ArchAngel'73]

1 session of HIIT, abs.

35 min. Stationary bike, 15 intervals

I bet some peeps who have competed wondering WTF I'm doing on a stationary bike and not an elliptical or something harder. Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I reach my target heart rate, I've lost the bodyfat, and I hate cardio other than stationary bike, recumbant bikes, and the cardio rower. I can't read doing anything else and that's a lot of time to be bored imo. I actually find rowing to be fun, but my forearms can't handle the strain this last week. lactic acid sucks.



Blasted the sh*t out of abs

knee up/crunch(1 movement)
20, 12, 8, 10, 10


lying leg raise with a hip raise @ the end (1 movement)
10, 15, 8, 8 owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

lying leg raise/lying knee raise
10/4, 6/4

hip raise/leg raise
6/4

suspended knee raise
8-those sucked

vacuuming until numbness



Posing practice in peace.


Today was a BIG day.

Booked my hotel, sent the IDFA application and paid them, made travel arrangements, scoped out the comptition through pics on the IDFA's website,

AND

I received my "Peak Week" info!!
Imo, every dollar I spent on Layne's services was made well worth the money for that info alone (nope, I ain't sharin').
A little over a week it is and VERY detailed.

even better

Everything was tailored for me. Layne doesn't deal with these cookie cutter diet crap many others do.


The 1st time I glanced @ it I saw 350 g of carbs someplace and started salvating. I had to stop reading so I could get myself together.

[ArchAngel'73]

Chest, Delts, Tri's



I pick lockers #1, #13, or #73, depends what's open.
#1 'cuz I PWN the place
13 fer ma birfday, a Friday.
73, go figure. year of spawning.





standing cable Flye...waiting for Smith machine
20x40...Smith open

incline Smith Neck Press, PWO
15x50, 10x100, 6x100, 6x150, 3x170, 6x150, 6x150, 20x50

Icarian Chest Press
3x200(stack), 10x150, 7x150, 10x150

standing cable Flye
7x100, 4x110/walkout stretch (w/o here on in)
2x120(w/o)
20x40(no w/o's)

DB Pullover (for chest, not back)
8x60


DB Side Raise
10x15-nope, forearm hurtin'

seated Smith Shoulder Press, PWO
12x50, 6x100, 6x100

Icarian Shoulder Press
10x200(stack), 8x200, 6x200

Tri cable Pushdown/overhead cable Extensions
6x150(stack)/12x150(stack), 6x150/6x150, 6x150/8x150


DB Side Raise
20x15...mostly 'cuz I wanted to freak out some prima donna chick with my delt striationz

it worked




Cardio and posing practice.

[ArchAngel'73]

1st day of peak week.

No lifting.


Cardio, posing practice...and getting through my last shifts @ work safely.

Due to a carb change today was more difficult to get through than normal.
After finalizing my vacation time for the competiton I trusted my collueagues enough to tell them what I was doing. and to explain my rather odd behavior of not eating, looking like a "vampire", and what that purple liquid was I drank.

Grape Xtend FTW.