Progress Pictures/Videos - IFBB members' place to show progress!

[SammyJr]

You're really lean, Sammy. There is no doubt you'll come in condition, but did you stay the lean the whole offseason? I can't imagine you grew much if you were that worried with being lean. Plus, you have 34 weeks before a show? So you have 6+ months of contest prep? Seems like a waste, because you could honestly get from where you are to stage in a lot less time.

thanks. I did stay relatively lean the whole offseason. My coach told me to only gain ~15 lbs max from my competition weight, so I maxed at 171. (comp weight was 154). Psychologically, I don't think I can handle not being lean. I hate it. Plus I know I've gained some mass as I already have striated quads/ripped hamstrings/certain veins appearing at 171, when last year they didn't appear until I was like ~162 lbs. Hopefully it's not a matter of just "once you get striated quads for the 1st time they're much easier to maintain". I didn't want to compete in november; my sights were set for the August one again. But there are literally no other shows until november, and I wanted to do more than 1 show this year. I would have to travel long distances which I just can't do. I gotta stay around Miami.
OCB/IFPA seem to not even have any shows in Miami whatsoever. Closest is Orlando. MuscleMania has some Miami shows in June but I'm never competing there lol.

I tend to think, if you do well at the Teen National and Collegiate level people will take notice. Some of those individuals have connections and resources to get you to the next level. Just look at Cody Montgomery, for instance. He's already working with Hany Rambod and sponsored by Evogen Nutrition. Of course, he's as good as it gets at the teenage level, but it still proves my point.

I'm just saying, it's hard to turn down help when you're young and impressionable. People will inflate your ego by telling you how bright your future is in the sport. At that age, it's impossible to know exactly how you'd react because it's a completely new experience for many. I'm glad I never had to deal with that.

Interesting. Cody is good, but compared to guys like Shawn Ray at his age, I don't think is anything special. No offense to him. he looks great in some pics. Yeah, I see the impressionable thing weighing it, and many ppl do tend to inflate the ego of the young lol. Why didn't u have to deal with that? You kept in the shadows?

After attending the Gaspari IFPA Pro earlier this year, I have a newfound respect for elite natties. There were guys there that blew my mind.

This guy (Valentine Ezugha) was a lightweight and won the overall over some very impressive heavyweights. Look at this f*cking guy's shape!

[img]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6765711&d=13958575img]
mg]

He beat this goliath who stepped on stage at like 225. He was freakishly huge, but the Valentine's shape and conditioning were unreal.

[img]http://www.thenaturalmusclenetwork.com/IFPA/IFPAGallery/IFPAGallery/images/Chris-Nsubuga.jg]

damn he looks great. I had no idea Gaspari had natural events

Looks like the bulk was pretty fruitful and still you're more shredded than I ever will be lol! Best of luck with your leg bro. Cool cat btw (srs).

Thanks lol. You can do it too tho man.

[DPNZ]

Wow, what a physique.

[Lvisaa2]

5'11'' about 225. Actually going to compete this summer, but it'll be in MP. So I'll be way too big, but just don't feel comfortable pushing my body to BB'ing level conditioning because I have classes and my practicum this summer for my graduate studies. Don't wanna risk the mental side effects. This is like 15 weeks out.

[Lvisaa2]

thanks. I did stay relatively lean the whole offseason. My coach told me to only gain ~15 lbs max from my competition weight, so I maxed at 171. (comp weight was 154). Psychologically, I don't think I can handle not being lean. I hate it. Plus I know I've gained some mass as I already have striated quads/ripped hamstrings/certain veins appearing at 171, when last year they didn't appear until I was like ~162 lbs. Hopefully it's not a matter of just "once you get striated quads for the 1st time they're much easier to maintain". I didn't want to compete in november; my sights were set for the August one again. But there are literally no other shows until november, and I wanted to do more than 1 show this year. I would have to travel long distances which I just can't do. I gotta stay around Miami.
OCB/IFPA seem to not even have any shows in Miami whatsoever. Closest is Orlando. MuscleMania has some Miami shows in June but I'm never competing there lol.

Yeah, I respect you listening to your coach, but you do have tons of potential and I'd hate to see an irrational fear of a little fat stand in the way. I see lots of younger guys get obsessive about continually being lean and I think they lose out on a lot of gains. Doesn't mean you have to get huge, but nothing wrong with allowing yourself to get to 10-12%. Especially with such a long prep then you could still come in shredded. I'm actually worried about how your body will hold up with 34 weeks of prep. Being natty, you already have the tendency to get stringy and the long in a deficit may only exasperate it. Although, maybe your coach will set it up so you bump calories into the show which may help you come in nice and full.

[Ajthemeso]

5'11'' about 225. Actually going to compete this summer, but it'll be in MP. So I'll be way too big, but just don't feel comfortable pushing my body to BB'ing level conditioning because I have classes and my practicum this summer for my graduate studies. Don't wanna risk the mental side effects. This is like 15 weeks out.

Looking great dude. Good luck in your comp. Why are you doing a mp comp, if you don't mind me asking?

[Lvisaa2]

Looking great dude. Good luck in your comp. Why are you doing a mp comp, if you don't mind me asking?

I don't feel comfortable cutting to bbing levels while doing graduate work and my practicum. Too much potential for interference with my mental capacity. MP will be easier. It's only a couple %s, but it'll make a difference

[callinswaist]

155 LBS, currently gaining slowly but surely

[DPNZ]

5'11'' about 225. Actually going to compete this summer, but it'll be in MP. So I'll be way too big, but just don't feel comfortable pushing my body to BB'ing level conditioning because I have classes and my practicum this summer for my graduate studies. Don't wanna risk the mental side effects. This is like 15 weeks out.

You're a big f*cking unit bro. Good luck with your show, you'll end up looking freaky as hell. Even at the slightly elevated (above bb) bf levels.

[Lvisaa2]

You're a big f*cking unit bro. Good luck with your show, you'll end up looking freaky as hell. Even at the slightly elevated (above bb) bf levels.

Thanks, I'm hoping to get in condition early and kind of bump calories into the show. Plus I have to play with my look for peak week. I tend to be very vascular and that can be a negative depending on the judging so I want to have time to find the most workable physique look.

[Ajthemeso]

I don't feel comfortable cutting to bbing levels while doing graduate work and my practicum. Too much potential for interference with my mental capacity. MP will be easier. It's only a couple %s, but it'll make a difference

What I mean is: Why not wait until the end of semester and do Men's open BB? Is it for stage experience?

[rebelprettyboy]

Think 2 weeks ago like 7 weeks out around 236. Close to 5 weeks atm.

[TTimmerman]

lighter than last time if i'm not mistaken?

[SammyJr]

good luck on the show man. looking great

[rebelprettyboy]

lighter than last time if i'm not mistaken?

Last year I weighed in at 217. Hoping to hold maybe 222 well see. This 217 well be bigger though. Want to drop 8-10 more lbs.

And thanks Sammy you look great as well. Enjoy prep.

Here's a few more from 2 weeks ago. Legs have leaned out a bit more since then finally.


Theses are 3+ weeks back.

[SammyJr]

Last year I weighed in at 217. Hoping to hold maybe 222 well see. This 217 well be bigger thought. Want to drop 8-10 more lbs.

And thanks Sammy you look great as well. Enjoy prep.

Thanks. My prep is over though after the injury.

[rebelprettyboy]

Thanks. My prep is over though after the injury.

What did you injury? Don't think I read it up there.

[SammyJr]

What did you injury? Don't think I read it up there.

I tore (not sure if full or partial yet) a tendon of my hamstring doing hamstring curls last week. Still on crutches. If it's minor and I heal quickly, I may only do 2-3 months bulking, then spend the next 4-5 months doing prep for a show in November. But the August show is out.

[patbanya]

Interesting. Cody is good, but compared to guys like Shawn Ray at his age, I don't think is anything special. No offense to him. he looks great in some pics. Yeah, I see the impressionable thing weighing it, and many ppl do tend to inflate the ego of the young lol. Why didn't u have to deal with that? You kept in the shadows?

It goes without saying that Shawn Ray was a phenomenon. Cody still has a long ways to go, and those are some very big shoes to fill. Let's just say, he's off to a good start.

Back when I started, bodybuilding wasn't as accessible as it is today. Bear in mind, I was 19/20 in 2000/2001. ******** and YouTube weren't available, and Bodybuilding.com was in it's infancy. Only a few sites uploaded pictures, and there weren't any webcasts or forum play-by-plays.

For me, the notion of competing seemed like a daunting task without any guidance. Plus, with all the rumors and stereotypes floating around about bodybuilding, I wasn't sure what to believe. Looking back, it's a good thing I waited. Nowadays, I'm a lot less self conscious. That comes in handy during a posedown.

[NVious]

Cody doesn't hold a candle to Ray.

The two similarities between them is that neither of them has wide clavicles and they're both short.

Apart from that Ray has:
Better muscle bellies
Better insertions
Narrower waist
Better flow to his physique

[2276]

24 weeks out at the moment. Only goal I've got is to better myself from my previous comp last year!

[SammyJr]

looking good, good luck man.


also just wondering, do ppl stare when you're in your undies at the gym posing lol? I don't think I'd ever have the guts to do that, but then again, in Australia that might be normal lol

[2276]

looking good, good luck man.


also just wondering, do ppl stare when you're in your undies at the gym posing lol? I don't think I'd ever have the guts to do that, but then again, in Australia that might be normal lol

Hah nah it was late and no one around. Also a mates friends gym! Don't have the size or conditioning to be pulling it off in a packed gym

[peteyyytran]

thoon. thoon... (soon... soon.)

still learning how to flex my hams in this shot or just legs in general. friends and most guides hvae suggest to stomp first, turn the heel in as you use your hands to feel your hams flexed.

hams are insane weak point for me anyways but i def think im lean enough to see it

[sedrik]

looking good, good luck man.


also just wondering, do ppl stare when you're in your undies at the gym posing lol? I don't think I'd ever have the guts to do that, but then again, in Australia that might be normal lol

fuk u tryna say m8

[Hessypie]

I don't post in this section nearly as much as I lurk it, but I figured it couldn't hurt. Wondering what you guys think. the back pic is from about 4 months ago to now. Probably weighing about 205 or so in these. I figure I have another 25-30lbs to drop before I dont look like trash.

[Lvisaa2]

A little over ten weeks out. Protocols change up soon, which will really dry/lean me up, but happy with where conditioning is already. Definitely on track.

[Anthony.b]

need to get one with dat pump

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

back selfie lol



Current weight 140lbs

[XClassic10]

Took this earlier in the week, about 6.5 weeks out from an IFPA pro qualifier.

[TTimmerman]

dunno upper-lowerbody proportions seem off