100 days out, my 3 yr journey is 90% complete

[The Survivor]

OK the idea of competing since my AAU days in 1990 first germinated in the Summer of 2010 when I weighed in at about 244LBs at 5'9". I was good sized but had a gut. I targeted a show in Spring of 2011 but after a while realized wasn't gonna be ready. But that was OK I knew I was going to get back on stage no matter how long it took.

I also started getting up at 4AM to run outside and did this for over a year, did lose muscle and fat. Then cut back and did wind sprints but kept pulling hams. I went on and off several cycles, did anything to lose ab fat. Then a yr ago I started my current cycle, no off time just keep plugging away at it. I kept clean eating, refused to drink and more or less turned into a recluse just to maintain my strict lifestyle.

Now almost 3 yrs later to the date, I stand at 197 and abs not stage ready but vastly improved.My PT thinks my stage weight should be 186 in the Light Heavyweight. My plans (along with my female training partner) is the NPC North Star in Minneapolis in October and the NPC Chicago Ironman 3 wks later on Nov 2, both national qualifiers. Went thru many trying times when I wanted to give up but kept pushing. Had some flings w/a few women that messed me up for short times but am over all that crap.

In short, in November when I'll be 54, I am looking forward to getting my life back. Winning a somewhat big show is on my bucket list. Then I will always be near competition weight but will bulk up some more but more importantly will start socializing again and do things normal folks do like drink, eat normal and party. Its July 4th and all alone but that's OK, when I'm pre-contest I have to expect that. 100 days till the Minnesota show. Its now or never.

Thanks for lending me your eyes, just wanted to rant. Surely I cant be the only one here who feels isolated when preparing for a show. Happy 4th everyone!
PS Will post pics closer to show

 

[Presser]

OK the idea of competing since my AAU days in 1990 first germinated in the Summer of 2010 when I weighed in at about 244LBs at 5'9". I was good sized but had a gut. I targeted a show in Spring of 2011 but after a while realized wasn't gonna be ready. But that was OK I knew I was going to get back on stage no matter how long it took.

I also started getting up at 4AM to run outside and did this for over a year, did lose muscle and fat. Then cut back and did wind sprints but kept pulling hams. I went on and off several cycles, did anything to lose ab fat. Then a yr ago I started my current cycle, no off time just keep plugging away at it. I kept clean eating, refused to drink and more or less turned into a recluse just to maintain my strict lifestyle.

Now almost 3 yrs later to the date, I stand at 197 and abs not stage ready but vastly improved.My PT thinks my stage weight should be 186 in the Light Heavyweight. My plans (along with my female training partner) is the NPC North Star in Minneapolis in October and the NPC Chicago Ironman 3 wks later on Nov 2, both national qualifiers. Went thru many trying times when I wanted to give up but kept pushing. Had some flings w/a few women that messed me up for short times but am over all that crap.

In short, in November when I'll be 54, I am looking forward to getting my life back. Winning a somewhat big show is on my bucket list. Then I will always be near competition weight but will bulk up some more but more importantly will start socializing again and do things normal folks do like drink, eat normal and party. Its July 4th and all alone but that's OK, when I'm pre-contest I have to expect that. 100 days till the Minnesota show. Its now or never.

Thanks for lending me your eyes, just wanted to rant. Surely I cant be the only one here who feels isolated when preparing for a show. Happy 4th everyone!
PS Will post pics closer to show

well im home alone today the 4th of July lol, so im with ya there, and I think its great that your getting closer to ur goal, I remember you posting about this a long time ago! I also think its great and TELLING as to what kind of person you are, that your not just gonna jump into a show to say you did a show, and your a bit of a perfectionist! WAY WAY WAY tooo many guys these days getting on stage that have no business being out there, as if they dont have an honest friend in their life,lol

Looking forward to pictures brutha! 54 aint nuttin but a numba my man!

 

[The Survivor]

Thanks Presser for the encouraging words, they are appreciated. All the times I wanted to give up, all the times in the dead of winter I put spikes on my shoes and ran thru the cold, snow, ice, fricking dogs nipping at my heels. I just had to stay focused. I endured the taunts of the unmotivated when I turned down crap food, beer and everything else. I'm not there quite yet not will not be stopped thru all the adversity. 3 yrs training for BB show (coming out of retirement that is) has to be some kind of record LOL! Not even 3 skin cancer surgeries or a fractured left elbow was going to stop me.

I actually thank many of the posters here at MC for their help. The advice I received was invaluable. After 2 decades of not competing I had forgotten some things that people here reminded me. As much as I respect all the other federations and associations in BB, I have always wanted to compete in the NPC which is recognized as the best, the politics be damned. I guess I'm one stubborn or tenacious Mutherfucker!

 

[Presser]

Thanks Presser for the encouraging words, they are appreciated. All the times I wanted to give up, all the times in the dead of winter I put spikes on my shoes and ran thru the cold, snow, ice, fricking dogs nipping at my heels. I just had to stay focused. I endured the taunts of the unmotivated when I turned down crap food, beer and everything else. I'm not there quite yet not will not be stopped thru all the adversity. 3 yrs training for BB show (coming out of retirement that is) has to be some kind of record LOL! Not even 3 skin cancer surgeries or a fractured left elbow was going to stop me.

I actually thank many of the posters here at MC for their help. The advice I received was invaluable. After 2 decades of not competing I had forgotten some things that people here reminded me. As much as I respect all the other federations and associations in BB, I have always wanted to compete in the NPC which is recognized as the best, the politics be damned. I guess I'm one stubborn or tenacious Mutherfucker!

lol, you can be both! lol

 

[overburdened]

OK the idea of competing since my AAU days in 1990 first germinated in the Summer of 2010 when I weighed in at about 244LBs at 5'9". I was good sized but had a gut. I targeted a show in Spring of 2011 but after a while realized wasn't gonna be ready. But that was OK I knew I was going to get back on stage no matter how long it took.

I also started getting up at 4AM to run outside and did this for over a year, did lose muscle and fat. Then cut back and did wind sprints but kept pulling hams. I went on and off several cycles, did anything to lose ab fat. Then a yr ago I started my current cycle, no off time just keep plugging away at it. I kept clean eating, refused to drink and more or less turned into a recluse just to maintain my strict lifestyle.

Now almost 3 yrs later to the date, I stand at 197 and abs not stage ready but vastly improved.My PT thinks my stage weight should be 186 in the Light Heavyweight. My plans (along with my female training partner) is the NPC North Star in Minneapolis in October and the NPC Chicago Ironman 3 wks later on Nov 2, both national qualifiers. Went thru many trying times when I wanted to give up but kept pushing. Had some flings w/a few women that messed me up for short times but am over all that crap.

In short, in November when I'll be 54, I am looking forward to getting my life back. Winning a somewhat big show is on my bucket list. Then I will always be near competition weight but will bulk up some more but more importantly will start socializing again and do things normal folks do like drink, eat normal and party. Its July 4th and all alone but that's OK, when I'm pre-contest I have to expect that. 100 days till the Minnesota show. Its now or never.

Thanks for lending me your eyes, just wanted to rant. Surely I cant be the only one here who feels isolated when preparing for a show. Happy 4th everyone!
PS Will post pics closer to show

I have to say, you have a LOT more determination than MOST people!!! I have to commend you on that!

I thoroughly enjoyed your post. I do have one question though. Is your pt a 'contest prep' person, or just run of the mill trainer at Golds gym(or whatever gym you go to). And, has he/she competed theirself(and placed WELL). The reason I ask is that you mentioned your trainer believes you will be stage ready at 11lbs less than your current bodyweight(most aas using bbers will lose 11lbs or more the last week alone(it's water for the most part... The fat should be gone before depleting that last week).
I've seen MANY people get screwed at shows because some personal trainer leads them to believe he/she can put them on stage below 4%bf, and dry! Most trainers wouldn't have the slightest idea how to diet someone correctly(let alone pull their water, teach them to pose, if they haven't competed before, etc, etc)....,,the statement that you made about him telling you your stage weight would be that high, raises flags... Check into the trainer, and what they have REALLY done, not just what they tell you they cam do... Don't let your effort, money, time, and health be left to someone that won't benefit you to the greatest degree, prepping for the show.

Good luck bro! I hope you do VERY well!

 

[csuperman]

sounds like a rough road but worth the trip, congrats on reaching your goals along the way.

 

[big in vegas]

3 years and you're still at it, that says a lot. Most people would have chalked it up as a loss at this point. You will do great and you have all of us behind you so you can't fail. It'll be awesome to see what you can do on stage with everything you have been through. Dedication to this magnitude can only lead to a great showing on show day

 

[The Survivor]

I have to say, you have a LOT more determination than MOST people!!! I have to commend you on that!

I thoroughly enjoyed your post. I do have one question though. Is your pt a 'contest prep' person, or just run of the mill trainer at Golds gym(or whatever gym you go to). And, has he/she competed theirself(and placed WELL). The reason I ask is that you mentioned your trainer believes you will be stage ready at 11lbs less than your current bodyweight(most aas using bbers will lose 11lbs or more the last week alone(it's water for the most part... The fat should be gone before depleting that last week).
I've seen MANY people get screwed at shows because some personal trainer leads them to believe he/she can put them on stage below 4%bf, and dry! Most trainers wouldn't have the slightest idea how to diet someone correctly(let alone pull their water, teach them to pose, if they haven't competed before, etc, etc)....,,the statement that you made about him telling you your stage weight would be that high, raises flags... Check into the trainer, and what they have REALLY done, not just what they tell you they cam do... Don't let your effort, money, time, and health be left to someone that won't benefit you to the greatest degree, prepping for the show.

Good luck bro! I hope you do VERY well!

Thanks Bro for your concern, my PT is from a nearby city that I see once a week with photos in between. He's a NPC national competitor and IIRC he also is a spokesman for Optimum Nutrition. I hired him for contest prep only, actually no training just diet, posing, drug protocol etc. He seems to know his shit, he's got me on 4 meals day, only 2 shakes and one clean cheat meal and one dirty cheat meal (dirty eat anything I want) per week. He wants salt in my diet mostly so I look fuller for now. He's pretty anal about stuff.

Thanks to everyone who responded, it means a lot as being a gym owner myself, I'm not exactly golfing with the Gates's these days. $ is tight which adds to my stress. Plus I'm trying to short sale a 2nd home as its upside down. So I have plenty on my plate, but I gotta tell everyone thank God I have some BB discipline to fall back on. Even though I'm deep in training and same in diet, its that discipline that's helping me thru life's shit....and of course thank God for this site!!!

 

[csuperman]

He wants salt in my diet mostly so I look fuller for now.

just be sure to watch your BP if your adding salt in

 

[The Survivor]

just be sure to watch your BP if your adding salt in

Good point Bro, thanx for the reminder.

 

[csuperman]

Good point Bro, thanx for the reminder.

no problem, I just have a lot of experience with BP and have had some friends have major issues because of their lack of knowledge regarding it.