ABP's 1200-day road to Pittsburgh (2013).

[AnglicanBeachParty]

I'm doing things different this time around. I last competed in March, 2010. Within a month after that, I had rebounded so badly that I had gained 30 pounds (163 on contest day to 193 a month later). I stayed at about 193 to 195 pounds for the next two years. Now I am trying to gradually lose fat, even though my contest is more than half a year away.

For past contests, I've gone down about 30 or 40 pounds in 16-18 weeks. But that has its drawbacks. Aside from being HARD and requiring quite a bit of cardio, it doesn't allow time for my skin to get tight again at the lower weight. So this time around, I am starting to lose fat well before my normal contest prep period would be starting.

Here are my first progress photos, 31 weeks out. I have put on some muscle in some places, but I'm dissatisfied with my shoulders. Could partially be the camera angle (I used a short tripod), but then again, the judges see us competitors from even a lower angleangle (I used a short tripod), but then again, the judges see us competitors from even a lower angle.Attachment 129623Attachment 129622Attachment 129624Attachment 129625Attachment 129626Attachment 129627

[AnglicanBeachParty]

You look really good for 31 weeks out Paul. Hang on to that muscle and as you said, lose gradually!

You're on the right track. There is no off season, too many people use that to get fat. Stay lean and eat good complex carbs to come back up. Exciting to watch the progress

Thanks, gentlemen. Yes, that was my big mistake I used to make ... getting fat just makes you work way too hard on the other end, next time you compete.

[HeavyDutyGuy]

Actually you're very hard looking for 31 weeks out !

[AnglicanBeachParty]

Time flies!

And can't wait to see what these next weeks bring!

Thanks, Curt (also, see below, an item of possible interest to you).

Actually you're very hard looking for 31 weeks out !

Thanks! I'm trying to see if I can take it a bit further this time. I've NEVER so far had decent quad separation on contest day.

Curt ... At the tender young age of 54, I am getting my first tattoo! (See attachments, if they work.)

Attachment 129719Attachment 129720Attachment 129721Attachment 129722

[AnglicanBeachParty]

Well, so yeah, I kind of fell of the edge of the planet as far as posting here.

At some point (August?) I decided I would rather go out drinking with my friends than enter the 2013 Novice Michigan. I did that until a few weeks ago. When I made this decision, I also made the decision to give up on competitive bodybuilding. After all, I don't have good genetics for it, and I'll always have ugly abs because of the lipomas I have all over the place. A lot of my friends and family applauded the decision because it seemed to make more sense to apply my efforts in areas where I actually have some talent.

But, at some point, the drinking thing started to get out of control, and I realized that I missed the structure and discipline that bodybuilding brought to my life. So, now I'm back at it, training for a contest, hopefully in July, just after I turn 55.

I will try to be better at getting on Rx and posting!

[Rick Prince]

Good to see you are back in the gym and posting here again, Paul.
I look forward to following your journey to the stage.

[mrky03]

Good to see you back Paul. I agree, I like the structure of the bodybuilding lifestyle. Most people just don't get it and it takes a lot of discipline to stay on course. I think at our age people are always thinking its time for us to slow down or quit. Ha! Not until they pry the dumbell's out of my cold dead hands! LoLol

You look great stay on course!

[HeavyDutyGuy]

Wow. Why did I think you were a minister or something? The structure of the sport probably saved me. If not for that and my kids, I would probably be dead. This a great sport to stay involved in as you go through your mature years as long as you don't push things too far.

[AnglicanBeachParty]

Thanks for your support, everyone!

[AnglicanBeachParty]

I never did post a pic of my completed tattoo.

Here it is.

It is from a 1913 stained glass window by Johan Thorn Prikker.Attachment 141488

[AnglicanBeachParty]

Thanks, Mac!

That's a lot of ink. Looks great Paul.