The Road To 2013 NPC Jr. Nationals

[FeelsGoodMan]

This past weekend I qualified for national level shows by winning the Middleweight Novice and Middleweight Open classes at the 2012 NPC Kentucky Derby show. The whole experience was amazing and I'm even hungrier now to improve and see just how far I can take this. It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the Jr. Nationals, and now I have been given the opportunity to prepare for the show.

I'll be working with Jason Theobald, since he's basically transformed me over the last 4-5 years we've been working together. I went from a skinny-fat 128 pounds to where I am today.

Post-show I enjoyed some food like most do, but cut the shit after 24 hours. I had bagels and lox, an egg white omelette, 2 large DQ Blizzard shakes, a box of Chips Ahoy cookies, and sushi. Definitely gained water but I've kept cardio in and I actually hit the gym for some light arm training today (only 2 days post-show) so I know the water will come off. I'm back on plan and following a diet that I was using at about 2 weeks out. The macros are 275P/260C/40F. And yes, I was very lucky that I take well to carbs and I was also ready very early so we were able to ramp me up and I was eating those macros at about 2 weeks out.

Cardio will be kept at 60 minutes of AM LI (low intensity) for now, and all I do is walk 3.5 MPH on the treadmill with the incline set to 5. I watch the news and gather my thoughts for the day. It's more so of a relaxation activity than a workout.

Focus this offseason will be to bring up my arms, shoulders, and hamstrings. Jason and I believe that if I can improve those parts, I stand a good chance against the big boys on the national stage.

Right now I don't know what weight class I'd compete in, we're just going to put on as much lean, quality weight as I can from now until I'll need to begin dieting. I have a little less than a full year, which is a decent period of time. I had 220-230 LBS as rough numbers in my head as to where I want to be by the end of my bulk, but if it's not lean it's not worth doing. We aren't chasing numbers. If I end up only at 200, so be it. But I have a feeling 220 will be achievable since I tend to stay very lean in the offseason (sub-12%). I'm pretty smart about what I put into my body and I have a love affair with the treadmill. After my first show back in 2010 I went from my Lightweight AM weigh-in of 148 LBS to 195 LBS morning weight in about 4 months' time.

I think I've covered it all. I'll try and keep this log as up to date as possible (I work a finance job, so I'm in front of a computer all day) but I won't pressure myself to write every damn thing down if it's too much of a chore. I keep most things in my head anyway. If I happen to leave something out or if anyone has questions at any time, just ask.

Here are a few current pictures of me - first two are from today with some of that water weight on me from eating junk. I also posted a few contest pics of me winning the Novice and the Open, and placing 2nd in the Novice Overall. Last set of pics are just prep progress pics taken at home so you guys can see me in normal, non-stage lighting.