Getting ready for the IFPA Pro USA in Sacramento

**matt1005** · 05-08-2012, 09:39 PM

Hey, I haven't posted much on here and I am going to try to start to do so more. I am getting ready for the IFPA Pro USA in Sacramento on July 14th. Currently at 9.5 weeks out and it is going fast. Always feeling behind.
I am going to be keeing track of everything, from the diet to traing to cardio and thoughts on youtube.
If you want check it out. Tell me what you think.

Matt Esmond

http://www.youtube.com/user/EZBodybu...?feature=guide

**Steve56** · 05-08-2012, 10:52 PM

Will def be following along!

**matt1005** · 05-09-2012, 06:39 PM

Since I won my overall in 2008 I have been having back pain. I have been to multiple doctors and sought different treatments, but nothing has really worked. So here I am after 2.5 years of troubles. I haven't done the lifts I needed to do to improve, because I can't risk major flare ups where I can't do anything.
It has always been a goal to compete as a pro (natural) so here I am.

**matt1005** · 05-10-2012, 07:13 PM

Posted up a 2 videos of first 2 weeks of diet change and also progress posing 14 weeks out.

**JRob** · 05-10-2012, 10:50 PM

Look forward to following your journey in! Long road ahead...kick ass!

**matt1005** · 05-11-2012, 11:09 AM

Thanks will do.

You stay tough too. Good luck this weekend!

**matt1005** · 05-12-2012, 12:17 PM

Diet Info #2 13 through 11 weeks out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dwTroCqupU
Posing #2 13 weeks out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t82HfBtfWJE

I am going to hopefully post some still shots up too.

**Jason Newman** · 05-12-2012, 02:32 PM

will be doing the tall novice show.
good luck!
9 weeks is moving fast!

**matt1005** · 05-12-2012, 10:47 PM

You got it. It has been going really fast. I have always competed in the fall where I would do most the diet when not working. Now it is all while I am working and it is going extremely fast. Oh, I am a teacher.

You got any vids or pics anywhere?

**matt1005** · 05-15-2012, 06:49 PM

5-14-12 Monday Quads and Hams

I have had back issues for about 2.5 years now and I simply can't do the lifts like I use to do and love like stiff leg. Also right knee isn't good for about 7 months now. So here is my leg day. Take it easy on my squat numbers haha, I have never been a good squatter. NFL strength coach once told me "Matt, I would have you benching 400lbs by now, but you will never be a great squatter."

Leg ext. 140x15, 170x15, 200x15, 230x12, 240x10 Trying to pre exhaust the quads a bit.
BB Squat 265x10, 285x8, 300x4
Hammer V-Squat 270x12, 320x10, 360x8, 410x6
DB Sumo squat on bumper plates 120x15,15,15
Leg Ext. 145x15, 160x9, 115 and drop setsx10
Leg Curl 110x12, 125x12, 140x8, 110x12
Walking lunge (back bothered a bit) 110x26 steps, 80x20, 24 steps

Video posting to youtube soon. 1st time ever video taping myself.

**matt1005** · 05-15-2012, 07:04 PM

5-15-12 Tuesday Chest/Side Delts/Abs
Strength is still pretty good. Done a tad, but I relate that to my lower back.

BB Flat Bench 295x6,4 275x6
Incline DB Press 110'sx6,4 100'sx8 90'sx7
DB Flat Fly 55'sx12 60'sx10 65'sx8
Dips BW 25,20,15 Deep

DB Side Laterals 40'sx15, 45'sx15, 50'sx10,8
Shoulder press (neck bothering as usual) 50'sx12,12,12 short rest

Hammer machine crunch 50x20, 60x20, 70x12, 50 and drops lots reps
Ball Crunch BWx20,20,20

**matt1005** · 05-19-2012, 10:10 AM

5-16-12 Wednesday Had chiro appt. today so I did arms before I went
I do what I call a slow superset when doing bis and tris. Maybe 30sec to 1 minute between sets.

v pushdown 4 sets x 8-15
ss
BB Curl 4 sets x 8-10

skull crusher 3 sets x 12
ss
DB alternating curl 3 sets x 6-8

rope pushdown 3 sets x 10-12
ss
DB preacher curl 3 sets x 8

**matt1005** · 05-19-2012, 10:17 AM

Posing Progress 9 weeks out (do all videos look more grainy on here compared to when watching them on youtube)

**Sunnyday** · 05-19-2012, 04:00 PM

Just found this thread. Good stuff going on in here. Will be following along!

Hope the chiro can help you with those back and joint issues so they don't get any worse leading up to your show. I found that once-monthly deep tissue massage plus twice-monthly chiro visits helped me immensely leading up to my comps (I compete in the OCB).

**matt1005** · 05-21-2012, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Sunnyday

Just found this thread. Good stuff going on in here. Will be following along!

Hope the chiro can help you with those back and joint issues so they don't get any worse leading up to your show. I found that once-monthly deep tissue massage plus twice-monthly chiro visits helped me immensely leading up to my comps (I compete in the OCB).

Thanks and thanks for the advice. The odd thing is that I have tried massage and actually accupuncture and they both ended up making it worse. When I try to stay limber, but not stretch too much, that is when it is the best. Doctor, Chiropractor and PT just say, do what works. I am trying to hang in there, but everyday is a challenge.
Thanks for checking this out!