Sunday, September 30, 2007
A few more pictures, as the main comp camera got back into town... 
Abs and thigh (shot before thigh was locked out)
Obliques
Most muscular (check out the cuts/veins...yummy!)
Side tricep
Rear double bi (before unfolding my back and striking my hands high)
Signle bicep (post comp)
Starting pose for my routine
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
A couple more
Big can
Jolly green giant (ho ho ho). Note the poor striking position of the guy in the middle. Plus their height!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
At Least It's Done!
After several failed attempts to post some video, I may need to look at another avenue for showing you kiddies exactly what it was like in the final stages of preparation. There is about 1.5 hours of video, even some backstage whilst colouring up and pumping up. But for now I will give you the results that you have been impatiently waiting for.
I was edged out of 2nd place by a few points. So, I ended up with 3rd place. The 2 guys ahead of me were shorter than me and heavier than me, and that day muscle triumphed over conditioning. I was in alot better condition that the guy that won my division, but he was pretty thick. The guy in 2nd was in better condition that the 1st guy, but his posing was pretty hopeless. I was just "wispy" in comparison, as I had about 4 inches on either of them and 12 lb less. Had I been in my condition and 81kg, I may have shaken it up a bit more. I knew, though, where I started and where I would finish. I knew I would be outgunned in size, but that's what happens when you take half the year off holidaying, fasting, and hanging out at mine sites!
It was a really good experience, though, and I don't think I made a complete ass out of myself in the process. I hit some good poses, and I know my body alot better now. I know that it takes about 1.5 hours to shave your entire body, and that you can be mildly comfortable only drinking 1 cup of water in a day! These are life lessons, people!!
There will be pictures following, but the main camera is on a holiday around the Southwest right now. Stay tuned for your main man mixing it up muscle style! Oompa, loompa, loompadee do. I have another question for you......
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Been anwhile, but here's an update...
Sorry guys and gals. I have been spending on average 40 hours a week in the gym preparing myself and my 2 trainees for upcoming contests. I know some of you would like to have seen progress pics as I went along, but there have been some sketchy weeks and some weeks of no change. It goes to show you that you can never estimate your body's response to variations in diet, cardio, supplements, etc. You try to apply logic, but sometimes your body in a dieted state does not play by the rules once you drop below 10% bodyfat. I can say with some confidence that I dieted too hard in the beginning, and based on early results I figured it would be smooth sailing as I became a physical specimen with onion-thin skin and 3% bodyfat at a whopping weight of 70 kg.....ha ha ha ha ha ha and ha!
At this point (11 days out), I hope the last ditch effort of severe carb restriction and 4 gallons of water per day will leave me in respectable shape when I step on the stage. There are dramatic appearance alterations once you stage tan, dry out, and "carb up", but if you haven't lost the flab in strategic locations, there's little water depletion can do for you.
The first 4 weeks were the most successful, and it was tine changes from thre on out. My bodyweight has stayed at a stubborn 77-78kg (170-172 lb), which is not that much of a worry as my weight class allows me 81kg max weight. I figured a ripped Fleetwood would be around 75kg, and it's a good chance I'll drop 2 kg water when I go from 4 gallons of water to 16 ounces on comp day and use some light diuretics. But, if my body stores too many carbs I will "smooth out", so it is a sensitive balance between muscle fullness and being "dry".
I promise once I get this comp over with, I will post some pics and write a full blog about my experience with comp prep. I just don't hav ethe time right now due to gym and writing a paper for a conference. Anyway, here is the flyer for the comp. The guy at the bottom is in my division, but I doubt he will be in this show as he has already qualified for the Aussie nationals which will be held October 7th (2 weeks after my show). I really feel for the guys who qualify for nationals at this show and try to maintain their peak for 2 more weeks. If only cripples and fatties show up in my division and I were to somehow walk away with the win, there's no way I would go to nationals...too much damn work. But then again maybe I would get a second wind. That's all up in the air. I just want to get it over with and start eating like regular people and maybe even have a beer now and again. A full rack of abs with serratus and obliques is great, but it comes at a cost. Until after the comp...
Well, the comp flyer wouldn't post, as it's a PDF. Here's something to keep you a little interested...
Last week - 3 weeks out. Shoulders are striated and in the right light my chest is wicked separated....bring on the stage tan!
5 weeks out...note the little patch of fat on the lower abs...that damn thing will NOT go away