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The return...my journey to getting back on stage....
In 1996 i competed in my last natural bodybuilding contest,the ANBC Natural Connecticut championships placing 4th (out of 11)and winning the best posing award. Since then i got married to my wonderful wife amy,purchased a home and started my personal training business in Connecticut. This left little time for exercise,let alone training for competition. I took up other hobbies such as tournament bass fishing which for a while stoked my competitive fires. I then expanded and moved my business purchasing the property where my personal training studio now stands.
During the past few years life started to get the best of me,i let my diet and training slip and gained some weight,but "wore it well". With my dad becoming ill with alzhiemers disease things have been tough for me between running my business,helping mom and dad and keeping my marriage happy.
Hmm what to do...in my situation i felt i needed to do something for ME that helped with a daily escape from the pressures of the world...what better thing that starting to bodybuild again i asked myself.
So in october of 2008 (after judging some contests and attending others with clients) at a weight of 225+ and a bodyfat percentage of over 20% (more like 23ish) and nearing 40 years old (ouch) i began my journey.
This has been fun thusfar as i have watched my body change drastically since then, as of now (4/09/09) i sit at 204lbs at around 10% bodyfat! This has been exciting and fulfilling for me to date and a blast for my clients to see as well as some motivation for them.
I am planning to enter a contest this season (2009) hopefully late june.I will be periodically posting my progress.
May 1 2009- Workouts are going well,losing b/f at a nice clip but maintaining a bodyweight of 200-202. Varying calorie/carb intake and doing minimal hiit cardio 4-5 days a week. Starting however to feel a bit "off" at times and irratable..a sign of leaning out for sure!
May 9 2009- Update- Weight in friday (5/1) at 199.5,wow have not seen that number is about 13 years or more. Pretty exciting for sure!
May 17th-Workouts have been going well. I will continue on current path. Right now i seem to be losing about 1 lb of bodyfat per week without too much effort. STill weighing in between 199-201.Caloric intake fluctuates between 2400 and 2600 per day,cycling carbs every 5 days. I train 4-5 times per week depending upon client load,energy and this old-er bodies abilty to move. My cardio is 2 days steady state 30-40 mins and 2-3 days HIIT 20 minutes. SUpplements taken currently are,prime,powerfull,lipo 6 black,no(pre workout on occasion) and multi,c,b complex and shakes (brand varies). Actually had a piece of my nephews birthday cake(yummy) today,first "cheat" in over 6 weeks.
May27th-Weight still around 200 and bodyfat percentage seems to be around 8%. Going to try and be "presentable" for a contest June 27th so i can get onstage with a client of mine. Will not get on stage unless i feel i am presentable. Not competing to win this time just for myself. It has been 14 years since i have done any type of intense training and eating,let alone competing. I feel i need to get on stage this year and then have a good solid off-season to put some more size on(not impossible at 40). Birthday is coming in two weeks...THE BIG 40..wow i cant believe it. Not bothering me though,just happy where i am in life now. Training is going well,calories still around 2300-2400 with some macro changes (lower carbs) and an increase in cardio has also taken place over the past week. I can see changes now almost every morning so i will continue to build the cardio over the next two weeks and maintain caloric consumption at present levels. Until next time....hello to all more friends on the ocb board..thanks for reading!
June 1 2009-Update,woke up sunday unable to hold my head up,this is residual injury flare from a bad car accidient in January where i was rear ended. Had to take sunday and today (monday) off from training. This may have a bad impact on being ready for the end of the month. Staying on track diet wise and hoping to resume training tuesday
Tuesday June 2- No training again today. Dropped calories a bit to compensate for lack of activity. Gonna hit it even harder when i get back into the gym and see what the next two weeks look like. As long as i can see some abs..i will be onstage at months end.
Thursday June 4 2009- Did a light leg w/o today and 2 twenty minute cardio sessions. Neck still bad but improving. Going to take the next few days on a dat to day basis. Weight this evening was down to 197.5. Still fell i have 10-12 more pounds to drop until i will be 100%. I have a client competing at months end and he really wants me to do the show with him..i will wait and see. I can see me doing one warmup show" since it has been 13+ years. But dont want to look like shit on stage,i have too much pride for that. (hi jerry)
Friday June 5- LET THE MIND GAMES BEGIN!!! Since i have had a pretty much non exixtent training week (did stay on track diet wise) i am now have serious doubts about being reday in three weeks let alone 5. Just found out some more news about dad,it was not good news..lets leave it at that. I really want to do this and will perservere. Anyone else that has gone thru the self doubting stage pre contest you know how much it sucks....on a positive note,i did manage a rather intesne back and biceps workout and some nice cardio today!!! :)
Sunday June 7-Cardio only today ..45 mins fasted state..neck still an issue.One minute i am fired up...the next i want to pack it in...weekends seem to be a weak point for me now..weekdays are very busy with clients /business things to do and training..no time to think. gonna forge ahead.
Monday June 8- Good chest w/o today,neck still a bit off,double cardio today. Feeling good,removed some excesss bodyhair today..that was fun!!!
Wednesday June 10-Back/biceps/abs 45 mins cardio today. Man did i feel lousy today,weak/tired and no pump even after 1.5 scoops of superpump 250!!!! Oh well tomm is another day......
Friday June 12th- Well tommorrow i turn 40!!!! Did chest/shoulders/triceps today and 45 minutes cardio. Feeling a bit off. Perhpas i am fighting a cold,this past week or so i have had quite a few people come into my studio who are sick...HOW DARE THEY COME NEAR ME WHEN SICK WHEN I AM IN CONTEST PREP MODE(all you bodybuilders will know what i mean). Heading off to judge the OCB Judgement day show saturday so will just do cardio.
Sunday June 14th- I have decided that i need to be in a holding pattern for a while,woke up this morning with neck problems AGAIN. This is also forcing me to dial down the workout intensity by 50% or more. When i compete again i want to be my best and will make no excuses. So at this time i will train 4 days per week/cardio 5 days per week and stay tight on the diet. Although today i took a break in dedication of my 40th and the fact that this neck thing is pissin me off!
Tuesday june 16th- Legs/calves/abs today,30 mins cardio. Feeling good,darn neck still acting up. Back to pt this week and see if we can figure it out. Weighing in 197-198 and fairly hard.
Thurday June 18th- Off day/high carbs....Ok so now i am fighting off some kind of bug..enough already....going to train friday and most likley take the weekend off...IS ANYONE ELSE SICK OF THIS LOUSY WEATHER??? Still staying positive in the face of every obstacle that has been thrown at me. Weighing in at 196 and looking harder than earlier in the week.....stay tuned!!
Wednesday June 24th- Had a bad weekend...lets just leave it at that...back in the gym tuesday (after a 3 day hiatus) for some back and triceps and 20 min HIIT and today for some legs/abs/40 mins l/s/d cardio. Feeling good weight stabile at 197/bf still hovering around 8-9%. Calories are 2500 spot on daily.
Saturday June 27th- Up really early (at gym 7am) to hit a quick delts/biceps and 20 HIIT cardio before heading off to Judge the OCB Constitution state. This will be my first OCB show where i am the Head Judge. (it went well) Weight is 198-200 depdning upon many factors. Today was ahigh calorie day hit over 3K cals today,rest of week will settle it back to 2500 again. Still have not ruled out doing a show this year...wait and see how the neck responds to PT. It was nice to see some of my clients in the audience today,soon it will be you ladies on stage (You know who i am talking about...)
Monday June 29- Good workout today (must have been the copious amounts of carbs i consumed over the weekend) Back/Biceps/abs and 20 mins Hiit cardio. Had a PT session today,ouch!!!! Gonna try and get out and do some fishing this weekend , have not been out on the water in 10 months (this was something i used to do 3-4 times a week in the past when i fished tournaments for $$).
Wednesday July 1st- Absolutely crushed chest/triceps today!!! AAlso did abs and 20 mins HIIT cardio. My carbup last weekend has paid off bigtime,I HAVE ACTUALLY LOST BODYFAT and filled out more...this is great!!! Had Physical therapy today,went well. Took tuesday off,was in pain from pt tratment on monday.
Thursday July 2nd- Kind of emotional today being it is the one week anniversary of MJ passing on.......:) :)Gotcha!! Trained shoulders today...lamemworkout,no energy at all.I think the weather is dragging me down a bit. Also 40 mins cardio today...fishing tommorrow so no training..see you saturday for legs and a high calorie day!!!! Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
Tuesday July 7th- Yesterday was back/biceps 30min c/v,today was (crushing) chest and triceps with 20 min HIIT c/v. Dad had a bad nite last night so had to deal with that today...not getting better unfortunately....never will. Looking forward to judging this weekend! Shout out to tracie for a great BF result today after 4 weeks....keep it up..you too monica!! Looks like shoulders wednesday.....
Thursday July 9th-SHoulders/biceps,20 minutes hiit cardio. Weighing in 198-199 in the am. Looking pretty hard/sharp for this bodyweight.Estimating bf % around 8-9%. Feeling good physically..mentally not so much. My dad is slipping pretty badly as of late.....
Monday July 13th-Smashed back/biceps today! 25 mins hiit cardio as well. Felt good. PT going well neck starting to feel a bit better. Weight still 198-200 but looking a bit leaner and bigger every week. Cant wait to see what the final product will look like..whenever that may be. I know a few people that really want to see me on stage this season,i am not ruling it out yet....
Friday July 17th- Tuesday hit chest/triceps and 20min hiit,wed off,thursday shoulders/abs 30min hiit (bad trap/neck pain again),off today. had a few "treats" today,but not bad. Hitting legs saturday...
Sat legs/sunday bass tournament(finished third in a big time event $$$$),monday off (very sore from fishing sunday/boat driving etc)
Tuesday July 21st-Back/Biceps/30 mins Steady state cardio. Ok workout today,kinda lethargic,not a good pump,strength was great,did 60lb db curls for clean reps after doing back..not too shabby for an old-er bodybuilder.
7/25-8/3-On vacation,have my nephews up for the week for "uncle john fish camp" also bringing them to the gym three days. Lite worjouts and OFF THE DIET COMPELTELY!!!! Actually look pretty darn good for eating the world this past week...
8/4-Weighed in at 203 today so damage from foodfestival was limited...actually think it may help a bit. Back and bicpes was on the menu today,tried some different things today and it was good. Also did 30 min l/s/d cardio and back eating clean. Going to try and increase my calorie intake a bit,i learned a few things about my body last week..stay tuned.
8/5-Ok so i decided to go "old school" this week in the gym...chest and triceps today,just for fun did some rack bench presses...holy shit i forgot how much "fun" those were...will do them again. Also hit 30 mins cardio. Weight this am was 203/pm was 201.
8/10,well spent the last 4 days on the couch with ice on my neck..again! Dammit this is pissing me off. I was maing some progress with physical therapy and then woke up thursday in all sorts of pain and very limited range of motion. Saw my gen prac today and will now go see a specialist next month. THIS SUCKS! Gonna have to ramp down again for now....
8/11,saw dad this evening..had him laughing like nobodies business. My mom says he has been asking about me as of late.....did 30 mins cardio today,no weights due to neck pain and limited range of motion yet again...this is really frustrating and pissing me off..have i mentioned that yet??? LOL
8/12-Back/biceps/abs 20 min HIIT cardio. Very lite wo today still some pain and limited rom.
8/13-Chest/triceps 15m hiit/15 mins reg cardio. Feel like i have lost some "umoh" as of late,knowing that there is no way i will compete anytime soon due this neck injury really has taken the wind out of my sails. But i will continue onwards,have come much to far to pack it in and let old habits return..along with the weight i have lost and lean mass i have worked so hard for these past 10 months.
Mon 8/17-Off over the weekend. Monday Legs and abs with 30 mins cardio. Felt good today,lite squats and some heavier leg ext/curls followed by some nice one leggers on the squat press. Going to take it easy the next few weeks as i am not wanting to aggrevate anything.
Tuesday 8/18-Spectacular arm workout today!! 30 mins of cardio to compliment that.
Thursday 8/20-Lite chest today,neck was a bit sore so took it easy,30 mins cardio. Still looking good weighing around 199-200lbs and still pretty lean.
9/3...been gone for a while..it has been a rough few weeks. Traing is going....lets leave it at that. 197 solid and pretty lean. Going to try some new things with my diet over the next few months and see what happens...i think some of the "boys" are itching to lay a whoopin on me (you know who u are!) so i want to be ready. Neck still an issue,see specialist next week.
10/11-Well lets just say the past 5 weeks have been..."bad". My dad has been "dropping off a cliff" so to speak and over the past 5 weeks i have spent more time in hospital emergency rooms/in patient care centers/rehab skilled nursing centrers and nursing homes that anyplce else. Needless to say my diet has been horrible and training has been almost non existant. Trying to regropu but it seems as if everytime i put a few days together something else with dad pops up. Trying to be optimistic but it is becoming very hard to do so. Have gained a bit of BF and i am not happy about it but i need to be sure that my dad is getting the care he needs and my mom is alright as well. I guess bodybuilding will have to wait for now. Check back soon please....
10/14-So far this week have had average workouts and back on the diet. Still dealing with problems with dad so lack of sleep is an issue...weight 203 am and still around 10%-11% bodyfat.
10/30-Spent last week at hospital with dad so training and eating was off a bit,but dad comes first! Had a good week of training and dieting.Pretty quiet week as far as dad goes. Hope this maintains for a while i need a break.
11/19-Things with dad have been realatively quiet so training has been ramped up again,hardened up quite a bit over past two weeks. Eyeing some early 2010 shows....current weight between 203-204 and fairly tight.Saw a new doc in regards to neck issue,he says it may take up to two years to heal,suggested more massage therapy sessions and otherwise keep treatment the same.
12/25-Merry Christmas everyone! Its been a while...as of now i am hovering around 204 and still pretty tight. I am in a holding pattern for now as i am unsure of dads situtation. Will continue to train and eat as if i am prepping for a contest. I actually think i have put some size on (not fat). Looking forward to seeing 2009 in the rear view as this has been probably the worst year of my life..looking forwards to new friends and lots of judging and prepping clients in 2010...now get your hands off that apple pie!
1/12/10-Took a week off, needed to heal. Still dealing with alot of parent issues and work has become very busy. traing is going ok,weighing around 205 still lean, still looking at this season .....
3/16/10-The past 6 months have been ..well..AWFUL!! After finally getting dad settled i have been pretty ill for 10 weeks and this has had a bad effect on my training. I am on the mend now (hopefully) and will resume preparation to try and compete this season..I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. Please stay tuned!
4/27/10-Still been sick with one sinus infection after anohter and have not really trained since the end of february and diets been a mess for a few weeks now. finally saw a new MD and i am having sinus surgery tommorrow. Hoping to be back in the gym within a week and moving forward. Life sure has its way of steering you in all different ways. On a good note my dad is doing better and is settled in his new place with no trips to the hospital for a few months now. Check back soon...
