2006_Contest

2006 Contest Journal

Week 40

Week 37

Week 34

Week 48

Week 42

Week 46

Week 53

Week 56

Week 52

Week 50

Week 49

Week 60

Week 58

Week 64

Welcome to my 2006 Contest Journal.

I will be detailing everything I do to prepare for several upcoming bodybuilding competitions
taking place this fall.

Several of these shows are regional competitions in which the top 2 in each weight class qualify
for the Team Universe. The Team Universe is the top drug-tested bodybuilding competition in
the country and to stand on stage with the best drug-free athletes in the country is my ultimate
goal as an athlete.

My motivation for starting this journal is similar to my past journals but in a way much different.

I will still be detailing my training and diet as usual, but I will do so for a much longer period of
time. This will hold me accountable for a solid 3 months or so before actual contest prep begins.

Goals for the coming months

Last year I came in to the NPC Natural Northern USA Championships at the top of my weight
class (I weighed 198 for a cut-off weight of 198.25 for the light heavyweight class). I think that
while I had great conditioning, my sheer detail and level of hardness can be increased,
especially in my hamstring/glute region and quadriceps.

I am noticeably much larger and more muscular this year, so I figure an added 5-10lbs. muscle
and 5-10lbs. less fat/water than last year should bring me into the show at the top of my game.

One way to do this is to make sure each and every weight training workout is as intense and
focused as possible. I have had the habit of being a little too relaxed during the off-season with
my training, but not this year. After training with Bill Lawrence in May I have stepped it up and
had the most productive workouts I have ever had.

I am also eating less calories than a typical off-season, and much cleaner as well. No more
cookie binges 8 days of the week. I will allow myself one day per week to indulge a little, but with
the way my food preparation has been, I might just choose cottage cheese or chicken over junk
food...it's that good!

Changes from last year

One distinct change from my previous journals is the addition of more solid food and less
shakes/meal replacements.

With the burden of a full-time school schedule mostly gone and much more financial stability, I
can afford quality whole foods like brown rice, cottage cheese, fresh fruit, chicken breast, steak,
and an array of vegetables. No more cold tuna and canned green beans this year.

The switch to more solid food has helped tremendously in reducing hunger during the day and
reducing cravings at night. As my prep goes along I will gradually reduce the liquid calories in
my diet and replace them with more filling but less calorically dense whole foods.

Lastly, I will try to get pictures and/or video updates periodically, along with weekly weigh-ins
and hopeful body fat composition measurements to track my progress.

Stay tuned for more!