19/06/2023
My first show: My Process
For those that love fitness - this one is for you. Here’s how I did my show and got in my best shape to date.
THE BULK
Training started in October (Pic 2). I rolled up lacking a LOT of size. In bodybuilding, your off season is EVERYTHING and we had some serious size to put on. I began bulking, lifting heavy (progressive overload + time under tension + QUALITY high calorie foods = proper way to a successful offseason. I definitely could have used a couple more months of a strong off season, but we made it work.
End of my bulk I landed at 234 (Pic 3). Biggest I’ve ever been but I felt strong, healthy and still had my abs (but the burl was real and none of my clothes fit lol). Bulking mistakes I made in the past where just eating crap and not training as hard as I could. Keeping quality food high and training hard did the trick though.
THE CUT
Start of prep I hit up a local IFBB pro to see if he could help. I had no idea how to pose and wasn’t sure if I even had the build to do well in my division. I wanted someone that could see me in person and make adjustments. I went over to his place, and he took a look at me and said we had lots of work to do (pic 4)
(Ps - if you want to get to an intermediate/advanced level in your physique you HAVE to get someone else in it. YES - I know how to train, eat, and get sub 10% bf but getting someone else in the mix keeps you from second guessing)
Prep wasn’t too bad at first. Minor calorie cuts but we went the meal prep route over macros (for the fitness nerds out there - DUDE this is the MOVE. If mentally you can stomach eating the same thing everyday it made prep easy (especially working full time, being with all the people all the time, building business, etc.) It was SUPER convenient, eliminated daily decision making with food and I will be doing this from now on to stay in shape year round. (Cont. in comments)