The Road to Mr. Natural Philadelphia 2011...Fitman Begins.

May 7th 2011 was the beginning of a new endeavor for me.
 All my life I have been involved in sports such as track and basketball.  (I was called Baby A.I.)  But after college, the window for those sports closed as I could not seem to defeat Usain Bolt in the 100m.  (It's called sarcasm people)  Fast forward 5 years, and I was days out from my first bodybuilding contest.  Though I did not win, or place (???) I did the get the bodybuilding experience and now have a better understanding as to what the judges want and what I must do to win next year.  I know I was in shape, but the judges thought otherwise.  No sense in debating the result.  Guys like me, we get even more motivated to perform the next time.  We become so focused on the task at hand.  So I thank you judges...you have created a monster who WILL make every effort and stride to create a physique that cannot be ignored.  So without further ado, here is the road to the Philly in pictures.

August 2010...the hour after the 1st day of 5x5...About 158lbs.



Pulling 405 x 3 weeks after pulling it for a PR of 1...heavy for a man all of 160lbs.

September 2010...HIT...315lb Deadlift to complete failure.  And yes hard lifting requires an ugly face...anything else belongs in Zumba class.

Gironda Dips will give you a spectacular chest...and a face that belongs under a brown bag in public.

Same day with Bent Arm Flyes...these were done after the Gironda Dip and Wide Grip Bench Press...chest was FULL.

Lat Pull...Baby Got Back.

December 2010...now at this time I had NO idea how to pose.  And I also didn't know that pumped quads are SMOOTH...part of the learning experience...DON'T PUMP LEGS BEFORE PICS!

Weighing anywhere from 165-170 now...first attempt at a back double biceps pose, one of my better poses.

Front Hands on Hip Chill Pose...smooth as I had not begun the Maximum Definition Diet.

Spring 2011...The implementation of the Maximum Definition Diet (shout out the TRUE guru Vince Gironda) helped me become WAY more ripped...

Typical pre-contest meal...baked tilapia, brocoli, and water...shout out to my friend Ms. Dash...

On re-load days meals however, I would add in carbs to prevent me from becoming flat.

Carb Cycling led me to develop more lines and detail than I ever had since I began training...I am about 35 days out at this point...and NERVOUS as Hell!

Less than 3 weeks out...more detail than December...more anxiety too.

Less than 2 weeks out...lines are in, confidence is high, nerves are BAD!

Blowing out Quads 2 weeks out...oh the pain!

The most ignored major muscle...El Hamstring.

The longest walk of my life...

Upper Body HIT...Whoa...

Part II...

So now after all the hard work and dieting what is the final result?

On the day of the show myself and my training partner Young Husky arrived arounnd 9:30am.  There were about 80 competitors there.  Whoa.  Young Husky and I were admittedly watching the competition like Ken Waller watching Mike Katz.  I weighed in at 154 in clothes which means about 152 nude.  The day before at Optimal Sport Health Club we did a body composition test.  I was 4.5 percent bodyfat which was my lowest ever.  In the back I started to carb up slightly and pump up.  What stood out to me is bodybuilding is so individual that sometimes you begin to feel that no one else is doing similar things to which you have been doing.  Once you look around the back however, you realize you are not alone.  The time to step on stage was coming fast, so I began to pump up.  I had a good look at who I was going to compete against and I felt that I had a great chance to win the class.  We felt confident walking out there.  I was not as nervous as I thought either.  And then we began the final walk onto the stage...

Side Serratus Pose...

Side Triceps Pose...

Rear Lat Spread...

Posing during the 90 second routine...in which MINE was cut off at 40 seconds which was HIGHLY disappointing.

I placed 6th out of 7 in the mens open lightweight.  Like I said earlier, I feel I was not behind 5 other guys in my division.  But I do not make that choice, the judges do.  This is the difference between my college athletic career and bodybuilding. If a guy from your rival college said he was faster than you, than you line up on Saturday at the meet, lace up the spikes and run.  The faster man wins...objective.  I will have to get used to the subjective manner of bodybuilding.  I was stunned by the result however and left the arena after the awards ceremony.  My night ended with 1 whole Domino's Pizza, 2 Dr. Peppers, a Hershey Bar, and some Hershey Drops...WHOA...however the next day...

The day after the sugar load...LOL.

Is a super heavy junk load the key?  I will learn and discover many things after this 1st show.

Full...

So overall I had a good experience with the preparation for my 1st show.  I did not win, but I discovered some things that I can apply next year to give me a better chance to win.  I also competed in an OCB show 2 weeks later.  In my opinion the show ran much smoother.  (Shout out to Joe Franco)  The divisions were split by height.  I was giving up 20lbs to everyone because I think I'm the only 5'11'' man under 160, LOL.  Illusion of size right?  I placed 7th out of 11.  I asked a judge afterwards what can I do to place higher.  He told me the 1 thing I am lacking is SIZE.  I wanted an honest answer and he gave it to me.  And I respect that cause it gives me a goal:  Fill out my basketball player type build with more muscle mass.  The road to success has up and downs.  When you are hit hard, the key is how you respond.  Will you wither away and fold?  Or will you take the hit and come back stronger and better.  Excuses and pride hurt everyone. Check out my OCB Beyond Nutrition Natural Routine below.  My bodybuilding experience was humbling...but the Fitman will return...I am 11 months out.  You should be worried.