Prep journal

[bencher]

Ok, start with background info for all.
35 years old.
6'
Starting weight when began working out=155lbs
Began powerlifting in '96. First meet weighed 165lb.
Competed untill '02. Final lifts were= squat 689, bench 550, deadlift 722. Took year off from competing to gain size, last meet competed at 236, by next year was 263. Decided I wanted to try bodybuilding. Spent some time training for size and shape, then one day in December of '04 decided to beat my previous best reps with 315lb(21 reps was my best). At ime I was putting up 505 raw. Started jamming it up and down, bout rep 12-13 something happened, thought just misgroved it. Nope, tore my right pec in half! 2 days later had surgery. To end story no working out for 3 months , dropped to 230lb and started over. Am now ready to give it a shot. Got my weight up to 277lb this year, and decided I better try now to do a show or I will keep putting it off. Started prep on March 19th at 269lb. as of today am at 257.5. Abs are begining to come in nice. Face looks thin already. This is first NPC show I will have done. Ok, the only other one I did was when I was 18, Greater Denton show here in Texas. It just so happens it was also someone elses 1st show. Ronnie Coleman was in the novice part of the show. Married to a wonderful woman, who will be doing The HEart of Texas figure contest in Sept. 3 great children. And I am a personal trainer in Royse City Texas.

[bencher]

I will keep everyone updated as to how things are going. Positives and negatives that I come across. Any insights are welcome, doesn't mean I will follow em, but they are welcome!
So far I feel much better this week over last. It is getting easier to follow meal plans, guess becoming habit. Have stopped all other supplements, like creatine, NO-Xplode. Just wanted to see what diet and cardio alone would do to my body.

[mbell]

looking forward to your progress, we need to get together sometime and train since we are so close. good luck

[bencher]

Def, M. We need to set up some time for it. Either your place or my gym. Jsut let me know big man.

[mbell]

where is your gym? whats it called. I can do shoulders or back one day next week you pick and let me know.

[bencher]

Tuesday is back and tri's. Royse City Fitness. Next to Soulmans BBQ in Royse City. East on 30.

[mbell]

what time are you training tomorrow night, I am going to try to make it, it just depends on traffic and getting through dallas.

[bencher]

Your out teaching in Dallas? Brave man:) What school? Usually work out at 3. Have to be at house by 6 to watch kids while wife goes to work. Let me check on taking kids to child care at nursery in gym, and we can try for 6 work out.

[bencher]

End week 2. 256lbs.

[mbell]

Thats a big difference man, from the back you look great, big ole shoulder and pretty wide to be as tall as you are. With a little posing practice you will look even bigger. the sweep in your quad looks better due to your waist getting smaller. keep it up. The only negative I see might be your calves, but those are really genetic. just hit them as hard as you can.


I will email you right quick so check it when you read this.

[bencher]

The calfs. I know! Years of powerlifting had no reason to work them. Plus I have no genetics for them at all. Hitting em hard now. 2-3 x week. Heavy and high rep days. Plus my hams are behing quad development, which is odd cause I have always done heavy deads and deep squats. But, have never worked on building them out.

[gerryt]

Great to see you posting here, B! Keep up the good progress and good luck!

[mbell]

whats gerry, miss you over at oldschool, drop by and say hi when you get a chance. I have log going with a few pics.

Now to Bencher, I had the opportunity to workout with this guy over the weekend and pictures don't do him justice. he will be a huge force to reckon with come show time. Great back workout, he knows his stuff and is super strong. looking forward to another workout.

[bencher]

AH! You beat me to the punch. Think Mbell and I both need to get a professional photographer to take our update pics. Work out was very good. And it was great to get tips from you. Start working on posing tonight, after kids go to bed.

[mbell]

How did you like the videos? My back has gotten more sore as the days gone by, not sure what caused it but i like it.