Tilted Target.

As most of you know, I just wrapped up my second competition of the year.  I wanted to give the WBFF a try because of the opportunities that stem from competing within the organization.  My goal with fitness isn't to beat the guy next to me in an attempt to prove that I'm in some way better than him.  What would I be better at?  Considering the NPC / IFBB physique category still has no criteria for judging, what does better even mean?  It certainly doesn't mean my legs are even visible!  My goal is to build a platform for motivation, create an image, and share knowledge of proper nutrition, supplementation, and training to people in need.  The WBFF seems like the best fit for my goals.

I've been getting A LOT of questions about nutrition going into a show like this.  To the general public, we eat a lot of food and we have these magical metabolisms that never stop! We pound protein shakes, beef, and eggs all day long while working out three times per day.  I'm going to do my best to explain my pre-contest nutrition without revealing what one would pay a lot of money for, in respect to my coach, Craig Capurso.

Craig Lifts

Before you enter a contest, you will determine your basic maintenance calories.  Maintenance calories are defined as the number of total calories per day that you consume to maintain your current weight.  A timeframe for a male fitness prep is usually 14-20 weeks, depending on starting body fat.  As you progress into your prep, your calories slowly decrease.  Depending on your body type, you will adjust carbs, proteins, and fats to achieve optimal fat burning, while trying to maintain as much muscle as possible. As you close in on the final weeks of prep, it's very common to see low carb depletion followed by a day or even entire week of high-carb loading.  As you "carb up," you will generally cut back on water to achieve a full, dry appearing physique.  This is obviously a very general description of a pre-contest diet.  There are MANY ways to come in looking great.

Two Days out

14 Weeks Out - Day One

Our flight left Thursday night.  This was only the second time I've had to travel with all my meals.  I really pushed the "two bags per person" rule with my suit, cooler, suitcase, and backpack.  We made it work.  I give a lot of respect to competitors, athletes, and models that travel and maintain proper nutrition.  It's far from easy.  I pre-weighed and portioned various proteins, carbs, and fats, so I was prepared for any last minute changes.  Because everyone asks, some foods I travel with are: flank steak, white potato, sweet potato, fish, chicken, hard boiled eggs, whey, oats, peanut butter, rice cakes, etc.  Yes, I eat the food cold if necessary.  Contest prep isn't about enjoying every meal you put down.  It's about ingesting nutrients.  When you compete, you think of food as fuel.  You eat certain foods because you have to, not necessarily because you enjoy them.

Cold Fish, Dry Oats, Cinnamon

We got in to LAX around midnight, grabbed a cab and headed for what we thought was beautiful LA. We pulled up to our hotel in the middle of Koreatown and basically said YOLO lets sleep.  Our fridge was about the size of a basketball, and the only american speaking establishment within walking distance was Ralph's: The local homeless shelter / grocery store.

No Caption Necessary

Seems nice

On Friday, we took a walk to the venue to see where we would be competing.  The theater was very nice, and had an old rustic vibe.  I think they call it "character" on HGTV.  We got our tans done at 8:00PM on Friday night after registration and a competitor meeting.  It was back to the hotel then up early to start eating!

Backstage

We woke up early Saturday morning at about 3 AM to get a big meal in, then came back to the hotel to get some sleep.  We woke up, got another tan, and headed to the theater for pre-judging!

My original group (We were called out in groups of five) Trying to bring out the cinnabunz

Last shot before pre-judging

I came out of pre-judging in the first call out (top10) and knew I had to keep it tight if I wanted to do anything.  I was already holding A LOT of water and couldn't figure out why.  We think the travel may have had something to do with it.  We grabbed a burger and headed back to the hotel to rest before the night show.  For the night show, there is another round of judging in swimwear, and a fashion round.  I went with the layered wool... great choice.

Top 10

Third From the left - You can see the water retention in my stomach (Mirin Wisconsin Quads)

Sadly, I didn't make top5.  I'm certain it had plenty to do with my mid-section and the watery look.  I looked like a marshmallow! Under my personal circumstances for this prep, I have no reason to be upset.  I will leave these excuses between my coach and myself.  We battled some demons to say the least and even stepping on stage was an accomplishment in my book.  Making the top10 was icing on the cake.  Speaking of cake, look at that smile!  Back to Ralph's, no time to change out of that suit.

After being up all day, we crashed as soon as we finished our cake.  Well, I actually fell asleep before I finished mine!  Don't worry, I woke up at 3AM and ate it while I was sleeping, which freaked Tyler out.  We woke up Sunday, picked up a rental car, and headed far far away from Koreatown.  We went to Venice beach and had the opportunity to train at the Mecca of Bodybuilding: Golds Gym Venice with our boy Cyrus from Milwaukee!  He showed us a good time, and took us to the firehouse after for some good food!  Yes, I copped these amazing short shorts.

Ben, Tyler, Ryan, and Cryus in meathead heaven (Cyrus lifts)

The Mecca

Who wears mecca short shorts? Ben wears mecca short shorts! (Wisconsin squats)

Awesome menu at Firehouse!

We pulled an asian tourist move in Koreatown. Didn't even eat it.. just got a picture with it

After we showed Tyler the ocean for his first time, we went into Beverly Hills and had ourselves some eating disorder food.  SPRINKLES AND ICE CREAM.  Yes, that is a cupcake ATM on the left, and yes that is red velvet brownie ice cream chocolate chip heaven on the right.

It was my birthday Monday, so we celebrated at the airport by eating OATS! Man did I miss my oats.  After a few sketchy flights, we were home and I was ready for bed.

So you haven't cried yet, there hasn't been a deep, theatrical message secretly embedded in the text to tug on your heart, and I haven't taught you anything.  Did I even write this?  Let me start here.  My last blog post was about my lack of self confidence, friendships, support, life balance, and motivation.  How do you know if what you're doing is healthy?  Is success measured in personal gain, or is it measured in your ability to impact others.  I measure success in support.  There are times when even I find it hard to believe in myself.  When I get flooded with support, it brings out my best.  Because you believe in me, I gain confidence and start to believe in myself.  I could honestly tell you that even if I showed up to LA and took dead last, I would still be smiling. Let me show you why:

Thanks for the awesome picture of my FAVORITE little doggy, Sarah!

I want everyone to know that I read every comment, good and bad.  Every little word has a huge impact on my state of mind.  Although personal texts and emails aren't included, you know who you are, and I can't thank you enough.  This "sport" is pretty self diminishing if you ask me.  You train your heart out and diet like a crazy person for 12-20 weeks.  You travel, put on a spray tan, slap on some tight shorts, and flex on a stage while a panel of judges compares you to each-other and tells you whats wrong with you.  It takes a certain kind of person to deal with the scrutiny of competition.  Without these messages, phone calls, emails, Tweets, and Facebook posts, I would be dead in water.  There's really no other way to put it - Thank you.

Tilted Target

At the end of the day, it all comes back to Cellucor.  I don't know how else to explain that this isn't a company. Cellucor is a family that I am beyond lucky to be a part of.  From Robert, Colton, and Robert down in Bryan making sure I'm always stocked up on supplements... To Adam in NYC checking in and making sure I'm doing alright, motivating me, and showing lots of love on social... To Sabba up in Canada eh for the international support... To my Coach / Therapist Craig for making me eat fish and beans like they're going out of style, always being available to answer questions, and always telling me how it is, being an honest, good friend and role model... To Jen for her support, enthusiasm, and encouragement... To Karina for always talking me off the ledge, believing in me, and looking out for me... And then there was one.  BBD.  Big Brother Dan to this day is still the one person I can't seem to thank enough.  Dan is the glue that holds the Cellucor family together.  Since day one he's been there for me and helped me grow not only in the chest department, but as a person.  He was the first person I went to for advice when I got into working out, and he was the last person I talked to before I stepped on stage.  He's always giving me advice and pointing me in the right direction.  Not the right direction for Cellucor, the right direction for me.  He's helped me with business, he's helped my friends, and he's created the relationships I have with all of the amazing people listed above.  He's given me opportunities that most kids my age in this industry only dream of. To Dan, and everybody at Team Cellucor, thank you.

Well, thats a wrap.  Today marks two years from the first picture to the current.  I have a couple more things up my sleeve for 2013 that I can't wait to share with you.  After that, I'm going to spend a good amount of time trying to fix my poor metabolism, because eating 1,200 calories to lose weight isn't something I wish on anybody.  I want to thank Shelly for putting up with me, always lending a hand to help, and being my over the top number one fan - Love you mumma! (Although the dozens of cookies you decided to bake when I was 4, 3, 2, and one week out still blows my mind) Big thanks to my boy Tyler for making the trip out with us, Mike Short for the support that he doesn't want credit for, and HUGE shoutout to Ryan for killing it in his WBFF muscle model debut.  So proud of you for everything you accomplished man!

I've already hit the ground running and when I step on the next WBFF stage, it will be for a pro card. You can count on it.  See you in 2014.