3 Weeks Out...update...

As of yesterday, I am 3 weeks out of the GNC Max Muscle Naturals Bodybuilding Show. It is my first one, and the goal, according to my trainer, is "to get on stage with my suit on right." haha

The calories are low, but not deathly low yet. I do not feel too bad on most days. The worst is when I have to get up at 430am for cardio, then head over to work. Work my usual 615 to 5pm shift, then head over to the gym for some weight training. Being up 18-19 hours a day and only having a limited amount of food in me is pretty damn miserable. However, getting up at a normal time, say 8am, makes the day fly by and I do not feel so bad.

Currently, I am 5.1% body fat. I'd post pictures, but I'm one of those believers in hiding things and covering up until its time to present the final product. Never been one to show things off half way. Just not my style I guess. Cardio is up to 7 days a week, with 2 hard sessions at 45-60 min, and 5 light ones for 30 min. The current daily totals are about 2600 calories, over 300g of protein, and over 100g of fat. No direct sources of carbohydrates, except for green or fibrous vegetables. The other carbs are trace amounts from peanut butter and eggs pretty much. I originally had cut out all my protein powders, but was informed by my trainer to add at least one in.

Speaking of my trainer. His name is Emile Jarreau, and he runs M2Fitness along with Bea Fox (http://m2fitnesspros.com or http://mrfatloss.com). I already knew a lot coming into this contest preparation (sh*t, most of you who actually read this know me and have asked me for advice at some time or another), so I really wanted someone who could humble me and teach me things I did not know about health and fitness in general. Bodybuilding is great, but it is not life, it is definitely not MY LIFE either. Not everyone wants to step on stage and compete, so it is very important to be extremely well rounded and have enormous amounts of knowledge behind all of this. I feel like I have made a pretty good decision and the knowledge I have accumulated during these past few weeks is gonna carry forward to the rest of my fitness career.

Anyway, things are going good and I can't be happier with my decision to prepare for a contest. It has definitely pushed and challenged me to mental and physical limits I have not reached before. The only downside, I really miss my friends and family. Sometimes, contest prep feels like I am incarcerated in my own world with a guard around me blocking me from social life. Like missing dinner with my really close friends last night. That one hurt. (Sorry Diana and Tim) Seeing my parents this weekend and not being able to hang out with them much. Sh*t hurts. Couple more weeks to lock it down. I gots this.