Contest Journal Entry Week 17

May 22, 2011

The pointy end of contest preparation With just 17 weeks until the first contest, my discipline for attention to detail will make or break me.  Food is now measured to the gram.  Cardio is meticulously planned.  Training is intense, focused and structured with the goal of building muscle foremost in my mind.  I know what [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Week 18

May 15, 2011

If I can, I must At eighteen weeks out, it’s time to step things up!  For fifteen weeks (since week 33) I have been preparing physically and mentally for this point when I can charge full steam ahead with contest preparation.  This is my “go time”.  If I had started thinking about the contest just [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Weeks 23 & 22

April 10, 2011

It’s now ten weeks since I began configuring the competition mindset I must adopt.  I am firmly in contest mode with 22 weeks to go.  Converting this mindset to physical actions will ensure I stand on stage looking my very best.  By upholding the standards and expectations I demand I will strive to make vast [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Week 24

April 3, 2011

The contest has been brought forward one week earlier than originally scheduled so there is no entry for week 24

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Contest Journal Entry Weeks 26 & 25

March 27, 2011

Review of this weeks’ goals Another solid fortnight of training done! Intensity and focus were exceptional. The weeks are flying by and I must progress tirelessly with the chief aim of growing muscle firmly in mind. Calories are still high and cardio is minimal. I have the opportunity every day to make dramatic improvements to [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Week 27

March 13, 2011

This week I was back into training after seven days rest.  I call this week an acclimation week which means I don’t train at full strength while my body readjusts to heavy resistance.  I use this week to prepare for the months ahead.  It felt fantastic to be back in the gym.  I am energised [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Weeks 29 & 28

March 6, 2011

Review of last week’s goals I am happy with my training efforts in week 29.  With a week’s rest looming, I was determined to wrench every bit of focus from my mind and intensity from my body to conclude my twelve week training block. One week break from training Week 28 was a scheduled rest [...]

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Does Muscle Weigh More Than Fat?

March 2, 2011

Fact or fallacy? Everyone knows muscle weighs more than fat.  Or does it?  It’s one of those ‘facts’ that most people accept but few understand. Sympathetic friends tell you that’s why you’re heavier on the scales.  Or it’s raised during discussions about BMI (Body Mass Index).  Many people vaguely know that BMI isn’t a reliable [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Week 30

February 20, 2011

Review of this week’s goals In response to last week’s lagging intensity, I re-established my level of commitment, refocused my efforts, and redefined my personal meaning of intensity.  People often ask me “how do I know if I’m training intensely enough?”.  The answer will be different for every person and for every goal.  For me [...]

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Contest Journal Entry Week 31

February 13, 2011

Review of This Week’s Goals This week my goal was to continue training with intensity and focus and eat all of my planned meals.  I felt my intensity lagging toward the end of the week.  I am due for a scheduled week break from training in two weeks time (I plan breaks to allow my [...]

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