I competed in NPC Junior Nationals on June 12-13. I came in with a much bigger and leaner package than years past. Since July we have slowly transitioned from a bodybuilding split to more of a powerlifting/strength focus, while still hitting lots of volume to build mass. Scott Paltos has been doing my programming since March. We've added quite a bit of muscle and are continuing to work some technical things with my raw lifts. Possible raw meet in May and a physique show later in the summer.

Wow... feels weird to write "meet prep" in the subject line.  Been writing "off season" for the last 10 months. Crazy... but exciting!

In my last training log here, I gave an overview of my off season. Touched on the main things that I learned and that took place.  I mean, it was a hell of an off season.  You see, I started prepping for a show in April, right when my divorce process started.  It probably wasn't the best scenario (stress wise) to be doing a show, but I think it's one of the few things that kept me sane.  I didn't tell Amit at first but I eventually had to let him know as I knew my stress levels would have an effect on how my body responded to dieting, cardio and training. He and Scott (since Scott was handling my training) kept me level headed and calm and I still brought an amazing package to the stage in June.

So after that, I knew I needed a long off-season for many reasons and that was one of them. I really couldn't be committing to another meet or show with all that was going on.  So yeah, it's been a bumpy road, but as usual, my training has been an outlet. So have those close to me and I wouldn't change those people for anything.

Now that things have settled (well, not really... I mean, does life ever really settle?), I figured it was time to get back on the platform. I don't think I've competed raw since 1999.  Even my early USAPL and collegiate nationals meets were all done in single ply "gear". Haha.  All the old school single ply stuff.

So this should be fun. I'm absolutely loving it and obviously the physical and aesthetic changes I've made are awesome. I'm sitting at about 138 now and still pretty lean (delts, abs, quads are still there). So to be this heavy and this lean is good.  I feel like a thick brick house and I think I like this more than being 121 and 9% bodyfat.

Ok, first few days of meet prep are in the books.  Hoping to get in some training down at the compound this weekend as I travel to the Arnold to help out some teammates.  I'm probably more of the designated "video my lift" or "get me some gatorade" girl, but that's ok.  You do what you can to help out your teammates. #teamelitefts

Monday

A. DB bench 5x12 @ 60's
B1. Chest supported row 4x8
B2. Inside shoulders Push-ups 4xfail (30, 28, 25, 23)
C. Standing laterals 4x12
D. Seated single arm alternating shoulder press 4x10ea
E. Lat pull downs 5x12
F. Mace pushdowns 4x12 4-4-4
G. Banded face pulls x100

 

Tuesday
A. Narrow stance squats 4x10 @ 175-185
B. Stiff leg sumo deads 4x8  @ 215
C1. Pulsed lunges 4x12ea
C2. Piston goblets 4x20
D. Single leg Hamstring curls 3x8
E. Single arm KB swing 3x10ea
F. Abs 5mins