Testing a post from my DROID X

This allows me to update my blog while on the move!

5 1/2 Weeks to go

This last weekend was my birthday weekend and we went to Vegas to celebrate.  I woke up early on Friday to do Calves and Back so that I wouldn't miss any workouts.  The drive was uneventful and that night I did 2 shows at the Excalibur.  Bianca, Allen and Ally came to watch the 2nd show.  It's always a blast to perform when you know someone in the audience.

After the show we went to the Artisan for cocktails.  That place is a gem!  We had a great time and at about 2AM I had to call it a night.  We could have kept going, believe me!  I had a few cocktails (I know, not on the diet), but I kept it all sugar free and drank lots of water so I felt pretty good when we left.  It was a long day and my back and hips were aching from doing deadlifts from the floor that morning (I usually do them from the rack).  I will do them from the floor to put a little more emphasis on my lower back and glutes that I am fighting with right now to get lean.

Woke up Saturday morning with no hangover but feeling tired.  Got Andy to go, but Michael was not functioning yet.  Went to Gold's on Flamingo and Sandhill and met up with Mikey and Jen.  Jen setup to take some shots of us working out.  She will be submitting the pictures to Muscle Insider magazine.  She (and I) might get published!  You can check out her work at http://www.jenniferchamberlinphotography.com  Trained Biceps and Shoulders.  Andy impressed us all by doing 100lb hammer curls.  We had lots of fun and had breakfast afterwards at the Blueberry Hill across the parking lot.  Steak and Eggs (of course).

Andy dropped me at Planet Hollywood where the girls were doing shopping and we hung out there for a few hours before heading back to the Monte Carlo for a nap and to get ready for the night.  We met everyone at Outback Steakhouse (on the strip) and had a tremendous dinner (more Steak).  I had a few appetizers too.  Hey it was my last weekend to relax before the final stretch into the show.  After we headed back to the hotel to get ready.  

At about 11 some us us headed over to Studio 54 where Mikey had setup VIP for us.  The club was perfect and we were treated very well.  Everyone had a good time!  Unfortunately I can't give you any more details for the rest of the night as I have been sworn to secrecy! 

Next morning we slept in and then hit the Monte Carlo brunch buffet as it was closing.  As usual my eyes were too big for my stomach and I loaded up 6 plates.  Only managed to finish about 2.  Tried to use it as my cheat meal to fill up but failed miserably.  I managed to sneak some fruit out which I ate on the drive back home.  We left around 6 hoping to miss traffic, but only got back around 11.  Brutal!!!  At least we got to talk most of the way back and I didn't have to be a taxi driver as no-one really slept.

This week has been very successful so far.  I can see my glutes coming in, but my lower back still has a ways to go.  Starting to see deeper separation on the sides of my arms and the vascularity is becoming more prominent, including my abs.  I am starting to use BCAAs more this week after reading some stuff from Author L Rea.  Pre Cardio, Post Cardio, Pre Workout and Post Workout.  About 30g total.  I weight 245lb this morning so the weight is coming off nicely.  I figure if I can get to about 240, I'll be ready.

End of week 9

Great week!  

Just got back from watching Alice in Wonderland.  Thoroughly enjoyed it.  Prior to that we had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and I had some appetizers, a big burger and a cappuccino.  At the movie I had some candy.  I stared to heat up like crazy and I had to roll my jeans up to my knees.  The cheat meal definitely kick my metabolism hard.

Was down 5 pounds on Saturday from last week.  A little concerned that I dumped muscle this week, so I will be weighing myself every day to see how far I go back down.  This morning I was was 2 pounds up from yesterday, so I could have just been very dehydrated yesterday.

Trained at the Koloseum on Saturday AM with Michael.  Biceps and Delts.  Also took some pictures and video.  At the end of this contest cycle we are going to make a short documentary.  Last week I tweaked my right trap and saw Dr. Metten for some ART on Thursday.  It was tender on Friday night during back, but is feeling better every day.  I'll just have to baby it.

Last week I dropped my protein by 1 ounce per meal and I can really see a difference this week.  I also started using Lipolyze this week.  I hate changing more than 1 variable at a time, but I am running out of time.  The bodyfat on my back side has to come off now!

Will continue with an hour of cardio in the morning this week and train really hard.  

We are going to Vegas for my birthday next weekend and it will be my last relax before the last 6 weeks.

End of Week 7

Increased cardio to 1 hour in the morning and it has really been beating me up, but my strength in the Gym is still good and my energy is OK for my weights at night.  Thank God for my Dyamtize Xpand.  That stuff is like the magic potion from the Asterix comics.

Weight is still even at 250.4 this morning.  My bodyfat dropped slightly when we did the skinfold measurements.  I could have sworn it dropped more this week, so I'm a little doubtful as to the relaibility of those tests.  Highest fat piches are still subscap and kidney which is obvious from looking at me.

Abs are definitely in.  Very excited about that!  Arms are veiny and hard, still looking for striations in the triceps.

Added some fat burners today and will see how my body reacts.

Big cheat meal tonight: 3 Burgers, 5 slices Pizza, 6 small cupcakes, 1 pint of Ice Cream, Candy.  

I think I will cut my cheat meal at 8 weeks.  Don't want to panic quite yet, but also want to stay ahead of the game and not have to rush at the end.  

The thing I really need is someone to push me in the gym.  My motivation is high, but having someone there to push me would make a heck of a difference at this point.  Micheal should be here by the weekend so I will start working out with him.  I'll also be in Vegas this weekend and can get a few workouts in with Mikey.

Week 5

Really hungry this morning. Chicken and almonds couldn't come quick enough!