Mmm, PCP!

Here's a short and sweet post-cheat posing video from 10 weeks out--gotta love that half-time carb-up!  I debated on whether or not I should even post this video--not because I don't look awesome, but because there's so many things going on in the background.  I especially hesitated because of those RIDICULOUS one-arm t-bar rows.  Honestly, I just didn't want to embarrass that poor guy on YouTube.  Hope it isn't too distracting, and no, t-bar rows should NEVER EVER be done like that.

Tri This

The triceps isn't a particularly complex muscle, but it can be a tricky one to develop properly.  A lot of people have problems in their upper body with symmetry and proportion, and the triceps is no exception (I am no exception either--left side fail!).  Most people have imbalances within the triceps as well, usually caused by chronic imbalances in the training itself, not to mention structural differences and variations in chronic postural tendencies from side to side.  That being said, here are a few pointers to help with symmetry, general development, strength, and size!

Benchmark II

Finally got a video shot!

I've lost two pounds since the last one.  Although to be fair, my weight has fluctuated a bit in between--I've been between 153 and 156--not sure what that means since it kinda looks like I'm getting bigger.  Oh well, whatever it is seems to be working!

Benchmark I

So far, this has been my best off-season by a long shot.  Hard instead of soft, ripple-y instead of smooth: it's fantastic!  But it's time to start thinking about my next competition, and when your cutting phase is going to be a grueling 5 month sojourn, it's important to start the building phase much, much earlier than that.

The plan:

From now until my prep starts in late February/early March, I will be following a primarily high fat-low protein-moderate carb approach.  I find this yields the best results in terms of both muscular hypertrophy and fat elimination.  My current intake (calculated based on my macro profile, not including trace amounts or random overages) is right around 1,900 calories.  When all is said and done, it is probably closer to 2,000.  And yes, I do get pretty hungry between meals--a planned weekly or every-ten-days cheat meal is normally included.  Some weeks, my training partner and I go out to breakfast, others it's as little as a few hundred extra calories.  At this point, whatever gives me the feeling of not being ultra-depleted from week to week is sufficient to keep me going.

Macro-nutrient profile: 25/15/15 (carbs/fat/protein respectively)

Current weight: 154

Following this, I will be doing a 20 week prep for the 2013 USA Championships in Las Vegas (late July).  You might be thinking, "Girl, you are not going to be competitive on a national stage that soon," and you might be right.  But if I can qualify for it in late spring, it's only another six or eight weeks to the USA's, and at that point, you might as well, amirite?

"Starting point" posing vid:

Posing for ME

I am having so much fun with this whole YouTube thing.

It's all zoomed out and stuff and my upper body is cold (Jordan!), but apparently Rick thinks I look great...and that I'm posing for him :)

I'm planning on qualifying for and competing at the USA's in Vegas in 64 weeks.  Thoughts?