6 weeks out

Time is definitely ticking now! I can't believe I've been dieting for 12 weeks already. It seems so crazy because I'm down about 20+lbs. and my energy is still incredible. I actually think I look better now than I did at my last two shows last year. I can't wait to keep getting more shredded!! After discussing with Layne, he felt that another 8-9lbs would get me onstage "super shredded" There have been few modifications to my diet, HIIT cardio & low intensity cardio, but nothing too drastic. I was weighing in somewhere in the neighborhood of 150lbs last week, and I weighed in this week at 149lbs. My training hasn't changed too much either. I don't feel like my strength has really gone down much, so I haven't seen the need to tweak too many of my exercises, rep schemes or weights. I'm really excited about getting onstage at the end of the month. I'm going to keep practicing my posing routine as well as my mandatories. I definitely want to nail it when I step onstage this year! I'll have video of my posing routine by next week, so you can all see what I have put together so far. Ok, well, that's all for now. "til next week! 6 more weeks, baby!!

Dan

7 weeks out

Boy, am I feeling good. I'm holding at 150.2lbs and my energy is still through the roof. The diet and training are really affecting me in a good way this year; by this time last year, I was starting to get tired and I was feeling the effects of pre-contest preparation. Intake wise, I'm still at the same level. I have my two re-feed days, which really seem to help balance out those other lower carb days. The best thing that has come out of this pre-contest is HIIT(high intensity interval training) I really think it has made a big, big difference in my overall conditioning and I think it has helped create more separation in my legs. Layne Norton said that he feels about 8-9 more lbs. and I could be really shredded onstage. I'm looking forward to showing the package that I've been working on for the past 11-12 weeks. Since I'll be doing the NGA Annapolis in 3 weeks, I'm going to step up my posing practice. I've just sent out my registration, so that gets me even more excited! 'Til next time! 7 weeks out, baby!

Dan

8 weeks out

Man, I'm so excited with how this week has gone. It felt so crazy, but my strength and energy were through the roof. It baffles me that I am almost 20lbs lighter, yet I'm still doing the same poundage and with the same intensity. It makes my pre-contest that much easier :) As for the diet, there hasn't been any changes at all. My carbohydrate, protein & fat intake is still the same. The HIIT and low intensity cardio have stayed at 25 minutes and 35 minutes. My current weight is 151.4lbs-though I feel and I think that I look bigger than that. I've been putting some more time into my posing; I have about 90% of my routine done already. I'm going to be putting some more posing time on Sunday. I'm really excited about the Annapolis show at the end of June. The more I keep mentioning it, the more people say that they're going. I would really appreciate everyone's support! Well, that's all for now. I just wanted to write about how excited I was about this training week. I have one more HIIT session on Sunday, so hopefully the intensity extends all the way until then :) 'Til next week!

Dan

9 weeks out

Time is ticking..Time is flying..Another week has gone by in my journey to my 2 NGA competitions of the year..Since last week, I dropped my carbohydrate intake a bit and added 5 minutes to my low-intensity cardio days..Just to try to stay ahead of the curve..For 9 weeks out, I feel fantastic! My energy is high. My focus is high. My strength doesn't seem to have dropped one bit-which is always a good thing :) There hasn't been much of a change training/nutrition/cardio-wise since last week, so this blog won't be long. My weight is around 152.6lbs..'Til next week :)

Dan

10 weeks

Ok, so I am now 10 weeks away from the NGA Potomac. What makes it even more exciting is that I will be competing in the NGA Annapolis at the end of June. I am so anxious to step onstage and compete that I am really, really excited for the Annapolis to get here :) I have been practicing my posing and posing routine for the past week..I am always striving to put on a good quality routine, so this year will be no different..As far as the diet and cardio, Layne hasn't changed too much..I feel like my body has been responding so well that there really isn't a need for a drastic change..I am noticing small, subtle changes (my hamstrings and my glute tie-in are becoming more apparent)...My abdominal conditioning and overall conditioning is much improved from last week..Overall, I am very happy with the plan that Layne has put together for me..I will say that so far this has been my best pre-contest prep..Energy wise, I am just as good as when I started..I look forward to the changes that are to come..I look forward to putting 110% of my effort into these shows..My current weight is 153.8lbs..Let's see what next week brings :) 'Til next time!

Dan

11 weeks out

Man, time is flying by! It just seems like the week goes by so quickly..I guess that's a good thing when it's pre-contest dieting time..lol..My body seems to be responding really well to my current nutrition plan. So far, it has only been changed once since I started 7 weeks ago (my total carb intake has dropped 10 for both my normal and high-carb days)..I can't complain, though. My cardio has still remained the same, which has made my weight training sessions as intense and as strong as they were when I was in my off-season.. This weekend I will begin putting my posing routine together..Each year that I have competed, I have done a ballad type of song..This year, I'm looking to keep it the same and pose to Mariah Carey's version of "Open Arms"..I like the flow of the song and I think I can pose quite well to it...I will keep everyone updated on how that goes..If I can, I will even post up a video so everyone can see my overall progress..Ok, well, that's enough for now..My weight was around 155.4lbs when I last check..let's see what changes I can make for next week..'Til next time :)

Dan

12 weeks out

Ok, so I am now 8 weeks away from the NGA Annapolis in MD and 12 weeks away from the NGA potomac in Woodbridge, VA. When I weighed in yesterday morning I was 156.8lbs. For 6 weeks in, I am feeling great! My strength and energy have remained the same, and the diet is going very well. The cardio has remained the same ( 2 HIIT sessions and 2 low intensity sessions) Even the breakdown of my eating has stayed the same ( I guess if it's working, then there is no need to change it) For the past 6 weeks of my pre-contest, I have been guided by natural bodybuilder Layne Norton. He is overseeing my entire preparation, and I am very pleased with all of the work that he has put in. I will update more on my progress next week. For now, it's time to get to the gym for some HIIT on the elliptical. 'Til next time! :)

Dan