Ok guys (and gals),
It is time to put myself on the chopping block, so to speak
The first set of photos were taken last Sunday to mark the end of my cutting cycle for 2007. It was a 24 weeks cycle of which 12 was bulking and 12 was cutting, just the way I have always been doing it.
I started in April at 195lbs 15%, bulked to 215lbs, 19% BF and ended up 186lbs, 6% BF... I've been using the 7 point caliper tests for the measurements. As you notice, I am still not shredded in the a**ominal and lower back area because of loose skin....it has plagued me for 4 years now, only slightly getting better each time. I guess its because I let myself get too fat off cycle and my skin doesn't have a chance to tighten....so this time, I am going to keep myself as lean as possible to the next cycle so it can be shorter and there will be less to cut.
The second photo is plotting my progress from 2004 to 2007, as you can see, I've been making steady gains every year except 2005 where I had to cut my cycle because of an injury (a very severe fever inducing abscess from injecting winny).
Also, this is the first year I am posting pics of my wheels...previously they were very underdeveloped so I was too embarrassed to post them. I've been focusing on them all year and feel they are good enough to post now, although the separation is still not there because I've been adding sheer mass through compound movements like squats, SLDL and Leg presses. My calves refuse to grow no matter how I've trained them in the past..its a genetic thing I guess.
Anyway, all constructive feedback appreciated
cheers
P.S. I'm 5' 11'' and 29 yrs old
P.P.S. Thanks to MikeXXL for his help on contest prep, which what I tried to simulate here. My muscles were filled up nicely and my vascularity was never better. However, I didn't shed as much water as I ought to, so I guess I need to manipulate by salt intake/diet better or start my diuretics earlier next time round as I get closer to the photoshoot day. It was a great learning experience.