August Most Improved Competition [ENTRY OPEN until start]

[Charlie67]

I think I want to join this one... I chickened out of the last one, mostly out of excessive low self-esteem, sprinkled with a bit of self loathing. But the last competition really inspired me, and while I didn't say much, I kept tabs on it the entire time. I really hate the idea of posting pictures of myself, but I guess if there's anywhere to do it, here is the place.

I'm working through a bicep injury that's keeping me from doing direct bicep work, and I've mostly just done power lifting, but roughly my plan will be this: two heavy days with low reps, 3 hypertrophy days with high reps. I'm just wrapping up a small 6 week cycle, so I'll only be doing trt for the first 6-8 weeks, then I'll evaluate what I need to do. As for diet, I've not been doing great the past month with all the travel I do for work, but I think I'll go 300 to 500 calories below maintenance for the first 6 weeks and then see where I'm at. Honestly I could afford to do more as I'm rather pudgy currently... And I'm drooling over that calzone posted above... But I'd like to keep what little muscle i have. I've never done cardio consistently, but i think I'll start with some low intensity morning walks with a weighted vest.

I'm very open to critique and suggestions so if anyone has some, I'm happy to listen. I'll post pictures today (but like others said, I don't care if people wait until this weekend for whatever reason).

Best of luck everyone!
C-

Stop over-thinking, simplicity facilitate many things.

[Capebuffalo]

I think I want to join this one... I chickened out of the last one, mostly out of excessive low self-esteem, sprinkled with a bit of self loathing. But the last competition really inspired me, and while I didn't say much, I kept tabs on it the entire time. I really hate the idea of posting pictures of myself, but I guess if there's anywhere to do it, here is the place.

I'm working through a bicep injury that's keeping me from doing direct bicep work, and I've mostly just done power lifting, but roughly my plan will be this: two heavy days with low reps, 3 hypertrophy days with high reps. I'm just wrapping up a small 6 week cycle, so I'll only be doing trt for the first 6-8 weeks, then I'll evaluate what I need to do. As for diet, I've not been doing great the past month with all the travel I do for work, but I think I'll go 300 to 500 calories below maintenance for the first 6 weeks and then see where I'm at. Honestly I could afford to do more as I'm rather pudgy currently... And I'm drooling over that calzone posted above... But I'd like to keep what little muscle i have. I've never done cardio consistently, but i think I'll start with some low intensity morning walks with a weighted vest.

I'm very open to critique and suggestions so if anyone has some, I'm happy to listen. I'll post pictures today (but like others said, I don't care if people wait until this weekend for whatever reason).

Best of luck everyone!
C-

Stop over-thinking, simplicity facilitate many things.

Glad to have you aboard. No excuses only results.

[cousinmuscles]

I think I want to join this one... I chickened out of the last one, mostly out of excessive low self-esteem, sprinkled with a bit of self loathing. But the last competition really inspired me, and while I didn't say much, I kept tabs on it the entire time. I really hate the idea of posting pictures of myself, but I guess if there's anywhere to do it, here is the place.

I'm working through a bicep injury that's keeping me from doing direct bicep work, and I've mostly just done power lifting, but roughly my plan will be this: two heavy days with low reps, 3 hypertrophy days with high reps. I'm just wrapping up a small 6 week cycle, so I'll only be doing trt for the first 6-8 weeks, then I'll evaluate what I need to do. As for diet, I've not been doing great the past month with all the travel I do for work, but I think I'll go 300 to 500 calories below maintenance for the first 6 weeks and then see where I'm at. Honestly I could afford to do more as I'm rather pudgy currently... And I'm drooling over that calzone posted above... But I'd like to keep what little muscle i have. I've never done cardio consistently, but i think I'll start with some low intensity morning walks with a weighted vest.

I'm very open to critique and suggestions so if anyone has some, I'm happy to listen. I'll post pictures today (but like others said, I don't care if people wait until this weekend for whatever reason).

Best of luck everyone!
C-

Stop over-thinking, simplicity facilitate many things.

Welcome aboard!

[bethdoth]

I think I want to join this one... I chickened out of the last one, mostly out of excessive low self-esteem, sprinkled with a bit of self loathing. But the last competition really inspired me, and while I didn't say much, I kept tabs on it the entire time. I really hate the idea of posting pictures of myself, but I guess if there's anywhere to do it, here is the place.

I'm working through a bicep injury that's keeping me from doing direct bicep work, and I've mostly just done power lifting, but roughly my plan will be this: two heavy days with low reps, 3 hypertrophy days with high reps. I'm just wrapping up a small 6 week cycle, so I'll only be doing trt for the first 6-8 weeks, then I'll evaluate what I need to do. As for diet, I've not been doing great the past month with all the travel I do for work, but I think I'll go 300 to 500 calories below maintenance for the first 6 weeks and then see where I'm at. Honestly I could afford to do more as I'm rather pudgy currently... And I'm drooling over that calzone posted above... But I'd like to keep what little muscle i have. I've never done cardio consistently, but i think I'll start with some low intensity morning walks with a weighted vest.

I'm very open to critique and suggestions so if anyone has some, I'm happy to listen. I'll post pictures today (but like others said, I don't care if people wait until this weekend for whatever reason).

Best of luck everyone!
C-

Stop over-thinking, simplicity facilitate many things.

If you would like to show us the numbers you come up with TDEE - 500 and your macro split I am sure someone could either say it's spot on or suggest something different. They are your competition, but are also here to help!
Here is a song for you to walk to or slow jog. Used to be one of my favorites when I was a drill instructor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RQuscVC3f0

Welcome aboard and good luck .... dig deep and motivate!

[guitarzan]

Btw, my goals are to lose as much fat as possible, while keeping as much muscle as possible

[Charlie67]

Btw, my goals are to lose as much fat as possible, while keeping as much muscle as possible

I think that's likely everyone's goal, I know its mine!

[guitarzan]

I think that's likely everyone's goal, I know its mine!

Yea, for us fat guys anyway...lol
I'm sure some guys will be concentrating more on adding muscle

[guitarzan]

Attachment 173645
I'm extremely happy, been trying to build my leg strength back after taking over a year off from training them cause of back injury. When I recently started back I struggled with 135lb. This morning I did 225 for 12 reps like it was nothing, then 275 for 6 reps, fairly easy. I could've done more reps, and more weight, but I'm gonna take it easy and make for sure I dont push it too fast. My legs and ass are growing, I'm very happy bout that!

[hammerheart]

Attachment 173645
I'm extremely happy, been trying to build my leg strength back after taking over a year off from training them cause of back injury. When I recently started back I struggled with 135lb. This morning I did 225 for 12 reps like it was nothing, then 275 for 6 reps, fairly easy. I could've done more reps, and more weight, but I'm gonna take it easy and make for sure I dont push it too fast. My legs and ass are growing, I'm very happy bout that!

No injury on my part in fact back is the strongest in the chain when it comes to squats, I did 225 too last time 8-ish reps hope to push 275 tomorrow.

Before gym days I could hardly do 125 for a few reps but the leg pressing helped bringing out the power I had in legs and ass, so now I can start squatting with proper loads.

[hammerheart]

Back is sore today, lats too, was struggling with lat activation in the pushdowns and my lats have gone soft, issue was poor form but finally fixed it after realizing what I was doing wrong.

Chest tonight.

[Charlie67]

Here is a song for you to walk to or slow jog. Used to be one of my favorites when I was a drill instructor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RQuscVC3f0

Welcome aboard and good luck .... dig deep and motivate!

That's fantastic, lol. It is oddly motivating, and almost forces you to walk to the rhythm. I have three kids, I might make them march with me.