Prep Files #18: 1 Week Out — Peak Week
Peak week is here. I'm sitting at 202.2 lbs, feeling good about where I am, and ready to see what one final week can do.
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Prep Files
Follow the full contest-prep timeline through weekly data, progress photos, StageLab recommendations, plan adjustments, and honest reflections from each phase.
Prep Files #17: 2 Weeks Out — Starting to Feel It
The brain fog and fatigue are finally showing up, the scale stalled, and I picked up a minor quad injury. Two weeks left and there's still a little more conditioning to bring in.
Prep Files #16: 3 Weeks Out — Finally Catching Up
After spending most of prep feeling slightly behind, I'm finally getting close to where I need to be. Three weeks left and the plan is working.
Prep Files #15: 4 Weeks Out - Locked In
The weight is finally moving consistently, training is still strong, and with four weeks left I'm starting to feel the hunger and fatigue of prep a little more.
Prep Files #14: 5 Weeks Out - Things Are Moving Again
The calorie cut finally got things moving again. Weight is down, hunger is starting to show up, and with five weeks left it's time to keep pushing.
Prep Files #13: 6 Weeks Out - Crunch Time
Six weeks out and there's still work to do. The diet is getting tighter, calories are coming down, and there's not much room left to play around.
Prep Files #12: 7 Weeks Out - Birthday Week
Birthday week made staying on plan a little harder, and with conditioning still slightly behind, it's finally time for the first real calorie cut.
Prep Files #11: 8 Weeks Out - More Activity, Same Calories
The scale moved a little and my waist came down, but conditioning still needs to catch up. For now, that means more activity instead of less food.
Prep Files #10: 9 Weeks Out - Progress Doesn't Always Show on the Scale
Moving apartments made prep a little more challenging this week, but the check-in photos told a different story than the scale.
Prep Files #09: 10 Weeks Out - Feeling Good, But Not There Yet
Energy is high, weight is dropping, but my check-in photos are saying I still have some work to do.
Prep Files #08: 11 Weeks Out - Trusting the Process
A little more cardio got the scale moving again, but a couple meals out reminded me I still need to be better prepared.
Prep Files #07: 12 Weeks Out - The First Adjustment
The first adjustment of prep is here. Weight has started to slow, cardio is increasing, and it's time to start tightening things up.
Prep Files #06: 13 Weeks Out - The Scale Didn't Move
The scale stayed exactly the same, but this week felt much better. Training and cardio were back on track, I felt tighter, and the check-in photos finally showed some improvement.
Prep Files #05: 14 Weeks Out - A Needed Reality Check
Not every week goes according to plan. This week was a reminder that consistency matters more than intentions.
Prep Files #04: 15 Weeks Out - Starting to Feel Like Prep
The scale keeps moving, cardio is becoming routine again, and for the first time this prep feels like it's actually underway.
Prep Files #03: 16 Weeks Out — Progress Without Perfection
Weight is trending down, energy is high, and progress is happening despite imperfect adherence. The challenge now is turning momentum into consistency.
Prep Files #02: 17 Weeks Out — First Signs of Progress
One week into prep. Weight is moving in the right direction, consistency is improving, and the focus remains on building momentum.
Prep Files #01: 18 Weeks Out — Starting My Men's Physique & Classic Physique Prep
Starting at 216.4 lbs, I'm documenting my entire contest prep, including check-ins, adjustments, progress, and the tools I'm using along the way.