10 Weeks Out - Feeling Good, But Not There Yet
This was probably my favorite week of prep so far.
My energy was high.
I looked forward to eating every meal.
Training felt great.
Everything just seemed to click this week.
I know that won't last forever, but I'm going to enjoy it while it does.
Current Status
Division
- Men's Physique
- Classic Physique
Weeks Out
10
Current Weight
208.5 lbs
Starting Weight
216.4 lbs
Weekly Change
-1.7 lbs
Phase
Prep
Weekly Check-In Photos
Front
Side
Back
What Changed This Week?
This week felt different.
I'm finally getting to the point where eating this way doesn't really feel like dieting anymore.
I actually look forward to my meals, and I still don't have many urges to eat anything else.
I'm also not being 100% strict yet.
If I'm short on time or out with friends, I'll still occasionally grab something high in protein instead of bringing my own food everywhere.
Most of the time that's Chipotle.
It's probably the easiest place for me to estimate my macros when I'm out.
The only thing I've noticed is that if you actually watch them make your food, you realize how much the portions can change from one visit to the next.
Sometimes you're definitely getting more than what's listed on their nutrition guide, and other times you're getting less.
Right now I'm okay with that.
I take it into account when I track everything, and I still have enough time left in prep that I'm not too worried about being off by a little.
As I get closer to the show though, that'll have to stop.
Eventually every meal will need to come from my own meal prep if I want everything to stay as consistent as possible.
Outside of that, the week went exactly how I wanted.
I hit every workout.
I got all my cardio done.
By the end of the week I ended up at 208.5 lbs, one of my biggest drops since prep started.
This Week's StageLab Recommendation
Recommendation
Increase cardio by one additional 25-minute session per week.
Even though my weight dropped this week, StageLab still thinks I'm a little behind based on my check-in photos.
It's mainly my abs and lower back.
Those are still behind where they'd ideally be with ten weeks left.
Because of that, it's adding another 25-minute cardio session each week.
That brings me up to four cardio sessions.
Honestly, I don't disagree with it.
The weight is moving again, which is great, but conditioning is what really matters.
If adding a little more cardio now helps me stay on track and avoids having to make a really aggressive cut at the end of prep, I'd rather do that.
Small adjustments now are usually easier than trying to fix everything in the last few weeks.
My Thoughts
This is probably my favorite part of prep.
Calories are still high enough that I have good energy.
Training is still fun.
I actually feel stronger in the gym.
At the same time, I'm starting to notice visible changes in the mirror every week.
It's a good reminder of what simply eating clean can do.
The last couple of years I really haven't paid much attention to what I was eating.
Now that everything is planned out again, it's honestly surprising how quickly things start changing.
I know this part doesn't last forever.
Eventually calories will come down.
Cardio will keep increasing.
Energy won't be what it is now.
For now though, I'm just enjoying it while I can.
Current Plan
Calories
2725 kcal
Protein
227 g
Carbs
283 g
Fat
76 g
Cardio
4 x 25 min
What Happens Next
This week I'm in the middle of moving and have a lot on my mind but I'm still going to push hard in the gym.
I'm going to get the fourth cardio session done and stay on track with my meal prep.
Keep enjoying the higher energy while it's still here.
Hopefully this small adjustment is enough to get my conditioning back where it needs to be before prep starts getting much harder.
Current Snapshot
Weight: 208.5 lbs
Starting Weight: 216.4 lbs
Weeks Out: 10
Phase: Prep
Current Recommendation: Increase cardio to four 25-minute sessions per week.
Current Focus: Keep the momentum going while bringing up abdominal and lower back conditioning.
Next Update
Prep Files #10 - 9 Weeks Out