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In the days following the Natural Olympia
contest, I made the decision to just skip competing in the Natural
Universe the following week. I had completely missed my peak for
the Natural Olympia and I didn’t think I would be able to come
back from that condition in time for another show one week later.
After the Natural Olympia competition was finished, I went out
and ate a good dinner out in Las Vegas. The following day, I allowed
myself to eat basically whatever I wanted. Even after eating several
“regular” meals in restaurants, my physique still looked depleted
and flat. This showed me just how depleted I must have been for
the competition if I still did not look full after a day of eating.
The Monday following the competition, my bodyweight was back up
to 203.5 pounds and my waist had expanded to 33 ¼”. I went
back to the gym and started back on my diet on that day in order
to get in shape for the next week. I had a photo shoot scheduled
with IRONMAN Magazine in only seven days and I wanted to look
my absolute best.
By
Tuesday, my weight had dropped to 200 pounds and my waist was
down to 33”. I had increased my calories on this day to 3300 to
prevent flattening out like I had the previous week. On Wednesday,
my weight continued to drop to 198.5 lbs with the waist still
holding steady at 33”. By Thursday, my weight and waist were still
the same as the previous day.
Based on my current condition, I made the decision to compete
again at the Natural Universe that weekend. I knew my chances
of beating the top three competitors from the Natural Olympia
were slim to none but I figured I would at least be able to get
some good shots of me posing onstage. I called the promoter, Denny
Kakos, to tell him I was competing and to find out the details
of the check-in, etc.
To my surprise, Denny told me that there would not be a pro division
at the Natural Universe. No professional bodybuilder had submitted
an entry form so they were not going to include a professional
category that weekend. Seeing as how my physique was already dramatically
improved from the previous weekend, I was very disappointed in
not being given the opportunity to compete.
I
asked Denny if I could possibly compete in the amateur/open division
of the Natural Universe. After talking it over with some of the
other officials, it was decided that I would be allowed to enter
the open division.
On Friday, my weight had dropped a little more to 197.5 lbs and
my waist was now at 32 ¾”. I posed for my training partner,
Joe Silzer, that evening so he could evaluate my physique. After
looking at the photos from the Natural Olympia the previous weekend,
Joe said I looked much, much better this week and he couldn’t
believe how bad I looked the week before. It’s amazing how quickly
the physique can change when you are near peak condition. A few
days, even a few hours, can bring about a dramatic transformation
(for better or for worse) with just some slight modifications.
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| Front
Double Biceps |
Front
Lat Spread |
Front
Relaxed
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Most
Muscular pose
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Rear
Double Biceps |
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Rear
Lat Spread |
Relaxed
from the back. |
Side
Triceps
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Side
Chest |
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I left for California on Saturday, November 20th. I even brought
along my scale to measure my bodyweight as the contest approached.
Even though I was only going to be away from home for one day,
I didn’t want to risk the possibility of my physique flattening
out again. Joe recommended that I weigh myself and measure my
waist after EVERY MEAL while I was in the hotel room. It was crucial
that I show up onstage full and hard, just like I looked in the
gym.
After I arrived in California, my friend Angel (who accompanied
me on the trip) and I trained at the famous Gold’s Gym in Venice,
California. I did a light back and bicep workout and really liked
the way my physique was looking. I was very lean and tight but
was still full with great vascularity. I even took some photos
after the workout right at the familiar spot in the gym where
all the great bodybuilding stars evaluate their physiques.
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Front
Relaxed |
Front
Double Biceps |
Front
Lat Spread |
Side
Triceps |
Side
Chest |
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Most
Muscular pose |
Relaxed
from the back. |
Rear
Lat Spread |
Side
Biceps |
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That
evening, I cut my water intake at 5pm and continued to eat to
maintain my fullness. I ate over 3500 calories that day with almost
300 grams of carbs. I constantly monitored my bodyweight and my
waist size throughout the night. By Saturday evening, I was 200
pounds and my waist was still 32 ¾”.
The Natural Universe competition was held in Hollywood, California
on Sunday, November 21st. To my surprise, there were very few
of the professional bodybuilders from the previous weekend competing.
The only one entered in the Natural Universe was Moses Ajala who
placed sixth (one spot ahead of me) at the Natural Olympia. With
the improvements I made to my physique, I was hoping to beat Moses
this weekend and win the overall at the Natural Universe.
The
promoters divided the competitors into three height classes. I
was placed in the short class along with Moses. It was obviously
very close between us as the judges kept asking for more comparisons
during the pre-judging. I had better shape and symmetry but Moses
was very thick for his size and was a little bit harder even though
he is lacking in structure and width.
At
the evening show, Moses won the overall in the Masters division
defeating some good competition. I got a chance to see him from
the audience as opposed to standing next to him onstage and I
had to admit that he looked pretty hard. I was happy with how
I looked because of my increased fullness but I know how it is
in the modern world of competitive bodybuilding. No matter how
good your physique may look, hardness is the number one criteria
for determining a winner.
After
I completed my posing routine, I was announced second in the short
class to Moses Ajala. Looking at the photos, I felt like I could
have placed first based on my symmetry and size but Moses did
appear a little harder and that is the name of the game in bodybuilding
competition.
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| Beginning
my posing routine |
Side
Chest |
Rear
Double Biceps
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Posing
down at the evening show |
Taking
second place in my class |
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Posing
with the trophies |
I
was in great shape for my final competition. |
The
following day, I traveled to Mike Neveux’s studio for the photo
shoot for IRONMAN Magazine. Mike is one of the best physique photographers
in the business and I was anxious to shoot for him. I have done
several photo shoots with Mike over the last 5 years but this
was the best I have looked for his camera.
I was happy that Carmen Garcia was also able to make it for the
photo shoot. Carmen is one of the top fitness models in the country
and has been appearing on magazine covers throughout the years
including two appearances on the cover of IRONMAN Magazine.
After shooting some physique and training shots, Carmen and I
posed for Mike’s camera for a cover shot for IRONMAN. We spent
the better part of an hour taking photos under Mike’s professional
direction. I got a chance to view a few of the shots on the computer
after the shoot was over and they look fantastic. I can’t wait
to see the finished product on the cover of IRONMAN Magazine.
All
in all, 2004 was a great year for me. After struggling to regain
top shape since my bicep injury in 2000, I was finally able to
reach peak condition again. I won my first show of the year, the
Natural America’s Cup, and finished a strong second in the Natural
Mr. Universe. I was also in great condition for the IRONMAN Magazine
photo shoot and I overcame injuries and setbacks along the way.
Next
year looks very promising with the release of my new book, Natural
Bodybuilding, on January 15, 2005. I will also be a featured speaker
at the FitExpo which will be held in conjunction with the IRONMAN
Pro Show on February 18-20th, 2005. Plus, look for me on the cover
of IRONMAN Magazine along with the lovely Carmen Garcia sometime
next year. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
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