Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Alex A on November 18, 2007, 04:57:13 PM
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Hello Everyone! I will not dissapear from GetBig or the sport of bodybuilding!
I had a hell of a ride to nationals but made huge errors in the end which resulted in me looking like a mess on stage, I have recovered mentally, will learn a huge lesson and move on and forward.
Let me Explain! Some of my errors please
I made Many key errors.. Here they are When I posted my pics. 2.5 weeks out, I weighed 163lbs. I should have continued to make the adjustments in my diet necessary to walk on stage in 2.5 weeks as a welterweight looking like this.
I had made up my mind at that point I would continue to work my diet along to make it down to 154lbs to compete in a successfull weight class for me in the past, the lightweight class. This was a huge mistake. I struggled hard to make weight. I got down to 153lbs on Thursday by cutting my food out leading up to the show the last days and cut water back so much that I did not know how to properly get my weight back up. This was a big mistake, but I learned.
Key Error #2 I fucked up my tan. Or someone else did. Well, i was the talk of the show! I looked like a black man. I truly did. Actually I was darker than most black guys and it ruined me. The curtain was black behind me and on stage i blended in with the curtain, my face was painted black. I was a wreck. I was not paying attention to who was coloring me and didnt even realize this.....SOunds crazy! Shit, it was the last thing on my fucking mind! My color, i didnt even think of it to be honest.
I got so much shit that one of the judges actually said, he didnt even judge me! he said, other judges too. All they saw on stage was some weird dark colored guy! Unbelivable. I looked like hell. That along with way too much oil
The combination of too much oil, too much color made me look way smooth and couldnt see nothing on me. Unless you were standing up close to me.
Key Error #3 I let the stress get to me. My wife is the one who usually hands this for me, she calms me down, does my color etc. And tells me to eat!
I just kept losing weight it seemed like being alone in my room and in Texas, far from home, it sucked
More stress.. The hotel was gouging the shit out of everyone! $20 dollar per day parking, $160 per day + $25 per day in taxes and no fridge or microwave in the room after calling twice and them saying there was one, this was stressfull! as hell! Plus this hotel just charged the shit out of you for everything, that shouldnt stress me, but the food situation did!
And along with me not getting my weight situation in order. I was screwed. I tried to recover but...shit! It was too late.
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too big for lightweights now,flatten out when that hard and tryng to cut to weighin,i'm still strong supporter and u have a freaky skinned look,usa's and nationals are both top of ladder,but the good amateurs rather diet for later date like nationals,u still are a mr. usa dude...
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hey Alex,
congrats on gettin thru it all.
i know how you feel right now, i've been contest ready weeks out and cannibalized muscle up to the show. not a good feeling; on top of the world and then the dissapointment. learn and adjust. your 2.5 week shots show you are a welterweight and there was nothing but muscle to lose.
next time you will be way better. bright side, most people have to improve greatly to look better on stage. for you all you need is to suffer less and come in better.
rik
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I was screwed after pre judging and tried to salvage this whole thing out. I had some down time, i came to post here only to have Isaac Hinds, who I ran into a dozen times at the show, telling you guys all about it. I still had the night show the next day and needed to redeem myself. I needed to get the color off me, fill out much more. I needed to eat. Instead I got into a debate with him on my thread. This was a mistake too, since he was reporting what he saw, not really knowing what really happened to me. We later met up in the elevator and worked it out.
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so you decided to lose 11lbs from the weight you were in those pics?! ???
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Key Mistake #3 I should have listened to my wife..... And others including Mark Dugdale. Many many people told me I should not drop a pound. after seeing me in person I was dry enough here.. I didnt listen of course because my mind was set on competing at a weight I was familiar at, not at a weight I looked my best at.
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forget about it man and concentrate on your next show, you're a machine.
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Alex, you're really hard in those pics; that's how you should have looked onstage; I don't know if you can improve on that a whole lot in hindsight. Maloney may have been right when he wondered if you could hold it...like not hold it in terms of not getting fatter, but hold it in terms of your muscle and crispness.
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Will someone post your pics from the show?
Lisa
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so you decided to lose 11lbs from the weight you were in those pics?! ???
my plan was to drop down then bring my weight back up by carbing back up the high one fifties or near there but I couldnt do it correctly. I should have just kept my weight the same. My body wanted more food and i didnt feed it, so i was losing some muscle from here till the show.
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My biggest mistake was dropping so much weight to make weight but the color just destroyed me. Totally! I was able to get the color off and all that oil, then clean my face, and fill up a bit more then look pretty good at night, only to not do nothing but watch.
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My biggest mistake was dropping so much weight to make weight but the color just destroyed me. Totally! I was able to get the color off and all that oil, then clean my face, and fill up a bit more then look pretty good at night, only to not do nothing but watch.
shame,ur still good sport and bbing u have too be.enjoy your daughter for a bit and then back for revenge .
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keep your head up my man, you made some mistakes and that's human.
you know what you are capable of and you inspired many of us competitors to push the things a little furter conditionning wise
things may didn't went how you wanted but you are still an inspiration and a model for me 8)
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This thread is going to turn positive soon!
I will go into all the positive soon. So many positives. So many cool people I met. So many people, I actually inspired to get in their personal best shape! competitors told me, some really good ones too. And I had so many other things come out of this.
I was able to recover with the color and filled up pretty nicely. I was contacted by MD for a shoot with them, which I did with 3 of the best competitors in the show. I was lucky to have this shoot with one of, if not the best photographer, who works for the biggest bodybuilding magazine in the business. Pretty good for an over sized lightweight. Plus, I have some magazine shoots, this week. Many other things came out of this too. I have to go now, but I will get back at you soon.
But I want to thank you guys! all this positive support is so cool. Winning is easy, losing sucks but life goes on. Shit, I didnt really lose much here .
Its much harder to stay ripped all year, then get into some crazy ass shape for a long time,( in the end, i screwed up,) but I did get in the best ass shape. I can do it again. I will do it again.
Like i said before, my life doesnt change, win or lose, not at all. Life is not much different, for me. Back to you soon. Alex a
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This thread is going to turn positive soon!
I will go into all the positive soon. So many positives. So many cool people I met. So many people, I actually inspired to get in their personal best shape! competitors told me, some really good ones too. And I had so many other things come out of this.
I was able to recover with the color and filled up pretty nicely. I was contacted by MD for a shoot with them, which I did with 3 of the best competitors in the show. I was lucky to have this shoot with one of, if not the best photographer, who works for the biggest bodybuilding magazine in the business. Pretty good for an over sized lightweight. Plus, I have some magazine shoots, this week. Many other things came out of this too. I have to go now, but I will get back at you soon.
But I want to thank you guys! all this positive support is so cool. Winning is easy, losing sucks but life goes on. Shit, I didnt really lose much here .
Its much harder to stay ripped all year, then get into some crazy ass shape for a long time,( in the end, i screwed up,) but I did get in the best ass shape. I can do it again. I will do it again.
Like i said before, my life doesnt change, win or lose, not at all. Life is not much different, for me. Back to you soon. Alex a
it's positive now Alex, you looked TREMENDOUS leading up to the show and just made a couple of mistakes, no big deal you live and learn, next time keep your wife with you at all times and forget reading the bullshit advice on the boards, i for one wish you'd post your training split, that would be a real gem of a thread.
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Will someone post your pics from the show?
Lisa
Good point Lisa, it'll be a good study in contrast. We're all learning from this thread; this is the good stuff. It's rare that we get to see the effect of dieting past your peak; so few people actually reach such low levels of bodyfat, and this is why you simply can't continuously diet, IMO; past a certain point, your body starts canibalizing it's own muscle. I'd forgotten how that happens; this was a good refresher course.
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wow great back width on Alex, back is a lot wider than i thought.
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Man,
You looked incredible @ 163. Not many people even
have the genetics to get that ripped. Put on 5 pounds
of quality muscle and come in @ 168 in that condition
and they couldn't help but notice you whatever the weight class.
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This is what I live for each and everyday, not bodybuilding trophies but this. Coming home to my wife and baby is the best part of this experience. People forget first and second, but the love of your family is always the most important thing in life guys.
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This is what I live for each and everyday, not bodybuilding trophies but this. Coming home to my wife and baby is the best part of this experience. People forget first and second, but the love of your family is always the most important thing in life guys.
have you ever been in group therapy?
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Man,
You looked incredible @ 163. Not many people even
have the genetics to get that ripped. Put on 5 pounds
of quality muscle and come in @ 168 in that condition
and they couldn't help but notice you whatever the weight class.
100% agree, you looked amazing when you posted, sorry to hear that everything fucked up, but you know what they say what ever doesn't kill you makes you stronger... next time you'll win for sure just keep at it :)
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100% agree, you looked amazing when you posted, sorry to hear that everything fucked up, but you know what they say what ever doesn't kill you makes you stronger... next time you'll win for sure just keep at it :)
Enough with the "win for sure" shit! If you want something to happen, you never say "for sure!" ;D
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i will be in shape for sure! and I will do my best to dial in there at the end etc. but judges are always looking for one look or the other.
That is one reason, I never even said I would win. I wanted to of course. I was in great shape till I made some changes. I love to bodybuild. I love to get ripped. I love to eat clean, i love to train. But being judged subjectively is tough.
To me, the day of the show is very important, of course but I love contest mode. I had a great great contest mode the last couple weeks. It was awesome!
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Alex im beat im going to bed...................ju st wanted to welcome you back my friend
(what/when is the next show?!?!?)
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Alex is that Dream Tan or something else?
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Jan Tana I bet.
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Good point Lisa, it'll be a good study in contrast. We're all learning from this thread; this is the good stuff. It's rare that we get to see the effect of dieting past your peak; so few people actually reach such low levels of bodyfat, and this is why you simply can't continuously diet, IMO; past a certain point, your body starts canibalizing it's own muscle. I'd forgotten how that happens; this was a good refresher course.
I wouldn't say its the effect of dieting past your peak, but seeing what happens when you are 'perfect' and you try to drop water/weight to make a certain weight. I have always said go into a show with whatever is your best look. F**K weight, just go into the show as conditioned and full as you can, and wherever you end up is where you end up.
I do remember a while back someone asking to show pics (ie. the difference) between being flat and not. Here is a perfect example.
Good post though Jeff.
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Hey thanks Jeff and Mike, thanks for your input. I just wanted to say. I thought I could hold it. You know, i was proud to be ready. I will tell you, i should have made the adjustments in my diet to hold the weight up not go down. That was a big change I should have made.
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Who would do more damage as a pro, Alex A or McFarland?
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Who would do more damage as a pro, Alex A or McFarland?
If a frog had wings, would it bump it's ass when it hopped? :-\
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I wrote u this on another thread, just wanted to make sure u got it.
Alex do us all a favour and continue to post on this board.
Your journey to nationals pictures were some of the best threads ive seen on getbig in a long long time.
Like you said, u knew your colour was horrible, u had lost some muscle in the last few days, and things just didnt work out. We all saw it and you were man enough to admit it.
I hope that this experience can help you pull out that pro card next year at nationals ! :)
Dont let this get u down. If the show was two weeks ago, you would have been right up there, no doubt in what was maybe the toughest class in the whole show. There were a lot of great lightweight bodybuilders out there.
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Too me it seems as if it's not that Munzer look anymore...it's all about mass...Alex was shredded in his pre-pics but even if he came into the day of the competition looking like that i think he may still have placed the same...just my opinion.
Lisa
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Alex, I suggest targeting one of next year's national NPC shows & forgetting about the '07 Nationals. You know you have what it takes to win. Do it.
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Someone please correct me if I am wrong, the guy on the right won the show and Alex on the left didn't make the top 5. Bodybuilding is about politics, not who has the best physique. The guy on the right, Leonardo, I think his name is, looks like shit, and hasn't applied enough colour. Likes and dislikes of color is a personal thing, I didn't think Alex's color was too bad, the application on the face was a bit dodgy, but otherwise OK. Jay Cutler always colors himself a neon orange color, ans he is the current Mr O. Go Figure. Alex is just another bodybuilder being royally shafted up the arse by the sport of bodybuilding. Sad but true
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Yeah i agree, he doesn't look THAT bad at all, i think we all have seen far worse (Ruehl comes to mind, as one of the more popular examples).
On the other hand, i don't get it why you had to lose 11lb from the 5days out pics, you looked super-shredded already.
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My 3 day out pics, I was about 160. And dry. I should have just left it alone but I thought I could weigh in, then bring my weight up with food, water. Its hard, no diuretic, no help, no one I could really listen to. Bro, its hard alone to look at yourself and judge yourself how you look.
The color was so think, it got darker as it stayed on longer, too much oil smoothed me out too. But I would like to have had a comparison . Check this out, the guy that got second. He looked really full and great. He placed 5th to me when I won my class at the USA in my last contest.
The welter class was kinda unusual if you want to say. Jessie sabater, second place last year, front runner placed 13th. Last callout. How do you think he feels?
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My 3 day out pics, I was about 160. And dry. I should have just left it alone but I thought I could weigh in, then bring my weight up with food, water. Its hard, no diuretic, no help, no one I could really listen to. Bro, its hard alone to look at yourself and judge yourself how you look.
The color was so think, it got darker as it stayed on longer, too much oil smoothed me out too. But I would like to have had a comparison . Check this out, the guy that got second. He looked really full and great. He placed 5th to me when I won my class at the USA in my last contest.
The welter class was kinda unusual if you want to say. Jessie sabater, second place last year, front runner placed 13th. Last callout. How do you think he feels?
Was there a completely different judging panel at the Nationals than at the USA's this year? I mean they just didn't seem to care at all what somebody did at USA's.
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My 3 day out pics, I was about 160. And dry. I should have just left it alone but I thought I could weigh in, then bring my weight up with food, water. Its hard, no diuretic, no help, no one I could really listen to. Bro, its hard alone to look at yourself and judge yourself how you look.
The color was so think, it got darker as it stayed on longer, too much oil smoothed me out too. But I would like to have had a comparison . Check this out, the guy that got second. He looked really full and great. He placed 5th to me when I won my class at the USA in my last contest.
The welter class was kinda unusual if you want to say. Jessie sabater, second place last year, front runner placed 13th. Last callout. How do you think he feels?
Those last few days can be a bitch. Just make note of EXACTLY what you did as far as diet/water/supps etc... this year and avoid making the same mistakes next year!
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ban that pro tan shiit...
it ruins so many builds, and the really is no reason for it.
with proper lighting and a natural tan, a person should look great, and if pro tan is needed then one coat. but some of these go up on stage and just look plain comical....
ban that shiiit.
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Was there a completely different judging panel at the Nationals than at the USA's this year? I mean they just didn't seem to care at all what somebody did at USA's.
Everyone from Calif except cherry got crushed pretty much it was weird. Jessie sabater second last year, second at the usa, 13th at nats. Myself, Claire Oconnell womens lightweight, first at the usa 7th here at nats, barbara fletcher, first at the usa in 05 didnt make top five here at nats. It was ugly for us cali folks!
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Alex you're a hot bro any chance i can get your digits ;D
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Everyone from Calif except cherry got crushed pretty much it was weird. Jessie sabater second last year, second at the usa, 13th at nats. Myself, Claire Oconnell womens lightweight, first at the usa 7th here at nats, barbara fletcher, first at the usa in 05 didnt make top five here at nats. It was ugly for us cali folks!
good job on the show man. You came off intelligent and well spoken. Great Attitude man, you are a good rep for the "sport"
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Alex you're a hot bro any chance i can get your digits ;D
hahah, I'm still laughing, too bad they cut you off.
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I know it was the first day and everything, well, It was kind of cool, wish there was more discussion about bodybuilding, diet or cardio but everyone was trying to just say hi. Maybe some other time
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Everyone from Calif except cherry got crushed pretty much it was weird. Jessie sabater second last year, second at the usa, 13th at nats. Myself, Claire Oconnell womens lightweight, first at the usa 7th here at nats, barbara fletcher, first at the usa in 05 didnt make top five here at nats. It was ugly for us cali folks!
A friend of mine got 3rd in the USA this year and 12 at the Nationals in the LW class. I thought the guy who got 5th should have won. Alex, what tanning product was that?
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Someone please correct me if I am wrong, the guy on the right won the show and Alex on the left didn't make the top 5. Bodybuilding is about politics, not who has the best physique. The guy on the right, Leonardo, I think his name is, looks like shit, and hasn't applied enough colour. Likes and dislikes of color is a personal thing, I didn't think Alex's color was too bad, the application on the face was a bit dodgy, but otherwise OK. Jay Cutler always colors himself a neon orange color, ans he is the current Mr O. Go Figure. Alex is just another bodybuilder being royally shafted up the arse by the sport of bodybuilding. Sad but true
The guy on the right out muscled Alex...check out his legs and back (twice the size of Alex')...Alex needs to drastically bring up his legs to compete with the bigger boys...more leg sweep will balance out his wide waist...his back is in need of more muscle as well...he'll win it next time.
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When I saw the first set of pics you posted I was pretty damn impressed. When you posted you're second 2 weeks out pics I was shocked. I mean jaw dropping shocked. There was nothing more to do. You were perfect. When I saw you contest pics the first think that stuck me was how bad your coloring was and how much it detracted from you physique. It made you strange and creepy looking. What a tragedy. I really think people over do the coloring thing. It should only be used to enhance the natural tan you already have from the sun and/or tanning bed. In Arnold's day I don't think they even used that stuff or even if it was around yet nobody looked liked they needed more color except for guys like Ken Waller.
The next thing I noticed was how much muscle you lost and how flat you looked. It seemed like such a waste. What you must have gone through to get that 2 weeks out pic condition I can only imagine and then to torture yourself even more only to make things worse. I think when someone peaks so early and is so perfectly conditioned they still think there's more they can do. Just get a little bit harder. A little bit more separation.... Someone of your nature, one that was able to achieve the level that you did, is never satisfied. There's always just a little bit more to do.
You're obviously a level headed and down to earth guy, which is a rarity in this sport, so I have no doubt you'll learn from this experience and continue improve. But damn dude. This one was yours. The winner has no idea how lucky he was. He isn't even in your league.
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A lot of us on here were worried you had peaked too early Alex. If you hit the stage at the size and in the condition you were in for your first pics posted you'd have walked the show. Believe in yourself man - You looked incredible and ready 3 weeks out. All respect to you though, easy for us to be wise on here. You got off your butt and did it. Next time you'll crack it Im sure.
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The guy on the right out muscled Alex...check out his legs and back (twice the size of Alex')...Alex needs to drastically bring up his legs to compete with the bigger boys...more leg sweep will balance out his wide waist...his back is in need of more muscle as well...he'll win it next time.
Are we looking at the same pics, Leonardo has an unpleasing shape to his legs, poor seperation and he looks soft. Size wise their is hardly any difference, if leonardos legs are bigger, which i doubt they are, it is only because he is carrying quite a greater amount of bodyfat, especially in the legs. Anyone who has gotten as ripped as Alex know that they have to sacrifice a lot of size, something that if leonardo did, he would look like a twig, plus I doubt he could acieve that level of hardness and conditioning. Post the best picture you can of Leonardos legs and see if they even come close to the pic below of Alex's outrageous quads.
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I clearly remember saying not to due anything with your diet, and to just maintain the condition you had. Its rare that someone gets as shredded as you did, and when i saw your 2 week out pics, i didn't think it was even possible for you to get any tighter then you were at 2 weeks out. Dropping 11lbs is totally what killed you regardless of how bad your color was, don't blame it on the color. You lost alot of fullness, which was due to the fact that you probably lost some muscle mass in those last 2 weeks, as where else did those 11lbs come from? fat? you had no fat on your body?, water, you maybe had a 1-2lbs of water weight to drop. So you know that you lost atleast 9lbs of muscle!! So many people make this mistake they think they can get even tighter when they're already shredded to the bone. You worked you ass off to get into that kind of shape, and those last 2 weeks ruined it. However, we all got to see the amazing condition you were able to attain, and you brought alot of attention to yourself on these message boards and MDTV etc.. So its not a complete loss, and there our some positives that have come out of this. Just give thanks that you have a hot wife, and a cute kid, and your health is most important of all.
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I clearly remember saying not to due anything with your diet, and to just maintain the condition you had. Its rare that someone gets as shredded as you did, and when i saw your 2 week out pics, i didn't think it was even possible for you to get any tighter then you were at 2 weeks out. Dropping 11lbs is totally what killed you regardless of how bad your color was, don't blame it on the color. You lost alot of fullness, which was due to the fact that you probably lost some muscle mass in those last 2 weeks, as where else did those 11lbs come from? fat? you had no fat on your body?, water, you maybe had a 1-2lbs of water weight to drop. So you know that you lost atleast 9lbs of muscle!! So many people make this mistake they think they can get even tighter when they're already shredded to the bone. You worked you ass off to get into that kind of shape, and those last 2 weeks ruined it. However, we all got to see the amazing condition you were able to attain, and you brought alot of attention to yourself on these message boards and MDTV etc.. So its not a complete loss, and there our some positives that have come out of this. Just give thanks that you have a hot wife, and a cute kid, and your health is most important of all.
Personally, if I had MattT posting an "I told you so" post (ending with some kind of fake family sentiment) I'd probably be even more disappointed.
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Personally, if I had MattT posting an "I told you so" post (ending with some kind of fake family sentiment) I'd probably be even more disappointed.
Alex is a good guy and I'm not the only one who told him not to do anything more with his diet. What I'm trying to say is for him to focus on the positive that came out of all of this. I know that's hard for you to understand rocket as you are still in the 6th grade.. ::). When you graduate from elementry school come back and read this post and maybe then you'll understand.
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Alex is a good guy and I'm not the only one who told him not to do anything more with his diet. What I'm trying to say is for him to focus on the positive that came out of all of this. I know that's hard for you to understand rocket as you are still in the 6th grade.. ::). When you graduate from elementry school come back and read this post and maybe then you'll understand.
Oh I understand that you finished with that point. I also understand that when someone starts by making a point of saying "I told you so" in such a douchebaggian manner (I clearly remember ::)) that their first order of business is to extol the many virtues of subscribing to their opinion.
I hope that if/when I graduate from elementary school, I can at least spell it.
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Oh I understand that you finished with that point. I also understand that when someone starts by making a point of saying "I told you so" in such a douchebaggian manner (I clearly remember ::)) that their first order of business is to extol the many virtues of subscribing to their opinion.
I hope that if/when I graduate from elementary school, I can at least spell it.
HAHAHAHA! Matty owned again.
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Rocket is a smart guy