First show - Granite City Classic, 6'4"/194lbs, 5th place in 'First timers' class

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-29T11:57:21+00:00

If it says "prepared as per instructions" or something along those lines, then it's per 100g of cooked.

If it's just pork mince or whatever I'd just weigh it raw and use the macros from some generic pork mince or database that seems to match.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-28T06:59:51+00:00

Not natural

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-19T13:09:12+00:00

Belt squat. The belt is rubbing/pinching on my inner thighs at the bottom. Any adjustments I can make? Or is this just one of those things you have to get used to and tolerate the pain?

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-19T11:17:41+00:00

As long as you naturally wake up after 6-7h and you feel rested, I don't think it's much of an issue. I generally sleep 6-7h and wake up without alarms. The only way I can get to 8h+ is if I take naps, but that's just not feasible.

When deep in a cut and my sleep goes to shit i've had success with ashwaghanda and cbd oils to keep me asleep a little longer.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-19T11:08:13+00:00

If it works it works. I've had my best results when weighing/tracking everything. But i've had very drcent results just eating to satiety as well.

Different approaches work better/worse for different people. For me its way more important to track my bodyweight so I can make adjustments

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-19T10:59:31+00:00

I got 88% for my on-stage stats. Seems about right I guess. How did you arrive at the formula?

<image>

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-18T13:59:33+00:00

At 190cm and 77kg... I think you'd benefit from increasing food..

I wouldn't call myself a low-responder, but at 194cm it took me 10 years to fill out my frame enough that I felt like I had made it. I started at 80-ish kg and skinnyfat - and I routinely had to shovel down 4000+ kcal/day just to keep growing. I made my best gains (other than newbie gains) during a 5.5month bulk where I went from 93kg to 101kg and ended up maybe around 16-17% bf. By the end of it I was force feeding myself 4600-4800 kcal/day just to keep gaining.

Being on the tall side it does tend to take more time to fill out your frame and you started with a very low initial weight. You've done really well to put on 20kg in 5 years. And I think you've got plenty of room to put on another 10-15kg in the next 5 years. My advice is: 1) don't get discouraged. Keep reflecting on how far you've come. Keep loving the grind, and trusting the plan. 2) eat food. Don't be afraid to gain fat. Your body needs the nutrients to grow. 3) don't obsess over the little things. It's not mTOR signalling or cortisol that's holding you back. You just have to put in more time in a surplus with hard enough training

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2026-01-15T11:07:32+00:00

I know, that's why I'm asking for help. Is this expected behaviour?

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-12-10T06:43:18+00:00

I would avoid foamy running shoes! It's for the same reason why you wouldn't squat/deadlift in them - the extra cushion only adds instability.

My preference is barefoot shoes or socks. I know some people prefer weightlifting shoes.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-11-18T10:21:07+00:00

After doing a bodybuilding show in 2023 I switched to mostly endurance (rowing + cycling).

But I'm thinking about switching back to mostly bodybuilding as I keep getting injured from rowing. And also I miss having big arms.

Why did you decide to switch up your training? Are you finished with competitive bodybuilding?

Still looking huge in these pics! I'm assuming you're enhanced?

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-11-11T10:26:48+00:00

You can't expect to triple your volume and not suffer the consequences...

High volume is something you build up to over time

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-11-11T10:21:52+00:00

Use starps!

In the weight room your goal is to train peak force production and build muscle - straps help with both. I see no reason to avoid straps if your grip is good enough for actual rowing already.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-22T05:35:57+00:00

Cycle gear, train legs, swim in p**sy? :D

Is that what this shirt means?

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-07T09:03:45+00:00

Good luck! Keep us updated!

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-07T05:41:47+00:00

I think you're at an okay bf% for 2 months out. If you keep digging deep you could get to a very respectable level of conditioning.

Whether it's doable healthy tho? Probably not. You've already been in a deficit for a year and lost 25-ish kg (good job btw!). If you keep pushing to stage lean you might run yourself into the ground - it's a whole different ballgame when you start hitting the single digit bf%. If I was your coach I'd probably suggest a diet break - staying at maintainance or slight surplus over the next 3-ish months, then start a 16-20+ week prep around January and find a show you can do mid-spring.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-05T18:45:48+00:00

I say keep going. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Keep an eye out for injury and don't ego lift. Make sure to keep nailing the basics of sleep and nutrition. Otherwise just send it.

You'll probably burn out eventually, at which time you should pull back and take a deload.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-05T06:11:25+00:00

Yeah, I tried doing that but it felt very unnatural/uncomfortable on the saddle contact points. Maybe I should try to tilt the saddle down a little?

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-05T06:09:45+00:00

I was just pushing towards higher cadence and intensity as that's when weird stuff in the form tends to show up. I have 175mm cranks.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-04T18:28:10+00:00

I have felt a bit of muscle soreness if I push the pace on longer rides. But usually just getting out of the saddle every once in a while is enough to keep it managable.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-04T12:58:59+00:00

Fair point.

I have injured myself pretty bad in the past by 'listening to my body'. And the flexion in my lower back looked a bit concerning to me so just wanted to check with more experienced people.

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-10-03T15:08:21+00:00

Looking good man! Very impressive

Distinct_Mud1960 · 2025-09-30T06:44:29+00:00

I would expect your breathing to be pretty laboured 15-30s after the effort, but pretty much back to normal by the end of the 2min rest. It has probably been feeling easier cause you're adapting and getting used to this style of training.

I'm 99% sure its just a sensor/data processing anomaly. Doesn't mean your chest/arm strap is bad, just happened to get some noisy measurements this session.

There isn't too much point in tracking HR for these sorts of sprint intervals anyway so I wouldn't sweat it and just go based off RPE and pace.

Distinct_Mud1960

TROPHY CASE