Prep Files #04
This week felt different.
Not because anything dramatic happened, or because I suddenly woke up feeling like I looked a lot better.
But because for the first time this prep, I feel like I'm actually settling into the routine.
The first few weeks are always strange. You're trying to get back into tracking food, adding cardio, and structuring your day around a goal that still feels pretty far away.
Fifteen weeks sounds like a long time, but it goes fast and suddenly you're 4 weeks out trying to play catch up.
This week felt like the point where prep stopped being something I was trying to do and started becoming part of my normal routine again.
Current Status
Division
- Men's Physique
- Classic Physique
Weeks Out
15
Current Weight
212.8 lbs
Starting Weight
216.4 lbs
Weekly Change
-1.2 lbs
Phase
Pre-Prep
Weekly Check-In Photos
Front
Side
Back
What Changed This Week?
The biggest difference this week was consistency.
For the first time this prep, I followed the plan almost exactly the way I wanted to.
Unlike last week, the cardio got done.
The meals were where they needed to be and I was within striking distance of my macros every day.
Training stayed strong and I felt good in the gym.
Just a bunch of good days stacked together and it was noticeable at the end of the week.
Cardio is still hard. I don't think I'll ever genuinely enjoy spending time on a stairmaster.
But it's starting to feel normal again, and I even squeezed a run in there to mix things up.
Either way instead of fighting and dreading it, I'm just doing it and I'm hoping it'll continue getting easier. It normally does until I'm reaching the end of prep.
One thing I noticed this week was that I suddenly had a strong urge to go out and enjoy myself over the weekend.
Part of me kept thinking that I still have plenty of time before the show, in the past I've had success waiting till about 10-12 weeks out to really start pushing and 15 weeks sounds like a long time.
But every time I started thinking that way, I reminded myself of the goals I set when prep started.
I also know I'm probably not starting from a position where I can afford to coast.
If anything, I'm a little behind after not taking training and dieting seriously for the past couple years.
Because of that, I decided not to make any exceptions and just stick to the plan.
Looking back, I'm glad I did.
The scale is moving.
I feel tighter.
And for the first time this prep, I feel like I'm actually getting into prep mode mentally.
This Week's StageLab Recommendation
Recommendation
Hold
The recommendation was to stay the course again.
StageLab still thinks I'm a little behind.
Honestly, I don't completely disagree.
There's still a lot of work left to do.
But for the first time this prep, I feel confident about where things are headed.
The scale is moving.
I look better than I did a few weeks ago.
The plan is working.
Most importantly, I'm finally doing my part.
Because of that, I'm not too concerned about being slightly behind right now.
I'd rather keep building momentum than start forcing changes before they're actually needed.
My Thoughts
This was probably my favorite week of prep so far.
Not because I dropped a huge amount of weight or started looking a lot better.
But because I finally started feeling locked in.
Every prep has a point where you stop negotiating with yourself.
You stop looking for shortcuts.
You stop wondering whether you're really ready to commit.
It's like a switch happens in your mind and you just start doing what needs to be done.
I feel like I'm getting close to that point.
There are definitely going to be harder weeks ahead and I know I won't be able to be perfect next week, but I'm preparing for it.
There will be a stronger switch probably around 12, 6, 4, and 2 weeks out that lets me know I really need to lock in harder and can't veer off from the plan at this point.
It happens just about every prep I do and I'm looking forward to it.
The routine is becoming normal again and I'm starting to notice subtle changes.
For the first time this prep, I feel like I'm moving in the right direction both physically and mentally.
Current Plan
Calories
2725 kcal
Protein
227 g
Carbs
285 g
Fat
76 g
Cardio
2 x 25 min
What Happens Next
The goal for next week:
- Hit the gym hard
- Stay as close to the diet as I can
- Step up the cardio even more
- Don't stress too much
- Keep collecting data
It's too early to think about lowering calories or changing the plan.
I just need more weeks like this one.
It's time to trust the process. If I can keep stacking good weeks together, the results will take care of themselves.
Current Snapshot
Weight: 212.8 lbs
Starting Weight: 216.4 lbs
Weeks Out: 15
Phase: Pre-Prep
Current Recommendation: Hold
Current Focus: Keep building momentum.
Next Update
Prep Files #05 - 14 Weeks Out