Things didn't go the way I planned for sure, but I had an awesome experience and can only be pleased with what I've taken away from my first national level show.

I had some problems making weight and sat in the sauna to lose 4 pounds to weigh in at 176. Tried to fill back out – probably a little too much. It's been tough for me to get really hard and dry, so to it was even tougher for me to hold onto that type of conditioning after what I put my body through. I think a lot of that has to do with the circumstances of flying and being in the sauna, but even more with just being young and not having that thin skin yet. Ill post some pictures from Friday during the day when I felt like I was closer to my best.

Im happy I was able to get to a new level of conditioning but its too bad I wasn't able to display it and be at my best on stage. From the pics on md you can tell I had striations in my triceps and my glutes, but I just had some water over it all. Im happy I was able to be on stage with top guys and I felt like I was able to hold my own as far as size and shape.

In the end I learned a ton about my body, how I can compare, where I can go, and how supportive and loving my family and friends are.

http://www.musculardevelopment.com/browse/index.php?mode=contest&eventcode=1285

6 more days to go. Ive never been so exhausted. A bunch of my family went to Lake Geneva for the long weekend but I opted to stay home and just relax. It seems like a good decision now because I just feel like I need a break from work and the internship and everything. I want to be ready mentally and physically come Friday so Ill be taking the whole week off of work so I can relax and take care of my work lol.

You can check the pics here -- http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=381679677&albumId=825717

I was looking through md.com and saw Jeff Rodriguez's prep thread for the 2008 team universe and I started thinking about possibly doing the team universe myself. I just couldn't get into my offseason because I really wanted to do the show and see where I stood among the best natural bodybuilders in the country.
That was about 5 weeks after my last show at the end of April until I started the TU prep. In those five weeks I lifted hard for the first three and took the last two pretty much completely off to give my body a break. My diet was not very structured, there was a cheat meal/non bodybuilding meal at least once a day and it felt like I couldn't eat enough to get rid of my hunger. Close to 14 weeks out I saw that thread and got the urge to do the Team U. I was 90% sure and from there I talked it over with my girlfriend and family. They were all extremely excited for me even though they didn't really understand how huge of a show it is and how big of a deal it is. I emailed Dante and Justin to see what they thought about it. They both agreed it would be an awesome experience and that I should go for it. They both let me know it is going to be a lot of hard work and wanted to make sure I was up for it. Knowing I would be standing on stage with guys like Jeff Rodriguez is all the motivation I need.
I've been dieting for the last 4 weeks and my bodyweight started around 210, now its been right around 200 first thing in the morning. It hasn't been too rough on me in this past month but I know its going to get harder and Im going to have to really push but Im definitely up for it.
So 10 weeks to get into sick conditioning. I just want to thank Dante for all his help with my DC training, Justin Harris/Troponin (www.troponinnutrition.com) for all his help with my diet, and True Protein (www.trueprotein.com) for the help with my supplements.

Check out my updated pics in my ViewMy: Pics http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhotos&albumID=661381&MyToken=50836250-4a82-46e7-839e-e01876187857

I am just graduating from college and between tuition, rent, and food, my supplement budget isn't very high.  I stick to the basics and dont use anything fancy like even any NO products.  I've gotten great results in the past 2 years using nothing but TrueProtein supplements.

BCAA's - I take 1 tsp right after a workout, before I drink my shake, and in the morning before cardio.

L-Leucine - I take 1.5 tsp right after a workout, with my waxy maize before I drink my shake.

Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL - I take 1 tsp every morning, and pwo with the waxy maize, l-leucine, and bcaa's.

Beta-Alanine - I take 1/2 tsp in the morning and before my workout.

My pre-workout drink has been 1/2 tsp of beta alanine, 1 tsp of creatine, and 1 tsp of bcaa's mixed up in water with crystal light. I think it has made a difference but you dont have to do that if you dont want to spend the money.

Glutamine Peptides - I use 1 tbsp every morning and 1 tsp in my pwo shake

Waxy Maize Starch - I use 2 regular scoops (like the scoops I use for protein powder) immediately pwo and then I have my shake and carbs like 20 -30 min after

Whey Protein Isolate Cold Filtered - I use 3 scoops for my pwo shake only

TeamSkip mix - I use 3 scoops (75g protein) for regular shakes for meals

For flavoring I get it plain and order the flavor pack. My favorite have been strawberry banana, and chocolate banana. They all taste pretty good I would recommend getting the sampler and finding what you like.

I am able to get all that and still have money left over to go out and enjoy myself with friends.

If money is very tight, plain old whey protein concentrate, creatine, bcaa's along with a multi-vitamin and a good diet are your essentials.

I get it all from TrueProtein.com so go there, create your profile, place an order and start saving money.  Use the discount code BSB538 when you check out to save another 5%

Go to TrueProtein.com for the highest quality supplements at the lowest prices availaible.  The quality is undeniable and they can prove it with certificates and analysis.  Try to get a certificate from your favorite supplement company.

True Protein can keep the prices so low because they don't have to pay for advertising.  They don't do shiny labels and multi-page advertisments like typical supplement companies.

Go ahead and compare the quality and price of your favorite protein to something similar at TrueProtein.com.  In the end there is no comparison because while the price might be low, the quality isn't there.  Other companies use fillers and load up your protein with flavoring, when you make an order from TP.com they put in however many pounds of protein you want, and THEN add the flavoring you want.

TrueProtein also has some of the best owners around, Dante and Doug.  Dante, many people know him on the internet as DC, a world renowned bodybuilding trainer with very unorthodox styles of training. He has a degree in engineering, but his passion is and has always been anything fitness or bodybuilding related and 20 years of studying this genre has lead to the present day. For the people that know him (and maybe you have gotten a feel for this with his writings online), anything he involves himself in has to be topnotch or he walks in the other direction. His fortitude and insight of bodybuilding concepts will be what keeps this company cutting edge and always on its toes. Doug, has the expertise and knowledge of nutritional/supplemental products, from a user biological stand point to the proper manufacturing of raw materials. Doug acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, in regards to movement science (human biomechanics), physiology, and sports nutrition. He has participated in many studies done in the health and fitness industry and is very well versed in the scientific process.  After trying pretty much every supplement and gimmick out there and being let down every time, Doug took it into his own hands to learn every thing there is to know about proper nutrition and supplementation. Doug's goal for True Protein is a simple one, to inform the masses of the realities within the industry and to provide the highest quality products for the most economical price.

Next time you order from TrueProtein.com use the discount code BSB538 at the checkout page to save an additional 5%