Want to compete next year. Please critique.

Did you get the pics out to Old Navy? Wondering what he had to say. Great to see your going forward. Maybe in a couple of years you'll see me there too. I was waiting til I hit 50. I'm really not much on cardio and have not done much of it in the last year. I'm trying to build a good muscle base for a couple of years, as I'm doing this fat is coming off.

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Wetdawg,
    I did have a couple email exchanges with Old Navy.  He said I should look into a "natural" contest since I'm drug free.  He said to check out the site www.liftforlife.com.  He said that "with some help", meaning his or someone else's, I could be ready in 9 months.  I need to email him back and find out how much such "help" would set me back ($).  I'm a man on a budget and bodybuilding is a lot of fun and, at long last, a sport with which I seem to actually have a modicum of success at.  But providing for my wife and boys (actually she's the provider, I'm a stay-at-home dad) is a little higher priority.  I would rather not turn it into something that becomes too expensive. 
    When will you be 50?  Have you observed any contests?  What do you want to accomplish before you compete?  Best of luck to you!  Keep me updated!  Thanks!

Just thought I'd say this, but definitely listen to him JMBS, OldNavy is a really great guy and really knows what he's doing when it comes to bodybuilding competitions.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

I hit 50 on 02/2011. I have watched a few amature contests in Hawaii. I had some friends do a few.  Never really got to serious about it myself. Once my Doctor told me if I don't get in shape I'll have trouble in a few years, I went overboard. I have been working out ever since.
  I started working out about 2 1/2 years ago. My Gym owner Paul Redmer has won several Masters Competitions. He is one year younger than I. I figured if he can do it , with work maybe I can.
He can be seen on Big Navy's web site, about have way down the page: http://bodybuildingsenior.com/bbs/index.php?p=friends
  I would like to get 20" arms and a 58" chest before I jump into it. Working on it. But like you, long arms and legs are a pain. Just have to work harder.
  I'm about two weeks away from putting down my last 90 day workout results with pics. Glad to have you here. Stick with it and stay Strong

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Just thought I'd say this, but definitely listen to him JMBS, OldNavy is a really great guy and really knows what he's doing when it comes to bodybuilding competitions.

 
MVP,
    I hope I didn't leave the impression that I didn't value Old Navy's advice:  On the contrary he is obviously very accomplished.  I just see things from a financial perspective and hope that my dream (of competing) is not outside my grasp.  So far the costs I've noticed include:  committee card ($100), contest entry ($40 per class), posing videos/cd's ($100), fake tanning application ($150?), drug testing ($30), supplements ($$$), food (should just live w/that because healthier eating), and now consultant (?$).  The fact that I know someone is accomplished makes me think their services come at a hefty price.  Hopefully I'm wrong.
    But let me see how much his type of services cost and what they consist of.  Someone to guide me, motivate me, and reassure me may be well worth the cost.

JMBS
 

If I go on stage in the best shape of my life having trained my behind off, I will in the end come away thrilled that I had the guts to put myself out there in front of all those people, most of whom are serious into the sport. 
 
      Oh if you can give me a rundown if you went to a local contest of what you thought that would be appreciated.  And if you know of some of those good threads to read, point me in that direction.  Thanks!
 

JMBS-wow you really got some action on your post, well done.   I couldn't agree more with your statement re getting on stage.   Most folks w/o but don't have the discipline to take it all the way.    I'm going to a few shows this summer and then exact show that I'll be in a year from October.   I'll be sure to give you some feed back.   In the interim, here is a link to a local show that happened a few weeks ago.   Go to the Masters and you will be able to see what the guys look like, I'm not sure of their weight or size....it's always hard to tell.   You're doing the right thing but going to a show.
 
http://www.jefftaylor.com/contest/resultsmilehigh09.html
 
good luck and I'll be in touch

Height 5' 8" Weight  200 lbs Body Fat 16%
Bench 315-Squat 365-Dead 405
Chest-46"/Bicep-16.5"/Waist-37"...UGGH
Thigh-24.5"/Calves 16"

    

Umm..  I wouldn't do a show so soon..  What are you going to cut from? your already around 10 - 12% BF and your only 190's..   You look rather thick for 190's at that height though...  You may put on 5 - 6 lbs of muscle tops in the next 8 - 10 weeks..  Then after your cut you may be around 190 or high 180's so you could do a show as a light heavy weight..  But!  Your only going to be like 7 - 8 % BF...  at that height if you want to do a show at that weight, you better be in the 4 - 5% range..  cause you might look funny next to some dude who has trained for a few years standing 5'8 - 5'10 at 187 - 190lbs 4 - 6% BF..  


I say train for atleast another couple years. or another year, you have good genetics.

JMBS-you are going to get a lot of replies telling you NOT to do a show so quick, most of them are much younger than us and don't understand at a Masters 40-50 Novice event there are not guys coming in with a ton of mass.   True there might be some guy at 5/8 -5/10 that is thicker but if I understand you correctly you are competing for different reasons.   Stick to your guns, or perhaps pick a show a little later in the year, thus giving yourself more than a year to gain, then cut.   Bottom line, don't let anyone talk you out of your goals, you had the balls to post and say you were doing it....stick to that, it won't be easy but you'll be fine.

Height 5' 8" Weight  200 lbs Body Fat 16%
Bench 315-Squat 365-Dead 405
Chest-46"/Bicep-16.5"/Waist-37"...UGGH
Thigh-24.5"/Calves 16"

    

IBBB,
    I hear you loud and clear, and thanks for the advice!  First off, I have no illusions that I could be in much better shape in 2011 than in 2010, assuming my age doesn't catch up to me quick!  Let's see what I can accomplish over the summer.  As I've said before I'm hoping to observe a contest this Saturday and to see if the "people in the know" there can give me some honest advice whether to compete in '10 or '11 or if perhaps I just don't have the body for the sport.  Do your comments take into account that I would be competing in a "natural" contest, and in the novice and Masters Over 45 classes?

   Second, understand my motivation here:  Of course the ultimate goal would be to win my classes, might as well set the bar high.  But realistically here are my priorities:

#1)  Have FUN!  Of course it's hard work, some of which I've not done before (cutting for example).  But if all the fun goes away, forget it!

#2)  Be in great shape.  For health reasons.  I won't lie, to turn heads and get compliments!  To feel fantastic!

#3)  To be prepared and proud, to such a degree that I am not laughed off the stage, and will FEEL LIKE COMPETING AGAIN.  Now here's the thing:  This is where the tipping point of "prepared enough" and "can I afford to wait" comes in.  I refuse to wait until 2011 to have a better chance of "winning" when I can participate with pride in 2010.  Life is too short.  I can't let it pass me buy.  Gotta grab the bull by the horns.  Cliches ad nauseum I know.  In short, "Go For It!"

#4)  To survive.  It is no small thing to have the gets to step on stage in front of your peers, in essence saying, "I'm proud of this!  What do you guys think?"  A person who does that reckless and unprepared is a fool and a loser.  A person who busts their behind and walks proudly on that stage showing 100% of what they could muster is a WINNER no matter what!

What's that line about "If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough"?  Success is trying something challenging, stumbling, picking yourself up having learned something, and trying again smarter the next time.

I'll let everyone know what I learned from watching the competition and what I accomplish over the summer.  Thanks again and good training!

MHB,
   Three words:   YOU DA MAN!  We're like two peas in a pod, brother!  All the best to you!  Good training and stay injury-free.  Keep me posted.  Thanks for being a great motivator!  Hopefully I'll return the favor!  :)

What's really cool about this site is how motivating the comments are that could be taken as other than complimentary.  It's awesome:  Yesterday I think someone said something about me needing to work on my delts.  I'm saying to myself, "I thought I had pretty good delts."  I love working them and this morning was my Shoulders/Triceps/Abs workout.  Thinking of the comment, I BLASTED those delts!  I kept thinking "They want delts.  I'll show them delts!"  It's so cool!!!!

JMBS


#3)  To be prepared and proud, to such a degree that I am not laughed off the stage, and will FEEL LIKE COMPETING AGAIN.  Now here's the thing:  This is where the tipping point of "prepared enough" and "can I afford to wait" comes in.  I refuse to wait until 2011 to have a better chance of "winning" when I can participate with pride in 2010.  Life is too short.  I can't let it pass me buy.  Gotta grab the bull by the horns.  Cliches ad nauseum I know.  In short, "Go For It!" 

JMBS-exactly, these young guys have delusions that you always have time (no offense to anyone out there) but as you get older time slips away and if you don’t seize the moment things end up passing by.   Again in Masters 45-50 Novice Event, you’ll do fine and the accomplishment is actually standing on stage.   Enough rambling, gotta get some work done today.

Height 5' 8" Weight  200 lbs Body Fat 16%
Bench 315-Squat 365-Dead 405
Chest-46"/Bicep-16.5"/Waist-37"...UGGH
Thigh-24.5"/Calves 16"

    

MHB,
    Yep, from one of my favorite movies, Dead Poet's Society:  "Carpe Diem", Seize the Day!

I hear you guys and I'm right there with you.
GO FOR IT!
Your 2010 competitions commitment, excitement, and work will make 2011's competitions and beyond that much better. Looking in the Mirror and standing on stage are two very different things. You will walk away knowing what work needs to be done if anything.

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Wetdawg,
    Thanks for the inspiration, and same back to ya!  I know the man in the mirror's point of view.  I trust you guys to always provide the alternative viewpoints with the constructive advice I've come to expect on DB.  :)  Good luck with your training and whatever dream you may be chasing!  Peace!