Let me tell you a little about myself… I've competed at two shows as of right now achieving my class title in both. The first being in March of 2008 where I just barely missed the overall. This past weekend (November 7&8, 2008) I took the title of Kentucky Muscle Class D Figure Champion and just missed the overall title yet again. This was my first big show experience, as it's the second biggest show in my region. There were 67 figure competitors total and 17 in my class. Not just competitors either... most looked phenomenal. I was thrilled to see so many well conditioned and hard working athletes. I love competing with the best of the best. Which is what based my next decision.... Jr. Nationals 09' in Chicago. Some may say that it's too early for me to set my sights so high, but I will be first to tell you that if you don't you almost always will sale yourself short of your god given talent. My approach to life: it’s all or nothing. I make a decision, I put my all into it, and I accept where it takes me. Don’t get me wrong.. I wouldn’t do such a big show if I didn’t feel as if I would be ready for it. Which is why it’s time to pull out all the guns and reach a whole other level of seriousness.
So... it being two days after my victory at the Kentucky Muscle I am embarking on my first all out post contest rebound bulk. I figured if there was one thing you all knew it was the building blocks on adding quality mass, which is what I am tapping into. From March of 2008 to November of 2008 I added 7 pounds of quality muscle. I will post pictures of both contests and I'm sure you will be able to see the differences I've made. Which I am more than stoked about. I am not bragging, for I know that I have much to add but I am proud of where I have gotten so far.
My plans of execution for right now are to bring up the 3 crucial parts of figure. Ridiculously rounded out delts, an awesome V taper consisting of upper lat development and a thick middle back, with toned quad swept long legs. (I say long legs because I’m 5'9) Now would be a good time for some stats eh?
22 years old
Current weight 142
Contest weight 139-140
LBM 124 ½
Height 5'9
Years busting my ass in the gym : 2.5
Years competing : 1
Don't perceive me wrong while I'm here… I am here for business. I take this lifestyle very seriously (as I know many, many of you do as well), I bust my ass, and I eat up every second of it. I don't fish for compliments nor do I expect any. I actually take offence to ones I do not feel I deserve. I am my own hardest judge and will criticize my physique and others without sugar coating anything. I feel we live in a world of everlasting progress so we need to be continually pushed to the limits to achieve our true potential and praise is more greatly appreciated when it is not handed out like pennies. I welcome praise when it is deserved and I don’t take offence to harsh criticism for it makes my fire burn brighter. I know I need improvements, I know the time it takes and what it takes to get there. I am willing and ready for this journey and all that it brings. With Jr. Nationals in sight I no longer see a flame… I now see an inferno of passion and dedication. I need the stage, I live for the stage, as sometimes it and the gym are sometimes the only places I feel at home.
This journey will be my trials and tribulations to my first "bulk" and mass building diet and training.
This is what I will be starting tomorrow;
I am doubling my fat intake - taking it from 30 to 60 for the next 3 weeks and will be adding another 10-15 grams in weeks 4-6.
I am also doubling my carbs - taking it from 115 to 230. & will reevaluate after 3 weeks changing them in weeks 4-6.
My protein will be lowered due to the increase in fat and carbs and will remain efficient at 1 gram per body pound. I assume my weight will jump up to 145 this week pretty quickly so 145 is the lucky number for protein.
(I welcome suggestions on these macros for this is my first bulk & I pray it be successful)
I will be lowering my reps back down to 6-8 and lift as heavy as I can. This is my favorite training approach so I will loving every moment of this.
I will go ahead and post some pictures for my two contests tonight and tomorrow will start my daily tracking.
Thanks for welcoming me and I welcome you to my journey.
Yours in the passion for success,
Ashley Brand