A bodybuilding journey - Random Thoughts at 17 Days Out

Some random thoughts at 17 days out... At this juncture I can certainly feel the build-up of pressure!

Diet is now steadily boring (high protein at 1.2-1.5g/lb, low carbs and low fat):

Breakfast: 10 egg whites + 1-2 egg yolks. 1 Orange / Pear / Apple. 1 pc whole-wheat toast. Preparing meals 2,3,4,5 on the stove whilst eating.

Meals 2,3,4,5: 200g boiled chicken breasts, 200g boiled veg (usually choi sum or broccoli), sexed up with wedges of lemon, pepper, chili sauce (minimal to reduce Na).

Meal 6: 5-6 egg whites. Around 10-15 pcs unsalted almonds (good source of monounsaturated fat and great satiety filler)

Weight is quite stable at 84kg... My original target of ~80kg seem unattainable now, but some very experienced bros at the gym did comment that I shouldn't/couldn't go much lower down with my built/dryness... I hope they're right. But I do seem to hold on to still some unwanted fat around the waist.. Is that because of the nuts? Or somehow I've had too much salt and cells are still holding too much water? Or perhaps it's normal before the dehydration protocol?

Gym much lighter now, concentrating mainly leg extensions, calf raises and tri-/bi-ceps for those parts to catch up. For back and pecs I've resorted to empty 45-lb bar pushes and pulls. It's like going back to being a complete gym starter many years ago, only now, of course, I'm a little more muscular than then, LOL! Sometimes I thought I may as well skip that and devote more time for cardio.

Cardio is now 30-minute stepper / slanted treadmill base, increasing to 40/50/60 depending on stamina of the night which, for many nights, was not easily up-kept due to carbs reduction. My faithful iPad has been invaluable all these nights on the machines. Speaking of which, I'm becoming more interested in a new reader and am really looking forward to the upcoming iPad Air 3 - I feel sure I'm due for a pad refresh! (pardon the pun, ladies :-)

Mentally... now this is the fun part. It's a strange feeling of weariness, not exactly a body weakness but a general lack of energy from depleted muscular glycogen. Psychologically I'm all gamed up for an hour-long cardio... When on the mill, though, my mind wandered off, longing to go home and for food. It's not a great feeling. I find my determination wanting as the day dragged on to evening, evening dragged on to night... But strangely when I was on bed I couldn't really fall asleep that easily (I blame the humidity but maybe that's not the real reason). 

So which colour would it be?

My posing trunks finally arrived from the magical world of Taobao. They look... well.... flimsy. No more different from undergarments. Surely I'm not wearing just these to go on stage?! But indeed, I would. It's too late to change otherwise.

More friends say they are coming to the show - much grateful to their support! And if you're reading this - I thank you for your interest to my thoughts in words as well. There is this perception, perhaps, that one may think bodybuilders are all iron, sweat, rude; and they pant and shout and swear all the time; and are so beefy and thick-headed that they couldn't write a complete and meaningful sentence... Well I hope I will prove these people wrong - many of us are quite cultured indeed and can definitely write! Most are dieting experts, if not also in kinesiology and muscular biology. It's just that one of our hobbies happens to be quite highly visible and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of the public. Never judge us all with the same eye :-)

On a side note... I heard no news from the organiser after submitting the form. Even the cheque wasn't encashed. That's strange.. Did it go through? Did I miss anything? Maybe it's got eaten by a postbox zombie and I'm not in the race after all? 

Oh well, I seem to think too much... Better concentrate on chowing down my chicken breast lunchbox now...