Bodybuilding Prep: The Most Challenging Week Yet
With less than six weeks remaining until competition day, the journey toward my first bodybuilding show has reached its most challenging phase yet. This past week has tested my physical and mental limits in ways I hadn't anticipated.
My energy levels have plummeted to new lows, and I find myself constantly eyeing the clock, counting down the minutes until my next scheduled meal. Despite consuming what might sound like a reasonable 2,400 calories daily, this intake falls significantly short of my actual energy expenditure.
My current regimen is intense by any standard: five training days, six cardio sessions weekly, plus maintaining a daily goal of 10,000 steps. This creates a substantial caloric deficit that's necessary for competition prep but increasingly difficult to sustain.
One silver lining is that my strength has remained relatively stable despite the reduced caloric intake. However, I still need to shed nine more pounds to reach my competition weight of 143 pounds – a significant challenge with the clock ticking.
Four weeks ago, I implemented some dramatic changes to my training program (details to come in a future update). It's worth noting that my entire preparation has taken place exclusively in my home garage gym, primarily using PowerTech equipment.
As the competition draws nearer, the physical demands intensify, but so does my determination. The combination of hunger, fatigue, and training intensity creates a unique mental challenge that's as much a part of bodybuilding preparation as the physical transformation itself.
