Becoming the Iron Lion

[ERock5]

Meh, training has suffered a bit the last couple sessions.

Heat is starting to get to me along with dropping the calories too much I assume.....I ran into this last year as well, more so the heat.

The food drop wasn't huge..... Maybe 100-120g carbs on training days and equal amounts on off days. I was in a surplus so it's not much of a deficit.

It's not even "hot" where I'm at yet either ..... Average in the low 90s lately and in July August the real feel will be over 105 every day. I think it's from not working outside the last 6 months so it just feels worse.

Anyways, to combat shit training, we add muffins

Damn coach. I think my training is suffering too

 

[Montego]

Damn coach. I think my training is suffering too

Well now that we know you ain't got the diabeetus, we will talk the next check in

 

[ERock5]

Well now that we know you ain't got the diabeetus, we will talk the next check in

Haha. You’re spot on with the flavor too. I love cinnamon stuff

 

[Montego]

Work sucks. Last night was brutal.

Trained legs today, still kinda babying them for now. I think everything is ok with them so I'll start getting back into the normal swing of things.

Had my yearly DR visit Thursday. Everything on my bloods was good besides RBC/HCT/HGB. I haven't had issues with my hematocrit in a couple years without donation but it was 54.8. The nattokinase had been keeping it in good range but, I guess I need to go donate. I'm getting plenty of "cardio" and steps, drank my normal amount of water for that time of day (4 liters) so I wasn't dehydrated. I'll hopefully be able to get a double red but we'll see.

I had everything drawn besides test and estrogen so I'll get that done as soon as I can figure it when I'll be off to get it done.

Mini diet is going well. Pulled off quite a bit of bodyfat relatively fast, I'm a bit too flat and my digestion has gotten a bit wonky (when carbs go down my colitis wants to flare up) but I feel really good in my day to day being a bit lighter and, the muffins have helped training

After vacation I'll bump the food back up and decide what my future is going to be...... I'm really struggling with the idea of not competing again but, I think it's the right decision for me in "life" at this point..... I'm afraid I'll regret not doing the "last show" I had planned but, if I can't improve upon last time there's no point......

Between this leg issue (still dunno if it's an issue but it looks like one) and the wrist (I can't get into a back double correctly) it just gives me a lot of concerns.

Anyways, just ranting. Arms tomorrow! Yaaay.....

 

[Montego]

Arms.

Arms are looking juicy lol. I feel like it's the best they've looked in a long time. Right arm looks normal again and maybe better then before the wrist fusion.

Like I've said before, I'm blessed with arms that don't need much training to grow and even after being neglected for a few years it didn't take much to get them to improve.

Off work yesterday and looks like I'll be off again today so I'm taking advantage of the rest.

My daughter brought my grandson over before I went to train so, I got pre workout cuddles (best pre work on the market ) and they hung out at the house until I got back so I also got post workout snuggles as well, I'm anabolic AF right now

 

[ERock5]

Arms.

Arms are looking juicy lol. I feel like it's the best they've looked in a long time. Right arm looks normal again and maybe better then before the wrist fusion.

Like I've said before, I'm blessed with arms that don't need much training to grow and even after being neglected for a few years it didn't take much to get them to improve.

Off work yesterday and looks like I'll be off again today so I'm taking advantage of the rest.

My daughter brought my grandson over before I went to train so, I got pre workout cuddles (best pre work on the market ) and they hung out at the house until I got back so I also got post workout snuggles as well, I'm anabolic AF right now

The good stuff! I get kisses from my 10 month old everyday before I leave for the gym. Enjoying it before it turns into “dad please don’t leave”

 

[Montego]

The good stuff! I get kisses from my 10 month old everyday before I leave for the gym. Enjoying it before it turns into “dad please don’t leave”

That's awesome!

My wife and I have 4 kids total -

20 year old boy and girl twins (hers)
18 year old daughter (mine)
16 year old daughter (hers)

We met when the twins were like 5 and the youngest was almost 2. She didn't know who the twins dad was (one night stand) but the youngest dad is part of the family. (Good guy, we get along really well) So I raised them most of their life and the twins have always called me Dad.

I didn't know about my daughter until she was 2 even though Mom knew she was mine , just made a bad choice even though we split on good terms and I was a good guy, didn't do anything to warrant that.

SO, I missed ALL the baby time and this is exciting AF for me. Finally getting that opportunity that I missed so I make the most out of every second I can get with the little guy.

I'm also a dumbass when it comes to babies I'm learning all this stuff for the first time and, there's some things that I would have never have though about lol

Like putting pillows near the baby when they're asleep is a big no no apparently. Making sure blankets can't get over their heads. Babies can't have water until they're like 6 months old? (that's fucking crazy to me)

Plus, they've got all these monitors on him when he sleeps so they can see his heart rate and temperature and breathing and so on...... It just seems like overkill but, again, I'm baby dumb.

 

[ERock5]

That's awesome!

My wife and I have 4 kids total -

20 year old boy and girl twins (hers)
18 year old daughter (mine)
16 year old daughter (hers)

We met when the twins were like 5 and the youngest was almost 2. She didn't know who the twins dad was (one night stand) but the youngest dad is part of the family. (Good guy, we get along really well) So I raised them most of their life and the twins have always called me Dad.

I didn't know about my daughter until she was 2 even though Mom knew she was mine , just made a bad choice even though we split on good terms and I was a good guy, didn't do anything to warrant that.

SO, I missed ALL the baby time and this is exciting AF for me. Finally getting that opportunity that I missed so I make the most out of every second I can get with the little guy.

I'm also a dumbass when it comes to babies I'm learning all this stuff for the first time and, there's some things that I would have never have though about lol

Like putting pillows near the baby when they're asleep is a big no no apparently. Making sure blankets can't get over their heads. Babies can't have water until they're like 6 months old? (that's fucking crazy to me)

Plus, they've got all these monitors on him when he sleeps so they can see his heart rate and temperature and breathing and so on...... It just seems like overkill but, again, I'm baby dumb.

Awesome man

And dude that baby would be screwed if it wasn’t for my wife honestly she’s a do it all kind of mom and very particular about everything but I’m lucky to have her she holds it all together and I just do whatever I can to help

 

[Montego]

No double red available so I just did whole blood donation.

I hadn't felt like my HCT was high but, halfway through the donation I started to feel "pressure' leave.

My BP is good but, is just another feeling.

Anyways, rest day and it's raining it's balls off here so I'll just be lazy and so house stuff the rest of the day

 

[Montego]

Good Lord I'm flat today.

Between the donation and food being lower I'm in pancake status.

Hovering around 238-240 in the mornings right now. Push today was decent, I could tell I lost some blood though lol. Reps held up but not much of a pump at all.

Wrist is doing well. No issue with it and it's still getting better week to week in the aspect of being sore after training.... Grip strength is still improving as well I feel but, who really knows.

Time to finish stripping down for vacation!

 

[Swole_Wes]

Good Lord I'm flat today.

Between the donation and food being lower I'm in pancake status.

Hovering around 238-240 in the mornings right now. Push today was decent, I could tell I lost some blood though lol. Reps held up but not much of a pump at all.

Wrist is doing well. No issue with it and it's still getting better week to week in the aspect of being sore after training.... Grip strength is still improving as well I feel but, who really knows.

Time to finish stripping down for vacation!

The kid in the gray t-shirt trying to out angle you, lol Looking damn shredded already Monte

 

[Montego]

The kid in the gray t-shirt trying to out angle you, lol Looking damn shredded already Monte

He's doing a good job too!

Thanks Buddy. 5-8 more lbs is the target I guess......I need to get this damn rug of hair off me to see what I actually look like lol.

 

[Swole_Wes]

He's doing a good job too!

Thanks Buddy. 5-8 more lbs is the target I guess......I need to get this damn rug of hair off me to see what I actually look like lol.

Yup, time to bust out that Mangroomer-Pro back shaver Chewy, lol

 

[Montego]

Yup, time to bust out that Mangroomer-Pro back shaver Chewy, lol

For sure!

I have the OG model. Tried the new updated ones and they just pulled the hair. The original one is awesome. I need a new shaving head for it though.

 

[Montego]

Pull y'day.

Good session. Got stronger somehow......I guess it was just a good day.

After training, I put the kid I'm prepping through a million rounds of posing. He's actually a VERY good poser, especially considering it's his first show and he's only 19.

From the waist up he's ready, the quads and hamstrings are behind though. I assumed the legs were going to be his problem area and I was correct. He has BIG legs , they're very good for anyone, especially at his age.

He's got legit low t so he's been on trt the entire prep which has helped. No other drugs. We're 3 weeks out and he'll make it but, gonna have to really dig for the next 2 weeks.

Didn't start in an ideal spot, food wasn't very high and he wasn't very lean. At ten weeks out he added like 15lbs of water in a couple days. Swears he didn't cheat and I believe him...... We pulled back his training and cardio for almost 2 solid weeks before the water came off so, that was the two weeks we needed. Since then when been plugging away but, it's been a grind. Almost an hour of cardio every day, very low low days and a lowish "high day". 5 low 1 high.

He has a lot of potential, he just needs to grow. I think he'll come in around 188-190 and thats pretty close to his weight cap for classic.

 

[Montego]

Well, I guess my colitis is in full "fuck you" mode.

I've been having some digestion issues for a couple weeks now but, the last few days has been a literal shit show.

I dialed food back again a few days ago and since then it's just going right through. No source changes or timing, just amounts.

In the past, when food, especially carbs, have gotten very low, the colitis flared up but, my last prep I didn't have this issue. Not really sure what's causing it this time.....

Anyways, I'm pretty well bottomed out where I wanted to be weight wise, was 237 this morning, so I'll adjust back up a touch and see if that helps. One thing that I DON'T want is low food AND shitting my brains out. Quick way route to wasting away.

Will train legs today hopefully!

 

[Montego]

Lean enough. Hamstrings are pretty dug out. Natural lighting is so unforgiving but, you get the picture.

 

[Montego]

Yep, gut is fucked.

Damn it. Gonna start a course of Prednisone and hopefully things clear up. I do NOT want to have the shits for our entire vacation.

I'm in a tricky spot with the diet now because of this as well. Since everything is literally going right through me, weight is dropping hard (4lbs in a day) but, increasing the food just makes the stress on the gut worse. I'll fast for as long as I can hold out the coming days and then hopefully my food after the fast is enough to keep me from completely dwindling away.

Bland chicken and rice. Lots of eaa's. Just gotta test it and see what I can keep in me. Things like fruits, red meat and protein shakes won't stick. Sucks because I'm a fruitaholic.

I did train arms after work today. It's not a taxing session by any means but, I cut it down even more today to get some extra stress off. I'll rest tomorrow and hopefully get some extra sleep.

 

[Montego]

The Prednisone has been working well. Back to normal in the poop department.

It does give me some stomach distention and a bit of an "ache" but, I'm not running to the bathroom 10-15 times a day.

I'll keep this going for about another week to make sure things get fully back to normal before I stop it.

I've pulled the training back as well during the last few days. Just going in and getting out in 45 minutes or so. High volume, for me,

 

[Montego]

Not much going on over here the last few days.

My gut is still doing well and my weight is back hovering around 240. Appetite today was absolutely crazy so that's a great sign as well.

I'm still visibly distended in the gut a bit from the Prednisone and, I'm holding some extra water around the waist. I plan to drop the Prednisone Wednesday so I'll have a few days before we leave for vacation to make sure everything will stay going smooth.

Still getting some of the stomach pain from the meds but it was much better today then y'day. Felt like I had a boulder in my stomach all day y'day, today it was just every now and then.

I was hoping to pull Bloodwork before I left for vacation but it looks like it'll have to wait until we get back. Haven't been able to get there in time due to work this week and it looks like it's going to keep up until Friday when we leave.

I was going to do a single pin Friday morning and then pick back up when I got back but I'll take 2 doses with me so I don't mess up the results.

Didn't train the last 2 days, (y'day was supposed to be legs) so I'm getting behind there..... Very unlike me but between work and my daughter staying over with my grandson, I just haven't gone. Spent the last couple afternoons with him because he's MUCH cooler then the gym

Hopefully I don't have work at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow and I can go knock out legs before I have to go in.

That's pretty much it right now. Just enjoying being a jacked PawPaw and resting up

 

[BigMike305]

Not much going on over here the last few days.

My gut is still doing well and my weight is back hovering around 240. Appetite today was absolutely crazy so that's a great sign as well.

I'm still visibly distended in the gut a bit from the Prednisone and, I'm holding some extra water around the waist. I plan to drop the Prednisone Wednesday so I'll have a few days before we leave for vacation to make sure everything will stay going smooth.

Still getting some of the stomach pain from the meds but it was much better today then y'day. Felt like I had a boulder in my stomach all day y'day, today it was just every now and then.

I was hoping to pull Bloodwork before I left for vacation but it looks like it'll have to wait until we get back. Haven't been able to get there in time due to work this week and it looks like it's going to keep up until Friday when we leave.

I was going to do a single pin Friday morning and then pick back up when I got back but I'll take 2 doses with me so I don't mess up the results.

Didn't train the last 2 days, (y'day was supposed to be legs) so I'm getting behind there..... Very unlike me but between work and my daughter staying over with my grandson, I just haven't gone. Spent the last couple afternoons with him because he's MUCH cooler then the gym

Hopefully I don't have work at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow and I can go knock out legs before I have to go in.

That's pretty much it right now. Just enjoying being a jacked PawPaw and resting up

Hope you get better soon buddy!

 

[Montego]

Vacation in just a few days. Just getting some lazy training in until we go. Nothing crazy, getting a pump and getting out.

 

[ERock5]

Looking a lot leaner!

 

[Montego]

Looking a lot leaner!

I shaved

 

[ERock5]

I shaved

Lmao I don’t think if I shaved it would make me look that much leaner

 

[REHH]

Where to for vacation?

 

[samgraves82]

Damn, u are looking lean af

Sent from my motorola razr 2025 using Tapatalk

 

[Montego]

Where to for vacation?

Destin. Leaving Sunday and we'll be back Thursday.

Damn, u are looking lean af

Sent from my motorola razr 2025 using Tapatalk

7 weeks out maybe. No, I'm not prepping.

 

[samgraves82]

Destin. Leaving Sunday and we'll be back Thursday. 7 weeks out maybe. No, I'm not prepping.

If u were,I'd say right about it
But that's me tho

Sent from my motorola razr 2025 using Tapatalk

 

[Montego]

Today was a shit day....

One of my dogs has been acting weird. Hasn't been wanting to eat for almost 2 weeks unless we add stuff to his food like chicken or egg. He's alsob been lethargic and not moving much.

Took him to the vet today and they think he most likely has cancer. His white blood cell count was 516 and the high end of normal is 17. His temp was 103.2 and 102 is usually normal for dogs.

Fucking gutted. He's an older dog, 11, and being a pitbull/Ridgeback mix he's considered a senior.

We would have to send him to a pet hospital for them to run tests to see exactly what it is and then, who knows if they could even do anything for him and, were talking thousands of dollars when he doesn't have a lot of years ahead of him statistically speaking.......

The vet gave us some steroids and an appetite stimulant to give you him to hopefully make him feel better and we will just wait and see what happensb but, it's not looking good.

We gave him the meds and he's eating again and up and moving around, looks like he feels fine but, he's wobbly and kinda just pacing around a lot.

I feel like a shit dog dad but, I gotta do what's best for the family first and the financial situation right now is aimed at kids going to college and building a house next year.

Hopefully we'll get a good amount of time with my buddy before he crosses the rainbow bridge and he's getting cheeseburgers ever day.