In 5 weeks I will be competing in my first bodybuilding contest, the Fouad Abiad Open followed by the UFE Halloween Mayhem 3 weeks later. I’m starting to dial in my nutrition and am extremely confident that I will be absolutely shredded by show day.
I’ve been spending a good amount of time practicing the mandatory poses with a couple buddies who are also competing for the first time this month. The process itself has been incredibly rewarding. My mind-muscle connection has never been stronger, which has carried over into my workouts and improving my overall results.
Here I am in action 5 weeks out… (5 foot 7 inches weighing 151 pounds)
Learning to control my lats has been one of the most difficult challenges throughout this process. Although my mind-muscle connection is greater than ever, I have discovered an area I must improve upon… scapula rotation, mobility, and flexibility. (A big thanks to my mentor and role model Tom Venuto for sharing some great advice on this topic!)
I know that I have some knots in my left upper traps, levator scapulae, and supraspinatus. I’ve been doing some self massage using a golf ball, bocce ball, and foam roller to release the knots. Yesterday I came across some great video demonstrations with a few minor tweaks to the self massage that I was doing, and it’s been way better. I highly recommend that you check out these Scapular Muscle Flexibility videos >>>>
I also came across this fantastic exercise demonstrated by the great bodybuilder Larry Scott…
I performed this exercise at the end of my back workout yesterday and it was awesome!
Throughout this process I have become hyper-critical of my physique… in a very good way. Think of it as a sculptor who steps away from the block of marble and analyzes their next step.
During these final weeks of chiseling away the last bit of fat, I find myself making notes about the areas that I look forward to building up. Calves have been a work in progress this year as have my quads, hammies, and chest. I have made great gains in these areas as well as my upper back thickness, which was a priority for me. What I haven’t realized until this point of leanness, is that my mid and lower back could definitely use some added thickness.
Who am I kidding… I want to improve in all areas… but there are definitely areas that need to improve more than others.
As I mentioned, being hyper-critical of your physique is not a bad thing. This attention to detail is more of a fascination with your physique and it allows you to take notice of the improvements as well. I’m ecstatic with the improvements that I’ve made. They are actually better than I previously thought.
Preparing to step on stage and compete has given me a new appreciation and respect for the art form, which we call bodybuilding. It truly is a beautiful thing and I’m proud to now be a member of this culture.
There is still plenty of work to be done before the events and I’ll be sharing the details as I go along. It’s all starting to sink in today as I booked my spray tan and am scheduled to pick up my posing trunks tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing this journey with me. I welcome all constructive criticism and feedback.
Sculpt a Masterpiece,
Scott Tousignant
About The Author
Scott Tousignant, BHK, is a Certified Fitness Consultant with a passion for transforming fitness enthusiasts goal driven, dedicated, and voracious physique artists who take pride in their body, fitness, health, and lifestyle. Embraced by physique artists around the world, his Metabolic Masterpiece Body Sculpting Programs will guide you through the process of sculpting your body into a work of art, by applying what Scott has coined, The A.T.T.R.A.C.T. Formula.
With his synergistic, boredom busting body sculpting workouts you will melt stubborn fat and gain muscle while skyrocketing your metabolism!
The art of molding and chiseling an aesthetically pleasing physique with ideal proportions and spectacular symmetry is one of life’s most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. It’s an opportunity for self growth and self discovery that will impact every area of your life.