TP Kicks It Up A Notch

[Twin Peak]

Alright. Its about damn time. August '03, I had rotator cuff surgery. Prior to that, I was at my peak of motivation, determination and size and strength. Then it came crashing down. The bar, that is. As I was half way through a bench press that would have been twice my bodyweight (435 -- I weighed 215) my tendon snapped. Ouch.

My surgeon (the doctor who did all of Dorian Yates surgeries) said it was one of the worst tears he had ever seen. My arm was in a sling for 8 weeks, and my upper arm atrophied from 18.5 inches to 15.5.

Post surgey, I was motivated as hell -- deathly afraid of becoming a fat slob (like I used to be). So I dieted, trained legs thrice per week and did cardio.

16 weeks after surgery I had lost a ton of size, and strength, but I looked decent:

http://forum.avantlabs.com/?act=ST&f=52&t=7145&hl=&

I added some size, but was a bit fatter at the Arnold '04. Here is me and some other Avant folks at the Arnold in March:

http://forum.avantlabs.com/?act=ST&f=52&t=8807&hl=&

By the summer 04, I could perform most exercises, though limited ROM. My shoulder still acts up, and I cannot press heavy or do much direct shoulder work.

Despite that, I was still training hard, and my thickness was returning. Then, my drive to lift and to diet, slowly disappeared. Getting to the gym was an ordeal, and lifting hard while there, well I just wasn't able to lift to my previous standards.

I have periodically had spurs of intensity and motivation. But it hasn't been sustained.

Because of my terrible diet, piss-poor genes, and lack of gym activity, I look, well, sloppy. Thankfully its winter.

Enter Camaro's challenge.

So now I have something to train for, and a renewed sense of vigor. Workouts have been good this week and diet has been, well, okay. I am getting tons of protein and fiber, and not drinking wine and beer (as much).

I just snapped a few "before" pictures, and while I am embarrassed to post them, oh well.

 

[Twin Peak]

My training will be Tri-Phase Progressive Training. Last week I began week one. If you know me, you know what this is. If not:

http://www.avantlabs.com/magmain.php?issueID=19&pageID=249

http://www.avantlabs.com/magmain.php?issueID=20&pageID=253

I am working on part three, now. But I digress.

Diet, well, that's tough. I will probably still imbibe, once or twice a week. But my goal is tro drop about 5 pounds of fat in the next 2 weeks, and then bulk through the new year. I'll have plenty of time to diet after the new year, 8 weeks of cutting is plenty.

When bulking, I will be Carb Cycling. I will eat a ton of lean protein, oats, and low-carb items (like wraps) for their fiber and extra protein.

Supplements. That's easy:

* 10 grams fish oil
* Xtreme's Ultra Peptide
* Flax Meal
* Whey Concentrate
* LeptiGen Rebirth
* LeptiGen MASS
* Multi-V
* Home-made, during workout formula.

Game On.

 

[Cold Iron]

Hey TP.

Do you know why your tendon snapped? May sound like a stupid question but I wondered if there was any specific to you, that could have contributed to it. You seem young for something that serious to happen to you. I dunno, maybe this is common place?

Man, dont even worry about being embarassed from posting your pic. You have more LBM than 95% of the earth's population.... though I do realize, we bodybuilders are very(overly) critical of ourselves.

Good luck in the comp

 

[Twin Peak]

It was frayed from years of heavy lifting. I have always been strong and always lifted heavy. So it was worn down (so said my doc). Then, it snapped. I generally maxed out every few months and this time, it went. I won't be going heavy like that anymore.

 

[camarosuper6]

Outstanding.

I am definitely looking forward to going heads up with the Avant legend.

 

[Twin Peak]

Bring it, Beyotch.

 

[Duncans Donuts]

GL Twin Peak. I hope you lose

I can't wait to see the after pics.

 

[camarosuper6]

Shyeat, your gonna be beggin me endorse your products.

 

[camarosuper6]

GL Twin Peak. I hope you lose

Hell, with me doing Johnnny's inner/outer/upper/lower pec mass routine, how can I lose?

 

[JerseyDevil]

My money is on Twin Peak. Not dissing you by a long shot Camaro. But I have seen pics of TP in "peak" condition, and he looks awesome. He probably ate two pizzas, and drank 4 gallons of water before taking that 'before' pic.

 

[Mudge]

TP, still doing glucosamine chondroitin or some such mix? I didn't see it in your list of supps.

 

[camarosuper6]

My money is on Twin Peak. Not dissing you by a long shot Camaro

None taken bud. He is far and away more experienced than I and in his peak condition would have blown my "peak" condition away. I love being the underdog, it really motivates me

 

[Twin Peak]

None taken bud. He is far and away more experienced than I and in his peak condition would have blown my "peak" condition away. I love being the underdog, it really motivates me

I will do to you, what the Yankees should have done to Boston.

 

[Twin Peak]

My money is on Twin Peak. Not dissing you by a long shot Camaro. But I have seen pics of TP in "peak" condition, and he looks awesome. He probably ate two pizzas, and drank 4 gallons of water before taking that 'before' pic.

I wish. Unfortunately that is how I look now. Okay, so I did slam two glasses of water, but my stomach really is 40+ inches -- and that is first thing in the morning.

 

[Twin Peak]

TP, still doing glucosamine chondroitin or some such mix? I didn't see it in your list of supps.

Not as much as I should be. I have powdered glucosamine as part of my "during workout" drink, among other things. I also take MSM and chondrotin from time to time.

 

[Twin Peak]

But....I should have waited to take my "before" pictures. I just had about 6 beers, a bunch of saki, sushi, and a ton of white rice and fried, oily, and salty chinese food.

 

[camarosuper6]

I got something salty for ya buddy.

 

[CowPimp]

I might have to monitor this contest. Could get interesting. Good luck to both contestants. I have the utmost respect for both of you.

 

[aggies1ut]

I will do to you, what the Yankees should have done to Boston.

Jodi's gonna flame ya for that one.

 

[topolo]

Good luck to both of you............I find you both to be attractive............in a heterosexual way of course.

 

[camarosuper6]

Yea... Im gonna have to get a tan and get my digi cam working right.

 

[Twin Peak]

Jodi's gonna flame ya for that one.

Yeah, most likely. Ah well. What can you do.

By the way, Topolo's comment is frightening.

And just to be clear, CowPimp, the trash talking is all in good fun. In fact, it has been quite helpful in getting my motivation back. Now I just need to get Chicken Daddy to enter.

 

[Twin Peak]

Monday, November 1

Last week was week one of my Volume cycle of TP-PT. It went as planned, getting my self accustomeed to lifting regularly again. I even got sore despite the very low volume. Strength was pathetic (starting with barbell curls of 95 for example) but that is to be expected. Strength, thankfully, is coming back fast. As is muscle density. For example, the brachialis veins which have been dormant, are back, already.

And today was day one, week two. Which means three sets of each exercise. I have slightly modified the volume phase and here is the breakdown:

Mon/Thur

Widegrip Pulldowns
Seated Leg Curl
Barbell Row
Calf Machine
Barbell Curl
Shrug Machine
DB Hammer Curl
Shoulder Machine Press
(plate loaded)


Tues/Sat

Leg Extensions
Incline Barbell Press
Squats
Fly Machine
Close Grip Bench
V-bar Pressdowns

I perform each exercise 1-2 reps shy of failure, and I do each workout (bodypart) twice weekly. This is for four weeks, so there are 8 workouts per bodypart. The first two workouts I do 2 sets per exercise, then I add a set each workout so that the final weeks workouts include 8 sets. Since volume is through the roof at that point, I will probably break the workouts up a bit and lift 6 times that week. Here are the weights and reps I used this morning:

Widegrip Pulldowns -- 200 x 8
Seated Leg Curl -- 130 x 10
Barbell Row -- 225 x 6
Calf Machine -- 7 plates x 12
Barbell Curl - 115 x 8
Shrug Machine -- 4 plates x 10
DB Hammer Curl -- 50 x 10
Shoulder Machine Press -- 2p + quarters per side x 10
(plate loaded)

And I must say, motivation was and is through the roof.

 

[ncgirl21]

Good Luck TP

 

[CowPimp]

And just to be clear, CowPimp, the trash talking is all in good fun. In fact, it has been quite helpful in getting my motivation back. Now I just need to get Chicken Daddy to enter.

Oh yeah, I know. I wasn't implying otherwise. Believe me, I am all about good natured ripping.

 

[Rocco32]

Alright, bring it on!!! Keep the motivation up buddy. And damn, those are some nice lifts already.

 

[Twin Peak]

Alright, bring it on!!! Keep the motivation up buddy. And damn, those are some nice lifts already.

Bah, those are puny lifts. And you were calling me, a girl. This is going to be fun.

Cow -- just checking.

And thanks NC. What part of NC are you from, anyway?

 

[Robboe]

Yeah, most likely. Ah well. What can you do.

By the way, Topolo's comment is frightening.

And just to be clear, CowPimp, the trash talking is all in good fun. In fact, it has been quite helpful in getting my motivation back. Now I just need to get Chicken Daddy to enter.

I'd love to, but i'm in final year right now and i shouldn't really have anything else occupying my (already slim) motivation.

Besides, aside from adding 20lbs of lbm, the most i could do in 16 weeks to look better is drop an ass-load of fat, which would take dieting, patience, misery and motivation. All of which, i just can't be arsed with right now.

But don't think i won't come down on you like a ton of bricks if you start to slip up, sunshine.

 

[camarosuper6]

TP toar is rotator cuff trying to impress me.


It did not work.

 

[Robboe]

TP toar is rotator cuff trying to impress me.


It did not work.

Either does your spelling, mate.

"Tore" and "his" are the words you're looking for.

What is impressive, however, is Steve's drive once he gets going. Don't be suprised if he resembles one of his older photos within three months of today. You've certainly chosen some stiff competition!