Thread: Total rebuild

Hey Mick your goin great, good job mate.

Quick update. In the last couple months the weight was dropping like there was no tomorrow, feeling low on energy and depleted but with incredible conditioning slowly coming up, I've finally found the right balance and have stabilized at 90kg with almost single digit BF. The poundage used on exercise was also on a slight decline, and the workouts have been grueling, feeling wiped out after most sessions - so I've included an additional recoup day during the week to allow for better recovery - made a few more tweaks with the diet so for the last 2 weeks the energy has improved, looking really streamlined with muscles getting fuller again. Cardio has also stepped up a little. The poundages used in the majority of exercises have also had increases. Nothing beats being able to see that muscle gorged with blood and feeling that vascularity move the weights. Happy with the progress and finally at that next platform were I can make greater improvements.

Sounds good Mick~

Are comfortable with being a little lighter? It's been a big mind game for me.

Mark the psychology of getting lighter has been the greatest hurdle, when you see the weight drop you start having conflicting feelings, you question how much further? All that hard earned mass going to waste. That you may not look as big or impressive with a shirt on. People close to you comment that you've lost weight - all plays with your mind if you let it, you have to stay focussed and stick to the plan and honesty only when you stabilize do you start feeling comfortable again.

Originally Posted by BIGMICK

Mark the psychology of getting lighter has been the greatest hurdle, when you see the weight drop you start having conflicting feelings, you question how much further? All that hard earned mass going to waste. That you may not look as big or impressive with a shirt on. People close to you comment that you've lost weight - all plays with your mind if you let it, you have to stay focussed and stick to the plan and honesty only when you stabilize do you start feeling comfortable again.

I'm right there with you bro, on all counts, in a shirt people I work with keep telling me I'm losing weight etc, but in a tank top I look bigger than ever.

It's a mind feck.


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Great work Mick!

The only downside of getting lean, looking small in a shirt!

Another update at 16 months into the rebuild, everything is on track. I've kept the weight consistant in the early 90s while increasing the overall muscle quality. Always keeping the eye on symmetry. The body fat is also steadily dropping with improved details throughout. Vacularity is more prominant and easily conjured with a few flexes, so getting in really good shape. Still a long way to go but enjoying the journey now more than ever. Lots of energy now for the workouts as the body has adjusted to a more cleaner diet. I've attached a couple of pics, really hard to get a decent pic on your own, a little blurry but one is just after a grueling 30 min cardio workout - trained arms earlier, and the other is a quick biceps flex with no pump showing the improved shape. I'm getting there slowly but surely.

glad to see this thread still alive,

you can def see much more peak in the biceps,looking sharper,

come on mick,take the time to perfect it all and lets see you up on stage,

good on ya mate,keep it up,

Thanks Mino for the kind words, mate for comps I don't know what the future holds but am sure enjoying the day to day challenges each workout brings.

Update at the 20 month stage of the rebuild. I'm back around the 95kg after having gone as low as 87kg. Feeling much stronger at this weight and it is much more comfortable to handle mood wise. At this level I can make some good gains without feeling like the walking dead. Since the last post I tried to get as lean as possible - almost contest shape to see how well I handled the prep and also see how I shaped up with the low bodyfat. At 87kg I looked pretty good, nice flow, clean lines and really vascular but personally prefer more thickness especially in side poses and the legs. The plan for the coming months and new year is to keep the cardio and carbs moderate, keep the BF levels in check - enough to see all abs. Should be able to get to 105kg with moderate bf levels by early Jan 2011. Here's a couple of photos, I felt a little flat on the day but showing improved condition at the heavier weight with the size slowly coming back.

In the past few weeks I've made some good gains with energy much improved from the increase in cals. Having met with Phil Heath was truly inspiring and feel more motivated to get to the next level. Going the by last few sessions I've been able to up the intensity and I'm handling the heavier weights with more confidence. Should make some quality gains over the next few months.

Holy crap his arms are big!

Well done Mick, that's some awesome dedication

He's arms are massive. My arms measure up just under 19 inches, and next to him he dwarfs them, the Gift has to be close to 22 inches there.

His left arm is his most impressive and his brachioradialis is just insane. But Mick in saying that, you look damn good in that pic mate and hold your own. Great work!

Cheers Ads. Today my enthusiasm got the better of me (blame the Gift - lol) and felt a pinch in the lower back on deadlifts. I stopped immediately accessed, then slowly put the weights back deciding to continue with back but with super strict form and much lower weights. Was able to pull through with a good pump in the whole back. I followed this by a light workout of legs which was a killer, everything felt twice as heavy. Turned a negative situation into a positive, I'll take the next day or two to recuperate and get back into arms.