Where should I take my training?

[fitmonkey]

Well, I'm going to put my pics and my latest training routine out on the limb here, for some constructive criticism.
The potential date for my first show which is going to be with NANBF is Oct 20. This will be a good starter for me since traveling, child care, and taking off work are not very accessible to me. The show is close to my mother's so it will work well as long as I get my stuff together.
As of right now, I will be going it alone, with no trainer, because there is no allowance for it right now. I think I am going to go with the figure side of things because their "Xtreme Fitness" isn't very popular. I'd hate to win by default.
Anyways, I was hoping for some opinions on where to go with my training. I'd love to be getting skinnier for bikini season, but I am thinking I should keep building muscle through the end of July, right? My diet is improving, and I've cut 7lbs since the beginning of the year. I'm maybe 70-80% on though, and I need to get it to 95-100% pronto. Pics up for judgement included.


Here is my training schedule which is up for critique. My days vary each week, a little bit, because of my husband and I's work schedule, and juggling our 1 year old is tricky.
5x5
Squats
Rev Lunges
Seated Rows
5 sets of Negative Pull ups, as many as I can do at a time

5x5
CDL
Incline Bench Press
Good Mornings
DB Chest Press

8x3 (3 sets of 8)
DB Rows
SDL
UH BB Rows
Leg Ext
Standing Military Press
Bicep Curls
Tricep Dips

2 sessions of HIIT/week
20/40 work/rest -approx 20 minutes

Thinks for taking the time to read my essay and help me. I appreciate it.

[kelster]

i dont' have much to offer here as im no expert and there are folks on here MUCH more knowledgable but just wanted to say good luck with the prep and the competition!!!!

[Cindy Day]

Hi fitmonkey -

It's not clear to me how many days you're working out and which days you're doing what. That said, right off the bat that looks like a lot of 5X5 work. Besides your contest in Oct, what is your current goal for the coming weeks? Are you eating to suppor that kind of lifting or are you cutting?

As much as training, it might be helpful if you post up your nutritional intake as well as your stats. This information will be helpful in giving you further guidance.

Congrats on the contest goals!

[fitmonkey]

My diet hasn't been so great as far as keeping track to a science. (shame on me, I know). I've been trying to keep it at 1600 calories, and my protein has been 30-35%. My fat and carbs have been all over the place, but on a good day my fat is 25% and my carbs are 40%. I know I've got to get that under control.
My workouts are generally:
Mon HIIT
Tues 5x5
Wed Off
Thur 5x5
Fri Off
Sat 3x8
Sunday off or HIIT
My goals: Well it'd be nice to a little cutting for the month of May, and get my diet down to a "T". Then maybe June/July bulk for two months. Then 3 months out I'd start the contest countdown.
However, maybe its silly to cut for a month and then bulk again. I don't want to starve my muscles down to nothing. I understand the diet has a lot to do with it, and that is why once I have some insight as to what would be the best path with cutting vs bulking, then I will plan my diet out and get some help with that.

[Robben]

Fitmonkey, I too, would like to give you a warm congrats... With that being said: The first step is to track what you're eating... You've got to journal daily in order to map it out to where you are at in your protein, carb, and fat intakes... This would be the first step... Start here first, and lets find your eating patterns...

[fitmonkey]

Okay, should I leave my diet tracking here, or start a journal, or both?

Today as of 5pm
835 14 79 96

Total/fat/carb/protein

TIA

[Robben]

Okay, should I leave my diet tracking here, or start a journal, or both?

Today as of 5pm
835 14 79 96

Total/fat/carb/protein

TIA

Start a journal... It will help you focus and at the same time it will be part of your road map to the contest...

[Blondell]

EAT! :lol:

[Cindy Day]

EAT! :lol:
:yeahthat:

You're right in that diet is a huge part of the process. I'll look and see if you started a journal as well. If you don't mind posting, put your current weight up also so we can tell if 1600 cals is even what your target should be.

Also, can I ask you why or how you chose the training set up you did?

[fitmonkey]

Well, I am going to start a journal shortly, after I EAT.
My training is set up that way because
1) 3 days is what I for sure make it to the gym for weight lifting
2) I wanted to train my legs at least twice a week, and on the 8x3 day I just through in a couple exercises to give them a little kick individually'
3) Back is trained twice in a heavier and lighter day, because I felt it was week.
4) My chest is hard to train because my shoulder does a wierd popping thing that sometimes the movement of chest pressing hard. (incline exercises are okay, but I've been trying to let my shoulder recover and do some rotator exercises incase the "little muscles" are week inside. (so says my friend the physical therapist.)
I've never made it past 75 lbs Benching, and finally this week I did 5 sets pain free, though I will add, it still has the tendon popping thing, but doesn't seem to bother me pain wise, if I do incline bench and then flat db press.
5) It seemed like an efficient good set-up of heavy and light training for body parts.
I'm going to continue this conversation in my journal.

[fitmonkey]

http://www.leanbodiesfitness.net/showthread.php?t=7748

My journal. Its a vulnerable position to take.