Just under 8 wks out, need some input

[cranny]

Alright, I've been running Palumbo's diet now for almost 6 wks. I still don't think I'm quite sold on it. I have made progress, just not as much as I had expected. Do we ever? So encouragement is welcomed but what I need is an honest assessment. Do you think I have enough time to really dial this in providing I do the the nec. diet and training? Sorry for the rug. I've been so busy lately I barely had time to take these pics randomly throughout the weekend, lol. I did finally get to shave Sunday so I threw one in this A.M.

8 more wks. tick-tock, tick tock.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/crannyman/100_1620.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/crannyman/100_1621.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/crannyman/100_1633.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/crannyman/100_1644.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/crannyman/100_1656.jpg

[Mols]

haha wish this was a reply to help, but its not. Just a reply to say you look great! :topic:

[warmpain]

I think you are on point. You are leaning out nicely. Not much help I know, but just my 2 cents. :)

[dubdubs]

OMG I see veins :cheer::cheer:

I think you look great.. but since I am a newb can't offer much input. Is it me or are you bigger on the right side? your back.. your right lat sticks out more and your arm looks bigger too. I suffer this.. my left upper is smaller than my right, but my left quad is more powerful than the right, DARN!

and shaving the rug made a difference. How is the cardio and such going.

You have great legs BTW :cheer::cheer::cheer:

[cranny]

OMG I see veins :cheer::cheer:

I think you look great.. but since I am a newb can't offer much input. Is it me or are you bigger on the right side? your back.. your right lat sticks out more and your arm looks bigger too. I suffer this.. my left upper is smaller than my right, but my left quad is more powerful than the right, DARN!

and shaving the rug made a difference. How is the cardio and such going.

You have great legs BTW :cheer::cheer::cheer:

Thanks WW. You're correct about my right side. I've battled this for the past 2 yrs. I've really tried to isolate each side on exercises when I can but that left side is stubborn. And I'm left handed. You would think my left side would be like that.
Cardio has been on point. I'm doing A.M. cardio for 30 min. 6 days/wk. and cardio right after weights 5 days/wk. for 30. I'm thinking of doing some HIIT after weights instead of steady cardio.
The biggest thing I'm worried about is this diet. I'll be checking BF% this afternoon so I should be able to tell if I want to keep going w/ it or switch to carb cycling. Either way I've got to shit or get off the pot w/ choosing one. No more time to be dicking around at just under 8 wks.

[HULK1550]

you have plenty of time if you are 8 weeks out. you can change a ton in 8 weeks.

[BIGBUCK$]

lookin good
stay dedicated

[T-Cake]

I definitely think you can make it happen 8 weeks out. You look awesome already!

Aside from dropping the water... what other goal(s) do you have in mind? Why are you not sold on the diet just yet?

I don't compete, but I am sort of used to looking at others' progressions on the board... I think you are right on schedule if you ask me. And good lookin' to boot, rug or not! ;)

[cranny]

I definitely think you can make it happen 8 weeks out. You look awesome already!

Aside from dropping the water... what other goal(s) do you have in mind? Why are you not sold on the diet just yet?

I don't compete, but I am sort of used to looking at others' progressions on the board... I think you are right on schedule if you ask me. And good lookin' to boot, rug or not! ;)
Thanks alot T-Cake! I appreciate the support. Goals? To get leaner and dryer than my last comp. I guess that's how I've been judging this diet. This go around I've been way more strict w/ regards to nutrition and training. But it's just not moving as fast as last time. Then I was cycling carbs. I've just heard so many good things from people who have tried his(Palumbo) keto diet. Whatever happens, my results will not show a lack of effort on my part. I've busted my but, I believe, this time more than any other. I guess that's why I'm a bit frustrated and maybe impatient. I don't want to come into the comp. on 2 wheels trying to zero in on being lean enough by the last day. The plan was/is steady progression and come in ready 1-2 wks. prior. I'm sure I'll be fine; esp. w/ the encouragement from you all. Just going to keep on keepin on.
Thanks again all.

[T-Cake]

Hey you know -- don't fix what ain't broke ;)
If the last time you dieted, you think it went well... try again for it and maybe just your dial-in time in the final 2 weeks is what needs tweaking.

You're training harder than ever -- but are you getting enough sleep to go along with that? If the diet is taxing on you mentally and/or physically... and your training is taxing on you both ways as well -- the stress of it all could also raise your cortisol and slow down your perceived progression rate.

Just a thought -- I may be wayyyy off and you might be sleeping 10 hours a night and on Cloud 9 day in and day out... but it's what I can think of to try and help you out! :)

[PeteM]

How are you feeling? At the 8 week mark, everyone is very differnt, however, from my past experience, it's the feeling at the 6 week mark that seems to be a very strong indicator for stage performance. You will be on track if right around 6 weeks is when it feels like there is lead in you shoes, each stair case in is a mountain and you begin counting in days - no longer weeks to the show.

If I recall correctly, palumbo's diet is very low carb. I would suggest at this point you add in a high carb day - clean carbs, rice, oats, yams, once a week up until the 5th week out, at that time, just shitty keto diet.

I've dieted 4 times before, 3 out of the 4 were keto with high carb once a week up until the 5 week mark and I was peeled all 3 times. The 4th was a higher carb but much longer diet and conditioning wasn't even close, and I never hit the 'lead shoes' stage.