One Week Out

Oh baby, its right around the corner and I can't wait. The diet is crappy, training is losing its intensity since I am so low on energy but my motivation to keep bangin' is higher than ever. I am currently sitting at 251lbs in the morning, dry and empty. I can't wait to carb up in a few days and see what my body looks like when its not depleted.
The diet has been relatively easy as far as the prep goes (I never cheat) but as most of you competitors know some of my relationships have been strained. I have a tendency to alienate myself from the world when I am dieting. I know its wrong but its the only way I know how to get it done. Most of the people in my life to this point have been around for so long they just ignore me when I'm being an ass but unfortunately I hurt some people in the process. My sister and I had it out because of my stupidity and ignorance, since then she has forgiven me because I admitted I was a jerk. My poor girlfriend has had to deal with a Fouad she's never seen before. We met in the offseason so she knew happy go lucky, buffet eating, fat Fouad, only to run into dieting, regimented, selfish, moody Fouad. I feel sorry for her because I want to do more for her but I just can't make it happen right now. Luckily for me she has endured all the nonsense and will be there for me next weekend.
I have been reading a lot of the bodybuilding boards and have noticed that some people have mentioned me as a top five contender at this show, hell, some even have me winning...lol. I have to admit, I have my daydreams of getting the first callout and winning the show, as a competitor you have to visualize those things. As a realist I also have to visualize the possibility that I may get the last callout, anything can happen and I think one should be ready for anything. At the end of the day its only one battle in a war of a career, so whether I win or lose I have to come back to fight again. Like my dad used to say, as long as you fight your hardest and do your best you will always feel good about yourself.
Personally I feel like this is by far the best I have ever looked. I am as hard or harder than I was last year already but I am ten pounds heavier. I really feel like that extra ten pounds could be the difference between fifth and third, or maybe even first!
Thank you to all of you who supported me, my friends, my family and especially my girlfriend who has been through hell and back and only has a week left till she gets the fat happy Fouad back (even though it will only be for a few days since I have three more shows to do...eek for her).
The next time you guys here from me will be post Houston so wish me luck, I will do my best to represent you Canada. There is nothing left to do now, the music is cut, the posing trunks are packed, the contracts are signed and all the blood, sweat and tears have been shed. All there is left to do is hit the stage and rock the house!

Sacrifice Without Regret!
Fouad Abiad

Two Weeks Out

Okay, its finally starting to happen. Usually when I diet for a show I start getting weaker around the four or five week mark. This year I have made a conscious effort to lift as heavy as I could for as long as I could leading up to the show. I figured this would help keep more muscle as well as keep me more full and for all intensive purposes it has worked.
Finally at the two week mark I am now noticing a significant loss in explosive power. For those of you who compete you know that the last four weeks before a show is all mental. Your mind tries to play tricks on you, telling you that you are too small or too weak, that your losing too much weight, that your not doing enough, etc., etc., etc... The ones who can control these thoughts and stay focused are the ones who become champions.
The hardest part of controlling that mental fight is when you are ready to step on stage but still have to wait. Now at the two week mark, I am ready. My weight this morning was 255lbs and I believe after dropping water I could hit the stage in the best shape of my life. The problem is now I have to wait two weeks and control my mind so I don't deviate from my program. So on the diet end things are smooth and couldn't look better right now, I just have to lift a little lighter so I don't hurt myself.
This week was good for career highlights. I found out this week that I will be doing a photo shoot at MetroFlex in Texas in a few weeks with Johnnie Jackson. My favorite gym of all the ones I have been at is Gold's Venice and I have always wanted to train at Temple Gym in England but MetroFlex will come into a close third and will be a highlight of my career to this point. JOJ is a great bodybuilder and to be part of that shoot with him will be as rewarding as the venue.
The Ontario Championships (provincial show) were this weekend and I had a chance to attend since I had a client and a friend competing in the show. I want to thank any of you who were there and are reading this for all your support and kind words. I don't think some of you understand the significance of your support. For some of you to tell me I am an inspiration and that you read my blog every week made this all worth it. Some others told me that they were counting on me to put Canada back onto the bodybuilding map. That's a ton of pressure but so flattering I will do everything in my power to be the one to represent Canada in the bodybulding world and show people that us Canucks can bang with the best!


Sacrifice Without Regret!
Fouad Abiad