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Hey all I just wanted you to know I am signed on with Weider and am doing all my blogging on their site now. You can check it out here, sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner I wasn't neglecting my fans. Thank you all for reading, Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!

http://www.flexonline.com/fouad_abiad_blog_intro/news/1496

Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

11 Weeks Out

Time is flying by, I feel like just yesterday I was 16 weeks out and 285lbs! Well its a little over five weeks later and I have dropped about 15lbs and it feels like the show is around the corner. I have begun to take care of some of the odds and ends for the day of the show now because I know myself, as I get closer I'll get more retarded and won't be able to think straight. I take care of things like show contracts, membership status, hotels, flights, etc. now so I don't need to worry later.
Things with Weider have been going smoothly, I know you guys like my blog over here but I have also started blogging on the FLEXONLINE.COM site so if you notice these blogs getting shorter and shorter you know where to find me! The videos I have planned will be airing throughout the next 11 weeks on FLEXONLINE.COM as well. There will be about five of them, mostly training but I think I'll throw in a couple lifestyle ones just to give you guys a more in depth look at the my life as I get ready for the biggest show of my pro career!
So I can tell you that have followed my blog for a while, some of the craziness that I am known for when dieting has begun. For you new to my blog, its nothing really crazy, just impulsive and obsessive behaviour. The other morning I woke up at like 5am starving and couldn't go back to sleep, so I laid there for a bit trying to crash again but wasn't happening. I finally decided to get up and hit the shower and get ready for morning cardio. Just before I jumped in the shower I decided, "I think I'm going to shave my head", a normal thought progression..lol. One minute on the way to the gym, the next minute, taking the clippers to my melon..lol. Anyway, so I did and it looks okay, my gf likes it which is good enough for me. So the next time you see me the mohawk may be gone and the new almost bald Fouad will be there.
Aside from the mental behaviour things in the gym have been going very smoothly. I was getting some therapy done on my arms, they were getting to the point where the tendinitis was so bad I was having trouble contracting them. That's normal amongst most pros who have been at it for a while. The wear and tear of years and years of pounding heavy weight takes its toll on the body. Fortunately for me I have two therapists, Alvin Brown(out of Pickering) and Dave Cowie(out of Windsor) who both do an amazing job keeping me healthy and strong in the gym. They have their work cut out for them because BBing's not easy but regardless they fix me up and keep me ready for battle!
I wanted to apologize to you guys for not getting in a blog last weekend, it was a crazy weekend and I was guest posing so it just took a lot out of me and I never got to the blog...won't happen again...I hope. The guest posing went off without a hitch, the London, Ontario fans (almost hometown really) were amazing in their support for me and all the kind words. There is nothing better than guest posing for fans who really appreciate what you're doing and all the hard work you have put into it so I wanted to thank all who attended and say I was honoured to be the guest at that show! In the same show I had a client, Stephan Caron who had taken about a ten yr layoff from BBing. I was more than happy when he came to me and said he wanted to get back onstage. We got started immediately on bringing him in at his best ever. Unfortunately Stephan did not take who first place which was very disappointing to me since I really wanted that for him. He did although take home 2nd in the Masters and 3rd in the Middle Weight so it was a great day for him after ten years off! Next time we'll get the win!
Okay guys that's about it for me, check me out at FLEXONLINE.COM I will be blogging there twice a week. My blogs there will be more about the mechanics of what I do and not so much about my personal life so those of you who want workout tips or food tips check me out there!

Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

13 Weeks Out

Getting closer and closer each week, the date seems like its approaching fast now and I am ready for it! This past week has been a busy week for me. I'm wrapping up a webinar that I am holding this Wednesday, November 24th for a live Q&A for all fans interested in stepping up their game. It has been quite an effort on my part to try and figure out how all of this works. Buying the software, learning how to use and then most of all marketing and actually putting on the Webinar (seminar on the web) is going to be new to me but I am excited to interact with the fans LIVE!
My girlfriend said to me 'you don't seem so focused on the show'? Which I thought was a little ridiculous at first but then realized what she was talking about. I have been up day and night trying to give back to fans with Newsletters, blogs, tips of the week, updating my members section and different items thrown in like the webinar, actually training with people and so forth. It has been a little taxing mentally and this will be the last week for it. After this week my attention will turn 100% to the show coming up in three months, the FLEX Classic.
I am going to start scaling back, not because I don't enjoy giving back or doing interactive things online but it has taken away from my physical game. The time I could be spending stretching, preparing mentally, posing, etc., is not being utilized the way it should. So, I love you all but get in to the Webinar this week because after this one I will be taking some time for myself to really sharpen my game to a point and bring home some hardware in February.
My weight is now around 275lbs and feeling tighter than ever before at this weight and in all honesty I think I may hit the stage around 255-260lbs which will be about 10lbs heavier than last year. Honestly I think all 10lbs is in my legs so I hope the competition is ready for whats coming down the road!!!
My workouts have been solid and I am training relatively injury free and really trying to still add size while getting shredded. Nothing has changed in my workouts except possibly the speed and intensity. I am still doing all the hardcore things, deadlifts, squats, military press and all free weight movements. My goal is to lift heavy and intense all the way into the show because I feel thetas what keeps you growing or at least helps you keep a full, healthy muscle leading into the show.
I am guest posing this weekend in London, Ontario at the London Championships and I am getting very excited to hit the stage. There are going to be a lot of friends at this show since it is close to my hometown and I think that has actually got me more excited than normal. I thought to myself when I woke up today how lucky I am to have made the choices I made in my life. In a few days I get to hit the stage in front of many friends and fans and put on a show for them. It may seem insignificant to most in the business because well, its just another guest appearance. For me its not. I guess I am learning to stop and take note of whats going on around me instead of just blindly going through day to day without seeing or hearing anything or anyone. I think I am blessed to be in a position to have so many good people around me, willing to train with me, willing to push me, encourage me and root for me to get to the top.
Bpdybuilding is usually a very selfish sport and I'm not saying I'm not guilty of that but I am saying taking the time to see whats around you can change you. How could I have imagined ten years ago then I would be coming back to the same stage one day as the 'entertainment'..lol. I never imagined it back then and sometimes now I still don't believe its real. All I can say is I am very thankful for the choices in my life that have brought me to this moment. I am very thankful for the people in my life that have supported me all along the way and I am very thankful to those people that I will see on Saturday cheering me on or just are there to be good friends.

Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

14 Weeks Out

Things are on point this week! Everythings going smooth, weight is down, strength is up and the physique is looking more and more complete everyday. For some reason I am not feeling very anxious this time around, I'm feeling confident about my chances at winning in February. I really feel like this offseason has been good for my physique. My legs are up, my stomach feels tighter, calves came up and back and shoulders are wider believe it or not.
Last week was a great week in the gym. I had a great chest workout and filmed it for all of you, just go to my website www.fouadhossabiad.com and sign into the members section to check it out. 405lbs on the incline bench seems to be routine now and the week before I even did 455lbs for four reps so things are really clicking. I think the biggest news had to come on leg day though. It was my first time free weight back squatting since my leg injury. Man, I breezed through 405lbs like it was baby-weight! Banged out 12 solid reps like never before, legs felt great, no tenderness, no friction, just smooth and powerful!
I have made a big change on the career front as well. As some of you know I left MD about two months ago and I have turned the page and made the move to FLEX. I am now a Weider athlete at least for a little while anyway but I am very proud to be part of history. I hope it becomes a more long term agreement but i guess that's up to me and my placings. There is a bump in the road though as all of us experience some get hit harder than others. My Muscletech contract comes to an end in three months and I am looking for a change. They have decided to let my contract expire and I am a little excited to be honest. MT is a great company and they treated me great but at the end of the day its hard being part of a ten man team. In leaving I have a chance now to really grow with a company. There are some ideas I have in mind but like I said I have three months left so I will let you guys know as soon as I know!
So that's about it for this week. I guess the point I wanted to get across was that there are always bumps in the road. We all deal with issues, problems, adversity, some not so well and some deal with it like its nothing. I had a couple clients this week that were down in the dumps about some issues but I think its because sometimes we think we're alone. None of us are alone, some make it look like nothing is wrong on the outside but there are always things they need to deal with. Just because you don't know about their issues it doesn't mean there are none there.
The point is, life is always going to be hard if you let it. You have to role with the punches sometimes and see what you can turnover on the other side of things. I found out a few days ago that MT wasn't going to resign me and I honestly was upset for about an hour. After that hour passed I got on the phone and now I see it as an opportunity. Nothing can stop you if you don't want it to. You are in control of your life and the things you choose in life are the things that are coming to you. I choose to get off my ass and find a company that's going to believe in me and for the long term. I'm going to find a company who sees the same vision for me that I see in my own mind. When I find that I will be on top of the world and all the pieces of the puzzle will be there. How are you dealing with your adversity? Are you letting it beat you down? Are you giving up? Get off your ass and take control of your life, nothing and no one person can stop you unless you let them!

Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

15 Weeks Out

Okay I apologize for being a couple days late but I'm just trying to get my bearings with the new diet and being so busy all of a sudden. Things are going well although last week was a bit of a roller coaster week with my weight. I am currently sitting at a pretty lean 285lbs and feeling very confident about my look come Feb and Mar.
My legs used to be a week point and after smashing them all year with different techniques, different splits and different volumes I feel like they have finally responded the way they were supposed to. The other day I was actually posing with some friends and the look I had was actually a little bottom heavy to be honest. That day my legs were more impressive than my upper body and THAT has never happened unless it was after leg training. They are taking on a new dimension almost, the sweep is better on the outside and the inner thickness has really volumized my legs.
Like I said at the top of this my weight was on a bit of a roller coaster ride this week. After about three days on the diet I dropped about 10lbs (water and glycogen) and even though in my head I new it was nothing to be concerned about it actually threw me a little. I always drop about ten pounds when I start dieting but this year I thought since I was more lean going into the diet it wouldn't happen. I guess the part I didn't think of was, more muscle means more water in the body and more water to lose. Either way the strength is good and actually getting better so I know the muscle is still growing. Anyway after I spoke with Hany (my trainer) and we increased the food and tried to fill me a bit I have gained back five and am losing nice and slow now.
The cardio is getting easier this week and I assume week after week it will continue to do so. I can't lie though I am doing 40min on the stepmill and this morning around the 36min mark I had to stop and catch my breath..lol I know its embarrassing, I'm supposed to be a pro athlete but like I told a friend earlier in the week, I am a 'strength athlete', we are different..lol
Last weeks blog talked about going for your dreams and not giving in to social pressures or anything else. This kind of falls in line with that. For about three years now the Ontario Physique Association has been asking me to put on a bodybuilding show in Windsor, Ontario(my hometown) and I have declined. Not because I didn't want to but in all honesty I didn't think I had what it took to put on a major production like that.
This year one of my best friends and training partners Paul Lauzon came to me saying that they asked him to do it and to see if I would join him. The good news is I have finally decided to take on the challenge. Paul convinced me that we could do it and we have given ourselves enough time (Oct. 8, 2011) to really make it an outstanding show. Its going to be called the Fouad Abiad Classic and I have plans to make it the biggest show of the year in Ontario!
I really think bodybuilding has given me everything in my life. That doesn't always mean material things or tons of money (even though that's coming..lol). I mean more about a sense of knowing myself and knowing what I am capable of. So many people have so much in them but just aren't willing to take that chance. Are you really living your life? Is there something out there you want to do that you just can't quite bring yourself to grab hold of?
I say go for it. Bodybuilding has taught me a system above all else that will hold true in ANY instance in life. For example, when your getting ready for a bodybuilding show you do your homework. You take your time, you have a long offseason, you fine tune your physique until you know its just right and then you unveil it! Everything in life follows the same guidelines...for me anyway. When I decided to compete in my first show (ironic enough it was the Windsor Cup), I gave myself a little over a year to take the time and really bring a great package and I won that show. This show I am putting on is no different. I am giving myself a little over a year to fine tune this beast so on the day of the show all I have to do is open the doors and the event will be amazing!
Sure it took me a push from a friend but now I am that friend and I am pushing you. Find your passion and follow the steps. Take the time to really understand what you're getting into and then fine tune it before you show the world. My dad taught me one thing in life. He never cared what I did for work or what I chose as a final career, all he told me was if you do something do it with all your heart and believe in yourself.

Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

16 Weeks Out

The time has finally come, time to drop everything, put my head down and go to work. I haven't stepped on stage since Aug 2009 and I almost feel like I have forgotten how to diet..lol..I know it'll come back quick though.

I am on day 2 of the diet and am already feeling great. There is a ton of food in my diet so I don't even know if I can call it that. I'm eating over 5000 calories all from clean food and somehow it really feels like I'm gonna get bigger as I get leaner going into this thing. As it stands now I have already added about 10lbs of contest weight to my frame and if I can gain another 5lbs during this diet its gonna be lights out for the competition!

So that's all the positive side of things for you but surely there must be a downside to dieting right? Well here it is. Since I have gained about 10lbs like a mentioned, cardio has become IMPOSSIBLE..lol. I have no idea how someone Ronnie or Jay's size gets through 45min on the stairs with all that muscle. In all honesty I think I will get used to it in the next week or so but for now it feels like I'm walking up stairs with cinder blocks attached to my legs!

Being this heavy and most of it being muscle is much harder than when I was a fatter 290lbs starting my diets. The stepmill is no joke and being on it for 45min is a true test of how bad you want to work. The extra muscle mass is not only heavier but also takes more oxygen to keep it fuelled. I think I'm going to buy a small oxygen tank and strap it to my back for the next week or so...lol.

Alright, enough whining, I had to get it out though. I don't want you guys to think I'm all smiles. The best part about the diet is now you all will get to see the real me. Its 16 weeks out now and I'm still cheery but as the weeks dwindle down you will be reading a much different blog say around the four week mark. I become obsessive about everything, I become a shop-aholic, I become agitated, intense and powerful all at the same time. I can't even explain it I guess you will all have to follow along for the next four months and see for yourself.

So on to other business. The website is finally done, I guess you could say that. Its launched but I still have some things I want to fix up here and there but the basic set up will not change from here on out. For a while anyway. Please get on and check it out at www.fouadhossabiad.com and sign up for my free newsletter and get in for the free members section while you can. Only the first 1000 members are free!

Enough of that. I went out for dinner last week with some friends and it was brought to my attention that one of my friends was having some trouble with BBing and what its all about. I guess he is torn about what the point really is. I just wanted to touch on this for a minute before I go. I have been through many days in my career when I sat and thought 'what am I doing, do I really want to be doing this?'. Those days are the tough ones when you contemplate everything. Why am I eating all this food? Why do I have to drink all these powders? Why do I have to go to the gym instead of going out? Why am I sitting here in pain from a leg workout and I can barely walk?..okay skip the last one I actually love that feeling..lol.

Point is, we all have bad days, sometimes even weeks where things aren't going right and it seems like you just aren't doing what you're supposed to in life. The way I see it, everyone goes through those times in any serious endeavour they take on in life. The business man who is away from his family for weeks at a time, the office worker who is working four hours past there shift getting home at 10pm, the MMA fighter who can't win a fight, the actor or actress who can't get a gig, the salesperson who just doesn't want to go out for another drink but knows its part of the job. I know all of these people and they all wrestle with the same issues we do from time to time.

Bodybuilders and people who are around bodybuilding I have found like to isolate themselves, like only we go through these hardships or somehow ours are different from other people. Sure, our chosen profession/hobby is harder than any other on earth but trust me, other people are going through the same hardships in their own life. Its fine to sit and contemplate your choices in life and its always okay to have a bad day, we all have them. What I find to be sad is when outside influences take you away from what you really love. When you let those bad days get a hold of you and take you off course.

If you love going to the gym, if you love eating all your meals and feeling healthy, if you don't want to go to the club every weekend, there is nothing wrong with you. Don't let that crazy uncle tell you just because your eating chicken and broccoli and not cake that you're crazy. Next time that happens ask them why its fine that their guzzling a beer while golfing at 9am? Or why its ok to light a big fat cigar and sit in a smoke filled room eating Cheetos just because your playing cards?

What we do is not 'normal'(who knows what normal is anymore anyway), but its what we do because we love it. If you have a dream, a goal or you just want to feel good and live life on your own terms, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Deep down we are all a little nuts, we just choose to show it in different ways. For me, its painting myself dark, oiling myself up, dawning my nicest banana hammock, getting up in front of thousands of people and showing what they can achieve with a little elbow grease. (that visuals gotta tug at your heart strings..lol)

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

One More Week

The countdown is on and I am excited as can be. Funny, I woke up today feeling fat, sluggish and shitty (even tho I don't actually think I'm fat) and thought to myself 'I can't wait to start dieting!'. Well be careful what you wish for....I just spoke to Hany (my trainer) and we start the diet Saturday!

Its about time because honestly I can't take it anymore. I actually weighed myself after about three meals today and the scale said 303lbs!! I am ready, Hany and I have calculated everything this year. Every training session, every meal, every therapy session and its all going to pay off now in the next 16 weeks!

Okay so I know the lingering question, what am I going to eat this week since I have to start dieting on Saturday? Honestly in the past my mind was like a light switch when it came to diet. I would eat as much crap as I could and then come the day of my diet I would flip the switch and that's it, not another piece of anything! This time though I think I have been in the offseason so long I have had everything I could possibly want and now I am ready to just start. I don't need any last minute binges or garbage meals I just want to bring it!

Okay, I'm not going to lie there is a couple things. Some friends are taking me out for my Bday on Wednesday and I think I am probably going to enjoy some good cheesecake or something along those lines after a big fat steak, maybe a T-Bone! Some other friends want to take me out on Thursday so I think that one will be my last all you can eat sushi outing and I want to make it a good one....I hope they're ready for me..lol.

Alright back to reality. I had a great week of training still benching 405lbs on the incline for fun, got some smith squats in again with a little tenderness but feeling good. I was also able to hit six plates a side on the hack squat this week so the strength in that exercise is really coming back fast. Legs overall are just coming back better and better each week.

I have been using a foam roller at home most days. I like to roll out my quads when they aren't too sore to flush them and I also have been using it on my right lat to keep it from getting too bound up....Hany's advice. I'm seeing a new therapist in the Windsor area in conjunction with Alvin Brown's therapy. I needed someone close to home so I could get two sessions a week, Dave Cowie is my Osteopath in Windsor and really seems to have the same work ethic as Alvin. I am confident I am in great hands with both!

I did have a minor set back this week. Doing DB curls yesterday I actually felt a sharp pain shoot down my arm. It almost like a tendinitis pain but I think with some therapy, home therapy and just being diligent in its recovery I should be fine. No worries all, I am going to be 100% come February and like I said in one of my FB status updates, I'm bringin it in such a way they're going to change the name to Fouadruary..lol..its my month!

Enough bullshitting..lol...life is good, training is good. Seeing things in my mind before actually putting them into effect is really working out well for me. I find myself bangin out weights in the gym with only one thing in mind and that's my look come four months time. I find myself resting between sets but not really present...I can't hear anyone or anything, it feels like its just me and the weights and my thoughts. What are my thoughts?

This is a hard one to answer but I'll try. When I'm sitting there in between sets waiting to do the next set, waiting to give it everything I have, I'm thinking of the show. I can see the person standing next to me on stage, see the person on the other side of me. I can hear the judge calling out each pose, I can hear the guy next to me breathing heavy wanting a rest while I'm getting stronger. I can smell the Protan, hear the background music, hear the noise coming from the crowd. I can feel everything as if I was there seeing it clearly, living it in my mind so come that day standing up there I know what to expect. I know I'm going to bring it, I know the guy next to me will be shocked that I am so prepared it seems like a walk in the park! My strength will make him weaker, I will TAKE his energy and make it my own. All of these things flash through my mind in the 60-90 seconds that it takes me to get ready to trash the muscle just one more time...

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

Keep and eye for the new website which should be up in the next day or so www.thefouadabiad.com.

Firing On All Cylinders

First I want to apologize to you all for being a day late. It was Canadian Thanksgiving yesterday and I did indulge myself just a little so I guess it made me a little lazy....but I would never leave you all hangin so here is this weeks instalment.

Last week was an amazing week all around for me. Training, career, rehab, all facets were a go and all I had to do was enjoy the ride. As most of you know by now I am rehabbing a quad tear that happened a few months ago now and things have really been coming along. Alvin Brown has been doing the deepest tissue work I have ever gotten on my physique. I gotta be honest I really dread going to see him every week because the pain he inflicts is so bad I leave like I was just in a bar fight. The positive side of that is the effects in the gym.

Last week I was able to bring back some of my old school strength because when you aren't hampered by injury you can really kill it in the gym. I am back to curling 80lb DB's and I was doing 405lb Incline Presses for a clean 8reps. The biggest achievement of the week had to come on leg day. Not only are my Leg Press and Hack Squat numbers up (12plates a side and 5plates a side, not crazy but getting better every week) but to top it off I was able to squat for the first time since July. Mind you it wasn't a free squat, it was a smith machine squat but regardless I was able to get up to three plates for a solid 12 reps. I think I could have gotten to 18-20 if I was completely healthy but I'm minding my rehab and checking my ego.

Career wise things have really been great. MD posted a new leg workout video we did back in September and it was received with overwhelming support from the MD fans! Someone also took a progress pic from my FB and posted it over at MD which was also received very well. To hear some BBing fans put me in the first tier category in BBing and rank me amongst the best in the world really makes me proud. Now I just have to produce come March.

Not only in my own career are things going well but like most of you know I do online physique coaching. I receive weekly updates from my clients and all of them are really making progress. The offseason athletes are getting bigger and better and the competitive athletes are getting shredded and all is clicking like it should! Nothing makes me feel better than getting an email from a client that is miserable about the diet but is so happy with the way they look, they don't care.

My discipline went out the window last week. I got in a few extra cheat meals knowing I have a guest spot coming up and I am about to shut it down and go completely clean with the food. For some reason and I don't know why lately my crutch has been ribs! Why? I have no idea. I started eating them one day about a month ago and since I have been having them for my cheat once a week and last week cuz I got stupid I had them twice. I mean I guess it could be worse, I guess I could be pounding back ice cream and cake which is complete garbage. Ribs are bad because of the high fat content and the sodium but at least they have quite a bit of protein so its not totally useless. I guess this is what I mean when I tell my clients to find something BBing friendly to cheat with.

On a more personal note, I thought I would share this with you all. Throughout my career people have always asked me, "why are going to all this trouble bodybuilding for such a small gain and no glamour?". I try and explain to them its something in me but there is no way they will ever understand. I think majority of people give up on their dreams somewhere around the age of twelve because someone told them whatever they were thinking was a joke. I can personally admit to that because my original dream in life was to be a race care driver and eventually test drive exotic cars.

Yes, as you all know that didn't happen and now seems comical as I probably can't fit into most of those cars...lol. I was fortunate in life to find another dream as I got into my 20's and yes like race car driving everyone around me said "that's stupid", "its too much work for no money", "you'll never make it, just have some drinks with us", "that's not even a real sport". I have heard it all but at the end of the day its MY dream and that's all that matters.

The point most people don't get is the all of the satisfaction doesn't come from being one of the best bodybuilders in the world. The real satisfaction comes from being able to say I did things my way and I made it work. I didn't have to give in to peer pressure or peoples ignorance, I am my own boss and am drawing out my own journey. No one can say anything to me about my choices because they are all mine and I live with conviction.

Having a dream and reaching for it is the most honorable thing a person can do, no matter what anyone thinks of it. Sure giving in, taking the safe route, sitting behind a desk is also admirable. You can make a great living and you will be accepted into society as the norm but is that all you want. Do you just want to be accepted or do you want people to say "you know what, he did things his way and he's living his dream!". Is money and fame all that matters or is there more to life and more to you?

Don't be scared to go for what you want in life. There are going to be people everywhere waiting to tell you what they think...that its stupid and impossible but the voice in your heart is the only one that matters. When you do something do it with all your heart and accept your decisions as your own. No excuses, no regrets...

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

www.thefouadabiad.com (should be live this week!)

Almost Time

It has been a long offseason and its still not over yet. I haven't been onstage since August 09 and it is really wearing on me mentally. After I turned pro I have done at least two shows a year for the last four years and this was the first time I sat out. I think the progress I have made over the last 13-14 months are going to be evident when I step on stage in Feb-Mar or at least I hope so anyway.

As most of you know I have had some leg injuries this year but have been diligent in my rehab and very cautious in my return to make sure none of the injuries reoccur. I have been training legs back from my time off for about five weeks straight now, still not squatting but each week that leg press has a little less room on the pins and the same goes for the hack squat.

I have been training legs over at Powerhouse in Detroit Michigan. Its a rough area and a hardcore gym but man they love bodybuilders! That's not a family gym that's for sure, its the closest thing to hardcore around my city so its worth the border crossing! They have an old school hack squat that I swear isn't even oiled up...lol...three plates on this thing feels like six on a new hack. Almost makes you feel like your doing a real squat.

Anyway on to other things. I have an appearance at the Western Ontario show in London, I'm hoping you all will make it...and please be prepared with questions. I usually like to hang out after I get off stage and just shoot the shit with the fans. I'll have DVD's and hopefully some of my new line of clothes with me so you can grab so new HOSS gear!

So I have been cheating a little more than usual this week, I think its because I know I am going to start dieting soon so I am getting in the last little bit of junk before I completely shut it down. I am going to start really cleaning things up after my birthday (oct.15) for the Nov 28th appearance at the Westerns. On Nov.13th I will really shut things down and go into hibernation for the ASC...no more friends, no more cheats, no more family, no more fun.....eat, breath, sleep bodybuilding!

Don't get me wrong tho, I am planning on updating my new website (thefouadabiad.com, coming soon) with videos for you all along the way. Just sign up to be members and follow me in the gym, on the cardio equipment and in my house as I get ready to step up with the big boys in 2011!...its about time...

Interestingly enough I have a couple clients in the Nov 28th Westerns and I am hoping to get them into the winners circle so I can get some good pics with them backstage, since all of us will be in shape it could be fun! My clients are working hard and all you other bbers better be training hard because I'm bring them in 100%. Ontario always has great up and comers it should be a great show!

Before I go I just want to ask all you HOSSAMANIACS...lol...(just joking I'm not that cheese), are you all doing everything you could be doing to achieve your dreams. A while back I realized I only thought I was doing all I could do to be the best I can be until a friend really set me straight. He asked me to sit back and really look at my life and see where I had time available to me? He asked me to sit back and ask myself what can I do to get more out of my life? After taking some time and really pondering what I am doing with myself, I realized I was wasting my opportunities.

People have become conditioned to think that you grow up, get a job and that job pays your bills and that's how you earn your money and that's it. What I have learned is that's not it. That is only one part of it. Truly successful people dip their hands in many pots and take candy from each one ending up with there ultimate fortune. I'm sure a lot of you went to the Jay Cutler seminar this weekend or if not you know who he is (or you should..lol). He is a perfect example of someone who has not sat back on his contract(s). He has decided to dip his hands into everything. Shirt, hats, DVDs, posters, training people, real estate, etc, etc, etc.

The point of all this is do not become complaisant. Never tell yourself, 'that's enough for me'. Always ask for more. Ask yourself, 'what do i have to offer and how can I get more for myself'. 'What more can I do to get more out of life', this way you are never stuck and owe one person anything. That way if someone does you wrong or a boss fires you, you just keep moving because you are in control of your destiny. Are you in control of your destiny and your dreams?

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

Las Vegas

There was a time in my life when I would have been going to Vegas with nothing in my suit case except some club clothes and money for vodka/sevens…lol. I have realized those days are long gone and may never return…at least while I am bodybuilding.

In contrast this time around my suit case contained, my DVD’s, my T-shirts, pictures to sign, gym clothes an extra bag for food and lastly some comfy clothes to sleep in. I know it sounds like a party..lol

Believe it or not this past weekend was pretty amazing. My girlfriend and I arrived on Thursday for the 45^th Mr.Olympia weekend and from the moment I arrived MuscleTech really showed their appreciation for their athletes.

I was picked up at the airport given tons of merchandise in clothing and gym equipment that I didn’t even ask for. It was just the way MuscleTech operates, I am really grateful to be with the best company in the industry.

Friday morning I hit the expo with all my new MT gear on and was ready for the greatest bodybuilding fans on earth. People kept asking me if they were bothering me, if I was tired, how I could really want to be there all day. Honestly nothing could have been further from the truth. I love being around all the bodybuilding fans, my fans, other pros fans it doesn’t matter.

I was talking to Seth Feroce for most of the weekend and Cedric McMillian and the one thing I realized is we all like being there because not only are we in the sport but we are still major fans of the sport ourselves. We were just like most fans when Phil or Jay would walk in, kind of taken back by there size and shape. It’s a good feeling to be a fan of the sport you are part of, it keeps you grounded and very appreciative of all the fans who aren’t in it except for sheer enjoyment.

MT treated us to dinner at the Mandalay Bay and had front row tickets to prejudging and finals. I have never been to a Mr.O to watch, this was my first time. Sitting front row watching this guys battle it out gave me goose bumps and got me just itching to hit the stage again!!

I would like to congratulate Jay on his 4^th Olympia and Phil on really showing that he has what it takes to be the best one day. Branch is the man also, I have never seen conditioning like that in my life on any human being in person. Maybe there are guys in pics somewhere that are harder but like I said in person I have never seen anything like it! I was also really happy for Dennis Wolf for bringing back his Olympia form and Ronnie Rockel for getting noticed and placed where he deserved. Kudos to the judges, it was a tough show to judge but I personally think they got this one right.

On a final note I realized that drinking and partying don’t really have a place for me anymore. I had every intention of going out on Saturday night and really having some fun since its been so long. After watching Phil, Jay, Branch battling it out I realized it wasn’t important. My purpose in life has changed. My enjoyment doesn’t come from seeing the bottom of a bottle of vodka anymore, my enjoyment is going to come when I can say I am one of the best. Leaving my mark on the sport is more important to me than anything. I am not in this to ‘live the life’ or ‘live the dream’ as some think it should be lived. ‘Living the Dream’ for me, means having people stand and cheer for me when my time is done because they respect the work and mark I have left behind.

Dennis James retired last night at the show and the people stood on their feet for 5-10mins applauding him for his effort and career. He took a chance, didn’t take the safe route in life, decided to chase his dream and he made something of himself. For that I was also on my feet and at the end of the day that is how I will measure my success.

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad ‘Hoss’ Abiad

Ask and You Shall Receive

Whats goin on everyone? I have been slaving away this week and last week. Ever since I started seeing my new physio therapist things have been booming! I described to you all what new plans I had in store last week and I am still working on them. Very excited to get them going but in the meantime crazy things are happening all around me.

This past week I went to Powerhouse Detroit for a leg workout to be filmed by MD (www.musculardevelopment.com). I love that gym in Detroit and its only about 20min over the border from my home in Windsor, Canada. The general manager there is also a really great guy and said we can come back anytime to train for free, so, that's exactly what we're gonna do.

I was a little worried about my leg workout as I have been for a while. As you all know I had to take about 4-6 weeks off training quads because of injury and this workout we were filming was only my fourth quad workout since I was off. Alvin Brown has been treating me every week and my legs actually felt really good last Friday. Still not going heavy and still not cleared to squat but the workout was still awesome and my legs are still fried three days later!

So that was some good news on the training front but the best news that day came after training was done. One of the guys training near us was a promoter and after seeing me he asked if I would guest pose at his show...'Done', I said. So that's not that crazy you say, everyone guest poses. Okay well on my way out the door I was introduced to the owner's son of all the Powerhouse's in America. I asked if they had one in Canada anywhere only to find out they didn't....I looked at him and said, I have always wanted my own gym with a grin. He knew where I was coming from and the meeting with him and his father is set. Now I'm not saying anything will definitely come from this but being open to all possibilities is a great start.

The next day was the Detroit Pro Show where myself and Shawn Ray were the analysts. I have never been an analyst...at least publicly anyway..lol. It was cool sitting next to the legend shootin the shit and takin care of business. After the prejudge and night show we did a video wrap up which isn't something that comes easy to me but I think I did alright. You can find it on the MD site and judge for yourself...just don't be too harsh :-(

At the show I also met John Simmons which was pretty cool as I also consider him a legend of the sport himself. The nice thing was he actually asked me to guest pose at his show as well and I gladly excepted. Lastly in that same night as if enough good hadn't happened I was approached by one of the pros on stage that night and we discussed me taking him on as a client. I will let you know who it was when it all comes together. All I can tell you is he has a ton of potential and I know I can get him into the top spots!

I wanted to touch on something I thought of this past weekend, it was a realization I guess. All these people are talking about quantum physics, visualization, positive thinking, the book The Secret and so on and how these things can make you great. Well I'm calling bullshit.

Those things are only part of the equation. What they forget to tell you is that all of those things without planning and hard work will get you nothing. The realization I have come to in my own life is just to be open and positive to the idea that your hard work can take you as far as you can see in your mind.

For example; I have been busting my ass the last three weeks more so than ever before with all the new things you read about last week. Constantly on the computer, emailing, planning, studying to become better. Along the road while I am doing these things new opportunities are coming to me and now I am open and ready for them. Without me working like a dog, the new website wouldn't be done, the clothing line wouldn't be started, the new and old clients wouldn't feel taken care of, I would have never met the promoters last weekend, etc., etc, etc. My point is that you have to work hard day in and day out with the ultimate goal always in the front of your mind. You do have to visualize and see it as if its already a part of your life but without ball busting determination and drive the other thoughts are just pretty dreams.

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

Big News Coming Soon

Ok Hoss fans its taken me some time but I am about to get off my ass and finally make something of myself...lol I have been enjoying the life of a boydbuilder fulltime and really have not started to think about the things I want to leave behind later on.

So what does all this mean? Well for the you guys it means everything! I am currently working on a new website that will be much more interactive. I think my current site is a little out of date and need to step it up and give you all the kind of treatment you deserve.

I also am in the process of coming out with all new merchandise. No more cheesy 'Hoss' shirts although thank you for the emails telling me you like them. This time I am working on clothing that you actually might wear somewhere other than the grocery store and not feel like a scrub. Hats, Beanies, T-Shirts, Sleeveless, Tanks, Hoodies, Jersey Pants and yes even some little tanks for all the female gym rats out there!..lol

Ok, ok, all bodybuilders have there own clothing line and good websites what is so special about this. Well There is some merchandising that I don't think other pros have and thats all the powerlifting gear you could ask for. I am starting out small but am working on lifting straps, elbow sleeves, knee wraps, weight belts, ect. all with my symbol on it (yet to be released!). I am going to make sure companies other companies stay honest by giving you all the best prices for everything!

Ya, ya so there is some merchandise, 'I don't even use a belt' you say? This is just the tip. I have already started my own YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/fouadabiad) and will be adding videos after they are on my website for a bit. See I am adding a membership section to my site and no its not for some price of $10.99 a month. I am giving back to you for free all you will have to do is enter your email and you will be aloud to enter the membership section with photos, videos, blogs, ect.

One of the other things I have been thinking about is Skype Consultations. There will be a payment made for 30min of Skype time for strictly training and nutrition consultation. Here you can ask me personally all your questions about anything regarding the program you are currently on. The price is yet to be determined but I know one thing for sure you can fit a lot of info into 30min.

Finally I am thinking about making my own book on my philosophies about training and diet. It will be an Ebook not long maybe a few pages just outlining what kind of training and diet I have used to get to where I am today. I haven't fully committed to this one yet still waiting to see what the demand will be.

There are a bunch of other ideas I have in mind and over time all of these things will be implemented. I am really about to give this thing my all and make sure you all get the best of me. So far its been a lot of work, I haven't watched TV in 7-8 days really and its getting to me. Anyone who knows me knows that TV is my best friend.

All in all it has been great, traveling down new avenues, really taking on new clients and letting them know I am 100% focused for them. I am beginning to expand my empire and it will all begin here with your help!

Please stay tuned to my website www.fouadmuscle.com or to my Facebook page and sit back and enjoy the ride with me. We can all be better and this is my way of showing that I am going to be bigger, stronger and more successful on all fronts.

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

The Mind is a Powerful Thing

I'm into the last bulking phase now before my diet and I have to be honest I am itching to get back onstage. I am still busting ass trying to make more improvements before it is time to shred it down and dawn the posing trunks. That being said it really feels like each day is a lesson in patience and consistency.

I have made improvements and I really want to get contest ready to be able to see them! The challenge comes in knowing that your competition is still working hard at putting on more and more muscle and still improving. That means I have to keep at it regardless of how impatient I have become about this. Its just 8 more weeks and it will go fast but just not fast enough I guess. I'm grinding out each day, each, meal, each set, each rep just trying to keep my eye on the ultimate goal....bringing the biggest, hardest package to date to the ASC stage.

My weight is holding steady at around 285lbs but I feel like I am getting leaner and leaner at this weight so that is always a good sign. I have begun thinking about posing music and going through the motions in my mind of what it will look like the day of the show under the bright lights.

I have even begun looking at new posing trunks..lol...believe it or not I am a little superstitious about my trunks. I wear the same ones for every shows prejudge and I feel like I need new trunks for every big show I enter. Not sure if any of you do this but its just something that I noticed I do recently and I'm not even conscious of it.

I have really begun to incorporate time in each of my days to really focus on what I am doing. To really visualize the day, how it will look, who will be there, what people will be in the audience, the music in the background. It has started to be that detailed as I envision the day and how it will go. Of course in my mind I am winning so only time will tell if the vision in my mind will come true or not.

I think training the mind to think through negativity and to be strong in the face of bad attitudes is a major part of becoming a champion. A great physique can take a turn for the worst in a hurry if the person can't control how he/she feels inside. Personally at one show I did in 2007, I looked great but after a couple bad attitudes were able to get into my head my physique really took a turn for the worst.

Battling through adversity is not only about not caring about exterior things that happen in your life. Its also about battling the negative thoughts and bad feelings that are always trying to hold you back. Some people let that get the better of them, some people use those thoughts for fuel in their attempt to drive thru them....which person are you?

I know this really seems like a lot of fluff but in all honesty, a great body is useless without a great mind. Take the time in your day to stop, sit down and just think. Envision how you are going to do things, what the final outcome will look like. The more you do this the clearer the vision will become and as time goes on you will begin to see it happening....just remember its not always overnight.

I'll leave you with this story. In high school I was often board in class and would find myself doodling in my notebooks (whatever I wasn't an academic). I was a car nut so I would always doodle a Ford Mustang GT (the 96-04 style). I did this over and over again, all the while driving a piece of crap car but it didn't stop me from doodling that Mustang and dreaming about it. I did this all through high school and most of University all the while driving crappy cars. Until one day I was washing my new car and realized...OMG....all that doodling left an imprint in my mind and that day I was washing the car I had envisioned myself in for years! I was washing my brand new Ford Mustang GT, it took me years to get but who cares, I got it! Just remember this simple rule, if you can't see it in your mind, you will never see it in real life!

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

Being a True Professional

The days keep passing and I keep growing...lol...I'm sitting at 294lbs right now and feeling good about how lean I am and the gains that I have made. I'm eating relatively clean now, I got all the junk out of my system after my guest appearances and finally am working hard.

Training is good, for a while I tried to simplify things and see how my body would respond. In some body parts it works great and I continue to use it, in others it doesn't. I was doing a 3 set, 3-4 exercise split and going to failure on all sets. Most of the time I was out of the gym in 9 sets and feeling great. The problem is this type of training only works for me on my body parts that I can feel easily. For my lagging body parts I don't really see a positive effect.

I believe that if your mind muscle connection is strong in certain muscles they will grow easily without much volume. I think for me anyway when it comes to lagging body parts they need to be hit with a variety of angles and maybe a little more volume than normal.

So since I realized this after a couple months of trials, I have gone back to really mixing it up when it comes to my leg development. My last quad workout went like this:

8 sets of leg extensions (increasing the weight after each set) X 20reps

8 sets of leg press (increasing the weight after each set) X 20reps

4 sets of squats(weight stayed the same) X 20reps

That is not a traditional leg workout for me. It was lacking in angles but the rep and set scheme really did me in. Give it a shot but make sure you are pushing right through to 20, no stopping.

Life on the outside has been good as well (that's what I call it since I am in the gym for what feels like all the time), my client base is growing and my online coaching business is really flourishing and people are getting great results! What more can I ask.

Actually one shitty thing happened. The love of my life was backed into last week....not my girlfriend, the other love of my life....my STANG! I had put it away for a couple months since I have been doing a lot of driving. The first day I bring it out, dude backs into me in the gym parking lot. Shitty but at least she'll get her backside buffed and shined....yes perverts I'm still talking about the car...lol

One of the best things to happen to me in my career took place last week. I was asked to do a golf charity event for kids with cancer and some kids from Children's Aid. Obviously it was voluntary and I jumped at the chance. I love all my fans but I'm sorry none are better than little kids. They just love big muscle, it reminds them of cartoon characters and they get so excited. So I signed some hats, shirts and some pics for the kids and took pics with all of them...making them pose with me of course!

I guess I could say I indulged myself a little as well. As part of the event the Fire Dept in town brought out one of the trucks. Well I took it upon myself to ask to go for a ride..lol, but wait it doesn't stop there. When we got back I walked away but kept looking back at the basket they use to save people in high rises. Finally I said 'fuck it, I'm gonna ask', I went back and asked them to take me for a ride in the basket..lol..they looked at me like they already knew I wanted to..lol, embarrassing but whatever, I was a kid for a day.

Anyway, seeing those kids, some in wheelchairs, some with crutches, some with just no one to be there for them really made me appreciate the things I have in my life more than I already did. Lately anytime I see or feel something that I think is a big downer I think about how happy those kids were with all that they had going on.

I have been invited back next year and the organizers called to tell me I was a big hit with the kids (and some of the adults..lol, guys asking how to get in shape), without hesitation I told them I will be there before the first kid hits the door!

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

One Goal in Mind

Last Sunday marked the day I decided that I am completely shutting it down and preparing for the 2011 ASC on all fronts. I have left no stone unturned this year, getting all different types of therapy, doing many different phases of training, eat, ect. Hany and I have been in constant contact all year making sure things are always moving in the right direction. This year I have even kept a focus on my mind, really trying to meditate and visualize the things I want to achieve and the things I want to see happen. As I said before I have left no stone unturned, this coming years ASC will be the big one for me.

Some people say I shouldn't put so much pressure on myself and I should keep things quiet. Those who know me know thats not me. I like being intense and passionate about something, I don't want to hide out and keep things bottled up. I want to make this ASC showing almost like a reinvention of 'Fouad Abiad'. I want people to see the changes I have made and take not that I will keep leaving nothing to chance to get myself to the top.

I love the haters, I love the doubters, I feed off their energy and live to prove them all wrong as I have time and time again. This show isn't going to be a 'just happy to be there' show. I really plan on stepping my game up to the next level and being compared with the best in the world. Whether that happens or not has yet to be seen but in my mind it has happened time and time again....

Its hard taking so much time off. Injuries have really held me back this year from a couple shows I think I could have done really well at if not won! It hard watching new up and comers get all the hype, the checks, the magazine coverage and constantly hearing about who has done what. It has been tough but Hany has kept me focused on the ultimate goal. I needed him to do that. Where I wanted to compete a couple times this year even with injury, after discussing it with Hany I realized I would not be at my best and this would not further my career. Taking the much needed time to rehab injury and bring up stubborn body parts has been tough but will be all worth it come March.

I know what most of you are thinking...its going to be such a tough show. You are all correct, the ASC is the 2nd biggest show in BBing and the only person that is at the top that usually doesn't do it is Mr.O himself. Guys like Phil Heath, Kai Greene, Victor, Branch, Evan, Roelly will all be there and will all be much improved and gunning for the top spots. I realize this and I am looking forward to it. Am I scared? Most pros won't tell you this but...YES! Those are the best in the world and it will be the challenge of my BBing life. I can say this, a long time ago I was taught this simple definition....Courage is defined as the ones who are scared but go anyway.

Yes I am going into battle with the best and the only ammunition I will have is the hard work that I have put in all year. Will it be enough? Keep posted to this blog, my fan page on facebook and the Muscular Development forums for updates, videos, pics to show you all how this last phase of my offseason is going. One more bulking phase and then time to get shredded...who knows maybe I will video tape the whole thing from now on and bring you all along for the ride!

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad Abiad

Back to Work, Feeling Good!

Its been about a week and a half since my one week layoff and man all I can say is, it feels great to be back! I took some time in my down time and tried to really figure out where I wanted to go next with my physique. I came up with these things that need addressing...bigger hams, bigger calves, bigger arms and a little more fullness to my quads...geez as I right that it seems like I just mention my whole body...fuck..lol

Anyway, I fiddled with it for a few days but came up with a good split that Hany thought was good for my physique and what we are trying to emphasize. For those of you with the same lagging body parts I have here you go:

Sunday -OFF

Monday - Back & Hams

Tuesday - Arms & Calves

Wednesday - Off

Thursday - Quads & Hams

Friday - Chest & Shoulders

Saturday - Arms & Calves

I started this split this week and so far I am loving it. I was having trouble for the longest time trying to figure out how to really give certain bodyparts hell but this is the split that i have been looking for.

I had a little trouble getting the bad food out of my diet this last week or so but eventually I have been able to really get things nailed down....well, except for the Timbits I had today (donut holes for those of you in the US). I can't help it sometimes I just gotta have a baked good of some sort, its a weakness.

On a very positive note I have three clients going into the Canadian Nationals this year and I am looking for all of them to do very well with possible pro cards to bring home. I already told Hany if they bring home pro status he's gotta call me the Jr.Pro Creator! lmao. I think I can make it stick and I think at least one of my athletes will do it this weekend, its going to be very exciting for sure.

The only thing better than accomplishing my own goal of turning pro is helping someone else to realize their dreams. I actually leave tomorrow morning for Saskatoon and am pretty excited to see old faces that I haven't seen in a while. Back when I was competing at the national level there was a great camaraderie amongst all the bodybuilders. Now going back I am going to get to see a lot of those same guys either as trainers or new talent or some that are still competing. Its almost like a high school reunion..lol

Things are moving along nicely though, I am living one day at a time and really trying to experience everyday and every workout. I am putting everything I have into each set and each meal thinking that this is all leading up to the big show in Columbus, the ASC. I know nothing in life comes easy and I am not taking anything I am doing lightly.

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

Ready to Grow!

Well I've been back from BC for a bit now and I've had a good long rest and I am ready to get back on the horse! BC was amazing, reminded me a lot of Northern California, beautiful weather, tons of trees and mountains everywhere. Sushi there was great, people were extremely nice and to top it all off the BBing community out there was amazing!

I actually was in the best shape ever in the offseason for that event and I really think the fans appreciated me trying my hardest to show up looking relatively good for them. The competitors were all nice, I actually had a bber and bikini competitor (couple) help me put my color on even though they were getting ready to go on themselves....very selfless, I appreciated it greatly!! Everything was perfect from the lighting to the music and I have to say Dean did an amazing job putting on the show as it all ran very smoothly.

It was also really nice to get out there and see some old friends I haven't seen in a long time. Nadia and Chris were very welcoming and they are both judges so I really respected all they had to say about making my physique better. Darren and Lara were really good to introduce me to all their friends and let me hang with them and go for dinner. I thank you both very much if you're reading this. Darren once I get my M6 I'll let you drive it if you ever come to Ontario..lol.

After BC I got home and it was finally time to relax. I had discussed my return with Hany and he said he wanted me to do NOTHING for one week! I don't think I have done 'nothing' for a whole week in my entire career! He said nothing at all, no cardio, no weights, don't even drive by the gym..lol So I listened.

All week long I just spent my time, stretching, taking care of clients, eating very clean food to try and give my body the nutrients it was craving like fruits and lots of other good stuff. Okay I have to admit, I may have put down a few large pizzas and some ice cream but I'm sure my body needed it..lol.

In that week off I also got some good therapy in and some good reading time to help learn new things about thinking clearly and nutritional info that can always make my clients better. My new therapist (who should have been my therapist from day one) Alvin Brown is absolutely incredible. I have no worries about anything he is doing since he does a number of different techniques and also had the experience to back up his treatments. He has worked on a number of different pros including Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler, closer to home he works with Ben Pakulski and Bob Weatherill, needless to say his resume and word of mouth make it clear I should have been seeing him from the beginning.

Alvin shares my vision for getting to the next level and feels we can take the proper steps to get there with a little extra work. We are working on getting my mind right since that is step one in any plan of attack...believing and seeing it mean more than anything. We have begun physical and mental preparations for the 2011 ASC now because its going to take that much time to really get me to my all time best. All I can say for sure is you are all in for a treat with what I am going to be bringing to the stage in less than half a year.

For now, Hany and I have devised a good program for growing...yes growing. I am sitting at a pretty good 285lbs right now and over the course of the next four months we plan on bring that to a lean 290-295lbs. I have never been lean at 295lbs and if I can get into guest posing shape at that size than my stage weight should be right where I want it in February. I am hoping to be somewhere between 255-265lbs come 2011! Watch out boy!!!

Anyway like everything else all of this work comes at a big sacrifice. Nothing comes cheap and buying the best food, seeing the best physiotherapist and having the best trainer are all expensive things to deal with day in and day out. Luckily I have MuscleTech and Muscular Development behind me and are willing to make the investment in me because they know I am leaving no stone unturned to make it to the top.

Like I told the fans out in BC, I am taking Canada to the top in 2011....count on it!

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

One More To Go!

Its been a busy year for me and I am very thankful for that. I have done a lot of traveling this year in comparison to other years and I am down to the last appearance for a while. This year I will be in British Columbia for the BC Provincial Championships and on the Sunday I will be at Popeye's Kitsilano for a store signing.

I am feeling very proud to head out to BC, its an honor for me to be part of a great Canadian show and see some Canadian fans out west. I keep hearing how beautiful BC is, I haven't had the chance to visit yet so I am definitely looking forward to it!

On the technical side right now things are still pretty straight forward. I am doing about 9-12 sets per bodypart and lifting as heavy as I can. Therapy is going great, I am seeing a new chiro and am also going to be seeing Alvin Brown this week. I hear he is one of the best to work on BBer's so I am looking forward to it.

Food wise there is much less pressure dieting for guest appearances than for shows..obviously I guess. I set my meals up in the morning and pretty much know what I want to eat. Some days I will eat 2 chicken meals, 2 steak, one egg white and one shake. Other days I will eat 4 fish meals, 1 steak, 1 shake. It really is nice to have the freedom and as long as the food is really clean I keep getting tighter.

My weight was down to 274lbs this morning and I am feeling ready to hit the stage, a couple more cardio sessions and that should about do it. My cardio is the stepmill first thing in the morning about five days a week. I don't like doing any cardio on leg days but other than that I am on it!

After this appearance I am looking forward to a forced layoff. I have been ordered by the boss (hany my trainer) to take a week off and do nothing. He says I am not even aloud to drive by the gym..lol. In my twelve years of bbing I have never really had time off. Even after shows when I take time off its not really time off. I still get in and do some light training or some cardio or something. This will be the first lazy week in a long time.

So I'm trying to decide what to do with myself. Its definitely going to be nice to get into therapy for the whole week and really heal up. Other than that I'm not sure though. I'm thinking possibly a vacation, maybe just a week of TV and take out..lol.

I guess I have a great problem. I love my job so I never take time away and when I am ordered to I really don't want to....how many people can say that! Its easy sometimes to get into the mindset that we always want more, more, more. Not very often do we take a step back and really appreciate what we have and what we have achieved in life.

Always train hard, stay focused, chase your dreams and make them reality....anything is possible if you're willing to believe in it and work for it.

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad

They Don't Mess Around Down South!

Whats goin on everyone. Little late with the entry, just got in last night from Florida where I realized there is an amateur scene in the US that I had no clue about. Its a little hard to see things from up here in Canada but when I do get a chance to go to any shows in the US I am always impressed.

Me and a friend flew down to Ft.Lauderdale for the Southern States Championships. First off I have to thank Peter of USA Sports for having me down to the show, also wanted to thank his friend Sam for making sure I had all that I needed and taking me to the ZOO gym an awesome place to train! The fans in Florida were amazing, very cool and had so much BBing knowledge to talk about. The competitors were all very complimentary back stage so I have to thank all of them as well.

Most importantly the one thing I noticed was the quality of physiques there. All the competitors were in shape and were very balanced. The thing was the quality of physiques didn't just stop at the stage. I like to sit in the audience at the shows and just hang out and most of the fans looked like the could have been pros too! Its nice to see that many people in one place all in great shape. I like to think about the people who say BBing is dieing when I look at that, it seems bigger and more competitive than ever to me. Also in attendance was Dayana Cadeau, Krystal Richardson, Bill Willmore, Lee Banks, Mike Van Wyck and so many more I noticed but can't recall at this moment. It truly was a great event to be a part of and I look forward to it next year.

I have to say it was also an honor to be part of the guest posing line up that Peter had put together. I was only one of six, Mark Alvisi, Manuel Romero, Dave Henry, Hidetada Yamagishi and last but not least Victor Martinez. Unfortunately I was the only one not getting ready for a show....that meant I was the fat guy..lol. They all looked awesome and I wish them luck at their upcoming events.

One of the great things that happened to me this weekend was bumping into Dayana Cadeau. She was judging the show and I had a chance to talk to her backstage a bit at intermission. I respect her as a BBer and as a person and value her opinion since she has had such a great career and seems to really know physiques in general. She went on to tell me how much I have improved in the last year especially in the lower body which as most of you know is a lagging area for me. So, thank you to her and he awesome comments.

After getting home last night I decided to give myself a little bit of relaxation since I have been eating very clean over the last few weeks. I'm not proud of it but I gotta admit the pizza and chocolate didn't last long after I got it home...lol. I really didn't sleep that well while away either so I really took advantage of my day off today.

All that being said the relaxation is over and I am looking ahead to the BC Provincials. I have quite a few friends out west that I look forward to seeing, I also have been getting quite a bit of emails from people that will be attending who look forward to seeing me. I am very excited to put on a good show for my Canadian crowd!!

So what am I doing in the gym? Training for the next couple weeks will be very heavy and very low volume as it has been. I am actually doing about nine sets per body part right now and really noticing a fullness and density to the muscle that wasn't there before. There are great arguments for high volume and low volume but to be honest I have always gotten great results from lifting heavy. The bottom line I have found is the best plan is the ever changing plan. Six to eight weeks and then switch. That keeps your body guessing as well as keeps your mind fresh in the gym. The workouts aren't too different, there are staples in every workout that don't change but the reps, sets change and that's what keeps my body guessing.

I will actually be video taping more of my workouts or possibly just a few sets from each workout for people to see what I am doing from time to time. If you are interested in seeing these small video clips join my fan page on Facebook. You can get there by going to my website fouadmuscle.com and clicking on the Facebook link. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fouad-Hoss-Abiads-Official-Fan-Page/131874590177024

Lastly I wanted to say a few things about my clients. I have a few clients heading to the nationals and although my trainer Hany Rambod has claimed the moniker 'The Pro Creator', I am looking forward to stealing it for the weekend. I really believe that all four of them have a good chance at turning pro. I am very proud at how hard they have been working and the progress they are making.

I will be out in Saskatoon for the Canadian Nationals and most likely backstage making sure everyone is prepped the best they can be. It isn't easy to do the things we do as BBer's and it also isn't easy to train some people as a coach. I have to say these four clients I have going to Nationals have been some of the easiest clients I have ever worked with. Zero complaining, follow instructions to a 'T' and there progress is evident of that. It is a pleasure to work with all of them and because I have such a respect for their work ethic I am really busting my ass to be there for them and make sure they achieve their dreams.

Good luck to all four of you, keep your focus strong and get what you deserve!

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad Abiad

Are you as big as you think you are?

Coming off the high from the weekend in the Bahamas was a little tough. I had a little too much to eat on Sunday flying home...what can I say, airports have the best junk food (Cinnabon!).

Anyway as soon as I woke up Monday my ass was back on the stepmill and getting ready for the next appearance. I have to say it was a little hard to sleep this week. Even though I was only there for a couple days I got used to the huge soft bed at the Pelican Bay Resort, just an amazing place. Hopefully Silvera's from FRECON can bring me out again next time they have a big event in the Bahamas, a BIG thank you to them.

It was nice this week though, I actually had a week where I didn't have to travel. I was feeling good physically and didn't drive up to Burlington (T.O area) to see my therapist. I actually ended up seeing my deep tissue therapist here in town. I have realized after years of treatments there is no one treatment that will keep you healthy. Your body is very complex and when we put it through the punishment we do it takes a variety of things to keep us running smoothly.....at least I need it anyway.

I realized I need, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, graston's, chiropractic work, foam rollers and laser treatments to keep my body healthy and all injuries at bay. I know most of the pros I talk to or most guys my size usually see some type of therapist once or twice a week to stay healthy. Knowing that others are going through it makes me realize its just part of the game and has to be done.

So being home was nice, I got to rest, relax and not have to pack any meals. I seem to have a bigger sense of focus and attention to detail when I am home and have everything I need at my fingertips. I am getting ready to guest pose at the Southern States which is a very big show and I am trying to bring a nice physique for the fans out there. The last couple weeks training has been hard and heavy which is a big change from the higher volume stuff I was doing. I think my body responds better to the heavy, low volume type training. The one thing I can say for sure is, I think its a good idea to keep your training style changing every so often.

There was one problem with being home though. As some of you know who have read my blog in the past, I seem to have a shopping habit when I am dieting. I have been dieting for about four weeks now and even though it hasn't been hard I am still entering the shopping zone...and this is what brought it about....

Most of you know I am being trained by Hany Rambod. Once a week or so I send Hany pics so we can assess my physique and keep things moving in the right direction...herein lies the problem. I have been working off a ten year old Dell laptop with a very old video card. I would take photos at the gym and come home and upload them onto my computer, resize them, look at them and send them off.

One night Hany called me and as we were talking he mentioned a couple areas he thought still needed work. I completely disagreed with him and said 'you're crazy things are looking great'. He again, disagreed. Later on the next day at my girlfriends house I decided I wanted to look at the photos again to see what Hany was talking about....in shock I looked at my pics and wondered why I was half the size from the pics on my computer! After calling my brother (computer tech) I found out because my video card was old it was making all my pics look much bigger than they should be! It was like looking in a funny mirror at a funhouse. Here I thought looking at the pics on my Dell, I was ready to stand next to Jay Cutler, only to find out I am the same size as Jay Cutler the Chicago Bears quarterback! Needless to say Hany got a good laugh out of it all and thought that maybe I would finally bust my ass since now I can see what I really look like...lol.

So this brings us back to the shopping. I spent the next two days researching online, talking to my bro and bothering numerous Best Buy employees (who I think were just scared of me) to find out what computer would be best for me. Gotta say it killed the shopping craving and although I was completely stressed out, I finally ended up going home with a new MacBook Pro with all the bells and whistles.

Its probably waaayyy too much computer for my needs but like everything else in my life, its extreme. There is no grey, just black and white. I guess that's what makes us all similar. I train numerous clients, female and male and there is only one common denominator to all of them...intensity. We are all extreme, we all want to win at all costs, we are either eating a large pizza in one sitting or chicken and yams, or in my case, buying a ten year old computer in the classifieds or the newest laptop on the market. I guess the only thing that separates us is, who is willing to sacrifice for what they want....your right, it always comes back to that!

Sacrifice Without Regret,

Fouad Abiad