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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.