Possible return to stage at 55 for Masters Pro Card

[nidnoy]

Sometimes the greatest thing we can do in an endeavor is not our own achievements but that of those we pour into. That in itself is a very worthy goal and one based on your interactions here on the board as well as your own achievements you are very well suited for.

 

[bigzzz]

Still a true inspiration no matter what, also very kind so I am sure you will succeed in helping others.

 

[pickapeck]

Does anybody really have legs after 55 brother?

 

[FrenchBench22]

Does anybody really have legs after 55 brother?

It's not impossible, but it isn't common.

This is one of my training partners. He's 56 in this video, and 57 in this stage shot.
https://d19g4gpzvd3fw4.cloudfront.net/images/contests/2715/large/13570852.jpg

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View this content on Instagram

 

[pickapeck]

It's not impossible, but it isn't common.

This is one of my training partners. He's 56 in this video, and 57 in this stage shot.
https://d19g4gpzvd3fw4.cloudfront.net/images/contests/2715/large/13570852.jpg

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Yeah it's tough. Guys with natural leg mass helps. One of my old (76) training partner had natural legs. His spine is fucked but he still has legs and hasn't worked them in years. They don't look like they use to though.

 

[bigbumpkin2003]

Carpe Diem brother !

 

[hawkmoon]

Thanks again for all the kind words guys. I've been here a long time now and truly appreciate the group we have.

 

[b-boy]

I honestly think you should diet down and then when closer to the show decide on going through with it or not, as the weight goes down and the waist slightly decreases you may like your look better as your lat/shoulder to waist taper can help enhance your lower body look slightly. I honestly think you may be selling yourself short here. There are not a lot of 50+ crazy looking guys out there as father time catches everyone.

 

[luki7788]

I honestly think you should diet down and then when closer to the show decide on going through with it or not, as the weight goes down and the waist slightly decreases you may like your look better as your lat/shoulder to waist taper can help enhance your lower body look slightly. I honestly think you may be selling yourself short here. There are not a lot of 50+ crazy looking guys out there as father time catches everyone.

I agree in 100% if health isn’t issue I really don’t see reason why stop trying

 

[hawkmoon]

I honestly think you should diet down and then when closer to the show decide on going through with it or not, as the weight goes down and the waist slightly decreases you may like your look better as your lat/shoulder to waist taper can help enhance your lower body look slightly. I honestly think you may be selling yourself short here. There are not a lot of 50+ crazy looking guys out there as father time catches everyone.

I agree in 100% if health isn’t issue I really don’t see reason why stop trying

Thank you for the vote of confidence.
I'd like to do that, but I know from experience that the midsection doesn't go from dieting as it's neither fat nor food unfortunately.
It is distended 24/7 even when eating very little. In my 2019 prep (food poisoning was in 18) it never truly went away and is still highly reactive.

Antibiotics, laxatives, probiotics, prebiotics, CT scans, MRIs, and Ultrasound. Low visceral fat, no abnormal organ growth, just incredibly persistent SIBO due to food poisoning. A single Coke Zero has enough sucralose in it to trigger instant bloating to the point of pain. This combined with my diastasis recti is a challenge to say the least. At it looks horrible - frankly it is disgusting...

Additionally the quads aren't coming back enough after the rupture.

I can't go on stage unless I feel I'm better than last time - that's just how I am.

 

[pesty4077]

Thank you for the vote of confidence.
I'd like to do that, but I know from experience that the midsection doesn't go from dieting as it's neither fat nor food unfortunately.
It is distended 24/7 even when eating very little. In my 2019 prep (food poisoning was in 18) it never truly went away and is still highly reactive.

Antibiotics, laxatives, probiotics, prebiotics, CT scans, MRIs, and Ultrasound. Low visceral fat, no abnormal organ growth, just incredibly persistent SIBO due to food poisoning. A single Coke Zero has enough sucralose in it to trigger instant bloating to the point of pain. This combined with my diastasis recti is a challenge to say the least. At it looks horrible - frankly it is disgusting...

Additionally the quads aren't coming back enough after the rupture.

I can't go on stage unless I feel I'm better than last time - that's just how I am.

I went back on stage at 50 just to prove I can get ripped again. I did and got down to 5%. I was trying to obtain a trophy as much as proving something to my self. If you don't have it in you, you don't have that competitive edge. Best to do what you think is good for you.

 

[hawkmoon]

I went back on stage at 50 just to prove I can get ripped again. I did and got down to 5%. I was trying to obtain a trophy as much as proving something to my self. If you don't have it in you, you don't have that competitive edge. Best to do what you think is good for you.

Oh I know I can come in peeled, and perhaps overall bigger than many competitors. My last show was a week before I turned 50.

The problem is the midsection and the legs, things that aren't responding enough for my satisfaction.

I won't go onstage with a bloated abdomen nor smaller legs than I had 2018-19. The midsection is the real killer though.

I took this photo today. The side view is too embarrassing. Even here however you can see the distention. I haven't eaten in 4 hours here and I'm pulling in my abs until they hurt. I wake up this way nearly every day ever since the food poisoning.

 

[Superman79]

Good luck brother , I’ve made a few runs at it in masters , got 2nd 3 years in a row . If I can give any input lmk ! Take care

 

[cage99]

Damn 5-6 years of stomach issues due to food poisoning sounds sooooo rough. Have you ever ran into these troubles before this? I assume you’ve run the gambit of gastrointestinal specialists?

Cage

 

[hawkmoon]

Damn 5-6 years of stomach issues due to food poisoning sounds sooooo rough. Have you ever ran into these troubles before this? I assume you’ve run the gambit of gastrointestinal specialists?

Cage

According to the authority on this, Dr. mark Pimentel 5+ years isn't uncommon due to the auto-immune damage from the bacterial poisoning.

My MMC function is wrecked. I don't have any discernable rumbling or other intestinal activity without aid from drugs or supps.

 

[cage99]

According to the authority on this, Dr. mark Pimentel 5+ years isn't uncommon due to the auto-immune damage from the bacterial poisoning.

My MMC function is wrecked. I don't have any discernable rumbling or other intestinal activity without aid from drugs or supps.

So it’s lead to chronic constipation? If so I know personally Linzess works absolute wonders for that. Of course stimulants may be needed if your natural MMC isn’t back right.

Cage

 

[Flex500]

Oh I know I can come in peeled, and perhaps overall bigger than many competitors. My last show was a week before I turned 50.

The problem is the midsection and the legs, things that aren't responding enough for my satisfaction.

I won't go onstage with a bloated abdomen nor smaller legs than I had 2018-19. The midsection is the real killer though.

I took this photo today. The side view is too embarrassing. Even here however you can see the distention. I haven't eaten in 4 hours here and I'm pulling in my abs until they hurt. I wake up this way nearly every day ever since the food poisoning.

View attachment 213094

Have you thought about a true and extreme elimination diet like someone would do with an autoimmune disorder? I mean extreme...like a lion diet, etc. beef only or some sort of carnivore variant?

As an aside, when I did that I was eating 100% healthy and clean but when I reduced to meat only for a shot time my gut microbiome test radically improved, inflammation became non-existent, etc. Then you could slowly add foods back in.

 

[hawkmoon]

Have you thought about a true and extreme elimination diet like someone would do with an autoimmune disorder? I mean extreme...like a lion diet, etc. beef only or some sort of carnivore variant?

As an aside, when I did that I was eating 100% healthy and clean but when I reduced to meat only for a shot time my gut microbiome test radically improved, inflammation became non-existent, etc. Then you could slowly add foods back in.

Well I'll tell you this - I was almost zero carb Mon-Sat during my last prep with a single meal carb up on Sun I still had bloat and brought it to the stage.
That said I have been considering a non-deficit zero carb diet these days as an experiment.

The only time in the past 5 years my stomach has flattened was when I was hospitalized last March for cellulitis and was hammer with IV antibiotics for 4 days after surgery.

 

[hawkmoon]

So it’s lead to chronic constipation? If so I know personally Linzess works absolute wonders for that. Of course stimulants may be needed if your natural MMC isn’t back right.

Cage

That's the odd thing, I don't have constipation or diarrhea. I have done the "muffin test" and had passed the dye in 6 hours which is surprisingly fast.
That test however doesn't mean complete elimination. Food clears, but it sits and ferments in the small intestine too long. Since eliminating most fiber it has improved a small amount, but I don't want to live without fiber forever.

 

[bigbumpkin2003]

Hey time will tell. If you don’t make a run now just keep pushing forward and working towards the goal. If you want to grow legs per se as a goal then hammer them and make that a focus. You never know what can happen if you just break it apart piece by piece and start to concentrate on individual goals. Eventually you may be standing at a pathway where you’ve accomplished so much you feel it would remiss not to compete?