@JJ_Jumbo: Nice thread. Best wishes for your 2019 goals. I admire guys like you immensely who step on a bodybuilding stage and put it all out there. Most people don't understand the dedication: the time and effort that you will put into being able to step onto that stage at your prime fitness level. The sacrifices you make. I do. And that's why I have mad respect for folks like you.
I'm working to lose 22 pounds by June 20. I weighed 207 on Tuesday, the day I started my diet. My goal is to lose about a pound a week. To get there, I've set weekly and monthly goals. I've increased my cardio and of course, cleaned up my diet!
I've been as heavy as 255 pounds when I was in my last bulking up phase. That's a lot of weight to carry around. But, it allowed me to lift heavy and put on the muscle I sought. It's tough for guys like me who are naturally ectomorphs. But I persevered. Because I learned that fitness is a journey. A life-long journey...