December 2018 — back when I could sit down with a mountain of fries and a couple burgers and just enjoy it like a normal human. No food scale. No “how much sodium is in this?” math problem. Just the simple, perfect chaos of a Five Guys tray in all its greasy glory.
Right now, heading into the Arnold, my meals are the opposite of this. They’re clean, planned, and honestly a little boring — because boring works. Prep is supposed to be strict. That structure is what lets you show up sharp, dry, and ready. But I’d be lying if I said this kind of meal doesn’t creep into my mind once in a while, especially on the tougher days when I’m hungry and still have cardio to do.
This is the kind of cheat meal I want after the show is over. Not because I “need” it, but because it tastes like the finish line. The first real bite of a post-competition meal hits different when you’ve earned it — when you’ve kept promises to yourself for months, stayed disciplined when nobody was watching, and walked on stage knowing you didn’t cut corners. Save the burgers for after. Handle the work now.
(Photo source: Instagram.)