Washed And Aesthetic @washedandaesthetic - Tumblr Blog

Gang.

Stay at the top like I'm stuck, that's just how I'm giving it up

Drake

Washed And Aesthetic athlete: Khalid Salam.

Just Hold On...

I know it's been a minute, but everything is brewing (and I mean it when I say that, EVERYTHING is on the way). There will be a few announcements coming live on the blog within the next few weeks as well as my recap of my recent competition from last Saturday (you DON'T want to miss). Stay patient with us because what's coming is monumental and game-changing, put it on the #WBOW mindset. 🎭🎭 Power moves only! -Terrance

#WBOW

Won’t Be Outworked. Period.

That’s the wave going into Project Lethal Weapon 2 (more about that later). But first things first, where have I been? Well my Macbook Pro has been in LONG overdue for an upgrade so I’ve been unable to get around to blogging, but I recently discovered I can just blog via my iPhone, so, well, there’s that fix.

Quick update on the boy…I’m currently on prep (Project Lethal Weapon 2) for my next show(s) and am really dialing it in and focused on bringing an undeniable package and one that’s never been seen by me before. My overall focus and short/long term vision is on making a HUGE push on the national circuit in 2017 and aiming for that pro card but I have some unfinished business and want to build up some momentum ending out the 2016 season.

My coach & I really are pushing the envelope and dialing it in better than I ever have before. My conditioning will be nothing less of Savagery and I’m excited. This prep has been a bit different because I’ve been able to travel a bit, train with some new people, go to different gyms and even get in a session with one of my idols (‘16 Arnold MPD champ Brandon Hendrickson).

Stay tuned to the blog as regular writing will be resumed and I will also be posting a workout video or two and announcing a couple of really amazing things in store leading up to the next time I step on stage (in addition to announcing when/where I’m competing again).

Thank you for your patience and continue to rock with a Savage.

- Terrance

The Lifestyle

Life is about choices and making that choice is usually the hardest part of the equation. Some people make choices off the whim while others plan and calculate every detail about their upcoming decision. Whether you are the first type of person or the latter after the decision is made your commitment level must be at least 100% and whole hearted to get the most of it. This is part of the daily happening when you are a physique competitor, most of us love to compete and want to compete as often as possible but we also know that we have to prep to our best ability for the best results come competition time. So for us making a decision to compete or a show to compete in off the whim just isn’t a option. This type of decision making carries over into our everyday lives from choosing what food to eat, what body part to train to even the company that we keep. Fitness isn’t solely about weights, working out and looking more aesthetic than the Sistine Chapel, it’s about healthier life choices. If people were as picky and selective about their health as they are with who DM’s they respond to America would be the healthiest place on the planet. Think back on past decisions you have made and thought to yourself like “yea, that was a dumb decision” or “man, what was I thinking”, it doesn’t mean that we regret these decisions because they helped get us to a certain point in life but we could have gotten to that very same point sooner or with a different disposition. When we choose to be more fit or competitors we also must realize that we are choosing to sacrifice. We sacrifice late nights out, we sacrifice foods/snacks that we may have loved, we sacrifice relationships and friendships, we sacrifice poor decision making and all for the greater good to be a better, more complete person. We choose happiness, health and longevity. Some may see it as selfish but those same people lack the foresight that our decisions are seen by others that are close to us and distant who use what we do as motivation and inspiration. Let your lifestyle of healthier choices inspire others to strive for health and happiness. Being washed isn’t always a bad thing or something to be discontent over, embrace it because the washed and aesthetic will get the last laugh. 🎭🎭 Aesthetically Yours, -Steven

#WashedaNdAesthetic #WashedThoughts #FitnessLifestyle

Coming of Age

Annnnnnnd Project Lethal Weapon has come to an end, but with every ending starts a new beginning, a new chapter, a new era. So let’s do a quick refreshing of what has been done, what’s happening now, and what’s to come.

Project Lethal Weapon was a task, it was a mission, it was a...well...a project. It was the first time of MANY things for me and it really has been an eye-opener and helped build the foundation for where I’m taking my competition career this season. It was the first time I ever did two shows back to back, it was my first regional show, and it was my first time doing a prep longer than 7 weeks and working with my coach.

The first show of the two was the NPC Powerhouse Classic in Michigan, a local show in which I was able to take not just my first in my class but also the overall win in Men’s Physique. But enough about the first of my two shows back to back, you’ve heard it already and seen it (see previous posts) so what everyone wants to hear about is the second of the back to back shows.

The second show of the two was the NPC Natural Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio, the biggest natural show in the country and one of the biggest shows in the Midwest. I competed in Men’s Physique Class D and that drew the largest number of competitors of any class in the entire show, topping out at 22 competitors. That’s a national-like class with that amount of competitors alone so I knew going into it I was going to go up against some awesome competition, and sure enough, I definitely did.

LONG story short, I was blessed enough to walk away with a top 5 placing in such a HUGE show and I’m honored with that alone. Rounding out the top 5 were guys who had previously won overall titles, and that are gearing up for runs on the national level. So knowing I was placed amongst THAT type of company let’s me definitely know I’m ready to make my national debut this season.

So, what now? Well, now I grow. GrowSZN is upon me as I’m going to go over things with my coach and eye the national competition I will be entering into and trying to get my pro card this season. We’ve narrowed it down to two competitions and those are the IFBB North American Championships in Pittsburgh, PA and the NPC Nationals in Miami, FL. So we will continue to monitor how I look within the next few months and make our final decisions on which (if not both) that I will be competing at.

There’s more that is in the works and that will be revealed as time passes, so definitely continue rocking with the team.

-Terrance

The Calm

There’s a slight moment of serenity, clarity & peace so to speak of that comes over me when I’m just a few days or hours away from hitting the stage. And, that, is exactly what I am now, just one day away from stepping on stage for the second time in two weeks.

After that last bit of cardio is done, the water is pulled, the body is depleted, the carbs are being loaded, the mind is racing, and the light at the end of the tunnel is near, I take a brief moment to reflect and truly embrace the moment right in front of me.

Prep is FILLED with running around, cooking, doing last-minute things on a day-to-day basis, that so often, I don’t take the time out to just meditate and soak everything in. To soak in that all the hard work has been done, all the necessary adjustments have been made, all the naysayers are about to be silenced and all the positive energy is abundant & surrounding. That’s what The Calm is, it’s that moment.

Do I get nervous before I hit the stage? Of course. Nerves are a good thing. if you’re not nervous, you’re not invested...at least in my case. But I smile, I smile big and I smile bright because no matter who is standing to my left, my right, in front of me or behind me, I’VE done my best, I’VE put in the work, and I am on that stage knowing that 110% (see what I did there) has been given.

You can’t quantify that feeling. You can’t truly measure that very moment you step on the stage, hear the applause, sense the whispers, feel the pressure from the judges as they critique all the hard work you’ve done and place you in a category as either a winner, or someone who needs to work harder. You can’t. And for some, they can’t handle that type of criticism, that type of judgement, and that’s fine, because this is NOT for everybody...but one thing that’s for certain is that it’s for ME.

THIS is why I compete. There’s a MILLION avenues to enter into the fitness industry, of course and I’m slowly building up a resume and it’s going to be filled with MUCH more than just my competing history. But THIS is the one I’ve fallen in love with to begin with. I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy the grind, I enjoy the prep, and most of all, I enjoy The Calm.

-Terrance

10 Bands

Washed aNd Aesthetic merch is here!! We have SO much in the works but we decided as a collective that the first wave of our roll-out be something relatively small, and to allow the snowball effect to take place as we build momentum and traction towards our overall goals as a brand and movement.

If you’ve been following me on Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter (and I wouldn’t know why you wouldn’t be by now) then you’ve definitely seen some teaser pics of the first wave we’re releasing, which is simple & clean: wristbands.

We’re NOT a clothing brand nor are we trying to emulate any other brand or fitness initiative or movement out there, nor are we JUST a blog. WHAT and WHO we are is going to be explained very soon, because that question is asked almost daily to one of us. So, just stay patient, it’ll all come together.

Back to the bands...I’ve received message after message asking about how you can get your hands on one or where to purchase. Well, look no further because I’ll tell ya.

The first five people to message me on social media (Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter) will be receiving free bands for their support and letting me knowing they’ve actually been reading the blog and are rocking with us. It’s really THAT simple. Simply message me with a screen shot of the blog entry and hashtag #WashedAndAesthetic. ***Forewarning, these are going to move FAST and I will be looking at timestamps of all messages to ensure I’m being fair.

Anybody who doesn’t know how to reach me via one of these social media outlets, head up above to the drop down link and click ‘Contact’. Good luck!!

P.S. For those that aren’t in the first five to message me, don’t worry, these will be up for grabs very soon as we have just received our first shipments of them.

-Terrance

56 Nights

4 Days Out.

Yep, you read that correctly, I’m 4 days out. But, for the average Joe or unknowing gym rat, what does this even mean? Well, it means I’m 4 days away from getting back on stage to compete, again.

As stated in a previous blog, I am doing the NPC Natural Ohio. This is without a doubt one of the biggest natural shows, in the NPC, in the country and one of the biggest shows in the region, period. The Natural Ohio is put on by promoter Dave Liberman and has brought out hundreds of competitors and spectators from the expo that is put on to the actual competition.

Why am I doing THIS show? Well, for numerous reasons. First, this is a natural show, so we will be drug-tested and it helps to keep a leveled playing field. Second, this is a huge regional show and a big test to see if I’m ready to compete on the national level. Third, it’s close to home (takes place in Cleveland, Ohio).

I have had quite some time to continue to fine-tune and detail my physique but as of now I’m VERY excited for the package I’m bringing to my second show within two weeks. My goal is not just to qualify but my goal is to battle it out to win my class. I’m not new to this, so there’s no excuses, there’s no ‘I’m just happy to be here’..I’m busting my ass and doing this show to win, not just show up. Stay tuned.

-Terrance

Footage of first call-outs during pre-judging in men’s physique class B at the 2016 NPC Powerhouse Classic.

-Terrance

Project Lethal Weapon

‘...back to back like I’m on the cover of Lethal Weapon’.

There have been a lot of questions recently about what Project Lethal Weapon is, where I came up with that name (see above) and even what it applies to. Well, you’ve got questions, and I’ve got answers.

Over the last 11+ weeks I have been prepping for the start of the 2016 bodybuilding season and have had my mind on a specific competition, which is the NPC Natural Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio on April 2. When I initially started my prep, this was the goal...to go to this show, take a top 5 placing and re-qualify for nationals, then make my national debut this season. But, boy, do plans ever change.

Mid-way (about 4 weeks) into my prep, I looked at the schedule and saw another national qualifier that’s close to the crib (here in Michigan) that was 2 weeks before the Ohio show, which was the NPC Powerhouse Classic. Looking at my conditioning and how everything was coming together rather quickly, I went over things with my coach and we said we would play it by ear and then about 3 weeks out from THAT show, we’ll assess how I looked and then pull the trigger if I’m ready.

I made the decision, along with my coach, right before the Arnold Classic in Columbus, that I was going to enter into this competition, and that’s exactly what I did before hitting the road to attend the Arnold. So, with this in mind, I knew it was full throttle and that this would be the biggest challenge of my competing career thus far, to come dialed in for two shows, back to back.

Many pro’s do shows back to back and maintain their conditioning, but as someone who hasn’t even stepped on the national stage yet, I knew this was a big test for me and I was up to challenge. All athletes and champions rise to the occasion and put their best foot forward and that’s what I did and continue to do.

Just two days removed from the NPC Powerhouse Classic, and 11 days out from the NPC Natural Ohio, and I can proudly say I took home not just first place in my class, but I also won the Men’s Physique Overall title.

This is a feat and an accomplishment in it’s own right and often I’ve been asked what did I eat after the show, how did I celebrate, how excited I am, etc. And to be honest, my victory meal was an egg white omelet and my celebration was being in bed before 10PM and back up the next morning at 6AM to get back to the grind and fasted cardio. I have a goal in mind and I’m looking at the big picture, and I can’t take time out to celebrate and let everything soak in just yet, because I know my competition isn’t doing the same. For every minute I’m relaxing and just enjoying the fact I won a show, my competition is grinding to make sure they feel the exact same feeling next week.

So there you have it, Project Lethal Weapon. Two shows, back to back. The grind doesn’t stop, it doesn’t yield, and it doesn’t slow down. We’re getting after it this season.

#WnA

-Terrance

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