Bodybuilding :: PreContest Preparation

[cursor]

This Sticky has been launched for free discussion of pre-contest preparation methods. Contribute methods from your own experience, or ask questions about how to get the best results.

[rookie]

To anyone that has competed or has alot of knowledge in dieting down for a comp., how many calories do you subtract each week b4 a comp, and how many weeks do you start cutting b4 the comp?

[sac1973]

great idea guys :thumbups:

i would like to know what the pro,carb,fat ratio/breakdown is for any persons that is preparing for a contest.

[rookie]

im bulking for a contest, im not sure what ratio i will use to cut before the 14weeks of the contest. but i just think it would be nice to have a forum where i can talk to other ppl who r preparing for contests.

[rookie]

right now im preparing for a comp, im on a 50p,30c,20f bulking diet at 3000-4000 calories diet.

[rookie]

Well i want to start off by asking has anyone been in a body building contest or figure contest, or is anyone planning on doing one 1 day?

[MAURER]

rookie, you on roids?

[rookie]

haha no, i can barely afford my food bill and whey protein, let alone roids. why do u ask?

[Brewsky]

There is no reason for a forum unless we have members who compete or intend on competing. Personally, I have a LONG way to go before I would even consider getting onstage in a posing suit.

[Merrida]

Actually, many people are interested in, or curious about, the process, and want realistic understandings of what it would entail. It doesn't mean the forum would exclusively be restricted only to people who are signed up to compete formally and professionally. Some people just have a thirst for knowledge and would view this information as an adjunct to their data banks.

I, for one, would be interested in seeing this become a forum, however the lack of fortified, information-rich replies, leads me to think this may be a possibility only further down the road.

Expressing a "yes" or "no" wasn't the intent of this thread, but rather, contributions were hoped for so that we could see if the content would validate creating a site-specific forum that could not be combined with existing ones.

People frequent the Diet and Nutrition forum, but it doesn't mean all of those who do, are already A-certified excellent eaters....for many, perhaps most (?) it's a place we go to get informed and learn and share experiences which may influence our further behavior and choices.

[Todd]

I would love to add some information to this thread.

Well, I am currently working towards competing in my first bodybuilding competition, which is in April of 2004. Right now I am trying to add as much lean mass as possible and then will be starting to diet down to my contest weight (whatever that may end up being) beginning in January. As long as I come in presenting a great overall package, I don't care what my weight ends up being too much.

I will let you know my exact figures as far as calories taken in per day and per meal when January is here. But, regarding that aspect, the number of calories someone is taking in while in pre-contest mode, will depend on the size of the individual at that present time, and the body fat% of that individual while entering their pre-contest phase will largely dictate how far out from the show they have to start dieting. Either way, the exact number of calories that they subtract below their caloric "maintenance" level, and how often they drop their daily calorie intake even furtherwill depend heavily on various aspects and the way they look as weeks go on and their contest conditioning unfolds. Generally speaking though, one should lower their calories gradually, not drastically at any one time.

Training should be kept intense and heavy, that is what builds muscle, so there is no reason to stray from what produces results, especially during pre-contest time. You should not lighten up on the weights purposely, you should not increase your reps purposely (that means you lightened up on the weights), your intensity efforts in the gym should not purposely take a back seat....the only thing that will/should change is the number of calories you take in, the amount of protein you take in (more of your total calories should come from quality protein to spare muscle mass, and even build some during this time), complex carbs should be lowered gradually and replaced with more fibrous carbs, water intake should increase to perhaps 2-3 gallons per day over the course of dieting down, meal/supplement timing should be of even more importance, and there is a whole lot more to do!

There are many things to consider when preparing for a contest...training, diet, tanning, supplementation, cardio, posing, picking music, mental preparation, your own game plan, how to show off your best features and hide any weaknesses, etc.. I think a forum on this would do a lot of people good, whether they are originally interested in competing or not...who knows, just reading about the information within this type of a forum might motivate someone to try it out! I have learned that competing bodybuilders know more than perhaps most nutritionists and doctors know about the human body and how to manipulate different variables when it comes to transformations within the body.... it would do us all justice to have a forum of this type. :thumbup:

Here are some articles I have found to be very interesting and informitive, I hope everyone else does too!

Obtaining The "Waterless" Look ----> http://www.ast-ss.com/dev/qa_search/...xt.asp?ID=1046

Importance Of Posing ----> http://www.ast-ss.com/dev/qa_search/...ext.asp?ID=449

[rookie]

iim glad me and u see eye to eye on this.. what is a diuretic? thats the only word i didnt understand? oh and r u gonna take posing classes or just do it over the internet?

[cursor]

di·u·ret·ic (di'e-ret'ik) [say the word]
Adjective
Tending to increase the discharge of urine.

Etymology: Greek diouretikos diourein, to urinate.
di'u·ret'ic
Noun

[rookie]

thanks cursor, so what is your guys calorie intake right now? Todd are you bulking, or r u just tryin to gain a little bit of lean mass b4 u cut down?

[rookie]

check this out, its the first body building competition ever

http://www.ifbb.com/reports/firstcontest.html