My First Bodybuilding Competiton Log

[Hugheser]

I have been dieting since Jan 1st for my first bodybuilding show (11 Weeks Now). Wish I had started this thread back then but hope to get some feedback anyways.

Stats
23yr old
6'3
204lbs
BF% ?????
Natty


Got out of basic training last March 2009 and started training regularly starting at a weight of 190lbs from all the morning running and horrible eating schedule and no sleep, started hitting it hard 6 times a week and hit 246lbs at the end of Dec consisting of a lot of BF. Eating whatever I wanted and thought wow all I have to do is lose about 20lbs and will be a decent size for Heavy Weight class maybe I should try a competition. Well 11 weeks later I am 204lbs no idea what bf% and am going for light heavy (198lbs). Had no idea how much of my mass was just BF. Is it ever hard to tighten up when you have been carrying all that extra fat for so long.

Calories have slowly decreased about 300 each week to (2200) and macros leaning more towards a 60-20-20. So 300g pro, 100g carb, 100g fat.

Comments would be great on my macros, total calories, how close I am to contest shape, what I could still work on etc. Don''t be shy to let me have it!


PS. Wondering if I can still throw in my once a week low fat, high pro/high carb cheat meal of my girl Aunt Jemima Pancakes and Egg Whites cheat meal after training judging on my pictures.

I took a video today with my phone but don't have the cord, but have a quick video of upper body at the gym last Sunday 5 Weeks Out will get a better quality one tomorrow for sure.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ7RGfBuoaU

[Gilmour]

Prett damn good lines for upperbody. Your side chest is impressive Front double bi pose is a little week but most muscular is also good. You look biger than 204, especially at your height. I am guessing your legs are not good? I only say this because your upper body says more like 215-220.
Good build overall, especially for a natty. Good luck in your show dude.

[Hugheser]

Most days I look really flat, and soft because of the low carb diet but experimented with carbing and fat loading the day before this video and really filled out. I didn't really believe in the whole carb loading and how it fills you right out when you have depleted, but could definitely see a difference once I started working out that next morining. I carbed up again yesterday and am hitting Back and Hams this morning and going to take a better quality video. I am just not sure how I will stack up against other competitors who are 6-7 inches shorter and the same weight but set this personal goal for myself and have to see it through!

[Hugheser]

Well I took a few pictures 3.5 weeks out from the show. Any feedback (good or bad) would be great!

Sitting at 202lbs, no idea what BF%

any guesses?

[ironwill]

good work....You are natural?? No insult, I only ask because i got acne and bacne like that on tren and nothing else....Try a tanning bed to help alleviate some of it in the coming weks bro..
I would say around 8 percent bf or so, imo you need to be a bit more shredded still, but maybe you are low carbing and flat....decent lines, in a few years you could do well if you keep it up....
Good stuff..Legs need more size but thats a challenge at your height, it will come........
Just did my first one last yr as well, enjoy the ride, it is very rewarding ...

[Hugheser]

Thanks for the feedback.

I started tanning 1.5 weeks ago and it has really cleared it up, was in issolation at a base in Northern Canada for 6 months and never got any sun and it was -50 sometimes. I am natural and the show I am doing is untested (NSABBA) and didn't know it was untested until about 5 weeks ago, but it was a personal goal and I am not turning back. Thinking about maybe even dieting for another 4 week after this inital competition and doing the IDFA Natural Novice Classic.

I am carb depleted, basically keto at this at the moment but have been "refeeding" every 7 days with a high pro/carb meal and low fat day. Usually half a dozen pancakes and a cup of syrup with a skim milk whey protein shake immediatley after training. This meal really fills me out the next day and I feel quite full and confident. The other 6 days a week I feel flat and not up for competing haha.

[natenator]

The other 6 days a week I feel flat and not up for competing haha.

The sign of a person whose dieting hard enough.

[Hugheser]

The diet has been gradual for me. Was stuck in single room shacks for the initial 11 weeks on Base up North working with a foreman grill and rice cooker in my room against base standing orders. Nothing but Steak and Chicken and brown rice for what felt like forever! It was hard but good for the diet.

Now got back to my home base and am in a house with a few roommates and got them into the "lifestyle" Mon-Fri but the balls to the wall feeding frenzy on ribs, chocolate cake and beer come the weekend is a temptation to say the least. Got some great recipes for asparagus and chicken to keep things fresh. 3 more weeks to go, just have to figure you this whole dialing in process, not too mention tanning oil and posing suit. Know any reliable places to get a suit and oil for the show.

[ironwill]

jan tana blows dream tan out of the water.....IMO.....Easy peasy to work with if its your first outing....

[natenator]

jan tana blows dream tan out of the water.....IMO.....Easy peasy to work with if its your first outing....
I've never tried the jan tana but dream tan yes. Curious about the differences that you noticed for each if you don't mind?

[Rhinobolt10]

Hey good luck dude.

I sincerely hope that if the suit thing doesn't pan out, you just get a speedo and get on stage anyways.

Really looking forward to following this the rest of the way

[ironwill]

I've never tried the jan tana but dream tan yes. Curious about the differences that you noticed for each if you don't mind?

Jan tana took 2 coats the nite previous then shower, and then 2 coats in the am before stage just dabbed on with a sponge and it soaked in real well, very, very easy....I didnt have to touch it up all day, nor did CC, and a wee bit of sheen before stage and done...There was zero streaking at all, and after the show when we showered we looked deep tanned and not blotchy and off colored look and for a week or so later it still looked real great IMO, no blotches etc........I was sweating like a mofo for nite show as i had to try and get some fluids into me as i over diureticed (not a word lol) myself and it still didnt streak...
I watched the folks with dream tan having trouble with color etc and touching up and complaining...Im not an expert, by any stretch.....
We still have enough left over for 2 more shows if required each, with our 2 orders we made...

[dainbramaged]

Could always order up the tanning supplies and suit(s) from bb.com and Fed-Ex it. Not sure how long that would take though?

[steve_d]

posedown.ca is where i got my last suit...should order now and you'll have it in time.

[Hugheser]

Well I ordered today, couldn't wait a second longer, stress was building and was so anxious. I ordered.

Dream Tan #2
Pro Tan
and what was called an "Original Posing Swim Suit"
from
http://www.andreascahling.com/

He said it should be here within a week and is going to give me a tracking number.

Right now I currently am carb cycling

Day 1 - 2300 Calories, 350g Pro, 100g carbs, 50g Fat
Day 2 - 2500 Calories, 400g Pro, 0 or as close to it, 100g fat
Day 3 - 2500 Calories, 400g Pro, 0 or as close to it, 100g fat

Day 4 - 2300 Calories, 350g Pro, 100g carbs, 50g Fat
Day 5 - 2500 Calories, 400g Pro, 0 or as close to it, 100g fat
Day 6 - 2500 Calories, 400g Pro, 0 or as close to it, 100g fat

and every 7th day I have been having a 200g pro/600g carb and next to zero fat re feeding day. Followed by Day 2 and so on and so on, if that makes any sense.

I am not sure about switching to keto at this point, still have lots of strength and stamina for my workouts but not sure how close I am to contest shape. Only doing 45mins of cardio ED PWO, up from 30mins previous weeks.

Wondering if refeeding days are out of the question now? These last weeks are so complicated.

[natenator]

my opinion would be drop the refeeds and cardio 35 mins in morning on empty stomach and 35 mins post workout.

[Delt King]

my opinion would be drop the refeeds and cardio 35 mins in morning on empty stomach and 35 mins post workout.

Agreed^^^

[Hugheser]

Well 3 weeks out to the day.

Saw the posts from Nate and DK last night before bed and got everything ready.

Hoped out of bed, laced up the shoes and took off for a 35mins run and knocked down a 70g shake right after. Followed by:

4 Whole Eggs
10 Egg Whites
and hour later.

Metabolism is on fire, those eggs were the equivalant to throwing gas on a fire, just burned up and hungry an hour later but used to it now. 0 Carb day today and training Biceps, Triceps and hitting the pwo cardio for the suggested 35mins this afternoon. Bought some Xtend BCAA's to sip on during the cardio. Weekend is here and eating and sleeping is on the schedule. What a wild life we lead! I am going to take some quality photo's on Sunday to better assess the progress.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

PS. I got no problem running at a good pace, but should I be doing Low Intensity Steady State Cardio?

[natenator]

running is BAD idea dude.

Cardio should be moderate intensity.

I would get on a treadmill or something else where you can keep heartrate in the 120-130 range.

And since you were running and now wont be, I'd go to 45mins upon waking and 45 mins after training.

[Hugheser]

What I was doing before was 45mins steep incline 1:3 intervals on the treadmill PWO with Heart rate 133. Now will be sippin BCAA's during the cardio. Should this help retain muscle, or is this just unproven?

[natenator]

What I was doing before was 45mins steep incline 1:3 intervals on the treadmill PWO with Heart rate 133. Now will be sippin BCAA's during the cardio. Should this help retain muscle, or is this just unproven?
no BCAA's

Stick with the treadmill that you were doing but do it morning and after training

[maxpower]

see you in the light heavies (I think???)

[Hugheser]

Definitely. Sitting at 202lbs this morning as well as yesterday morning so no flux in the weight. 4 lbs in 3 weeks should be attainable, but god has the weight loss ever slowed down in the last 3-4 weeks. Reaching for that last bit. Is this your first shot at the light heavy class? The more competitors the better!

GOOD LUCK MAXPOWER!

[maxpower]

Thanks for the well wishes. I am not sure which weight class I will end up in...210 lbs now...doesnt matter to me really...I actually dont think I will weigh myself again until the weighin 3 weeks from now.

This will be my 6th show. I competed in 89, 91, 92 (twice), and last year in the Masters.

Good luck at your first show...you will love the experience of being on stage...incredible rush.

Rick

[Hugheser]

Oh man got a seasoned vet here, nice. Yeah I am extremely nervous and anxious at the same time it is weird.

How have you found the change in physiques over the 20 year span?

[bigtavi8]

His first show was the year i was fricken born. That is why im trying my best this prep. Im not in juniours anymore and veterans like this have so much muscle maturity at the same weight they will make me look stupid.

Im only 1 month to late for juniours so i must focus on the open. Ill def be the younger of the bunch and going up against a lot more expiernced competitors. Just got to do your best i geuss.

[maxpower]

Oh man got a seasoned vet here, nice. Yeah I am extremely nervous and anxious at the same time it is weird.

How have you found the change in physiques over the 20 year span?

once you get back stage, you wont be nervous at all...you'll look forward to getting out on stage...like I said, it's a rush!

The competetors are more muscular and conditioning is much better today compared to 20 yrs ago. Also...the shows are much bigger (100 competetors last yr vs 30 in '91)

[Hugheser]

Do you two train at the same gym?

[Hugheser]

once you get back stage, you wont be nervous at all...you'll look forward to getting out on stage...like I said, it's a rush!

Yeah I have been practicing the mandatories for basically the whole prep, and am pretty confident about that, its the individual routine that I am worried about, don't even have one yet, let alone music and still waiting for my taning oil and posing trunks, just a mess.

[steve_d]

saw you ate a tun on your cheat day in bigtavs log...I would think at this point there should be no cheating. You're only 3 weeks out now right?

You're lean, but not lean enough to get away with a 5100 calorie day! Ah well, no point dwelling now, whats done is done. Go hard these last few weeks, cardio, training, posing, posing, and more posing. 2% bodyfat won't win you a contest if you can't show it off.

[bigtavi8]

HAHAH you guys are making him paranoid. Dont worry about the cheat but it was def out of control. I know it can happen but dont let it worry you. Now i hope its completely out of the system and you can move forward. My cheats are usually for example...milk, burger, fries etc. Mostly about 1-2k cals at most. Just dont take a chance with your cheat days and ruin a great physique. AFter the show you can constantly cheat for a week straight if you want. You know what you can do. If you have a craving for a food. Write it down on a list. Then when ur done kill the list. IT works.

[bigtavi8]

You know where i got that info. Fouad Abiad one of our Canadian pros. When i was reading his logs he says it really helped him to write down the shit during his prep that he had cravings for. Tried it out and it keeps my mind in a good place and really kills the cheats.

[bigtavi8]

He was one of the guest posers at my first show. Didnt get a pic with him but everyone else did. Im not sure if youve seen a pro in real life but ill tell ya man you think your good and then you stand next to these guys. pics and videos dont do the justice.

[Hugheser]

It's been a while since I posted anything, been really busy with everything. Keto has really flattened me out and feel sooo small. Hit 200lbs this morning and only need to lose 2 more to make Light Heavy and have no doubt that I will make it.

Gym opens late here on base on weekend so got out for a walk this morning for 30mins and hit Back and Abs after lunch. All my roomates are gone for 2 days and can finally relax and sleep without ear plugs tonight. Here are a couple shots from today, hoping to get some feedback.

2 Weeks to go baby!

[Hugheser]

Okay cool thanks man, should be a good time.

[btufts]

your making good progress hugh, lets see some quad pics. two weeks out i'm super anxious too!

[bigtavi8]

Hugh looking very tight and lean. Keep exactly what your doing your leaness is perfect. For your first show you really did an excellent job with your conditioning and it sounds like you were not even coached.

[Hugheser]

No I wasn't coached, and thanks a lot for telling me exactly what I needed to hear! I had no idea where I was conditioning wise, going to stick with this keto diet I started 7 days ago to eliminate the last bit of stubborn BF.

Trying to prep for a show without any help (other than here) has been tough mentally. Never knowing how things are working out, if your making the steps in the right direction. I just got back from Cold Lake, AB and everyone on base here for the last 2 weeks just telling me "Your so small now, you lost so much weight, your skin and bones etc......." Was running a toll on my mind and to get an encouraging word from a competitor with some experience has set my motivation on fire!

Thanks

ps. QUAD SHOTS aka GET AWAY STICKS haha, COMING SOON.....

They don't call me the human water tower for nothing.

[btufts]

aha damn man thats from all the running your doing. running = stick legs

[Hugheser]

Yeah I the Blue Nose Marathon for 2 consecutive years as a way to keep me off the smokes and booze, and then found the weights and still did the rookie mistake of not working legs for 6 months. The only thing I wish, is that I had incorporated legs into my training from the beginning like I did my upper body. On a plus though, they are pretty conditioned year round, but have the circumference of what I have been eating for the last few weeks...asparagus spears, haha.

[maxpower]

considering this is your first show and you did the prep solo, I'd say job well done. Once you get some color, drop a bit more fat and water, you will be quite pleased with what you accomplished over the past number of weeks. The fact that you have made it through a tough diet for 16 weeks and will be on stage in 2 weeks is in many ways victory...most do not complete the journey! Congrats! see you in 2 weeks...thought I might be in your weight class but I am likely going to end up in the heavies (and Masters)

Rick

[btufts]

the colour helps a lot trust me.... i look darker than a few of my black friends now ahaha brings out a lot more and evens out the skin tone

[Hugheser]

considering this is your first show and you did the prep solo, I'd say job well done. Once you get some color, drop a bit more fat and water, you will be quite pleased with what you accomplished over the past number of weeks. The fact that you have made it through a tough diet for 16 weeks and will be on stage in 2 weeks is in many ways victory...most do not complete the journey! Congrats! see you in 2 weeks...thought I might be in your weight class but I am likely going to end up in the heavies (and Masters)

Rick

Thanks Maxpower and from what I have heard from CCH, your massive and judging from your lengthy contest history, I guess I am lucky you are in the Heavies ha ha.

I noticed on Layne Norton's page that he suggested sodium loading 15 days which I have started and I don't know how but I went from 200.5lbs Friday morning to somehow 210.5 pounds tonight. Could I really be holding 10lbs of water weight? I am reducing it starting 10 days out and tapering it down to the show day as researched, but If I can't make the the 198lbs cutoff by the carb load day (Thursday) I will have to stay carb depleted until the weight in, and start the carb load that night. I do fill out pretty fast judging by my high carb days, but that amount of time from weigh in to prejudging could be too short. That is my plan so far. At 6'3 and my weight and structure. I would look like a joke compared to the rest of the heavies.

Going to up the cardio to 45mins in the morning on empty stomach.

and

45mins PWO. That should do the trick!

[Hugheser]

the colour helps a lot trust me.... i look darker than a few of my black friends now ahaha brings out a lot more and evens out the skin tone

Do you use Protan? How many coats usually?

[btufts]

I havnt even used it yet just been tanning every day or second day for the past 2 months

[steve_d]

I noticed on Layne Norton's page that he suggested sodium loading 15 days which I have started and I don't know how but I went from 200.5lbs Friday morning to somehow 210.5 pounds tonight. Could I really be holding 10lbs of water weight?

You were likely not getting too much sodium if you gained 10 pounds...BUT, you said 200.5 morning to 210.5 at night. What did you weight the next morning? I always lose between 5-6 pounds overnight.

I always consume tuns of salt throughout my diet. 75% of the last couple days changes is from manipulating sodium in my mind. So if you have no sodium throughout the diet then you eliminate that "magic".

[Hugheser]

QUAD SHOT as requested

[Hugheser]

Here are the Quads from last week, not much has changed.

[Hugheser]

You were likely not getting too much sodium if you gained 10 pounds...BUT, you said 200.5 morning to 210.5 at night. What did you weight the next morning? I always lose between 5-6 pounds overnight.

I always consume tuns of salt throughout my diet. 75% of the last couple days changes is from manipulating sodium in my mind. So if you have no sodium throughout the diet then you eliminate that "magic".

Yeah I salt just about everything anyways, so the sodium loading is nothing different really. Salt taste good on just about everything in the first place.

I plan on tapering it down as per Layne Norton instructions, and taking a potassium tablet (100mg) 4 times a day with meals.

Ever use a diuretic before a competition before? Have heard mixed reviews.

[steve_d]

I haven't used a diuretic for a show other than caffeine and herbal diuretics (dandelian root etc). To be honest, the sodium isn't really that much of a big thing, neither are diuretics. You should be drinking enough water that its flushing sodium anyway. Really, as long as you're drinking a tun and you cut it out in time, you'll be quite dry.

I am completely assuming your natural. I can only guess it gets a little trickier if you are trying to manipulate water with assistance.

For every show I did, basically I just cut sodium on thursday, drank tuns of water all week, and cut that out by about mid afternoon friday - I never needed to make a weight class, but if I did, it wouldn't have mattered, if you are drinking enough , and have no sodium, you'll actually find it hard to drink enough water to keep your weight up. 2 hours after cutting water I usually have lost 95% of what I was going to lose. Although, every show I did , I did it different, and I always found it didn't really matter what I did.

A couple of times I drank 5 litres friday at midnight because I lost too much water. 3am came, and it was all gone, 10 pounds in, 10 pounds out. Last show I overdid the sodium loading, and it messed me up big time. Even after cutting water and sodium, I couldn't shed the water. was 175 and looked like marshmellow man friday night at 12pm - It was the worst experience of my life - I looked worse than I did at 16 % bf before dieting. by saturday morning i was 154, but not as sharp as I should have been.

Moral of the story, don't do anything to drastic.

[Hugheser]

I haven't used a diuretic for a show other than caffeine and herbal diuretics (dandelian root etc). To be honest, the sodium isn't really that much of a big thing, neither are diuretics. You should be drinking enough water that its flushing sodium anyway. Really, as long as you're drinking a tun and you cut it out in time, you'll be quite dry.

I am completely assuming your natural. I can only guess it gets a little trickier if you are trying to manipulate water with assistance.

For every show I did, basically I just cut sodium on thursday, drank tuns of water all week, and cut that out by about mid afternoon friday - I never needed to make a weight class, but if I did, it wouldn't have mattered, if you are drinking enough , and have no sodium, you'll actually find it hard to drink enough water to keep your weight up. 2 hours after cutting water I usually have lost 95% of what I was going to lose. Although, every show I did , I did it different, and I always found it didn't really matter what I did.

A couple of times I drank 5 litres friday at midnight because I lost too much water. 3am came, and it was all gone, 10 pounds in, 10 pounds out. Last show I overdid the sodium loading, and it messed me up big time. Even after cutting water and sodium, I couldn't shed the water. was 175 and looked like marshmellow man friday night at 12pm - It was the worst experience of my life - I looked worse than I did at 16 % bf before dieting. by saturday morning i was 154, but not as sharp as I should have been.

Moral of the story, don't do anything to drastic.

Wow it's crazy that the manipulation can swing you so far in both directions. So I am 200lbs and need to hit 198 in 10 days which shouldn't be a problem. With the water reduction how much weight drop until Friday weigh ins would I expect to see?

I was thinking about doing the following

Keep on the Keto diet with no more refeed days.

Wednesday - Start taking sodium out of diet slowly and Start taking 400mg of Potassium, 4 Times a day with meals

Thursday - Lower Sodium more, and keep the 400mg of potassium (100g with each meal). 1 Gallon Of water only

Friday - Close to zero sodium, potassium tabs 400mg (100g with each meal) start taking duretics (2 with each meal) as directed and lower water to 1/2 Gallon. Start carbing up Friday afternoon.

Saturday - No sodium, Sips of water, Breakfast of Egg Whites and Oats, and continue 50g of oats every 1.5 hr until the show and Rice cake with Jelly before going on stage.

[steve_d]

I would think by weigh in you'll be aroud the 196 mark, probably 192ish by the next day. depends how dehydrated you are at 200. For me, the more ripped I am the harder it is to hold on to water regardless of what I eat sodium wise for the last weeks. So my morning weight tends to be quite close to my stage weight. If I am a little less ripped, I hold onto water easier, and the sodium manipulation can drop near 10 pounds the last week from regular morning weights.

So really it all depends. but you should have no trouble making 198 as long as you don't drink the 1/2 gallon 2 minutes before weigh in.

[btufts]

potassium for.... cramps? right? i remember greg saying something about that

[steve_d]

I never increase salt as I increase water. potassium helps a little with cramping...although, if you have the genetics for cramping, you are just screwed. I always have had bad luck with cramping - well before my bodybuilding days. Cycling races, etc. I easily lose water get dehydrated, and in turn quickly cramp up the night before a bodybuilding show. usually only when I fall asleep though. the day of / on stage I am usually good to go.

[Hugheser]

I would first off like to say THANK YOU for all the information from all the members and encouraging words. I have decided to pull my name from the contest and focus on doing another show (IDFA Natural Novice Classic). I just arrived in Halifax last night and had a posing session with some competitors. I realized I made a brash decision to compete and should have researched the show more. Jumping into an open division in such a high level show as a natural competitor (no excuse) was a naive an stupid move. I am ready condition wise, but am out of my league in this show. I don't know how I will tell my friends and family because the will not understand, and the last thing I want to do it lie so I will tell them the same thing I am saying here.

Good luck to the rest of the competitors and look forward to seeing CCH, JT, BTUFFS and the rest blow the roof off the place!

[JT.]

I would first off like to say THANK YOU for all the information from all the members and encouraging words. I have decided to pull my name from the contest and focus on doing another show (IDFA Natural Novice Classic). I just arrived in Halifax last night and had a posing session with some competitors. I realized I made a brash decision to compete and should have researched the show more. Jumping into an open division in such a high level show as a natural competitor (no excuse) was a naive an stupid move. I am ready condition wise, but am out of my league in this show. I don't know how I will tell my friends and family because the will not understand, and the last thing I want to do it lie so I will tell them the same thing I am saying here.

Good luck to the rest of the competitors and look forward to seeing CCH, JT, BTUFFS and the rest blow the roof off the place!

Hughes I really still think you should do the show, you look great and have clearly dieted hard for the last 15 weeks. The experience of doing the show will only make you better. It was good to get some posing in with you last night. If you are still intrested I'll help you at the gym as long as you are in town, knowing how to pose will help you for the other show your are looking into, drop me a text if you want to meet up bro.

[steve_d]

you should not pull out. What's the difference if you don't win. If you pull out of this one, you may as well pull out of any show you were planning on doing. Because IF you are still planning on competing in the novice show, this will only help you do better. Get some photos, or a video if they have one, look at yourself, figure out what needs improvement and start from there.

I guarantee you having never competed can improve your posing, and the best way to do that is to figure out what you can improve. Do the show

[natenator]

Don't pull out.

Normally I'd say if you don't look the part you shouldn't be there but you do look the part. You look like a natural competitor who is YOUNG should look like. You've busted your ass so go reap the reward and the reward isn't first place (that's just gravy). The reward is finishing. Knowing you went through a hell of a journey and made it. It will only make you stronger/better for the next time around.

Get up there. You deserve to strand amongst your peers.

[btufts]

yeah man really though, thats like trying to get with the hottest girl you've ever seen, getting her clothes off ready to go and saying nahhh i got this far this is good enough for me. all i have to say is PENETRATE (theoretically)

[steve_d]

^ but in that case, you might want to pull out at the last second.

[JT.]

word hughes I'm not ****ing letting you give up right now, we have all worked way to hard for this its only 9 more days

[Delt King]

Whenever i do a show, there are plenty of guys who look awesome backstage, but it doesn't mean they'll have what it takes on stage in comparisons. I'm the opposite really, i don't pop till on stage.
The point is, just do it man. For the experience if nothing else. You'll get a first hand look as to how your prep worked, how your last week worked, and how your posing went and how it can be improved. Call it a warmup for the novice show you want to do later. You've done all the hard work already, don't chicken out now.

[dainbramaged]

Since you've put the time and effort into it, you should follow through. If you got intimidated by the competition, you'll ALWAYS have to deal with that, even with any other show you do, even a natty show. I'm a natty and I'm entering. Do I think I'll win? Nah, but I'm going to put everything into it to make the effort. If you're doing it just simply with the idea of winning a trophy, you're missing out on the whole experience.

[Hugheser]

Don't pull out.

Normally I'd say if you don't look the part you shouldn't be there but you do look the part. You look like a natural competitor who is YOUNG should look like. You've busted your ass so go reap the reward and the reward isn't first place (that's just gravy). The reward is finishing. Knowing you went through a hell of a journey and made it. It will only make you stronger/better for the next time around.

Get up there. You deserve to strand amongst your peers.

I really don't look the part for this show, I think I dieted to hard to get to 198lbs and lost too much muscle. I haven't been this light since I was in grade 10. 10 Years ago. So I think I got the diet down pretty well and am looking into getting a coach to help with my 4 weeks prep for the Natural Novice Classic on May 15th. I don't mind the dieting and it only keeps me honest. I did spurge last night on Pancakes and Protein Shake and do feel and look a lot better today. Going to go to the show to see what it is all about. The last thing I wanted to do was do a show, have a terrible time and turn me off from the whole experience. If that makes any sense?

[steve_d]

^it doesn't really make sense....You didn't really lose too much muscle, you lost alot of fat, people don't realize the weight they are going to lose for a show. And getting a coach for another 4 weeks isn't going to change your size.

how do you even know what the people in your weight class are going to look like? Sure, the light-heavy winner will make you look small, but there will be others without your conditioning. Besides, the worst thing you could do at this point is diet ANOTHER 6 weeks if your concerned about the muscle you have or might lose. The only way I would suggest doing what your doing is if you were lean yet, and you just werent ready for the NS show.

[bigtavi8]

Hugh. I know your mind is already made up. My last show leading up to it i was a natural and it was my first show. I wasnt much in the way of mass and i really wasnt that cut. I did the show and to tell ya the truth i wanted to back out even backstage. Everyone was bigger and better and i was a newbie. I was intimidated. I hated the fact that i lost so much size. Its a mental game man please believe me. YOU look like you belong up there. **** everyone else. If you never get on stage you can never get better. Please reconsider you will suprise yourself brotha. I know how you think and its like me. But just do it im telling you it will be the best feeling of your life. Look at my pics. I was still a little out of condition and flat on stage. I got second in the juniour and 4th out of like 10 in light heavies. I learned so much and i was natty besides some stupid var last few weeks. Do it my man.

[natenator]

Hugh. I know your mind is already made up. My last show leading up to it i was a natural and it was my first show. I wasnt much in the way of mass and i really wasnt that cut. I did the show and to tell ya the truth i wanted to back out even backstage. Everyone was bigger and better and i was a newbie. I was intimidated. I hated the fact that i lost so much size. Its a mental game man please believe me. YOU look like you belong up there. **** everyone else. If you never get on stage you can never get better. Please reconsider you will suprise yourself brotha. I know how you think and its like me. But just do it im telling you it will be the best feeling of your life. Look at my pics. I was still a little out of condition and flat on stage. I got second in the juniour and 4th out of like 10 in light heavies. I learned so much and i was natty besides some stupid var last few weeks. Do it my man.
You weren't natty then ;)

[bigtavi8]

You weren't natty then ;)

OK OK im tooting my own horn but u no what im saying...

[Hugheser]

Hugh. I know your mind is already made up. My last show leading up to it i was a natural and it was my first show. I wasnt much in the way of mass and i really wasnt that cut. I did the show and to tell ya the truth i wanted to back out even backstage. Everyone was bigger and better and i was a newbie. I was intimidated. I hated the fact that i lost so much size. Its a mental game man please believe me. YOU look like you belong up there. **** everyone else. If you never get on stage you can never get better. Please reconsider you will suprise yourself brotha. I know how you think and its like me. But just do it im telling you it will be the best feeling of your life. Look at my pics. I was still a little out of condition and flat on stage. I got second in the juniour and 4th out of like 10 in light heavies. I learned so much and i was natty besides some stupid var last few weeks. Do it my man.

Thanks man, good post. I feel yah, with the losing muscle mass and the mental toll it takes, and have all the respect in the world for you doing the show last year feeling the same way I am now. It takes a lot of guts to go out on stage with that nagging feeling in your head.

I will compete. I love to train and the only reason I picked this show was because Halifax was my home town and thought it would be a great place to showcase my hard work, but the sport is very individual one and only you really know what it really take to be your very best. I have absolutely nothing against the gear and feel if your going to "Supe up your car, you should be racing it", it seems quite taboo to state being natural, because what really is natural? I think that If I am to make a step in that direction, I should see how I stack up against other natural competitors and then contemplate it. 1 Week to the show guys, keep up the good work, my Dad is giving me his ticket and will be sitting in Row 4, front and center. Can't wait!

[steve_d]

^ I think he's going to watch.

CCH, didn't you post you were using T3, or clen or something? Not anabolic, but still. There are guys up there who think creatine is cheating. well, probably not nowadays, but you know what I mean.

[natenator]

^ I think he's going to watch.

CCH, didn't you post you were using T3, or clen or something? Not anabolic, but still. There are guys up there who think creatine is cheating. well, probably not nowadays, but you know what I mean.
He has a prescription for it.

[CreatineAmonster]

I am crushed have spent the day reading through logs and was loving this one as well as thinking the legs looked a lot bigger then you think. Then I get to the end and you are talking about pulling out I hope you don't. I really hope you get up there and give it your best.

[steve_d]

He has a prescription for it.

oh yeah...thats right - I remember now

[leeannroyle]

Your first and last sentences are confusing.. so are you competing in this nsabba show or just going to watch?

Yes, this is a very individual sport. No one but you depicts how hard you train, diet, "supplement", but in the end we're really all walking on that stage for the same reason... achieving a personal best... not a trophy. Be proud of your accomplishments, keep your head held high and accept your placing be-it first or last.

Either way, you're not the only natural competing (yours truly right over here), and there's plenty more in each class. Ya, we might not stand out as much or even be all that comparable to some of the monsters (meant with total respect), but we've worked just as hard if not harder so be proud.

Cheers.

Great post, thanks for sharing. I'm in an association that doesn't test either, and it took a little dabbling to realize that I wanted to do it with my own will. Also took me 5 years of "personal besting" myself to really feel like I was in it for me and not the trophy. (but it sure helped!)