Rebound after competition

[Want2lift]

I have a few questions about post competition and the rebound that comes along with it. I'm planning on doing my first show spring 2015. Obviously will be very insulin sensitive after wards so after a few pails of ice cream I imagine a reverse diet is needed? What about gear? It would be best to keep hormone levels high for the rebound phase after the show? How many weeks should you blast for after a show? Any and all input welcome.

[Praetorian]

If you mean rebound as in gaining all kinds of muscle because you are no longer dieting you will be disappointed. There is no rushing muscle growth and the rebound you see with guys especially guys who do their first show is water and fat gain not muscle. The best thing to do post contest diet wise is to slowly incorporate carbs back into your diet and really let the body gain slowly while staying as lean as possible. Gaining 10-15lbs in a few weeks is NOT muscle. A lean body gains lean muscle much more efficiently but it is still a slow process so dont rush it. Also if you were using gear for the show then post diet is the best time bar none to go off, run PCT and let the body normalize. The reason for this is that just by adding a bit of carbs and calories back you will still feel jacked and that is a much better feeling while recovering then feeling totally depleted as you will if you wait and stop gear when you are already back to a normal diet. Also a contest diet is stressful to the body and pushing hard post contest is not a good idea. Take a week off, then get back to training but ease into it and dont go to failure...just prior. This gives your body a break and prevents injury. You will need to really use self control after the show or you will gain tonnes of water which can lead to peripheral edema and that is quite dangerous not to mention you will appear very bloated.

P

[Want2lift]

Thank you very much Prae. If I am an HRT victim, should I just go down to doctor dosage after the show or leave the test a little higher?

[Praetorian]

I would drop to an HRT dosage and give your body a break. It will still take 5-6 weeks to drop blood levels so you arent missing any windows of opportunity.

P