Post Contest Binging

[Felinecougar]

I have friends who just competed in a show in London and I'm concerned about how they are eating this week. After Provincials in 05 I went out and for several days I binged on deep fried foods, steak, desserts etc. Well by Thursday my feet looked like elephants and my hands ached from the swelling.

Dehydration took several days pre contest to achieve. I think I did a great job and came in ripped and full. Other shows I was ripped but stringy and to lean. Gradually cutting out all salts, minimal amounts of water, carefully measured and calculated diet of eating the same foods day after day paid off. But once drinking and eating again my body craved the nutrients I had depleted. Sodium, potassium, and water.

Problem was, I started out wrong on Sunday morning eating wrong. Maybe even post night i did too. All the steaks, potatoes, wine, chips and cheeses were loaded with salt and carbs. So my body ballooned up to the point that I couldn't walk or type without pain in my feet and hands.

Caution post contest.

[bigdaddydrew123]

you gotta have a plan for post contest.after a show you suddenly have no goal .its good to prepare for that ahead of time,you need a break for sure but if your not careful your a fat bloated pig in no time,enjoy a couple of free days then get to a cleaner diet, dont forget post contest is the best time to grow, take advantage of that with lots of good food

[O-Train]

Why do you cut out sodium, potassium and water FC?

I'll briefly explain my stance on the topic. Muscle is composed of about 70% water. When you dehydrate the body doesn't necessarily descriminate where the water comes from. I remember Ron Partlow posting that he keeps his salts and water intake high and he looks dry as a bone so it made me wonder. Although I do natural shows so depending on chemical supplementation, cutting water may be beneficial. Thoughts?

[Felinecougar]

Why do you cut out sodium, potassium and water FC?

I'll briefly explain my stance on the topic. Muscle is composed of about 70% water. When you dehydrate the body doesn't necessarily descriminate where the water comes from. I remember Ron Partlow posting that he keeps his salts and water intake high and he looks dry as a bone so it made me wonder. Although I do natural shows so depending on chemical supplementation, cutting water may be beneficial. Thoughts?

I'm not as wise as Ron, I follow what the guys on here have always guided me to do. I wanted to go with what was tested and true, rather then risk a new idea that might not work for my body. Trying this new contest prep out is better done when one is not going to blow contest if it does not work for them.

[wrought]

I think my record for weight gain after a show was between 50 and 60lbs within a week....it sucked, and if you're not careful you'll wind up in the hospital.

For anybody who is a first time competitor and doesn't know how their body will react after a show, just stay on your diet, stick with the cardio and gradually shift back into normal eating and you will save yourself a lot of grief.

[69challenger]

For anybody who is a first time competitor and doesn't know how their body will react after a show, just stay on your diet, stick with the cardio and gradually shift back into normal eating and you will save yourself a lot of grief.

This time around, this was my strategy. Worked well for me.