contest prep

[varking]

Hey could you guys post me a nice site with good contest diets or your diet you use? I am thinking about hiring someone as a second eye to help me with my diet and soon on how many of you do this??

Thanks

[Baconbits]

Here's a link to some local shows in Canada, also with in the link you will find other organizations. A lot of the shows will offer a seminar or work camp before the shows come up. These are worth singing up for, especially if you are new to competition. You will learn a lot of useful information for contest prep.

http://www.naturalbodybuildingevents.com/Intl/canada.htm

[O-Train]

Here's a link to some local shows in Cananda, also with in the link you will find other organizations. A lot of the shows will offer a seminar or work camp before the shows come up. These are worth singing up for, especially if you are new to competition. You will learn a lot of useful information for contest prep.

http://www.naturalbodybuildingevents.com/Intl/canada.htm

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about that site.

[natenator]

as a second eye? If you hire someone they are your first eye. I am going to be using Praetorian for November assuming my knee is good to go. I like his views, attitude and his experience.

[Praetorian]

Hey could you guys post me a nice site with good contest diets or your diet you use? I am thinking about hiring someone as a second eye to help me with my diet and soon on how many of you do this??

Thanks

Hi Varking, if you have any specific questions shoot me a PM. Ive worked with many athletes in the past and currently have a number of guys and gals preparing for the upcoming contest season.
P

[natenator]

Just to follow up... I strongly recommend hiring someone. Yes it costs a few bucks (bet you spend double on the cycle cost than the nutritionalist cost) but it is money well spent.

Dieting for a show is a constant mind ****. You go through sooo many emotions. Up, down, positive, negative. Happy with the fat loss, not happy with the fat loss, thinking you are holding muscle well, think you are losing too much muscle. It's a process that would send most people over a bridge lol

Having someone handle all aspects of your prep is invaluable. Yes most of us could do it. I know I could do it but I like simple. I like having someone tell me what to eat and when to eat it so all I have to do is train, cook and eat. No second guessing. No mind games as to whether I chose the right diet, etc.

Peace of mind when in contest prep is worth paying every dime for.

[JonnyO]

SInce my first show I've always worked with someone to help with my prep. I've pain a lot of $$ for servies and have learned a lot in that time. I now prep people myself for shows or off-season, but even still I have someone who works with me during prep as a watchful eye, we both share the same philosophies so it works out well.

[HardtoHandle]

I've never done a show without hiring someone. Personally money well spent

[Ritch]

There was a disussion about this on probodybuilding weekly. And I agree with what they were saying, to the contrary of what is being said here. Honestly, don`t think it`s necessary for pardon my term, but low level shows. You should learn your own body and how it responds to training and food. Otherwise you will always need someone to tell you what to do. Do you really want to be dependant on someone else? Sure it`s great to have a person to tell you if you`re flat, too fat thinning too fast, but as that`s about it.

[O-Train]

Just to follow up... I strongly recommend hiring someone. Yes it costs a few bucks (bet you spend double on the cycle cost than the nutritionalist cost) but it is money well spent.

Dieting for a show is a constant mind ****. You go through sooo many emotions. Up, down, positive, negative. Happy with the fat loss, not happy with the fat loss, thinking you are holding muscle well, think you are losing too much muscle. It's a process that would send most people over a bridge lol

Having someone handle all aspects of your prep is invaluable. Yes most of us could do it. I know I could do it but I like simple. I like having someone tell me what to eat and when to eat it so all I have to do is train, cook and eat. No second guessing. No mind games as to whether I chose the right diet, etc.

Peace of mind when in contest prep is worth paying every dime for.

It's not quite that bad Nate. I like figuring stuff out on my own. Also regardless of who the person is there's no way they know my body as well as I do. I'd just end up arguing with them and doing what I wanted to do anyways. Plus I don't have the $$$ so it's an easy decision. Only time I would do it (maybe) is if I started taking AAS and went for a pro card. Can't see myself going down that road though. It would be cool if life had a rewind button. So you could find out all the "what if's" you never went for. Kind of like a choose your own adventure book except you can go back when you pick the wrong one. I'm rambling, time for sleep.

[HardtoHandle]

I agree...it really is all about trial and error with your body. Everyone is different when dieting.
First or second timers should consult with a trainer IMO....after that; if you feel comfortable goin on your own...do it!

After a couple of times you know how and what your body does...or doesn't react too. I do it because the last thing I want to do between training, cardio, work and cooking is thinking about changing up my foods. I'll let someone else worry about that.

[varking]

Ok I changed my show to Oct 3 in woodstock, ontario. The question is it says the OPA does drug testing is this true>>

[natenator]

Ok I changed my show to Oct 3 in woodstock, ontario. The question is it says the OPA does drug testing is this true>>
not natural shows yes. Although not really.

[O-Train]

Ok I changed my show to Oct 3 in woodstock, ontario. The question is it says the OPA does drug testing is this true>>

No. They do not test.

[Delt King]

When you join OPA, you could technically be tested at any time. However it has never been done, ever to my knowledge. The Woodstock show is a medium sized level 1 and you'll be looking at 5 to 10 people per class. It's good to get your feet wet but getting help is important. I can't tell you how many times I've seen guys on stage who should've had a friend tell them you're not ready yet, and they embarass the hell out of themselves. Also you can't compare yourself to the regular Joe at the gym, competition physiques are a whole new level of ripped. I usually look leaner than everybody at my gym 10 weeks out from my show. So it's not a good gauge. When you think you're ripped enough, you're probably not yet. It's really surprising how much fat we hold. Even when we seem lean.

[varking]

Ok I am stuck I dunno some people say 16 weeks is a must some say 12 weeks max?? I see alot of pro diet for 8-12 weeks,, what does everyone do here..??

[natenator]

Ok I am stuck I dunno some people say 16 weeks is a must some say 12 weeks max?? I see alot of pro diet for 8-12 weeks,, what does everyone do here..??
are you a pro? Do you know your body as well as a pro? Forget what pro's do. Longer dieting is better especially for a first timer.

[Sean Summers]

Pretty much what Delt King said. The OPA has 2 streams - Natural and Random Tested.
Natural - top in each class is tested (Natural Ontarios, Natural Canadas/World Qualifier)
Random - when you sign up you agree to random testing. It HAS been done in the past but it is quite an expense so it is not likely to happen. Never say never. Shows would be Woodstock, Ottawa...etc. Eastern Ontario, Western Ontario...etc
SS

[Delt King]

How far out you start dieting for your show will depend on your starting condition. I'm going to assume that if you want to step on stage that you have a decent muscle base and if you did your homework in the offseason you have attempted to bring all your muscle groups into proper proportion. So your goal is to then lose all bodyfat while maintaining your Lean Body Mass. Try to get an idea of what your bodyfat level is at and thus you'll know what your LBM is at and then you'll have an idea of where you'll end up in the weight classes. Level 1 is lightweight up to 154 middleweight up to 176 lightheavy up to 194 heavyweight above 194. Once you know how much fat you're carrying then assuming a 2lbs weight loss per week you can count back from your show date. 30lbs of fat = 15 weeks minimum. Personally I like to build in even more time (as much as an extra 4 weeks just in case you fall off the boat when you diet and all hell breaks loose it still gives you time to pull it back together. Anything can happen though...injury, flus and colds, adjusting your diet to find what foods work best etc. Longer is usually better.
Also my advice don't start cardio till you need it.
Proper supps is important---get L-carnitine, Caffeine, Ephedrine, Chromium,
Proper gear...Test is to hold muscle, Tren is a must have cutter, Masteron and win inj and halo are crazy hardeners once you're lean. Add in clen towards the middle of your prep when things start slowing down.

I could go on and on but i'll stop here, sorry for the long post.

[St]

Ok I am stuck I dunno some people say 16 weeks is a must some say 12 weeks max?? I see alot of pro diet for 8-12 weeks,, what does everyone do here..??

Well for me i'm at week 14 of my diet still way off,got way to fat over the past 3 years of off-season.Have another 8 week of more dieting hope,and i say hope to be ready,that will make for a 22week diet for a level 1 show,all i can say is i love my food no excuse if i lose.I'm all for someone to pay for help to diet for a show if needed,better to win,or place tops 3,than lose,and feel like shit after losing.

[natenator]

How far out you start dieting for your show will depend on your starting condition. I'm going to assume that if you want to step on stage that you have a decent muscle base and if you did your homework in the offseason you have attempted to bring all your muscle groups into proper proportion. So your goal is to then lose all bodyfat while maintaining your Lean Body Mass. Try to get an idea of what your bodyfat level is at and thus you'll know what your LBM is at and then you'll have an idea of where you'll end up in the weight classes. Level 1 is lightweight up to 154 middleweight up to 176 lightheavy up to 194 heavyweight above 194. Once you know how much fat you're carrying then assuming a 2lbs weight loss per week you can count back from your show date. 30lbs of fat = 15 weeks minimum. Personally I like to build in even more time (as much as an extra 4 weeks just in case you fall off the boat when you diet and all hell breaks loose it still gives you time to pull it back together. Anything can happen though...injury, flus and colds, adjusting your diet to find what foods work best etc. Longer is usually better.
Also my advice don't start cardio till you need it.
Proper supps is important---get L-carnitine, Caffeine, Ephedrine, Chromium,
Proper gear...Test is to hold muscle, Tren is a must have cutter, Masteron and win inj and halo are crazy hardeners once you're lean. Add in clen towards the middle of your prep when things start slowing down.

I could go on and on but i'll stop here, sorry for the long post.
Agreed on the all hell breaking lose part. Another added benefit of longer is that if you are hitting ready status 3-4 weeks ahead of time then you can play around with different loading and water manipulations to see how you respond BEFORE you hit the stage.

I firmly believe loading and water manipulation can really transform you IF you are wicked peeled to begin with but many who are that peeled don't experiement for fear of ****ing up their hard work. If they had of tested before hand then they'd know how their body is going ot react and you have less to worry about when the time comes.