Contest prep alone?

[futurefitmama]

Is it possible to do a show alone without a trainer. Honestly I'm a newly single mother who can't dish out a lot of money.

I would do my makeup and hair myself and I bought a book on diet and posing (the figure coach) I'm not new to working out and fat loss. However I have never prepped for a show.

Honest opinions and experiences please?

[stephanielynn76]

I'm in the same boat. PM me if you want to compare notes! ;)

[tinapt]

Me too, about to start mine. I'm a PT so I'm ok with the training side, it's just the eating plan I'm going to find a learning curve I think :)

Happy to compare notes as we and help out if I can!

[megdaig]

I'm being trained by a fellow bb.com member...as for the other [girlie] stuff I'm relying on ladies that have competed before. There is a trainer at one of my gyms that has offered to help me with posing, which plays a major role in how well you place, and has contacts for suit makers.

[futurefitmama]

Thanks do much ladies. I'm very comfortable with the training and in confident I can nail the posing with all the DVDs and lots of practice. But I have never gotten my body fat to competition level. And I suppose that's where I am confused about since I really don't want to lose much of my hard earned muscle.

[kimm4]

There is a trainer at one of my gyms that has offered to help me with posing, which plays a major role in how well you place.

This is great and it will def work to your advantage. Depending on what area the OP is from, if you can find a local posing seminar/posing clinic/posing coach...you'll be amazed at how much this helps!

When I first decided I wanted to compete in bb, I trained solo for 3 shows in my first season. I had a solid training backround under my belt and I knew enough to be dangerous when it came to dieting. I wasn't sure if competing was the thing for me, so hiring someone at that point didn't make sense. I did well in my first season, was able to hold my own, but there is always room for improvement. I then hired a coach in my 2nd season and contiue using them today. I became more serious with competing, doing national and pro qualifiers only...where the level of competition gets more difficult. I'm a competition coach myself, keeping very busy prepping clients for the stage. When it comes to my own prep, I don't have the time to fuss and I want to keep it as stress free as possible. When you see yourself everyday, the lines tend to get a little blurry and having a 2nd set of eyes is crucial for me.

When it comes to prep, your diet is key and it can make you or break you come stage time. If you don't have a firm grasp of dieting, understand there will be a lot of trial and error along the way.

Good luck.

[stephanielynn76]

This is great and it will def work to your advantage. Depending on what area the OP is from, if you can find a local posing seminar/posing clinic/posing coach...you'll be amazed at how much this helps!

When I first decided I wanted to compete in bb, I trained solo for 3 shows in my first season. I had a solid training backround under my belt and I knew enough to be dangerous when it came to dieting. I wasn't sure if competing was the thing for me, so hiring someone at that point didn't make sense. I did well in my first season, was able to hold my own, but there is always room for improvement. I then hired a coach in my 2nd season and contiue using them today. I became more serious with competing, doing national and pro qualifiers only...where the level of competition gets more difficult. I'm a competition coach myself, keeping very busy prepping clients for the stage. When it comes to my own prep, I don't have the time to fuss and I want to keep it as stress free as possible. When you see yourself everyday, the lines tend to get a little blurry and having a 2nd set of eyes is crucial for me.

When it comes to prep, your diet is key and it can make you or break you come stage time. If you don't have a firm grasp of dieting, understand there will be a lot of trial and error along the way.

Good luck.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! That's so great that you started off on your own and did well. I'm hoping to do the same. I actually do have a couple of local competitors that are going to help me with posing, suit choices, tanning, etc. I also have a girl that is going to help with diet a bit as I get closer to show time. I'm progressing very well on my own for now but as it gets closer I will either meet with her or e-mail her pictures and have her make suggestions for tweaking my diet. I just didn't want to hire a coach who would tell me what to eat and when... what to train and how. I've been lifting weights for many years so I know what works for me and my schedule. Last summer I did a "test cut" just to see how my body responded to the diet and to gauge which muscle groups needed extra attention. That was very eye opening for me and a great opportunity for me to experience the discipline required for doing a competition. The competition I'm planning to enter is very small and not a national qualifier. It's basically just to "get my feet wet." In the event that I decide to take things further and pursue a larger competition I will likely do like you did and hire a coach.

[futurefitmama]

Yeah I def think I want help with the nutrition part. Not willing to sacrifice muscle. Now all I have to do is find someone e decently priced

[futurefitmama]

Thanks for all the advice ladies.

[stephanielynn76]

How's it going? When is your contest? I'm 13 weeks out from mine. I probably need to lose another 8-10lbs...

[darins]

Though it seems the question has been answered - yes, it's totally possible. I find that individuals with a desire to compete are often stubborn, motivated individuals who find a way to get things done. If it's your first show and you're going solo you can certainly expect a bumpy ride, probably not looking your absolute best on stage, and making a lot of silly mistakes - and that's all ok! It's a learning process. Take copious notes and pictures during the process so you can actually learn something once the show is over and you're ready to think about your next step.

It can be frustrating though, and many soloers will give up at some point during the process. A good coach or trainer will not only assist with the diet and/or exercise, but all the details that are often overlooked until it's too late to give them their proper due (posing being the biggest one - thankfully most people in this community are at least aware of the need to start practicing early). Color, suit selection, paperwork, peak week - a good coach should be on top of all this stuff.