sodium and potassium

[wildflower]

I am getting ready to do my first show. I was told to reduce my sodium intake as much as possible and increase considerably my potassium intake.. this is supposed to help with the defenition appearance... Is there any truth to this?

[Iron-T]

too much sodium will make you retain water, thus making you look 'puffy'. Too obtain maximum definition you need to reduce your sodium intake but only go really low a day before the big day ( too much restriction can also make you reatin water ) and take a potassium supplement for optimum water balance ( also a natural diuretic like EAS - NWB ).
Say your competition is on saturday...cut your sodium to about 1000 mcg a day a week out. Also drink 1 -2 gallons of water . Go low carb, high protein ( orange roughy, low sodium tuna, chicken, egg whites ) for 4 days, then thursday and friday carb load with your first two meals of the day ( to fill your muscles with glycogen ). Reduce water intake gradually. On friday cut way down on sodium and only zip water as needed.
There is a great article on preperation in the current issue of "Muscle Media". Also here on this board 'MsFit' is a seasoned competitor..I am sure she can help you out. Good luck :)

[MsFit]

You can trick the body by sodium depletion, but you have to be sure that you don't cut your sodium too soon, if so your body will retain more water to keep a balance.

Adding salt to your food 7-10 days out, stop adding salt from Sunday thru Wednesday, just keep it natural sodium at this point, that which is in chicken, tuna... (avoid egg whites at this point) and cut the sodium Thursday at noon to start removing the water.

Take in 2 gallons of distilled water 7-10 days out, cut it back to a gallon Sun - Wednesday, 1/2 on Thursday, pt on Friday and sip as needed on Saturday.

Take an herbal laxative tea Thursday evening and herbal water pills from Thursday on till the show.

It worked for me. :D
MsFit