5 weeks out-first competition

[yeah buddy]

I was wondering if at 4 weeks out if I should cut out the protein shakes. I've read a mix of answers regarding this question, but no answers from BB.com. Also, what advice to give to a first time competitor regarding whatever...i'm sort of nervous, anxious, excited and everything in between.

[SDMuscleBuddy]

I was wondering if at 4 weeks out if I should cut out the protein shakes. I've read a mix of answers regarding this question, but no answers from BB.com. Also, what advice to give to a first time competitor regarding whatever...i'm sort of nervous, anxious, excited and everything in between.

I think that at this point, you would be better off finding a single source of information that you can trust. Posting a question like that here will give you so many conflicting answers that you'll only get confused. There are plenty of good articles on bb.com that will help, but if you belong to a gym, talk to the trainers there or look for someone who looks like he competes and ask him.

As far as protein shakes, it depends on what your carb intake is at the moment. When I competed, I would gradually decrease carbs starting on Sunday until Wednesday when I had no carbs. Thursday and Friday are carb loading days. Protein would stay the same. If your shakes contain carbs, switch to one that doesn't so you can control them better.

One thing is you can never be too prepared. Get all of your supplies now: Posing trunks (2 pair), tanning products, oil, music (two copies on cd and/or tape), and anything you might want to use for your warmup. Also, I recommend practicing your posing every day, especially the mandatories. Your individual presentation is not nearly as important as most contests have been decided by then. Definitely go to the videos section and get the clips on how to pose you'll find there. Practice holding each pose for at least 10-15 seconds. Practice "standing relaxed" too. That is just as important.

But most important is to relax and enjoy yourself. Literally everyone there, the judges, the other bodybuilders, and the audience, knows what you've gone through to get where you are and regardless of how you place, you will have earned the respect of everyone there. At the local level, the comraderie among the competitors is usually pretty high and everyone will be very supportive, so you'll find it's very easy once you're there. The hard part is all behind you. Just getting up on stage puts you ahead of most bodybuilders who never get up the nerve - so don't be nervous. Have fun!

[beerman_420]

I think that at this point, you would be better off finding a single source of information that you can trust. Posting a question like that here will give you so many conflicting answers that you'll only get confused. There are plenty of good articles on bb.com that will help, but if you belong to a gym, talk to the trainers there or look for someone who looks like he competes and ask him.

As far as protein shakes, it depends on what your carb intake is at the moment. When I competed, I would gradually decrease carbs starting on Sunday until Wednesday when I had no carbs. Thursday and Friday are carb loading days. Protein would stay the same. If your shakes contain carbs, switch to one that doesn't so you can control them better.

One thing is you can never be too prepared. Get all of your supplies now: Posing trunks (2 pair), tanning products, oil, music (two copies on cd and/or tape), and anything you might want to use for your warmup. Also, I recommend practicing your posing every day, especially the mandatories. Your individual presentation is not nearly as important as most contests have been decided by then. Definitely go to the videos section and get the clips on how to pose you'll find there. Practice holding each pose for at least 10-15 seconds. Practice "standing relaxed" too. That is just as important.

But most important is to relax and enjoy yourself. Literally everyone there, the judges, the other bodybuilders, and the audience, knows what you've gone through to get where you are and regardless of how you place, you will have earned the respect of everyone there. At the local level, the comraderie among the competitors is usually pretty high and everyone will be very supportive, so you'll find it's very easy once you're there. The hard part is all behind you. Just getting up on stage puts you ahead of most bodybuilders who never get up the nerve - so don't be nervous. Have fun!

great answer