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Coach is a good idea if it's within your means. To compete or not depends on how itchy you are about competing right away. Just note that if everyone waited until they were 100% happy with their size...

Congrats on taking the plunge, you will learn a lot. All I will say is listen to your coach. If you are having second thoughts about where you're at you need to express that to your coach and they...

Well you've made the decision to compete, you've accepted that fact you have 40+ lbs to lose and not regressed into denial, so I'd say you're on the right track. Just keep asking questions, do a lot...

There you go, definitely good size and thickness from what I can see; you can look pretty good in 12 weeks, it'd be tough to get paper-thin skin by then but doable if you nail each week. I'm pumped...

Well done!

First off congrats on getting into it and taking the plunge, second - gotta get over the self-conscious 'taking progress pics of one body part' phase if you really want good feedback. Hit some real...

Typically rock is the easiest - which I recommend for first timers. Using something that the crowd will recognize will get them into it. It's more fun that way.

Nope, you're fine. Just be dark enough.

Congrats and good work so far. However, I'd start taking REAL progress pics and hit some mandatory poses WITH LEGS. That's when it gets real. (iPhones have timers ;) )

Great first time out. As for critiques, really just the obvious - lift big, eat big for a while, then get more shredded, practice posing until you hate it and repeat. Enjoy!

There are pro's and con's to front loading. If you are truly lean it will work well as you wouldn't need to use that time to burn any fat and it gives you time to fix any spillage. However if you've...

I don't think either logic is all that sound. I compete but I never refer to it as a sport, simply because of its subjectivity. Sport to me is points/goals based. I know how much work bodybuilding...

I don't want to speak out of turn but I think Layne has amended his aforementioned formula to something more conservative. From my experience, I didn't need a full 50% increase even at low b.f....

I would do all of the above and then post a video of your practice here, lots of free good advice to be had.

True, in hindsight I would back-off the broccoli as it did fill me up too easily.

Both ways have pros and cons. I personally like the height classes. That way I can concentrate only on the way I look and not stress about weight.

I eat the same foods I did during prep. Usually sweet potato, turkey and broccoli.

It's good to look at good bbers for inspiration but be careful not to get discouraged by numbers. Concentrate on making yourself better each day. At 18 you have the luxury of learning that lesson...

I would start now, if you reach your goal early then you rock that much more.

If you're ready you'll be confident, if not then you won't. Preparation breeds confidence.