32 days out (Pics)

[TCannon]

Ok all, im 32 days away from the NGA natural USA here in houston TX and I already know im way behind conditioning wise but I started late because I didnt know about it until 11 weeks out and I was already 250lbs bulked up. In these pics im 219 and although I have calipers I cant help but think there wrong because they havent changed in like 3 weeks and Ive gotten alot leaner since then and dropped like 5 lbs, what do you think my bf% is?

[Blahzay128]

Definitely a lot of improvement.....W/ a little over a month to go I think you can still make some great improvements.....what are your macros looking like right now?

I am terrible at guessing BF% so I wont even go there....keep working hard......also how much cardio you doing?

[TCannon]

40g protein x6
10g fat x6
15-20g carb (veggies) x6

Im using the cut diet and in addition to the solid meals I have two 45g of protein shakes thrown in there for workout nutrition.

Totals
Protein- 330g 1320cals
Carbs- 100g 400cals
Fat- 60g 540cals

2260-2300cals

[JasonWojo]

I'd guess around 10-12%

[TCannon]

Originally Posted by JasonWojo

I'd guess around 10-12%

Thx for the dose of honesty, Hopefully I can pull this **** together in 3 weeks to come in looking at least some whta competitive. This is my first show but I really wanted to be my best.

[JasonWojo]

You can make a huge difference in 3 weeks man. Go get 'em!

[ChokeOnStrength]

TC, you are around the same as far as progress goes and where you are time wise to the show as I was, actually you're a bit ahead of me. I'll say this, you're going to see the most changes in the next few weeks. You're going to come in looking lean and hard, don't you worry.

Just stay postive, don't stress out, and get your much needed sleep during the night. Those are important things in my mind. Remember stress = cortisol. Not good for us competitors.

Enjoy this first experience, you're going to learn a helluva lot from it, and how your body works etc.

Do your best, that's all you need to do.

[Sporto1633]

Originally Posted by TCannon

Ok all, im 32 days away from the NGA natural USA here in houston TX and I already know im way behind conditioning wise but I started late because I didnt know about it until 11 weeks out and I was already 250lbs bulked up. In these pics im 219 and although I have calipers I cant help but think there wrong because they havent changed in like 3 weeks and Ive gotten alot leaner since then and dropped like 5 lbs, what do you think my bf% is?

Here's the thing about bodyfat numbers:

All they really are is a big ego contest. I'm not calling you eccentric, let me explain. Whatever method you use, it's going to have flaws in it. They are ALL based on equations and assumptions. Now, some methods are going to be better than others, but at the end of the day, the number that is spat out from whatever method you are using is not going to be 100% accurate anyway. In fact, the only real accurate way to measure bodyfat is dissection. So why does the actual number ever matter? I can CLAIM to be any BF% I want, which is what most people on these boards do. Bro, I'm 3.4, bro I'm 2.7....yeah yeah yeah. But with respect to bodybuilding, does the judge at a contest ever ask what your BF% is? Nope. Does he care? Nope. It's all about how you LOOK on the day of the contest. Period. Whatever number you wanna give yourself, someone will disagree and/or say their's is just a little lower...this is the ego contest. I'm in no way saying that is what you are doing, and I don't believe at all that you are. My point is merely to say that what matters a lot more than what bodyfat you think you are at, is the change in whatever method you are using. That should be your focus. So, if you are measuring skinfolds, don't pay attention to what number the equation gives, just measure what your change of skinfolds are over time to determine progress. Then, make adjustments according to progress. Rinse. Repeat.

So maybe you come to the contest, and everybody on this board says, "Bro ur like 3%!", but at the contest, you didn't win because you weren't lean enough...did it matter? So, keep pluggin away at your diet, use your progress pics to measure change, and stay focused on what's really important and you'll get there!

Good luck at your contest!

Sporto

[TCannon]

Originally Posted by ChokeOnStrength

TC, you are around the same as far as progress goes and where you are time wise to the show as I was, actually you're a bit ahead of me. I'll say this, you're going to see the most changes in the next few weeks. You're going to come in looking lean and hard, don't you worry.

Just stay postive, don't stress out, and get your much needed sleep during the night. Those are important things in my mind. Remember stress = cortisol. Not good for us competitors.

Enjoy this first experience, you're going to learn a helluva lot from it, and how your body works etc.

Do your best, that's all you need to do.

Thx for the words man, im just really feeling the pressure hard since I know I started to late and I just really wanna look my best despite that. When I went to see the alamo showdown show over the weekend I saw a few competitors that just werent lean enough and I keep thinking "dam you dont wanna be that guy". But im gonna quit worrying about it and just keep going.

Originally Posted by Sporto1633

Here's the thing about bodyfat numbers:

All they really are is a big ego contest. I'm not calling you eccentric, let me explain. Whatever method you use, it's going to have flaws in it. They are ALL based on equations and assumptions. Now, some methods are going to be better than others, but at the end of the day, the number that is spat out from whatever method you are using is not going to be 100% accurate anyway. In fact, the only real accurate way to measure bodyfat is dissection. So why does the actual number ever matter? I can CLAIM to be any BF% I want, which is what most people on these boards do. Bro, I'm 3.4, bro I'm 2.7....yeah yeah yeah. But with respect to bodybuilding, does the judge at a contest ever ask what your BF% is? Nope. Does he care? Nope. It's all about how you LOOK on the day of the contest. Period. Whatever number you wanna give yourself, someone will disagree and/or say their's is just a little lower...this is the ego contest. I'm in no way saying that is what you are doing, and I don't believe at all that you are. My point is merely to say that what matters a lot more than what bodyfat you think you are at, is the change in whatever method you are using. That should be your focus. So, if you are measuring skinfolds, don't pay attention to what number the equation gives, just measure what your change of skinfolds are over time to determine progress. Then, make adjustments according to progress. Rinse. Repeat.

So maybe you come to the contest, and everybody on this board says, "Bro ur like 3%!", but at the contest, you didn't win because you weren't lean enough...did it matter? So, keep pluggin away at your diet, use your progress pics to measure change, and stay focused on what's really important and you'll get there!

Good luck at your contest!

Sporto

You are exactly right dude, I have always said that if you dont like whats in the mirror the bf% doesnt even matter. But im getting close to that crucial time and the more days pass the more my mind keeps playing with me and making me think im not gonna be good enough. And to add to it im getting more and more family saying there gonna come to the show and im like thinking in my head "****..", my wife's family is even going to see me and the last thing I want to do is look like the guy who shouldnt have been up there. But I still got time so cardio is being increased to 100 mins a day split into 2 sessions. At least 20min of that will be HIIT and the rest low moderate intensity. I may even bump it to 3 sessions on my off days since I dont feel ive come close to losing muscle.

[Sporto1633]

Originally Posted by TCannon

You are exactly right dude, I have always said that if you dont like whats in the mirror the bf% doesnt even matter. But im getting close to that crucial time and the more days pass the more my mind keeps playing with me and making me think im not gonna be good enough. And to add to it im getting more and more family saying there gonna come to the show and im like thinking in my head "****..", my wife's family is even going to see me and the last thing I want to do is look like the guy who shouldnt have been up there. But I still got time so cardio is being increased to 100 mins a day split into 2 sessions. At least 20min of that will be HIIT and the rest low moderate intensity. I may even bump it to 3 sessions on my off days since I dont feel ive come close to losing muscle.

And just so you know, this is completely NORMAL and we all go through this. Bodybuilding will test your physchological limits just as much as your physiological limits, believe me. And, not to mention that once the contest is over and you were at your best shape you've ever been in, you will go back to being 'normal' and you will think you are obese. But, again, this is something we all go through, so we are right there with you every step of the way and feel your pain. I know the veterans on here are reading this and smiling because it reminds them of going through the same thing when they first started. Your mind will definitely play tricks on you...especially that last week. Just stick to the plan you have in front of you and do it to the best of your ability. That's all you can do. Then, more importantly, pay attention to what all is going on this time around and make adjustments so that the next time around you can make improvements. That's why it's good you have a journal on here. Make comments in it every day about mood, how you look, things that went on that might have affected things...just to jot them down. It's learning from those things and learning your body to better apply what works for YOU that will have you coming back to these shows bigger, leaner, and better than before.

Keep at it!

Sporto

[Agostage]

Originally Posted by Sporto1633

In fact, the only real accurate way to measure bodyfat is dissection.

That is hilarious, and spot on.

[TCannon]

Thx my man, Ive already learned 3 very important things.

#1- Im gonna need at least 20weeks of solid prep time to get ready for a show.

#2- Stay as close to my current bodyfat% as possible during my offseason period.

#3- Stay lean year round!!

[ChokeOnStrength]

Originally Posted by TCannon

Thx my man, Ive already learned 3 very important things.

#1- Im gonna need at least 20weeks of solid prep time to get ready for a show.

#2- Stay as close to my current bodyfat% as possible during my offseason period.

#3- Stay lean year round!!

Those are exactly what I learned word for word my first show just a few weeks ago. And I totally agree.

Stay relatively lean year round, enjoy life bro, you're a good man and there's no reason why you can't surpass your own goals set forth. Just charge at them full speed. Ain't a wall your aimin' to hit, it's through the wall.

[DriverDan]

Originally Posted by TCannon

Thx my man, Ive already learned 3 very important things.

#1- Im gonna need at least 20weeks of solid prep time to get ready for a show.

#2- Stay as close to my current bodyfat% as possible during my offseason period.

#3- Stay lean year round!!

Great post, should be in a thread for us newbies You still have lots of time, I'm sure you'll look great on stage. Your family will be impressed, even if you were to step on stage tomorrow.

[Ev1L]

Originally Posted by Sporto1633

And, not to mention that once the contest is over and you were at your best shape you've ever been in, you will go back to being 'normal' and you will think you are obese.

Lol, I heard that. I just finished my first show two weeks ago and I feel obese. Good posts SPORTO your words are very encouraging.

[TCannon]

Originally Posted by DriverDan

Great post, should be in a thread for us newbies You still have lots of time, I'm sure you'll look great on stage. Your family will be impressed, even if you were to step on stage tomorrow.

Thx man, The post is the truth. I think its cool to take some time off the stringent diet sometimes to eat normal here and there, but if one is totally serious about being competitive especially if your used to being fat like me I gotta keep my focus even in the offseason on conditioning. I believe that in order to be my best, keeping the next contest in mind year round is what im gonna have to do. Oh well, there goes being normal a lil bit...

[Bravodor]

10 at most.

[krisanne22]

You look great! The biggest changes will happen in the last two weeks, you will do really well. I am doing the same show.