My first competition- the whole story

[GSOgymrat]

I just completed my first bodybuilding competition and I got 2nd place in novice men's short class. Here's my story.

Background- I hired a personal trainer for the first time in December and he talked me into entering a natural bodybuilding competition. I reluctantly agreed to do it because 1) I knew being on stage would motivate me to train hard and 2) I wanted to confront my stage fright. I started at 175 lbs. in January, clean bulked to 186 and cut to 162 for the competition. My bodyfat was 10% when I started and I don't know what it is now but it's low.

Preparing- I didn't count calories but just ate clean, increased protein and decreased carbs to get my bodyfat down while maintaining muscle. I did almost no cardio for fear of losing too much weight. My supplements were protein powder, glutamine, a multivitamin and fish oil pills. I didn't do any sodium load/depletion, carb load/depletion or diuretics but I did stop drinking water the evening before the show. I used a tanning bed a couple of weeks, put a coat of ProTan on Thursday, had a spray tan applied Friday morning and a second coat of ProTan Friday night. I was as dark or darker then most of the guys. I took a potassium supplement to avoid cramping and ate a bar of dark chocolate before going on stage.

Prejudging- I think there were 12 novice men competing and they split us into short and tall classes. At 5'9" I was the tallest of the short class. I was initially not sure how I was going to stack up against these guys but when people got into their posing suits I felt that I did belong at the competition. The novice men were the last group to take the stage and didn't go on until 2:15 pm. I had not anticipated this wait, didn't bring enough food and ended up eating donated dry oatmeal, which without water was not very fun. I have always had a bad fear of being in front of people and I also have a condition called essential tremor which makes me very tremulous when I get anxious. Fortunately when I got on stage I was able to focus, not get nervous and kept the tremors to a minimum. Some guys, even in the masters, were quaking very badly and made my fine tremors look like nothing. I felt I did a decent job with my posing, not perfect but pretty good. Afterwards several people said that two other guys and myself were clearly the best novices, which was encouraging. We were allowed to ask the judges after the prejudging about our physiques. The comments I got were from different judges were: good symmetry, excellent conditioning, looks like a human anatomy chart, great calves and hamstrings, lower body stronger than upper body, chest needs work. Frankly I was surprised they thought my legs were that good and I was surprised by the chest comment.

Night show- After going home and eating a chicken breast and a sweet potato (still no water) I returned for the night show. This was the Big Deal for me. I had been up nights worrying how I was going to get through this. I had parents, friends and coworkers in the audience. I was going to be alone on stage with next to nothing on. If you had given me the choice the day before of going on stage or having a tooth pulled without anesthesia I would have handed you the pliers. Fortunately the prejudging had boosted my confidence and by the time it was my turn I was actually eager to get out there. I pretty much nailed my routine! I was so excited when I left the stage I forgot about the awards and staff was scrambling to find me to go back out because I was in the final three. The final three were the ones people had predicted. I got second place and was not disappointed in the least. The other two competitors had more experience (they had both competed before in NPC) and were much better at posing and had great physiques. I will say I felt the novice short class competitors were considerably better than the tall class and the guy who beat me easily beat the winner of the tall class for best overall novice.

Conclusion- I joined my family and friends to watch the rest of the competition. When I got back to my car there was a banner that said "Built Ford Tough" (my first name is Ford) signed by lots of my coworkers with well wishes. We all went out for pizza and had a great time. The competition was a great experience and I reached my goals of getting into shape, learning how to compete, following through and conquering my stage fright. I'm not sure if I will compete again but I have gained tremendous respect for people who do this sport.

I don't have many photos yet, friends have to email them to me, but here is one of the final 3 in the novice men's short class. I'm "tall" one and the guy in the center won best overall novice. I've also updated the pics on my profile page.

[Mr. Someday]

Nice work GSO - I told you you belonged up there!

You now have done something that 99.8% of all gym-goers will never do. Big time congrats!!

[bluffcolts]

Good job man! Look Great!

[goddessamazon]

I'm so proud of you! I've been watching your progress and I believed in you. I love reading your story it was as I was there. The best thing about those competitions is having your family and friends there to support you. No matter if you win or lose they always got your back.

Great Job and be sure to post some pics when you get them.

[joed]

Ya did good GSO. Congratulations.

[stachedwalker]

Congratulations, Ford ... on all you've achieved ... both visible and non-visible.

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Someday

Nice work GSO - I told you you belonged up there!

You now have done something that 99.8% of all gym-goers will never do. Big time congrats!!

X's 100

ed

[BaggyB]

Congrats on your first competition and thanks for sharing your story. It is very inspiring. I truly appreciate you sharing your story. Interested in getting there myself and this is very encouraging. That with dedication and serious effort it could be possible. Love your attitude and bravery for competing and sharing your adventure with us. You look great, and should consider competing again. Thank you.

That is awesome. Congratulations. From that picture it looks like you could have easily been the winner. Nice job.

[rmomjian]

Phenomenal work GSO. I've always thought you had the ideal physique, as far as the look I want for myself is concerned. It’s great to hear that you placed.

Looking at the pick, I'm surprised the guy in the center won. He of course looks great but he has absolutely no chest compared to you and the other guy. His legs look great though. The other guy seems to have a great chest and back, but your arms and shoulders look the best and your back seems there too. If anything, I think it should have been between you and the other guy. Anyway, just a personal observation.

One question, you said you were not counting calories/prot/carb, but with no cardio I figure you had to be very careful with your food intake when you were cutting. Do you know how much calories, protein and carbs you were taking in when you started cutting and can you please share? I am trying cut down on body fat now by eating clean (and doing cardio) so the info would be helpful. Thanks.

[Warneckutz]

That's awesome! Congratulations!

[Baldsnake]

I'm impressed. Congrats to you!! You need to do it again. You are a "natural". But, apparantly in that venue in order to win Best Novice next time you had better stop training pecs and delts.

[Chi_town]

Awsome Job !

I enjoyed reading your account of the day.

[IronIc]

Congrats!

[kmachate]

Great job!

[ChocoChick]

Congrats - you look great!

[ProOne]

That's outstanding GSO...congrats

[QUALITYGUY1]

Congratulations! Great accomplishment!

[Gunn27]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Congratulations on a fantastic achievement!

[BergMuscle]

Big thumbs up!!

[Tifflex]

Congratulations, you looked great!

[user464444132bbg]

Congrats GSO! You did well! I like your play by play on your experience. Thanks for sharing!

[mom24boys]

WOO HOO congrats and thanks for sharing your day.

[crazycelt]

Outstanding job, reps for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[trib2]

Originally Posted by GSOgymrat

I had been up nights worrying how I was going to get through this. I had parents, friends and coworkers in the audience. I was going to be alone on stage with next to nothing on. If you had given me the choice the day before of going on stage or having a tooth pulled without anesthesia I would have handed you the pliers.

LOL! Great job GSO. You look great.

[IR45N]

Big BIg BIG congratulations to you! Enjoy your moment and all it took to get there. Betting you'll be rarrin' to go for another one soon! Repped! (well, tried to).

[EYE FOR DETAIL]

As a former NPC judge in Indiana, your definition stands out....GREAT JOB

[deags]

OUTSTANDING!!!

Gives me great motivation for my November show!

Great job!

[Minotaur]

Originally Posted by GSOgymrat

I just completed my first bodybuilding competition and I got 2nd place in novice men's short class.

First time, and second place! Congratulations!

[bodyhard]

Congrats! That guy in the middle should not be standing next to you at all!