Re-feeding question for figure competitors

[jewelofnile]

Hi Ladies,

I compete in figure and have some questions for ya'll on re-feeding. For my last contest I decided only about 11 weeks out from the show to compete and I was at about 22% BF. I got down to 11% BF by contest day but I never did a re-feed or ANY cheat days. Of course, by contest day I was going nuts with cravings, etc.

I will start my next contest prep on 1 August for a 1 November and 22 November show. Who here 're-feeds' and who 'cheats?' If you do one versus the other, have you tried both and do you see a benefit of either/or? I also need some advice on how to actually incorporate a re-feed. Recommended caloric intake? How often to do it in an 18-week contest prep? Etc?

Thanks!

[rubes00]

I don't have any advice for you but I did want to congratulate you on the cut you did. Thats really amazing! Good Job

[jewelofnile]

Thanks, I appreciate it! It's always nice to hear. Your back is looking pretty good in your avitar!

[rubes00]

Well thanks! My problem is losing the stubborn fat

[Scarl3tbutt3rfly]

Ive only done one contest prep so far. But I stopped having cheats at 12 weeks out. However, I didnt ever go completely no carb or anything until right at the end. If you do no carb or super low carb you may need a refeed with clean carbs..but I wouldnt recommend cheats during contest prep.

There are others on here with WAY more experience however, that might give you some better advice.

[jewelofnile]

Thanks for the thoughts. I guess I was just doing small re-feeds and probably need to up those a bit. I've never cheated before so it's probably not something I'd start doing now.

Thanks!

[Beefcake Girl]

I do not take cheats if my body does not need them....when I contest prep, I diet hard and I do not give into cravings no matter what....it erases days if not weeks of hard work and I would be very irritated with myself if I did that!

I DO cheat when I am so lean that I need to hold onto some muscle and slow myself down a bit....but it is calculated and it's usually steak and a potato but no sweets. Other decent cheats are thin crust pizza with chicken and veggies or a chicken burrito from Chipotle. But it is ONE MEAL, not a day and not a binge. And usually I don't cheat at all til I am contest ready I may do it if I am doing multiple shows and trying to maintain but not before then...

I don't do refeeds either...I do not carb cycle, preferring to go on a steady diet that is the same every day and only changes every three weeks to keep my body stimulated.

I find I do better the longer I am away from foods that cause cravings for me...namely SUGAR!! But if I am super lean and I am told to eat a Blizzard, I will do it My trainer works things into our diets that help though...for girls with a sweet tooth, sometimes we get a shake or if we are further out from a show, a sugar free pudding or something. This helps.

I would say though, try to be tough and stick to a steady, consistent plan. If you do, you may not have to diet so long either...typical diets for figure girls that I know are about 12 weeks long...some, like mine, are shorter, even 6 weeks! You can do that if you work hard and stay strict when it counts

Good luck!

[jewelofnile]

Thanks for the sound advice. I appreciate all the advice I can get.