pre-contest

[fittchica]

I am competing in figure this Saturday, tryin to get some tips on what the girls eat directly before going onstage. I've heard everything to cake frosting,wine,raisins, you name it, I've heard it. Can anyone tell me why these simple sugars are important at that moment, and what has worked for you...Thanks!
-Gina

[Eric-B]

It's mainly to bring out vascularity and 'fullness' of the muscles. You could try something like rice cakes w/ honey, just make sure whatever you eat is sodium free. I've also heard of some people having a glass of red wine on contest day as well. The theory is the sugars in the wine will promote vascularity and the alcohol can be used as a diuretic. Unfortunately, you don't have a lot of time to experiment with what works best for you. That's really all I can offer at this point as I'm no expert, but good luck and let us know how it goes!

[fittchica]

thanks honey! I pray that I just have fun and learn. Learning, always learning in this sport,lol. Def. let ya know how it goes. Gotta go now, am allowed a 1/2 ounce sip of water now-better jump on it (kidding) THanks!

[Italianangel]

I use chocolate backstage, but keep almonds and a banana or rice cakes and honey or pb with me as well but normally get so excited I don't eat at all and just have oatmeal in the morn and start to nibble on the chocolate instead!
Usually I use a baked potato or no salt baked fries pre contest day, which for me is today! I has some pasta yesterday with tomato sauce as I was very flat.
you really have to monitor yourself but this is the first time I did pasta, over 10 yrs competing......takes time to get to know what your body will take and what it won't. I know people who eat full pecan pies the night before and I just could not stomach that.......others do pancakes, eggs, steak and fruit morning of..........again, could never eat that much at this point.....so it is all very personal. Take small steps and no big chances until you feel it out, the advice above was bang on, you are safe with no salt rice cakes or some oatcakes and honey. the oat cakes are just oats made wet enough to cook into cakes, nothing but oats n water. Almonds are safe and 10-15 mins pre stage you can go for the chocolate.
Linda

[labradarep]

Wow! That is a tough question to answer. Everyone is so different. Some people can tolerate high carb intakes prior to shows & others cannot(spill over). You need to experiment & keep a really detailed journal of times you ate, what you ate, amounts, etc... Take pics. This also helps. Also monitor the next couple of days after your contest. Many times people say they looked waaaayyyy better the day after. These are all clues as to how your body reacts to carb loads, fat loads, sodium, etc...

Best of Luck!!!

[fitnessprincess]

I realize that my response won't help you at this point but for those looking ahead to their comps in the next few weeks you might think about doing a trial run and seeing what your body responses to in advance - pick a day and then do your pre-contest food run. There is nothing worse than not planning and going by what works for someone else.

[dvsness]

I like to do a dry run 3-4 weeks out to gauge my reaction, both for timeline and amount of carbs. I hope you fared well and are more prepared next time!

[firecracker3]

I eat the same as I do leading up to it -- pretty much. I find this way I don't get any bloating etc. I save the chocolate (a moderate serving) for after the show....as IA said, I am too anxious and excited to think about eating much lol.....I wake up, eat dry oatmeal and plain chicken....a few hours later perhaps more chicken and some sweet potato and then some grapefruit or rasins while I pump up....sometimes things have to change up as there are some shows where you will have morning and night presentations, others are over with at once, while others still are over 2 days (eek, I hate those ones!)