**Your First Competition Experience**

[Goose102]

My first show is in November. I will be competing in the teen division.

I will contribute to this thread after the show is over.

But for you veterans, post up your:

-Experience of your first show.
-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?
-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.
-Why did you start competing?
-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?
-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?
-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
-Add anything that you want.
-What was the first meal you had after the show?
-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?

If you are in the process of preping for your first show, go ahead and answer what you can. I'd like to hear what you guys have to say as well.

Reps will be handed out to anyone who contributes!

EDIT: More questions added.

[Justin.Martin]

Well Goose, I am competing in my first show this Saturday and I will let you know how it goes, but I can answer some of your questions now.....

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?
The hardest part was keeping up with everything going on around me. I would find myself spacing out at work, losing focus, tired and grumpy at times. Its just the calorie deficit and I got through it.

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.
So far, these past few days I have been really pumped and feeling like I dont want to go to sleep because I am so excited.

-Why did you start competing?
I wanted to start competing at first because I knew it would force me to get in the best shape of my life, but honestly after reading, meeting, and learning from some really great people and natural competitors, it has become more of an art form to me. I love the aspect of sculpting and building my perfect body.

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?
For the most part you can check out my lifts and stuff from my log in my signature

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?
I am coming in lighter than what I thought I was going to, but I am the leanest I have ever been.

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
I have had big help from people on here, but I have received the most help from WNBF Pro Rich Lauro and WNBF Pro James McGuire at Beyond Limits Training. Workouts, Diet, Posing...they do it all there.

Just have fun with it man. I will say this, Bodybuilding has truly changed my life and made me a better person.

[Bnizzle163]

My first show is in November. I will be competing in the teen division.

I will contribute to this thread after the show is over.

But for you veterans, post up your:

-Experience of your first show.
-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?
-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.
-Why did you start competing?
-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?
-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?
-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
-Add anything that you want.

If you are in the process of preping for your first show, go ahead and answer what you can. I'd like to hear what you guys have to say as well.

Reps will be handed out to anyone who contributes!

I've only competed once but here goes :

- The experience was awesome. I had a blast!

- Hardest part during prep was the emotional mind f*** and shaving . Easiest part would have to be lifting and cardio, because I just love to be in the gym!

- My mindset was just to get out there and give it my all. I am a very competitive person and really enjoy a good challenge. I was a bit nervous, but right after my first round of prejudging, I had a huge smile on my face. After the show, even though I didn't win, I felt victorious.

- I decided to compete because I was pretty pleased with the progress I've made. I wanted to see how I would measure up to other competitors. I didn't really know there was a such thing as NATURAL competitive bodybuilding until I found this contest prep section.

- I followed the cut diet by Scivation. I used a hybrid of Layne Nortons power/hypertrophy program toward the beginning and then switched over to Peak Pyramid training by Scivation.

- No. I wasn't as lean as I wanted and I was very flat (hey, it's a learning experience )

- I had help by following the cut diet.

- I will not follow the cut diet for prep again. Although it did help me lean out rather quickly, I realize there is no cookie cutter diet for everyone. People are very different and will respond differently using different methods. My body likes carbs. I looked much leaner, fuller and more vascular a week after my show when ramping up my carbs. But, like I said, it's a learning experince

[Goose102]

Well Goose, I am competing in my first show this Saturday and I will let you know how it goes, but I can answer some of your questions now.....

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?
The hardest part was keeping up with everything going on around me. I would find myself spacing out at work, losing focus, tired and grumpy at times. Its just the calorie deficit and I got through it.

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.
So far, these past few days I have been really pumped and feeling like I dont want to go to sleep because I am so excited.

-Why did you start competing?
I wanted to start competing at first because I knew it would force me to get in the best shape of my life, but honestly after reading, meeting, and learning from some really great people and natural competitors, it has become more of an art form to me. I love the aspect of sculpting and building my perfect body.

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?
For the most part you can check out my lifts and stuff from my log in my signature

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?
I am coming in lighter than what I thought I was going to, but I am the leanest I have ever been.

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
I have had big help from people on here, but I have received the most help from WNBF Pro Rich Lauro and WNBF Pro James McGuire at Beyond Limits Training. Workouts, Diet, Posing...they do it all there.

Just have fun with it man. I will say this, Bodybuilding has truly changed my life and made me a better person.

So all in all, it was well worth all the effort?

Great response.

I've only competed once but here goes :

- The experience was awesome. I had a blast!

- Hardest part during prep was the emotional mind f*** and shaving . Easiest part would have to be lifting and cardio, because I just love to be in the gym!

- My mindset was just to get out there and give it my all. I am a very competitive person and really enjoy a good challenge. I was a bit nervous, but right after my first round of prejudging, I had a huge smile on my face. After the show, even though I didn't win, I felt victorious.

- I decided to compete because I was pretty pleased with the progress I've made. I wanted to see how I would measure up to other competitors. I didn't really know there was a such thing as NATURAL competitive bodybuilding until I found this contest prep section.

- I followed the cut diet by Scivation. I used a hybrid of Layne Nortons power/hypertrophy program toward the beginning and then switched over to Peak Pyramid training by Scivation.

- No. I wasn't as lean as I wanted and I was very flat (hey, it's a learning experience )

- I had help by following the cut diet.

- I will not follow the cut diet for prep again. Although it did help me lean out rather quickly, I realize there is no cookie cutter diet for everyone. People are very different and will respond differently using different methods. My body likes carbs. I looked much leaner, fuller and more vascular a week after my show when ramping up my carbs. But, like I said, it's a learning experince

Props to you for not having anyone to help you with your prep. What was your first meal after the show was over?

[Justin.Martin]

So all in all, it was well worth all the effort?

Hands down answer, Yes.

[Bnizzle163]

So all in all, it was well worth all the effort?

Great response.


Props to you for not having anyone to help you with your prep. What was your first meal after the show was over?

My first meal was epic. I had a big greasy bacon cheeseburger with fries, I also had this chicken quesadilla thing for an appetizer, I ate the rest of my gf's fries, I had a slice of chicago style deep dish pizza... then I got back to the hotel and had a couple pb sandwiches. I felt fine until about 4 in the morning when I woke up sweating my ass off. Ended up dry heaving a few times lol.

[AustrianOakJr]

If my first show was not a great experience I probably wouldnt be here today doing what I am doing. I did my first show in Oct '08. My mindset going in was just to get on stage and try the sport out.....and look like I belonged there.......i had little expectations for placing because I hadnt so much as seen a natural show in my life. The hardest part was perhaps being a bit clueless when it came to the diet. I had a pretty good idea of dieting basics but I did not track or count anything very diligently, I cut my carbs too low, and I didnt give myself long enough to diet. For the time I thought I came in looking pretty good but I simply wasnt lean enough for a win. I placed second in the novice middle weight class (out of 7 or 8 guys, i think). I had an absolute blast and the feeling of hitting the stage and the energy of the whole experience has gotten me hooked pretty good. I wasnt expecting that. Afterward, I stuffed myself full of Duffs (the original) Buffalo wings, and ice cream (which almost made me pass out) and had a really great time with family and friends who joined me. It was a HUGE learning experience which set me up to place much better in my next set of shows.

[Webber91]

Well I've only done 1 show, but here goes...

-Experience of your first show.

The most amazing thing you could ever imagine. When you put everything you do into something, and it's all you think about for 20+ weeks, getting on stage is the most rewarding feeling. I actually cried afterwards thinking back to all the tough workouts, all the times I fell down during squats or nearly passed out doing hill sprints and got back up thinking "f*ck this, keep going, you want it", and the time I had food poisoning and was throwing up while training chest lol It's when you realise that everything you did was worth it.

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?

Hardest = coping with peoples comments on how I look "unwell"
Easiest = Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Even carbing up was hard because I had to limit myself.

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.

Before - Super motivated, walking around in my own little sort of meditation mode. It was surreal.
After - In a state of overwhelming bliss. It's indescribable.

-Why did you start competing?

I wanted to prove to myself that if I put my mind to something, I can do it.

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?

I followed Layne's contest prep that is on this site, my lifting was sort of hybrid. Train 6 days a week, as heavy as I could, as I intense as I could until I failed on almost everything.

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?

Placing? No way. But everyone on the day told me that I should have placed better. It doesn't bother me, any sport with judges is going to be subjective, so I won just by getting there.

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?

I had a posing coach in the last 4 weeks, that's it.

-Add anything that you want.

YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO DARK! I made this mistake.

-What was the first meal you had after the show?

Italian/Asian buffet...it wasn't one meal, but 11.

-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?

So much so that I'm 1 day out from my next one, even though my first was only last weekend.

[MAX.MAREK]

-Experience of your first show.
it was amazing time onstage. i was nervous at first, but when i got out there, and heard my supporters cheer me on, i really got comfortable, and felt the "journey has come to it's ultimate point"

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?
id say wondering what to eat etc. i didnt have anyone helping, or any resources to go off of. i just did what i thought was right. the food was the trickiest part.

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.
i was nervous at big. didnt know how the process was gonna run. didnt know how my competition was gonna look compared to myself. When i finished the contest, i congratulated myself, and felt i came in as good/better as my competitors, even though it was my first run at it all.

-Why did you start competing?
needed a new goal to just being fitness oriented and weight lifting. needed a meaning for it all. plus, i was a huge arnold schwarzenegger fan, and still am, so i said to myself "if he did it, why dont i do it atleast once"

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?
chicken, brown rice, oatmeal, asparagus, salmon, orange roughy, ezekiel breads, whey proteins, glutamine, vitamins. those were my staples.

for training it was hard n heavy n lots of volume, but i didnt do too much cardio. wish i did more though.

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?
i think so lol i didnt know what to expect. especially during the final week. i was amazed i can honestly say during the final week deplete/dehydration. i felt like complete CRAP. but i was amazing what came in. BUT i did place 2nd in middleweight novice, and 3rd in middleweight open. so i was stoked for my first show placings. it was all worth it at those moments

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
none.

-Add anything that you want.
ya. fish and asparagus for too long really makes bad poo hahaha

-What was the first meal you had after the show?
SUSHI!!!

-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?
well, i enjoyed the experience so much, got some great recognition for all my hard work, so i felt i wanted to keep doing it. really makes me feel great, and love having a fitness goal each year, then just working out. it gives a purpose to each moment i step into the gym.

some first comp photos from 2008

[Goose102]

Some great responses. Bump for more

[Goose102]

So much so that I'm 1 day out from my next one, even though my first was only last weekend.

How did you place in your second show?

[Rsardinia]

I was very nervous about the whole pre-show prep with the application of the tan and the carbing up process so that I looked good but not spilled over. I was also very nervous about the individual posing routine because I had no problem doing the mandatories with the other competitors on stage with me, however the routine scared the crap out of me. I didn't like the thought of being on stage alone. Aside from all the nervousness, it was a blast to be up there and compete knowing you looked your best and winning the show's overall on top of that was awesome. I didn't see that coming at all and that obviously gave me a great experience to walk away with the Heavyweight trophy as well as the sword for the overall and a pro card.

[Goose102]

I was very nervous about the whole pre-show prep with the application of the tan and the carbing up process so that I looked good but not spilled over. I was also very nervous about the individual posing routine because I had no problem doing the mandatories with the other competitors on stage with me, however the routine scared the crap out of me. I didn't like the thought of being on stage alone. Aside from all the nervousness, it was a blast to be up there and compete knowing you looked your best and winning the show's overall on top of that was awesome. I didn't see that coming at all and that obviously gave me a great experience to walk away with the Heavyweight trophy as well as the sword for the overall and a pro card.

Yeah that part has me a little nervous as well. But i'll only be out there alone for a few moments. I think it'll be well worth it.

[rewaste]

-Experience of your first show.

It was Insane the pumping room was just crazy everybody was helping each other with oils and just positive.
-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?

Hardest part for me was since at that time I was In the Army and part of 2/10th SFG I was subject to deployment at anytime which always in the back of my mind **** I'll prep and the last week I'll get deployed but I focused on the Goal.
-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.

Focus is key I pictured me on the stage After the Show I went over what I could of done better.
-Why did you start competing?

I always looked up to a good Friend of mine Vince Taylor which I met while Stationed in Germany and he just inspired me.
-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?

Diet was strict Eggs, Rice, tuna, chicken. Water and vitamins. I stayed heavy as long as I could just cut the rest to 15-20 secs.
-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?

You know I wanted to win but also just to place which I did from a field of 10 I got 3rd

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
In Germany ya Vince helped me and when I go to the states for my 30day leave Jimmy Flood the owner of Uptown Gym Whitter at the time. He has several contests under his belt.

-Add anything that you want.
I think it should be a goal and most important fun.

-What was the first meal you had after the show?
Pancakes alot of them lol
-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?
Yes it did I did another show 2 years after that since in between I was deployed. I had to stop after 95 though untill I Ret. from the Army.
Here is a Photo of my first show.

[Goose102]

Awesome response. Bump for more.

[AlwaysTryin]

How did you place in your second show?

He didn't but he did look even better than his first show and enjoyed it once again! Sure he will add more! (and his meals after lol)

[Goose102]

He didn't but he did look even better than his first show and enjoyed it once again! Sure he will add more! (and his meals after lol)

You his gym partner? lol

[BaFtub]

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?

Hardest: Taking the countless low blows that came with dieting. Be it "you look anorexic, cancer patient-ish" or just flat out tiny with an ED. That and the countless arguments with the GF..who's not an ex.

Easiest: Hitting macro's/doing cardio

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.

I want to get this phucking OVER WITH! LOL. "Will I even place?" After the show was over it took a while for everything to set in.. As did the massive bloat of binging post show haha.

-Why did you start competing?

Goal of my own. That with the fact that I've been doubted my entire life. I did the show to prove to myself that I am disciplined along with being able to lead an ordinary life.

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?

Specified Macros with a frankenstein routine!

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?

I wanted to be more conditioned but happy enough with my placing. Next season!

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?

That I did. Alberto Nunez! (www.3dmusclejourney.com ! )

-Add anything that you want.

Don't play the size game get that ass striated

-What was the first meal you had after the show?

Boxes of oatmeal cookies/debbie cakes. Chex mix.. Doritos..LOL

-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?

Lit a fire under my ass! I caught the bug and plan on doing this for many years to come. It was a great experience that many people should undergo.. Fun and all that ish!

[Goose102]

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?

Hardest: Taking the countless low blows that came with dieting. Be it "you look anorexic, cancer patient-ish" or just flat out tiny with an ED. That and the countless arguments with the GF..who's not an ex.

Easiest: Hitting macro's/doing cardio

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.

I want to get this phucking OVER WITH! LOL. "Will I even place?" After the show was over it took a while for everything to set in.. As did the massive bloat of binging post show haha.

-Why did you start competing?

Goal of my own. That with the fact that I've been doubted my entire life. I did the show to prove to myself that I am disciplined along with being able to lead an ordinary life.

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?

Specified Macros with a frankenstein routine!

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?

I wanted to be more conditioned but happy enough with my placing. Next season!

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?

That I did. Alberto Nunez! (www.3dmusclejourney.com ! )

-Add anything that you want.

Don't play the size game get that ass striated

-What was the first meal you had after the show?

Boxes of oatmeal cookies/debbie cakes. Chex mix.. Doritos..LOL

-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?

Lit a fire under my ass! I caught the bug and plan on doing this for many years to come. It was a great experience that many people should undergo.. Fun and all that ish!

Thanks for contributing. Repped.

Couple questions: How much cardio did you do? what kind? HIIT? Did you use the bike or run. or...?

Also, how long did you stay lean after the show?

[Goose102]

bump for more

[BaFtub]

Thanks for contributing. Repped.

Couple questions: How much cardio did you do? what kind? HIIT? Did you use the bike or run. or...?

Also, how long did you stay lean after the show?

Ill rep back.

Cardio: 2 sessions of LISS (20 minutes) , 2 sessions of HIIT cardio: 5 min warm up 15 min interval 15 min cool down. Originally was 10 min of intervals.

I rebounded slooooowly post show but binged as some (most) do. slowly bumped macro's.. Probably stayed below 10 for 4-6 months post show. I bulked from April 2009 to June 2010 (so from my show to june ish) with no mini cuts at all, as I kept it much cleaner than previously

[Goose102]

Ill rep back.

Cardio: 2 sessions of LISS (20 minutes) , 2 sessions of HIIT cardio: 5 min warm up 15 min interval 15 min cool down. Originally was 10 min of intervals.

So, you did 2 sessions (20 mins) and the 2 sessions of hiit everyday?

[DerickNW]

This is a great thread. I'll post MY complete experience after my show in nine days!

[Goose102]

This is a great thread. I'll post MY complete experience after my show in nine days!

Awesome. Reps await your post.

[ErickStevens]

BRB in 46 days.

[Goose102]

BRB in 46 days.

Will be here. That also the same amount of days i'm out. Gl man.

[MAX.MAREK]

Will be here. That also the same amount of days i'm out. Gl man.

im currently 367days out minimum hahaha

[dwcsoup22]

2 days out Will let you know soon!

[Goose102]

im currently 367days out minimum hahaha

Haha awesome!

2 days out Will let you know soon!

Don't forget to update us. Will rep upon update.

[Zaneseed]

-What was the hardest/easiest part during contest prep?
the hardest part was making it through the day without going to jail for assault. especially when people told me to stop doing deads and focus on higher reps. ****s

-Include your mindset before the show, compared to after the show was over.
my mindset was that i'm proving something to myself by sticking to my decisions. that nothing worth having is gonna be easy to get.
and after the comp i was like oh crap i better get to bed i have to get up early and do cardio...OH WAIT!!

-Why did you start competing?
my mum was a bodybuilder, and i'm inspired by people serving overseas and people in strenuous occupations who still make the time to look after their body and go through the rigors of contest prep. i've fallen in love with this lifestyle

-What was your diet plan/lifting routine?
traditional low cal, low carb diet with daily cardio. my lifting was heavy and lots of volume, i remember pulling a PB on the deadlift two weeks out. a couple of weeks ago i did the same thing 5 days out lol

-Did you end up coming in where you wanted?
i wasn't as conditioned as i would have liked, but i didn't have much of an idea of what to expect, having only seen 1 competition before that. but the lessons learned were priceless

-Did you have any prep help from outside sources?
no i don't personally like the idea of having a trainer, i prefer to make my own mistakes and learn from them

-Add anything that you want.
size impresses, but conditioning wins contests

-What was the first meal you had after the show?
pizza hut. 23 pieces of pizza plus dessert. i was in intense pain for the rest of the day

-Did your first show make you want to continue to compete?
hell yeah. without a doubt. i've finished my second comp and will make the most of my brief offseason until next may where i will do my 3rd at the brisbane titles