Realistic Goals and Competing

[deanna15]

This is a great post! It's even more work and harder when ur taller too. It took me 1yr to lose weight from my son, then about 6mths to bulk up(gain muscle) and another 6mths to lose bf % and I'm still not there. So yes its a lot of hardwork and takes a lot of training to compete. Good luck ladies!

[acannattadc]

I am a "newbie" to all of this but am looking forward to starting a lifelong transformation of myself and my body. This thread really helped me begin to set realistic goals for myself. My boyfriend and I are doing this together and I realize after reading this that my speed of progress may be different than his and not to get discouraged. I am 5'7" and 135, at 23% bf. When I tell my friends I am doing this, they ask me "Why? you look great and you're thin!" Not about being thin, its about being healthy and muscular. Maybe in a year or 2, I can compete, but for right now I am going to focus on creating a new lifestyle and the rest will come!!

[hieronymous]

Not about being thin, its about being healthy and muscular.

Being muscular doesn't necessarily mean being healthy either! Especially in the competitive circles.

[hayley1952]

great post thanks

[sarasunnysideup]

Thank you for all this wonderful information. I was feeling discouraged about only loosing 1% of body fat (21 to 20%) in 6 weeks, but now I realize this is realistic and good. I hope to get down to 17 -18% by June, so I think I am on track, just need to make some tweaks.

[boarchicken]

Adada

[tdigirl]

Thanks for posting this. I have been working very hard at the gym since the end of June and haven't seen much fat loss or weight loss. HOWEVER, I am a strong 183lb girl. I can out squat (355), press (455), and bench (115) most women and some of the guys at the gym. I think it's important to look at what the person is working toward before judging them in or out of the gym. I'm sure ladies at the gym think I'm fat and out of shape before they see me lift. I personally would never ever do any kind of contest, well maybe power-lifting, but can appreciate all the hard work that goes into any type of competition where you are out there in a little piece of material being judged.

[jumper11]

This is definitely worth taking the time to read for any person who is considering getting on stage. I was always taught that you DO NOT get on stage unprepared. I understand that many people compete for different reasons, but there is not a worse feeling than being backstage, getting into your suit, and seeing all the other competitors who look great and you know you are not on par.

People should definitely take the time to prepare their physiques before they decide to show them off.

[sy2502]

This is definitely worth taking the time to read for any person who is considering getting on stage. I was always taught that you DO NOT get on stage unprepared. I understand that many people compete for different reasons, but there is not a worse feeling than being backstage, getting into your suit, and seeing all the other competitors who look great and you know you are not on par.

People should definitely take the time to prepare their physiques before they decide to show them off.

I cringe when I see people in this forum start threads like "I used to be really heavy and now I lost 50lbs, and I am so proud of my accomplishments I am going to do a competition". If all you want to do is to show off your accomplishments, put your before and after pics on ********, or on your BodySpace.

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[hannah7733]

Im 5ft 3, 111lbs, and I would guess high teens body fat..18-20%? (probably best to look at pictures and judge for yourself)... so thats 88-91lbs lean body mass and 20-23lbs fat.
If I trained hard, ate right, done everything properly... how much lbm could I expect to gain and how much fat could I expect to lose in 28 weeks (6 and half months)?

[mommymakeover]

I would like to add in addition to needing to prepare your physique I think its prudent to get under the guidance of someone that knows HOW to prepare your physique for competition will give you HONEST feedback. There were things I was totally clueless. Posing, posing to highlight strengths and hide weaknesses, what happens back stage, being as dark as I am I still had to spray tan whaaaa?! I looked like a burnt piece of dry chicken walking around but was a nice golden brown on stage. Those stage lights are a beast. Who would have thought?

[kimm4]

This is definitely worth taking the time to read for any person who is considering getting on stage. I was always taught that you DO NOT get on stage unprepared. I understand that many people compete for different reasons, but there is not a worse feeling than being backstage, getting into your suit, and seeing all the other competitors who look great and you know you are not on par.

People should definitely take the time to prepare their physiques before they decide to show them off.

I was taught the same thing and I couldn't agree more! Well said!

[Kiffy2012]

Fantastic post for us newbies (especially those of us who would love to one day compete!). Thanks heaps.

[beebra]

really hepfull - thanks!

[Mamamuscles]

I am training for my first show and this really helps.. thanks so much!!

[sy2502]

I am training for my first show and this really helps.. thanks so much!!

What show will you be doing? Good luck with it!

[Mamamuscles]

What show will you be doing? Good luck with it!

I am going to do the Lackland Classic on Lackland AFB and thanks i am super nervous!!

[sy2502]

I am going to do the Lackland Classic on Lackland AFB and thanks i am super nervous!!

What class will you compete in? I mean Bikini, Figure, Fitness... etc?

[dmm5]

Thank you so much for this!

[samsthomson]

Awwesome!!!!!!!

[bherrod]

awesome stuff! I LOVE competing! Thanks for sharing!

[ek12c]

This is really great and educational but also a little discouraging...

I am a college student on a budget and I want to transform my body. Is this even possible without a trainer?

I am not overweight at all but I am the most out of shape I have ever been in my entire life.
I just want to be in the best shape of my entire life and I have estimated that to take 6 months for a year. Is this not realistic??

[JenniferLee85]

Love this! Thank you thank you!

[MayG03]

Great post!

[Sneza]

Will read this

[Makelaly]

Really impressed! Everything is very, very clear, open is a description of the problem. It contains the information.

[bestgym]

Excellent post.

[liftlaughlove01]

Good read thanks

[megdaig]

This is really great and educational but also a little discouraging...

I am a college student on a budget and I want to transform my body. Is this even possible without a trainer?

I am not overweight at all but I am the most out of shape I have ever been in my entire life.
I just want to be in the best shape of my entire life and I have estimated that to take 6 months for a year. Is this not realistic??

You can definitely do it without a trainer, we have a multitude of resources (internet ). Get on a decent program and get your diet in line with your goals....check this thread out... http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=150759963 it contains everything you need to know to get started.