26 Weeks outs (pics).. How am I doing?

[ADS0913]

First contest, competing in the novice bodybuilding division. Contest is at the beginning of October, about 26 weeks away. I currently weight about 180 lbs, what is my BF% from these pictures?

The novice division is being broken down into 3 classes, so the lightweight maxes out at 165.25, and middleweight is 187.25. Do you think I can make it down to lightweight?

3100 calories was my maintenance when I started my cut at about 187 lbs. I'm trying to do a very slow deficit, since I am so far out.

I obviously need posing help, but from these, how do I look 6 months out?

Weights 4x a week:

Back/Bi
Legs
Chest/Tri
Shoulders/Traps

HIIT 2x a week

Cardio 2x a week

[Exezy]

26 weeks.. good lord you look 12-15 weeks out tops. dont over diet

[Bnizzle163]

You will be plenty ready in 26 weeks. You can take it nice and slow and it will allow time to dial in . Good luck

[swiffty]

6 months out no cardio needed... great shape very pleasing to look at.

[ADS0913]

I guess I wanted to be on the safe, rather than the sorry side. Thanks for the input everyone, I didn't know how I was doing this far out. I just came off a pretty bad "bulk". Never really bulked before, and I did it the wrong way... ate anything and everything and completely lost my abs. Did gain about 20 pounds in 1.5 months though. I know I'll never bulk like that again.


How early did everyone start practicing their poses? Is a coach necessary, since it is my first competition?

[IronMan2010]

Layne norton has a few very good articles on posing. You should post up pics on here also off you attempting different poses, someone elses eye/view can always be alot of help

You are in very good nick for how far out you are. You should come in full and lean. Keep us updated.

[ADS0913]

From those pictures, what do you think my estimated body fat % currently is? Do you think I can cut down to 165?