Contest weight

[zbuz]

How much lean body mass is the average loss during a complete precontest diet? Please only answer if you know by experience.

[str8flexed]

that is dependant on too many variables to give an accurate answer to

[latinmuscle]

the question is too general. maybe if you give us your hight, BF%, current weight we could guesstimate better.

[Xtreme4Life]

Originally posted by zbuz
How much lean body mass is the average loss during a complete precontest diet? Please only answer if you know by experience.

you might as well have asked 'how many gallons of water are in the ocean?'. j/k

personally, if you diet intelligently i don't think you should lose much muscle, if any. when i did one of those body improvment contests last year (not a bb show), i went from 164 with a gut (not sure on bf), to 153 at 5% bf completely shredded. i was gaining strength the entire time so i don't think i actually lost any muscle.

my advice is don't plan on losing muscle. try to gain strength and add muscle throughout the precontest phase. it might help if you start preparing an extra month or two longer than usual and drop the calories more gradually.

[zbuz]

I don't think anybody purposely tries to lose muscle. That's like trying to swim across the ocean. To be realistic I think if you are in peak condition i.e. strength along with size- to get shredded you are forced to reduce cal intake as in fat and carbs. This in turns causes a loss of strength. less fuel= less energy. Why do you think all the big boys such as Ronnie, Jay, Kevin and Lee all get HUGE in the off season? Reason, for size. If a top body builder continues to make as good a gains as ones who fatten up during the offseason than why do all the top pros still do it. Back to my question. I just wanted to hear specific stats from competing body builders their personal weight change. Such as what weight and body fat % they started and ended with.

[EricS]

Less energy does not mean a lack or loss in strenght. I lift as heavy as I do in the "offseason". It takes a bit more courage and guts to step under the squat bar when walking is hard enough as it is. But your muscles don't loose their contractability just becuse you are eating less.

Don't talk yourself into being weak.

[str8flexed]

Originally posted by EricS
Less energy does not mean a lack or loss in strenght. I lift as heavy as I do in the "offseason". It takes a bit more courage and guts to step under the squat bar when walking is hard enough as it is. But your muscles don't loose their contractability just becuse you are eating less.

Don't talk yourself into being weak.

no doubt...i don't lose strength until about 1-2 weeks out and that's only b/c the weight feels awkward from lack of fat around the joints.
Peace

[EricS]

Yeah that is kinda weird! My knees feel very undstable and shaky the last couple weeks.

I don't go lighter, but have to focus more on control and form so I don't break myself.

[str8flexed]

I don't purposefully try to go lighter but i find that i can't keep my form good if I don't. But if your losing strength before you get close to contest your doing something wrong. I think it's 90% a mental thing personally. You just have to go in with the mentality *I'm going to lift this f*cking weight diet or no* Hell I actually got stronger the first time I dieted for a contest. (btw this wasn't directed at you Eric but the one asking the question, I know that you know how to lift heavy )

[FlexnFX]

I agree that you don't have to get weaker on a contest diet. If you are providing your body with enough nutrients, then you can get stronger and gain muscle. Personally, I went from 209 to 188, but gained 2 lbs. of muscle for my last contest. I know 2 lbs. doesn't seem like much, but that's not too bad while preparing for a contest.