Energy Level during contest prep.

**Blahzay128** · 10-13-2002, 04:17 PM

Whats up everyone, I was wondering if you all experienced a significant loss in your energy level during your contest prep. I am 4 1/2 weeks out and on most days (besides my refeed day) I feel pretty beat.....my legs feel weak, and my whole body just feels kinda empty....I just wanted to know all your experiences because I didnt know if it was something i was doing wrong or if it is something that you pretty much should expect before a contest.....My workouts are still pretty good, and theres not much of a loss of strength as far as weights go, its just I have to push myself a little harder....Let me know what you all think, and your feeling (physically) when you have all prepped...

If possible, let me know how u felt even closer to show time

Thanks!!!

**jay1514929** · 10-14-2002, 06:43 AM

Just wait until you get closer/leaner and start cutting more.

The gas, the diurea, constant headaches, blurred vision, Foggy brain, I am 12 days out and the only way I am sitting here at work is thanks to 3 cups of coffee and my personal E/C/A combo.

Keep working, it's ALL WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**fitforlife** · 10-14-2002, 01:39 PM

I never have competed, but I did get down to about 5% bodyfat one time and it was all I could do just to stand up. That is the worst I have ever felt in my life, but the most ripped I have ever been. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. What kept me going is thinking about that celebration meal after I got to were I wanted. Recently, I was watching a special on the Navy Seals and what they went through during training. I mean, it was INSANE! After watching that, I know that I could be in a worse situation pain and starving wise and that somehow keeps me going. I will never forget what one of the Navy Seal candidates said,"Yea, it is brutal. But, ha, it is only a few weeks out of your life." He was one of the 20% that made it. Good luck!

**gymstud2002** · 10-15-2002, 05:47 PM

My experience hasn't been that bad. Yeah, I have real low energy days, but my diet has twice weekly carb-up meals (Mon and Thurs nights) up to the very end and that seems to help. Only time that I was really wiped out was a week between shows when I stayed low carb, low fat all week and skipped the carb up meals. Just did two shows a week apart and was feeling pretty good. You might try some late night carbs Mon and Thurs -- you might feel better and they'll spike your metabolism, assuming you're doing the low carb thing.

**str8flexed** · 10-17-2002, 08:57 AM

It is normal unfortunately. Are you timing your carbs how I suggested?
Peace

**latinmuscle** · 10-17-2002, 12:51 PM

I don't even drive the last week before a show. I tend to feel very distracted, and I notice my reflexes are slower.

one time, when I was training for Mr. Philadelphia. I was a trafic light, it changed to green but I guess my brain didn't register it and I stayed there until a car got behind me and beeped the horn.
It was scary.

**Blahzay128** · 10-17-2002, 04:03 PM

Str8....Everything seems to be going well....I am now a little less than 4 weeks out....so it is coming to the homestretch.....My energy has definitely decreased but Im doing everything as you have said (cant wait for my refeed on Sat.) My bodyfat has decreased, and the veins are coming out nicely.....I began tanning last week to get a nice base for the contest.....I still have to get rid of some bodyfat, but im hoping with the remaining time and diet, it should take care of itself......I do have a question for you, In your contest experience (or anyone else who wants to post to this) when did you really have that contest ready look....Ive heard 2 days out, 1 week out, etc. etc.

Right now im 4 weeks, and although not looking bad, im wouldnt dare step on a stage...let me know what you think? and also any other advice for the remaining cutting period

Thanks

**str8flexed** · 10-17-2002, 05:29 PM

I never looked contest ready til midway through the last week when i carb and sodium deplete. I hold quite a bit of water so this makes a big difference on me.
Peace

**gymstud2002** · 10-17-2002, 07:05 PM

As long as you're making steady progress, don't sweat it and don't make any dramatic changes to what you're doing. Everybody's different. And for a lot of us, the last week is when things really change. You probably won't notice as much as others who don't see you every day. And if you do more than one comp, the improvements between shows can be real dramatic. Good luck!

**jay1514929** · 10-18-2002, 05:50 AM

OK, I NEED HELP. THIS IS JUST MY LUCK!

I am 8 days out and I just contracted a Sinus infection. I am taking amoxacillian but I am really worried. Yesterday I had a 102 fever. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET RID OF THIS??? I need to train tonight (no matter how I feel). Please make suggestions, I currently upped my BCAA / VIT "C" intake to about 5000 milligrams and 6000 milligrams respectively. ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO?

**str8flexed** · 10-18-2002, 06:35 AM

do not train! u must get better if you are sick you will hold more water. to glycogen deplete, drop your carbs even lower, but do not train, it will only worsen the situation.
peace

**jay1514929** · 10-18-2002, 06:43 AM

Well, I already took yesterday off. Can I do cardio? I may work bi's since they have been my weak spot. I finished up legs, chest, tri's, back, and shoulders already.

**jay1514929** · 10-18-2002, 06:54 AM

You know the worst thing about being home sick? I am that much more hungry... Try carb depleting and cutting calories (currently at around 1200 to 1400) when you feel sick... lol

Go ahead and just tell me I am being a big Pvssy!

**tweeter37** · 10-21-2002, 12:05 PM

I'm 26 days out from my first show and I'm barely holding on! It's hard enough to find the energy to get my ass out of bed, let alone lift 6 days a week and do cardio 7 days a week, but it's worth it!!! Honestly, the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning is knowing I get to eat my oatmeal! I NEED CARBS!!!

**AsianOak** · 03-13-2003, 10:05 PM

Damn low carb days. Talk about weak. I work fed-ex preload and have almost passed out twice. I am 15 days out from contest and I just dont know how else to do it. Training is still good but work is hell.

**Azmodeus** · 03-14-2003, 05:51 PM

I'm three weeks out tomorrow and I know exactly how you feel. I get up in the morning and do my cardio, then I feel ok for about three or four hours, after that I feel as if I'm just dragging myself through the day waiting to go back to bed. During the last couple of hours of the day I feel pretty messed up. I don't like leaving the house at that time because I feel kind of like I'm drunk. Disoriented and very slow thinking and slow reacting.

**ManofSteel** · 03-14-2003, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by Azmodeus
I'm three weeks out tomorrow and I know exactly how you feel. I get up in the morning and do my cardio, then I feel ok for about three or four hours, after that I feel as if I'm just dragging myself through the day waiting to go back to bed. During the last couple of hours of the day I feel pretty messed up. I don't like leaving the house at that time because I feel kind of like I'm drunk. Disoriented and very slow thinking and slow reacting.

What contest are you doing?

**Azmodeus** · 03-15-2003, 03:45 PM

NPC Gopher State April 5th in Minnesota

**nat_l athlete!** · 03-23-2003, 11:20 AM

My advice - warn everyone you're close with. Likely you'll be spewing nasty comments at them all!

**ashley97** · 03-23-2003, 06:50 PM

Someone hear mentioned getting constant headaches when it came close to show time. I'm one week out and I just started getting really bad headaches....esp today and I was wondering what was causing it, it seems they come and go constantly. Does anybody have an idea what this could be from? I also just started taking the new Hydroxycut, maybe thats whats causing it?

**str8flexed** · 03-23-2003, 06:55 PM

possibly from hypoglycemia...low blood sugar. Are you in depletion mode?

**AsianOak** · 03-24-2003, 10:35 PM

Amen ashley, I am exactly 5 days out from a Mr. Natural Arizona and just about completed my second carb depletion day. Headaches in the morning during my workouts eh pretty much all day. No hydroxycut though. I have been taking some supplement called migraplex(basically 300mg magnesium ,250mg taurine). It was 99 cents on sale at GNC, so I decided to try it out. It helps during the day but I still get the headaches in the morning.

**nat_l athlete!** · 03-24-2003, 10:40 PM

AsianOak & Ashley97:

Good luck with your upcoming contests!

**AsianOak** · 03-24-2003, 10:46 PM

Thanks Nat'l Athlete. I will post pics as soon as it is all over. Then its Pizza Hut, Hooters and Dairy Queen. EVERYONE'S INVITED!

**nat_l athlete!** · 03-24-2003, 10:51 PM

Ya, I know the feeling. Only for me it will be chocolate bars, chocolate cake, and chocolate cheesecake. & NO protein!!!

Are you also planning on doing the Musclemania Canada? or FAME? Those are the 2 events I am gearing towards. They should be great. Last year there was 103 athletes! I plan on taking the title and all the prizes!

Check out the sites: www.wnso.com /// www.fitnessandmodelexpo.com

Actually more contests is probably the farthest thing from your mind right now!

**jay1514929** · 03-25-2003, 06:42 AM

My first show was in October and I never knew how badly the cravings get for food. I went out with some friends / competitors and basically I gained 24 pounds within the first 3 days. lmao

**ashley97** · 03-25-2003, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the good luck!!! I will also post pics when I am done with the show!! I am so excited about the food afterward!!

**laulau418** · 03-25-2003, 10:33 AM

I am 7 weeks out from my first contest and the last few weeks I have been saying to everyone - I don't know why everyone complains that this is so hard - it isn't really that bad -
well, the last 4 or 5 days have been a wake up call for me -
I can barely drag my ass out of bed in the morning to go to work on time, let alone go do cardio!
LMAO!
And I am seriously starting to feel like I am turning into a tunafish!

I know it will all be worth it in the end - Lots of luck to all of you!
your dedication and determination is inspiring!

**jay1514929** · 03-25-2003, 10:41 AM

It's all very true. Good job and keep it up.

I just started the CKD diet today and I am already missing carbs, not really but cottage cheese really sucks. I just ate a blend of chopped beef, tuna, 3 slices of cheese, and ranch dressing. YUM!

I am going to go a little batty with this diet.

**Azmodeus** · 03-25-2003, 11:30 AM

11 days to go. This week my workouts have really begun to suffer. My strength has declined, my motivation to lift is just not there and my energy level is so low.

Thread: Energy Level during contest prep.

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Energy Level during contest prep.

HELP!!!!!

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions