Here is the story. I worked out for football from age 13-18. I took 2 years off when I got to college and started lifting in October of 2005. I joined BB.com soon after and have learned tons of info ever since. I started out at 165 lbs on Oct 11 when I started bulking. On Feb 25th I weighed it at 5'10 197 lbs and 6.5% bf on calipers. I have been on a strict cutting diet for Spring Break for 8 days now. But I recently learned about a BB comp here on April 22. A former BB at my gym said I should do it and he would give me everything I needed to compete (tan, etc) So I figured 'what the hey'. So i think im going to do it. So this is me 5 weeks out. Unfortunatly I have my last college spring break coming up in 2 weeks . So we'll see how my carb intake for that week goes. But i will start carb and sodium cycling 3 weeks out. Sorry for the terrible pics. No one was here to take them for me, so i was straining to flex and keep the camera steady. Better pics to come. (I know these arent correct poses, or even close)
P.S: Obviously my legs are my downfall. What else should I focus on?
youre pretty lean but theres no way you are 6.5% bodyfat in those pics. you are too smooth to be 6.5%. as far as the bodybuilding show, i would say you are probably a little behind. if you keep the diet clean over spring break with no alcohol, i think you can make it to competition shape.
youre pretty lean but theres no way you are 6.5% bodyfat in those pics. you are too smooth to be 6.5%. as far as the bodybuilding show, i would say you are probably a little behind. if you keep the diet clean over spring break with no alcohol, i think you can make it to competition shape.
Coming off my bulk I was suprised when I checked twice at 6.5-7. I will say those pics are a bit deceiving and I have much more striations than the pics show. I will get my roomie to take some pics of me pumped up. Today is my off day and I feel flat. Spring Break with no alchohol is not a question. SB has been planned for months, the contest just came to my attention a week ago. But I'm going to stay on my strict diet (minus a few cheat days with beer on SB) I have my training down to the T. Thanks!
what show are you doing? Also, April 22nd is 6 weeks from this saturday, not 5.
Don't have the details on it yet. It is here in Auburn Alabama at the high school. He just said it was an "all natural, amateur competition" I will get more info on it soon.
youre pretty lean but theres no way you are 6.5% bodyfat in those pics. you are too smooth to be 6.5%. as far as the bodybuilding show, i would say you are probably a little behind. if you keep the diet clean over spring break with no alcohol, i think you can make it to competition shape.
/\/\/\ I agree
At 6.5% it wouldn't matter what kind of lighting you had, you'd still appear lean as sh$#.
Coming off my bulk I was suprised when I checked twice at 6.5-7. I will say those pics are a bit deceiving and I have much more striations than the pics show. I will get my roomie to take some pics of me pumped up. Today is my off day and I feel flat. Spring Break with no alchohol is not a question. SB has been planned for months, the contest just came to my attention a week ago. But I'm going to stay on my strict diet (minus a few cheat days with beer on SB) I have my training down to the T. Thanks!
Being that close to competition time you should not be cheating and definitely not drinking beer. I think you should skip the comp and stick to your spring break plans, unless if you just want to do it for the experience and not come in looking as good as you possibly can. Competing takes more dedication than that.
Even if you still want to cheat during Spring Break you should still compete. You might not win but you have no idea what your competitors will look like. It will also be good to practice your posing in front of a lot of people.
Being that close to competition time you should not be cheating and definitely not drinking beer. I think you should skip the comp and stick to your spring break plans, unless if you just want to do it for the experience and not come in looking as good as you possibly can. Competing takes more dedication than that.
That is basically what im doing it for, experience. I have never even thought about doing a competition until the former BB in my gym said I should do it. SB with my friends takes priority over the competition at this point in my life (turning 21 in 2 weeks) Im still going to do with comp for fun, I will get in the best shape I can and see what happens.
I would say there is not enough time but that's my personal opinion. I would find another show and take at least 14-16 weeks to do it right. Also, no way you are 6.5%. I am sitting around that bodyfat and am much leaner.
All that said, if you want to do it for experience go for it. Better get in a TON of cardio and get your diet right, TODAY!
Trapz
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I would say there is not enough time but that's my personal opinion. I would find another show and take at least 14-16 weeks to do it right. Also, no way you are 6.5%. I am sitting around that bodyfat and am much leaner.
All that said, if you want to do it for experience go for it. Better get in a TON of cardio and get your diet right, TODAY!
Trapz
I agree, may not have enough time to get in "on stage" condition. You still look to be closer to 10% bf. You often have to add roughly 3% to skin caliper measurements. To ensure that you don't lose muscle, you should strive to lose 2lb's per week at this point. That would still put you around 5-6% bf by show time. This is assuming that you don't carry on with your spring break plans.
The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.- John 16:33
B.S., Exercise Sports Science - Texas State University
Being that close to competition time you should not be cheating and definitely not drinking beer. I think you should skip the comp and stick to your spring break plans, unless if you just want to do it for the experience and not come in looking as good as you possibly can. Competing takes more dedication than that.
bump, there's no way you should be drinking this close to a bodybuilding show. I realize you want experience, but why not give it 110% and find one later one? You would probably want to look your absolute best when you do get up there. If you had 12 weeks you'd be really cut up, with good size. Congrats on the physique you have built though. If you're able to look like that without dieting you must genetically gifted, and the legs didn't look that bad at all to me. BEst of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Thanks for all of the opinions guys! I realize im not in competition shape or even close simply b/c of the fact that I have been bulking for 5 months...4500 cals a day....not even close to eating clean. I have been doing a mini cut for SB and then this competion popped up and sounded like fun. I might just wait until next year or something. I will have more fun in Florida that way.
Thanks for the info about the calipers, that would have been nicer if the trianer at the gym had passed that little tid bit of info along to me.
First let me say WAR DAMN EAGLE. If I were you I would do the show because I was at the American Classic in Auburn last year and there was very little competition. I was 8 weeks out and I was as hard as most of the guys there. Go get some experience and have fun.
Sweet Christ, it's a local comp at a frickin High School, not the NPC Nationals. Do what you can to lean up, slap on some pro-tan and have fun. There will be plenty of opportunities to do things the "right way" in the future. Have fun and make it a learning experience. I guaruntee there will always be someone who shows up looking worse
"Ahoy, cap'n. Glad to see you weren't bested by the white whale or whatever the fuk you were doing out in the water."- theshoupguy
Sweet Christ, it's a local comp at a frickin High School, not the NPC Nationals. Do what you can to lean up, slap on some pro-tan and have fun. There will be plenty of opportunities to do things the "right way" in the future. Have fun and make it a learning experience. I guaruntee there will always be someone who shows up looking worse
Why do a show if you don't feel like you could win? Why diet and put yourself through all the hell if you don't want to present your best? Yes, at all competitions there are always "those" guys that shouldn't be there. But why put yourself through the embarassment? (Not referring to you Auburn, just making a statement to W8isGR8).
The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.- John 16:33
B.S., Exercise Sports Science - Texas State University
Why do a show if you don't feel like you could win? Why diet and put yourself through all the hell if you don't want to present your best? Yes, at all competitions there are always "those" guys that shouldn't be there. But why put yourself through the embarassment? (Not referring to you Auburn, just making a statement to W8isGR8).
I don't know, fun, experience, the chance to do something only a handful of people ever do.........If everyone waited until they felt 100% sure they'd win, nobody would ever compete. I've seen plenty of pics posted on this site from people who did comps that don't look all that great. I think everyone's mind is warped from spending too much time watching Pro's compete. Doing a comp caould give him that extra motivation to learn more, or train harder. The feedback he gets would be invaluable towards perfecting his physique. Not everyone can expect to walk into their first show and win the overall.
That being said, 5-6 weeks isn't a long time to practice posing, put together a routine, and basically prepare for a real competition. Also, if it is a big show, he probably would be better of waiting until a smaller show comes around. But if all he's worried about is coming in at 6% bodyfat instead of 4%, what's the big deal?
I wonder what some of you are going to do when you have kids
"Dad, can I play little league?"
"I don't think so son, do you think you could win the world series right now?"
"You're right dad, it's better for me to play it safe my whole life and not take any risks or chances, that way I'll never be disappointed in life"
"That's the right spirit son"
"Ahoy, cap'n. Glad to see you weren't bested by the white whale or whatever the fuk you were doing out in the water."- theshoupguy
Layne is right. Why rush/ Give yourself till late summer or fall. there are plenty of shows and you will present yourself in the best light. Why show
the judges less than your best? They tend to have long memories about that.
You need ample time to bulk, cut, and learn how to pose. Take your time and do it right.
You have good size and good potential brother...no doubt. That said, you are nowhere near lean enough. The goal is always to be stage ready at 2 weeks or so...nobody wants to crash diet and cost themselves muscle. I would not do the show if I were in your shoes. You will find that smart competitors plan the shows at LEAST a year in advance. Hell, I have mine planned out for the next two years! You need to time to grow, time to diet and time to prep. Be smart about it. Oh, and rule number 1 is NO CHEATING. This stuff is simply not for everybody...hence the reason our sport is not mainstream. If you have what it takes, welcome aboard...and if not, thats OK too. Just realize that your competition is taking this as serious as a heart attack...so if you hope to be competitive, you had better do the same. Good luck with your decision!
Sean
B.S. Exercise Science, Philosophy, Creighton University 2003
CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Member of TEAM KLEMCZEWSKI
www.thedietdoc.com
"His place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
I don't know, fun, experience, the chance to do something only a handful of people ever do.........If everyone waited until they felt 100% sure they'd win, nobody would ever compete. I've seen plenty of pics posted on this site from people who did comps that don't look all that great. I think everyone's mind is warped from spending too much time watching Pro's compete. Doing a comp caould give him that extra motivation to learn more, or train harder. The feedback he gets would be invaluable towards perfecting his physique. Not everyone can expect to walk into their first show and win the overall.
That being said, 5-6 weeks isn't a long time to practice posing, put together a routine, and basically prepare for a real competition. Also, if it is a big show, he probably would be better of waiting until a smaller show comes around. But if all he's worried about is coming in at 6% bodyfat instead of 4%, what's the big deal?
I wonder what some of you are going to do when you have kids
"Dad, can I play little league?"
"I don't think so son, do you think you could win the world series right now?"
"You're right dad, it's better for me to play it safe my whole life and not take any risks or chances, that way I'll never be disappointed in life"
"That's the right spirit son"
Your little quote is that of a defeatist.
I guess you didn't read the part about "present your best".
I agree, it is about the experience as a whole. But with that said, you don't want to get on stage and make fool of yourself either. It is about doing your absolute best.
The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.- John 16:33
B.S., Exercise Sports Science - Texas State University
I agree you are not 6.5% but DAMN it's not like you are a fat tub either. You have 5 weeks. You can definitely make it if you want to AND look good up on stage.
Bro there are literaly THOUSANDS of middle age guys who back in the day were at the place you are now. And most if not all would trade a HELL of alot to go back in time and go ahead with doing a BB show when others said they shouldn't. then they never get around to doing a show and they will always wonder what it would have felt like. I hear them talk about it all the time at the gym.
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. So we'll see how my carb intake for that week goes. But i will start carb and sodium cycling 3 weeks out. Sorry for the terrible pics. No one was here to take them for me, so i was straining to flex and keep the camera steady. Better pics to come. (I know these arent correct poses, or even close)
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