22 weeks

[scrossmaggard]

Hello,

I am wondering if my body can dig in and get into respectable shape for my first competition. I’m about 22 weeks out and wondering if I am too fat for 22 weeks, or if I should diet, take a break, then diet down again for a later competition? Please see current pics on IG https://www.instagram.com/p/BtqZFgoh...d=87r87sf3265o

I’m 5’9” and 250.6 lbs. not sure of BF percentage either.

Please let me know what you think. Please be brutally honest.

Thanks in advance.

[smokinal]

Man, that's a tough one bud. It's hard because I've never seen you at ~220 which is roughly where you would fall if you did a safe cut. What I mean is, to preserve muscle as you cut, you want to lose around 1-1.5 lbs per week = ~30 lbs. You could go more aggressive with the cut but you risk losing muscle doing that.

You look like you have some mass under there, I just can't tell whether you would be lean enough at 5-9 @220...that's still a big boy!

You're thinking bodybuilding division I assume?

[scrossmaggard]

Bodybuilding yes. I guess I could see how I’d look in 10 weeks and make a stab at it then. I’m afraid I don’t have enough time to present an impressive physique by mid July, but will keep on the plan and post back then. Nothing will be lost from that I guess. Like you stated 1.5 for 20 weeks is 30 pounds.

[nickodemus]

I think you have a long road ahead of you, but I say dig in, and see what happens.

[scrossmaggard]

Thank you both. I’m gonna give it a run the next 10 weeks and re-assess from there.

[Ruben777]

I personally would get down to an offseason bodyfat percentage of 8-10% (and stay there year round, other than onseason), and then enter an onseason diet for a competition, so that by contest day, you will be lower than 8-10% bodyfat.

I would not be any higher than 8-10% bodyfat, before starting an onseason diet for a bodybuilding competition.

[TrainBeastMode]

Hello,

I am wondering if my body can dig in and get into respectable shape for my first competition. I’m about 22 weeks out and wondering if I am too fat for 22 weeks, or if I should diet, take a break, then diet down again for a later competition? Please see current pics on IG https://www.instagram.com/p/BtqZFgoh...d=87r87sf3265o

I’m 5’9” and 250.6 lbs. not sure of BF percentage either.

Please let me know what you think. Please be brutally honest.

Thanks in advance.

I think you should shoot for a Sep/Oct show if I am being honest. That would give you another 2-3 months to safely lose another 12-18 pounds. I think coming in at 220, you still wouldn't be lean enough. You have some nice wheels on you, but I think you have more to lose than 30 lbs. You can lose it faster, but I think you'll sacrifice some size and that is harder to get back. Bodybuilding would definitely suit your frame, just gotta lean it out a lot more than if you were going to do physique. You have the wheels for bodybuilding, so I would definitely stick with that. No rush to get on stage, make sure you're bringing the best version of you though when you do finally get on stage.

On a side note, I see you are from Yukon, OK. I am getting ready to move back to OKC from Germany here shortly in the next few weeks. I'm no personal trainer, nor am I a coach, but I've done my fair share of competing in both physique and bodybuilding. I'd be happy to help with anything related to it once I get my local number back. Obviously I wouldn't charge you anything, unlike some people on here. I do it because I love doing it and the competition. I already have a job that pays the bills. I'll probably be starting a cut for a show in August in late March, early April. We can learn from each other. Let me know

[scrossmaggard]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I actually moved to Springfield MO in Sept 17. I tried to update my profile, but it won’t let me. I used to train at Golds in Yukon. Sure wish they had one here. Thank you for the assessment and open arms. I think you are correct in saying take it slow. I sure do miss a lot of things about OKC, but glad to be out of the big city. I do plan to revisit in the Spring. Maybe hook up for a workout?

[WolfBeast]

Wouldn't hurt to diet down and see where you can get down to. If you don't like the way you're looking as you get closer to the show date, just keep on the leaner side and work on adding muscle will make cutting for the next event a bit easier.

[scrossmaggard]

Thanks for the reply and advice. I’m just gonna keep plugging along and stay after it and see where I stand.

[scrossmaggard]

I am down 2lbs in two weeks without dropping carbs or increasing cardio. I'm lifting 4 days a week and doing cardio 2 days a week. With a higher body fat percentage, would I want to drop the carbs and increase cardio, or wait until a stall?

Input valued and appreciated.

[TrainBeastMode]

I am down 2lbs in two weeks without dropping carbs or increasing cardio. I'm lifting 4 days a week and doing cardio 2 days a week. With a higher body fat percentage, would I want to drop the carbs and increase cardio, or wait until a stall?

Input valued and appreciated.

There's nothing wrong with 2 lbs in 2 weeks. That is a safe weight loss. I would continue with what you are doing until you start to plateau. Don't change things that are working for you right now.

[scrossmaggard]

Great. Thank you!