First time Competing

[Skyler]

screw this

[D7M]

You lost me after "All the most experienced guys hang out in the lounge."

Post count does not equal experience (no offense whores

[Skyler]

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[run_n_fool]

I tend to side with whomever has been around the longest, regardless of post counts. Moreover, there are a lot of smart people who have lots of time and posts who almost never post here. Those are the people who's opinion I respect.

[Skyler]

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[Skyler]

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[Shol'va]

Lookin great there Big Sky. You only have about a 5 year lead on me, but its been a long climb for me to make it to the middle, but there is an old saying somewhere that it aint over till the swan takes it in the A$$ so I keep on keepin on. lol

[Skyler]

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[MaNiCC]

You lost me after "All the most experienced guys hang out in the lounge."

Post count does not equal experience (no offense whores

Knowledge does not equal experience either....

[tjax03]

That's true, but the general attitude seems to be that whoever has more posts has better information. For example, if two members disagree on something, than everyone usually sides with whoever has the most posts.

That is because a large number of the members are just parrots who have not learned to think for themselves. They tend to blindly follow the post that the largest number of people agree with. Sometimes it works out as there are several very knowledgeable vets with tons of posts who always give good advice. However there are also some "vets" or basically guys who have worked up alot of posts in the lounge that don't know as much as they think they do.

[tjax03]

Skyler, I'm just curious because you have a solid build, what is your cycling experience?

[Hazard]

Congrats on taking the big step! I've committed myself to doing a show but I have a set goal weight to hit before next fall..... I'm hoping to hit it so I can have a decent chance.

Start hitting up fireguy..... he's probably got the most show experience and he's usually more than willing to help. Keep us posted on how your doing!

~Haz~

[Skyler]

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[Skyler]

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[Shol'va]

I say go all in for it Skyler. This is what you have trained half your life for. It's time for you to jump on in there as you have just as good a chance as those other BBr's. Who knows, some day you just might end up on the cover of Muscle Magazine, doin what you love and making money on it too. And when you do make it big, just dont forget us poor folks here in the AR Lounge.

[Knockout_Power]

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These are the guys who I will be up against. The guys doing the double bicep are light heavy, the guys doing the lat spread are middle weight. not sure what category i will be in. they don't look unbeatable though

If they are in light heavy you will not be against them. If you are currently 205, depending on how much mass you put on in the next couple months you will probably step on stage (if in contest shape) around 170ish with your final water cut. I cant believe how low some of my friends weight goes the day before the show and what they walk on stage at. Not sure how their kidneys dont shut down.

Best of luck man, it must be quite the experience

[Sicko]

Good luck Skyler, you look like ya got a real solid base.With a little dedication you should do well..

[Skyler]

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[Skyler]

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[LBSOMEIRON]

Couple of things. I did the N.KY a few years ago and it's a good show. Basicly a show where a lot of first timers go to get there feet wet. So, the guys you posted 'probably' will not be the guys you see. Which leads me to my next post. Don't worry about them. That rule #1.l It's a good way to either mind f yourself or become overly confident.

You worry about yourself, get your dieting and training down pat and you'll do well.

You diet seems ok. I would suggest adding some healthy fats (add 2tb pb to each meal, some 95% ground beef, etc) to help add some added calories which will equate to growth. I beleive that show is in late Feb? Or at least is was. In which case, you have a good 4-6 weeks to concentrate on adding mass.

You bf is pretty low. Probably more around 7.5-8%, but still impressive. You can afford to add a few lbs. It'll pay off at the end.

I have a post around here from my last show that I'll try and find. It's not the 'code', just my experience that will maybe help you get through some sticking points.

If I can help, buzz me.

[Skyler]

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[LBSOMEIRON]

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...ant-to-compete

Whatever I can do to help....

[LBSOMEIRON]

I appreciate the input. I thought my body fat would be closer to 9%, but he did a 4 point test that put me at 5.5%, then a 7 point test that put me at 6.2%, then he gave me the 9 point test that put me at 6.77%. I thought the number sounded too low, but he said its accurate. The pics I posted were at the end of the day (after 6 meals, and two gallons of water consumed). Where should my body fat be during a good clean bulk? I have just started adding 1 to 2 tbsp of organic almond butter with 3 of my meals a day as well. I will PM you when I can think of some more specifics.
Thanks again!

See...that's what I was referring to....props.

Personally speaking, there is no set range. I do not like to get over 10% because it makes dieting hell. However, too low (i.e.5-6) and it's really not condusive to builing mass.....you have a good 1-2% increase before being concerned.

[Skyler]

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[LBSOMEIRON]

Who wrote your diet?

Do you want me to look at it?

What are your current stats?

What is your routine going to look like?

Who is helping you with posing?

That are some aspects of competing that separate a true competetor to someone that just walks on stage.

Don't go into this without a concrete plan.

You get one chance. Bring the goods.

[Older lifter]

Just want to wish you luck, just do your best, learn and stay above any politics,, good luck with it Sky

[FireGuy]

No offense but whoever comped you at 6.7% shouldnt be allowed to touch a pair of calipers again in his life. If you wouldnt mind post up his the mm thickness at the 9 sites he did and then show me the equation he used to come up with that number. To give you a reference, the pics you posted from the guys in show on stage look to be around low high 5 low 6% BF.

[FireGuy]

Example, if those numbers are correct you will only need to drop 7lbs to be 3% bodyfat. My guess is Knock Out power is right on as far as a stage weight of mid 170's. I understand you are only going by what this person told you, just dont want you to get those numbers in your head and wondering why you arent on stage at 195lbs.

[tbody66]

Listen to LB, good hands there, and do your personal best!

[Skyler]

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[FireGuy]

Regardless, dont worry about it too much. You conditioning is well ahead of where you need to be at 15 weeks out.

[Skyler]

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[FireGuy]

Just come down slow and steady, I wouldnt be worried about being ready to early. To get to where you need to be you ARE going to lose a bit muscle mass. That's why we strive have as much as possible prior to dieting. You should be very very close to being "ready" 2-3 weeks out. I will repeat what LBSOMEIRON already stated. Posing, posing, posing. Work on it, master it. Quarter turns, repose and mandatories.

[Skyler]

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[lovbyts]

There is a trainer at my gym who has some experience competing who is going to help me with posing and a routine. This is the same guy who did my bodyfat though, so i hope he knows what he is doing, lol.

Thanks for the all the input! I am the type of guy that hates doing things wrong, and screwing stuff up. I am really worried about making sure training, diet, posing, routine, etc are all perfect. So I am trying to get all the advice I can.

Ask to see pictures of what he looked like when he competed and how he did. Then make the decision if you want him to train you or not. I would never take advice from someone who did not or at least did not at one time look like I want to look. I have had plenty of out of shape guys, fat, skinny etc try to tell me how to lift or I should do this or that and eat this or that. I look at them and think, Hmmm do I want to look like them?

Now guys who are in the shape I want to be in if they recommend something I tent to take it more serious. Sounds like the caliber guy has no clue to me so be careful.

Good luck with the competition.

[LBSOMEIRON]

FG is on point. You are ahead of the game which should make these next two months fairly easy (relatively speaking of course). There is a definite science as you get down to the last couple weeks and that is where 95% of guys lose it.

I know for a fact there had been two shows that I could have places higher had the show been on Sunday. One show I missed my carb up and spliiled over holding water in my hams and glutes. The other I came in flat and after my smorgasbord of food that night, may have taken the overall on Sunday.

My point is, this first show will be your guage. The tool you will use to make adjustments for all subsequent shows. No one can prepare you for the feeling you get when the lights are on and your number is called. If your coach hasnt experienced that, find a new coach.

Just my $.02. Right now you need to be concerned with eliminating junk food, hitting your macros, and training heavy. Cardio isn't necessary other than for eliminating excess water.

You'll be fine, so long as you keep your head on straight. Quit worrying about numbers and quit looking at pictures of prior years. If you want to use this thread to post pictures weekly, I'm sure youll get all the suggestions/critiques you will need.

Posing should be 10 minutes after every session right now. All the required posses and crisp turns.

You should also have your music selected.

Note - take two copies of your music to the show. That's just one of many suggestions

[Skyler]

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[Skyler]

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[Skyler]

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[Skyler]

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