Successful Competing

[kelkel]

Hereditary for me as well Cape. Next time you get BW done pull an NMR Test. It's basically an advanced LDL particle test which will help you analyze exactly what type particles (good=big, fluffy or Bad=small, dense) that you have and guide your treatment. The below link gives a real good explanation of the test:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/...ort_vap_01.htm

Labcorp offers it. I just had it actually.

https://www.labcorp.com/wps/wcm/conn...e0d8a5bb678953

[Capebuffalo]

Hereditary for me as well Cape. Next time you get BW done pull an NMR Test. It's basically an advanced LDL particle test which will help you analyze exactly what type particles (good=big, fluffy or Bad=small, dense) that you have and guide your treatment. The below link gives a real good explanation of the test:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/...ort_vap_01.htm


Labcorp offers it. I just had it actually.

https://www.labcorp.com/wps/wcm/conn...e0d8a5bb678953

Cool. I appreciate it. And will.

[Metalject]

Part II

13. The most important steroid for a competitor is Trenbolone, preferably Trenbolone Acetate. It's not that the Acetate version gives the hormone more punch, it's simply easier to maintain stable and peaked levels with. When it comes to a cutting/prep stack, nothing provides hardness like Tren. I would even go as far to say that you will get a greater level of hardness and definition with Tren then stacking two other steroids together. This doesn't mean you have to use Tren, but the odds are strong your results will be better if you do. It also seems to help protect strength during a phase of training where strength is often greatly diminished better than most steroids.

14. Testosterone: During the competition phase there are a lot of opinions about how to use testosterone, and there isn't necessarily a one size fits all answer. A common theme you read on many message boards is using as little test as possible. You'll also find numerous threads where people talk about dropping all their testosterone a few weeks out, and they plan on doing this long before they reach the end of their prep. Planning exactly how you'll run your testosterone at the end weeks and months out is often a mistake...more on this in number 15. While many run lower amounts of test during the cutting phase compared to off-season training, just as many keep it very high if not higher during contest prep. If you're diet is on point and you take the right steps you shouldn't have to worry about water and bloat. When it comes to dropping the testosterone dose down towards the end, this can vary greatly from one man to the next and it can even vary from one prep period to the next. If you're in shape and looking good, in some cases keeping your testosterone doses higher than you might think will keep you fuller looking; however, again we're talking about the guy who's in shape. However, some will find as they get more experience under their belt that this won't hold true.

15. Somewhat a continuation of number 14 above...it's impossible to predict months out how you'll look towards the end of your diet. Even if you've competed in numerous shows, the body simply changes and everything doesn't always work like it did the last time. You may have had an enormous amount of success with a certain type of diet, a specific food plan, and then a show or two later things do not work out like they did the last time. The same can be said about the stack of gear. Learn to accept that things may need to change. Understand you may have to adjust your prep each show in order to continue progressing. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to completely rewrite the book, but if a plan that once worked doesn't seem to work as well anymore, don't expect it to magically start working again all on its own.

16. Anadrol: This may be a more useful steroid during contest prep periods than off-season. The fullness this steroid can provide at the end can be a big benefit, but it can also be a little tricky. If you've never used this steroid before, the last thing you want to do is run it during a contest phase. Learn how your body responds to the steroid, understand how to control the water retention and bloat that can come with it and have a thorough understanding of final week protocol that fits you before you attempt using it. You must also be in superb shape to truly get a benefit. If you're not shredded to the bone, it's probably best to forget about Anadrol use during this phase. Remember, if you're sacrificing conditioning at all for fullness you're going in the wrong direction. Generally 2-4wks of use at the very end will suffice and even a mere 25mg/ed can make a huge difference. You might be surprise how big of a difference 25mg/ed for the final two weeks can make a difference. If it's your first go with contest Anadrol use, go with the 2wk 25ng/ed plan, but only if you're truly in shape and meet all the other requirements.

17. During your diet, if you're looking a little flat or even really flat it does not matter. Learn to let this NOT bother you. It does not matter if you're looking flat 8wks out or 4wks out or whatever time period you want to put on it. Think about it, why does it matter? What matters is that you're losing body fat, preserving and protecting as much muscle tissue as you possibly can and getting tighter every day. When it comes to being flat, the only time you don't want to be flat is when you step on stage, and even then only when you're in shape. If you're not really in shape, there's a very good chance carbing up will only make you look worse. I cannot stress how important conditioning is if you want to place well. If you get your panties in a wad about being flat mid-diet, there's a great chance you'll hinder your progress by adding in more carbs to compensate for this mental distraction and slow down the progress of your diet.

18. Cheat Meals: Cheat meals can be very beneficial to a diet. Normally you'll want to diet for a couple weeks without one to really get your body into the grove, and waiting a little bit can also help you get into the grove mentally. Once you've dieted for a couple weeks, a weekly cheat meal can actually enhance your diet. It will greatly protect your mentality, but it will also spike your metabolism. If you're dieting properly, it's not going to make you fat or hinder your diet. However, at some point in time as the date of the show gets closer you may need to drop the cheat meal; most will need to drop it, but the exact time frame out is highly individualistic. How well you're progressing will largely determine when it needs to be dropped. Of course, dropping it somewhat contradicts what was said about the spike of the metabolism, but there is a reason for this. As the show gets closer this is when true suffering needs to begin. It doesn't mean you starve yourself but it's pretty damn close. Towards the end calroies need to generally be at the minimum level to keep and preserve lean tissue and nothing more. If you're behind in your diet you may have to get more drastic.

*When you have your cheat meal try to do so the same day of the week each week. Also, have it as your last meal of the day. This seems ridiculous to some as they believe it will cause them to gain or hold fat, but this is impossible. Your metabolism should be on fire. Further, this cheat meal is going to help your body with some much needed repair. Perhaps equally important, having it as your last meal of the day prevents a lot of guys from continuing to cheat throughout the day if they had it earlier.

*A cheat meal means a cheat meal. If you're dieting right you should be able to eat anything you want, but stay away from alcohol. Alcohol has absolutely no place in a contest diet. As the weeks progress and you get closer to your contest, you may find dropping all sugary deserts and bread related items out of your cheat meal. Many will find sushi to be an excellent cheat meal during this time, but it's actually a great cheat meal any time, very beneficial.

19. Supplements: The only supplements that are truly worthwhile during a diet are as follows:

*Fish Oil: Will provide you with the omega fatty acids you may be lacking during this phase. Omega fatty acids are also highly beneficial to the muscle tissue. Further, a lot of people find their immune system becomes weaker during a diet, which is understandable when a prep diet is so brutal. Fish oil has been shown to aid the immune system.

*Calcium: Most contest diets lack this important mineral due to the food plan. For the sake of your health this is a good supplement to include. Corral Calcium is a great choice.

*Fiber: Many become constipated during their diets; even if they don't they could be doing better. A good fiber supplement will prevent this from happening, keep you flushed out and you'll feel a lot better.

*Optional: Items like Juice Plus or generic versions provide a lot of the vegetables and fruits missing in a contest diet without the unwanted sugars. This can actually improve your recovery and immune system. Some may find it beneficial.

Other than these items there are not a lot of necessary supplements. A little potassium might be needed for some, everything else you should be able to get from the food you're eating.

20. Salt: If you're dieting properly there shouldn't be a massive amount of salt in your diet. However, many purposely avoid all salt and this is damaging. You need sodium! Sodium is an essential electrolyte. If you're not eating a lot of foods that contain salt, and you shouldn't be, you may very well need to add a little to your diet to make sure you're getting enough. Some who don't often fall prey to some pretty severe muscle cramps. And stop worrying about it making you hold water. If you're dieting properly this won't be a problem. Further, like being flat a little water retention during the diet doesn't matter until you step on stage.

21: Protein Shakes: Some will argue these should never be used during the diet, but that's simply not true. If you choose the right type of protein shake they can be convenient and should not hinder your diet. Some may find they cause them to hold a little more water than without, and in this case it's a good idea to drop the shakes 2-3wks out and stick with whole food. Your best bet for shakes is to stick with powder that doesn't have more than 1g of sugar. Choose low carb protein powder; any carbs you need get from your food. Stick with Isolate powders in general. Granted, they won't stick with you long but you can help this situation by adding a little peanut butter or oatmeal to your shake, which one may depend on what the rest of your food plan looks like.

22. Condiments: If it has sugar in it don't use it. Mustard, any spice and any condiment made by Walden Farms is acceptable. Soy sauce is also a great addition and many of you may need it due to very low levels of sodium in the diet.

[kelkel]

Part II

20. Salt: If you're dieting properly there shouldn't be a massive amount of salt in your diet. However, many purposely avoid all salt and this is damaging. You need sodium! Sodium is an essential electrolyte. If you're not eating a lot of foods that contain salt, and you shouldn't be, you may very well need to add a little to your diet to make sure you're getting enough. Some who don't often fall prey to some pretty severe muscle cramps. And stop worrying about it making you hold water. If you're dieting properly this won't be a problem. Further, like being flat a little water retention during the diet doesn't matter until you step on stage.

.

I'll chime in here and add that when using salt be sure it is "Iodized Salt" not regular salt.

Read up:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/...iciency_01.htm

kel