Question about contest cycle.

[Metalject]

I did train like an animal all the way up till 3 days out my last show. I left all "supplements" in, including a-bombs, didn't carb deplete, and actually set 2 pr's my final week on a couple lifts. I did lighter "pump up" workouts Thurs and Friday, cut my water Friday night, and looked by far my all time best Sat morning. This will be my plan of attack from here on out.

Some people can get away with that, I'll admit that. These guys are a strong minority. For most guys, to get into true contest shape, they're completely dead those last couple of weeks.

Every pro show I've ever been back stage for, if the guys in shape he's in a horrible mood or rather just tired, foggy headed and worn out. I can't count how many guys I've seen sucking on oxygen backstage and then faking the smile on stage. And if they're smiling big back stage and on top of the world, they're generally not in shape, not winning shape.

[hankdiesel]

Some people can get away with that, I'll admit that. These guys are a strong minority. For most guys, to get into true contest shape, they're completely dead those last couple of weeks.

Every pro show I've ever been back stage for, if the guys in shape he's in a horrible mood or rather just tired, foggy headed and worn out. I can't count how many guys I've seen sucking on oxygen backstage and then faking the smile on stage. And if they're smiling big back stage and on top of the world, they're generally not in shape, not winning shape.

Yes. The guys that are backstage smiling, talking to everyone, and walking around are never a threat. It's the guys sitting or laying down with their headphones on and eyes shut that you need to worry about. I would consider myself dehydrated and focused the morning off and after prejudging I'll be laying around doing nothing till the night show.

I'm talking about the week or so leading up to the competition. In my experience when I feel like shit for a long period of time eventually I start looking like shit. It's not a contest to see who can suffer the most or even who works the hardest. It only matters how you look the day of the show. What works for me is carb cycling and dieting for 16-18 weeks. I stay full, get in great shape, and stay strong the whole time.

[Metalject]

Yes. The guys that are backstage smiling, talking to everyone, and walking around are never a threat. It's the guys sitting or laying down with their headphones on and eyes shut that you need to worry about. I would consider myself dehydrated and focused the morning off and after prejudging I'll be laying around doing nothing till the night show.

I'm talking about the week or so leading up to the competition. In my experience when I feel like shit for a long period of time eventually I start looking like shit. It's not a contest to see who can suffer the most or even who works the hardest. It only matters how you look the day of the show. What works for me is carb cycling and dieting for 16-18 weeks. I stay full, get in great shape, and stay strong the whole time.

I agree big time! There's a point when if you feel like crap for too long your body starts going backwards. This happened to me one year. I got too obsessed with putting on size, gained too much fat in the process and nearly killed myself dieting. I started running a fever and all the capillaries in my legs from the knees to ankles burst. It looked like I'd been attacked by a weed eater under the skin. I also started bloating like I never have before, I mean it was an insane amount. That was a little over two weeks out, I had already been dieting for 14wks very hard. Live and learn.

You know I don't know why but I've always had more success getting into better shape on keto diets. I've done carb cycling several times as well. I definitely stay stronger longer carb cycling but I was never able to get quite as lean as when doing a keto diet. The downside is I get very weak on keto and lose strength fast. Definitely pushing less weight when training, but the positive side is my energy levels always stay even. No ups and downs, just a good constant level.