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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 13, 2008 14:46:17 GMT -5
I am now on the fence about competing this season. I am enjoying getting bigger and stronger. I am pondering the idea of taking the whole year off to continue to grow.. Dunno...  |
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Post by youngblood on Feb 13, 2008 16:24:31 GMT -5
If you take the year off to grow, DO NOT do it in a "bulking style" fashion. Don't gain 30lbs as you bulk up, you'll just end up losing it when you diet down. However, if you slowly put on a couple pounds a month (you read that correctly...2-3lb/month), it will be more quality muscle, easier for your body to keep and you'll keep that much more when you diet down for the next contest. That is, unless your "status" has changed and you haven't told me.  |
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Post by Intensity on Feb 13, 2008 18:10:47 GMT -5
Hein?  Not to put some pressure on you Randy, but did you know that my original contest plan this year was to only do the FAME world show, which would have meant to start my diet in March and get ready for June 14th. But since I thought we would do the April Musclemania show together, I decided to start my diet in January. Hope that I didnt do these 2 additional months of dieting for nothing!  |
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Post by ntrllftr on Feb 13, 2008 19:20:03 GMT -5
I made my mind up a couple months ago not to compete this year and I am enjoying the extra canS of ravioli.  Follow what your body tells you. That's the best advice I can think of for right now. I know not much but... Let us know. |
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Post by mrky03 on Feb 13, 2008 19:26:20 GMT -5
Just don't let too much fat accrue if you decide to take off for a lengthy time. It makes it much easier to judge your progress if you stay relatively lean and you won't kid yourself into thinking that that extra 30lbs. you've gained is all muscle!
Competing definitely isn't everything, the most important thing is to have a full life, enjoy your training and time with your family.
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 13, 2008 19:56:51 GMT -5
Hein? Not to put some pressure on you Randy, but did you know that my original contest plan this year was to only do the FAME world show, which would have meant to start my diet in March and get ready for June 14th. But since I thought we would do the April Musclemania show together, I decided to start my diet in January. Hope that I didnt do these 2 additional months of dieting for nothing! Alright MO.. I will do it.. |
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 13, 2008 20:09:02 GMT -5
If you take the year off to grow, DO NOT do it in a "bulking style" fashion. Don't gain 30lbs as you bulk up, you'll just end up losing it when you diet down. However, if you slowly put on a couple pounds a month (you read that correctly...2-3lb/month), it will be more quality muscle, easier for your body to keep and you'll keep that much more when you diet down for the next contest. That is, unless your "status" has changed and you haven't told me. This is all true advice. Thanks |
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 13, 2008 20:09:45 GMT -5
I made my mind up a couple months ago not to compete this year and I am enjoying the extra canS of ravioli. Follow what your body tells you. That's the best advice I can think of for right now. I know not much but... Let us know. I have been stuffing my face with foot long double meats from Subway. Its right below my studio  |
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 13, 2008 20:10:12 GMT -5
Just don't let too much fat accrue if you decide to take off for a lengthy time. It makes it much easier to judge your progress if you stay relatively lean and you won't kid yourself into thinking that that extra 30lbs. you've gained is all muscle! Competing definitely isn't everything, the most important thing is to have a full life, enjoy your training and time with your family. VERY true |
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 13, 2008 20:12:27 GMT -5
This will be VERY tuff. I will do my best between now and April. Better get on it. My diet has not been awful, but it is not a pre contest diet by any stretch. WAY too much going on lately. Especialy since opening the studio. I consumed with doing this, that, and the other thing..  I may not be at my best in April, but I will do what I can between now and then. |
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Post by mrbeefy on Feb 13, 2008 20:54:31 GMT -5
Rubes,
I can just share my experience Bro.
I decided to take a year off........OVER a year ago.
I have not competed. I did switch over to powerlifitng.
But I have NOT competed in that yet either.
I do know that having a show/meet to look forward to is a big part of my motivation. The more time that passess, the more often I feel like I'm losing some of my edge to compete.
Perhaps just do one show?
Perhaps just GO to a few shows, but don't compete, and ask yourself how you feel?
My fear would be that the longer I might stay away, how easy it would be too justify letting my diet go, etc.
Next thing you know, you're skipping workouts.
Next thing you know, your 40 pounds over weight, eating fast food, feeling like crap, and asking yourself..WHAT HAPPENED?!?
I think taking time off is a good thing.
I thing switching things up is a good thing.
I would just proceed with caution.
You may want to take a few pics of yourself from when you felt you looked your absolute worst....and put it someplace to remind yourself what COULD happen.
Just my 2 cents my friend. We're with you whatever you decide!
Frank
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Post by Intensity on Feb 13, 2008 22:17:37 GMT -5
Hein? Not to put some pressure on you Randy, but did you know that my original contest plan this year was to only do the FAME world show, which would have meant to start my diet in March and get ready for June 14th. But since I thought we would do the April Musclemania show together, I decided to start my diet in January. Hope that I didnt do these 2 additional months of dieting for nothing! Alright MO.. I will do it.. Randy, you know i'm just teasing you and it's an awkward way to tell you that I would very like to do the show with you So it's great if you decide to compete, but it is also if you decide to take the year off. And if you do take it off, I agree with people here, just try to have a clean off season diet and you'll gain all the muscle/strength you need while not getting fat. Do what you feel like, and enjoy your decision whatever it is! |
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 14, 2008 11:37:17 GMT -5
Alright MO.. I will do it.. Randy, you know i'm just teasing you and it's an awkward way to tell you that I would very like to do the show with you So it's great if you decide to compete, but it is also if you decide to take the year off. And if you do take it off, I agree with people here, just try to have a clean off season diet and you'll gain all the muscle/strength you need while not getting fat. Do what you feel like, and enjoy your decision whatever it is! My arm is twisted... |
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Post by RUBICON19 on Feb 14, 2008 11:41:11 GMT -5
Rubes, I can just share my experience Bro. I decided to take a year off........OVER a year ago. I have not competed. I did switch over to powerlifitng. But I have NOT competed in that yet either. I do know that having a show/meet to look forward to is a big part of my motivation. The more time that passess, the more often I feel like I'm losing some of my edge to compete. Perhaps just do one show? MaybePerhaps just GO to a few shows, but don't compete, and ask yourself how you feel? BORING! My fear would be that the longer I might stay away, how easy it would be too justify letting my diet go, etc. Nahhh. I would not do that. Never haveNext thing you know, you're skipping workouts. NEVER! Thats the only part I LOVE!Next thing you know, your 40 pounds over weight, eating fast food, feeling like crap, and asking yourself..WHAT HAPPENED?!? Negative again. I can only get so far out of shape. I have been like this my whole life..I think taking time off is a good thing. I DO AGREEI thing switching things up is a good thing. I would just proceed with caution. You may want to take a few pics of yourself from when you felt you looked your absolute worst....and put it someplace to remind yourself what COULD happen. Just my 2 cents my friend. We're with you whatever you decide! THanks Frank! Means alot!Frank |
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Post by ntrllftr on Feb 14, 2008 11:58:40 GMT -5
"Perhaps just GO to a few shows, but don't compete, and ask yourself how you feel? BORING!"
In all honesty for me anywhey going to a show really motivates me that much more in the "off season" The feeling of going to a show where you know competitors from previous shows and watching them from the audience really helps me get a good outside of the box view also.
Just my thoughts.
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Post by mrbeefy on Feb 14, 2008 12:05:10 GMT -5
Actually..........the reason I suggested going to a show and watching is a "head-game".
Once you see everybody on stage, KNOW you could have beat them, get the smell of that "Pro-Tan" in the air..............
You will be in the gym the next day, knocking the sh*t out of the iron and prepping for the next show you can get to!
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Post by Hoopie on Feb 14, 2008 22:18:14 GMT -5
stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage.....
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