What it's doin' to my head! OR Why I have the utmost respect for the Pros.

[Fennec]

My-oh-my, this can't be mentally healthy. I'm one week out from my competition, and I just have to write how messed up my head is right now.

This is basically like purposefully putting yourself into an anorexic type mind set, only instead of trying to eat nothing, you are trying to eat only the certain specific things. The stress seems to be cumulative, the longer it goes on, the worse I am stressed. The 12 week pre-contest is a quarter of a YEAR, I recently realized. I had no trouble with the diet for the first month or so. I've been dieting strictly for the past year, but the day off every week, or even every other week gave enough relief to keep me motivated and going strong.

NOW I feel like the rigidity and strictness are absolutely horrid. I get VERY anxious and crabby if I don't get a certain amount of cardio in, or if I am short or high on my calories, protein, carbs, whatever. I am dying to eat, and can't concentrate or focus on anything but food. It's my last thought as I fall asleep, and my first thought on waking up in the morning.

I've been balancing on the razor's edge - I've been ready for the past 2 weeks, could have walked on stage just about any time, but I have to just maintain because I got here too early, and the comp isn't until Nov 3rd. I thought it would be easier the last couple weeks because it would be such a short time left, but it is getting harder and harder every day!! I've got overtraining (or under-recovery, if you prefer) symptoms, flu-like acheyness, utter exhaustion, but I'm scared to ease up hardly at all, for fear I will screw up everything. Normally, I would increase my calories by a couple hundred for 2 or 3 days and take those 2-3 days off training/cardio, but the show is too close; I'm afraid to do it. At least I lowered my cardio the past two days. I have this constant mental dialogue going on fighting with myself on what I should and shouldn't do and what I dare or dare not do.... I can't tell you how sick I am of thinking about it!!!!!!!! I have such longing to feel "normal" and not have this constant debate in my head. After the comp, I am going to take some time out to "smell the roses" and spend more time doing family things that I have been neglecting.

I just can not believe how intense this is. I never could have guessed how hard it would be. It's right up there near the top on my list of the hardest things I have ever done.

I have developed SUCH awe and respect for the Pros, and you folks heading-towards-Pro here on the board (New@, for instance) who do this time and again. Also, I am only in the Figure class, I can't imagine having to do everything I am currently doing PLUS a fitness routine or PLUS the additional lengths of rigidity, lower b/f, even more pain and suffering AND all the posing that the Bodybuilding gals (and guys, too) have to do.

God bless us every one.

Fennec

 

[OTCbooty]

STAY TOUGH, girl. Next time, you will know more about how your body will respond and it will not be quite as exhausting as this has been for you. You're in the home stretch, and look amazing by the way, so hang in there!

 

[new@gettinbig]

The last few weeks are rough girl!!! I know and it sucks but you will get through it and after this you will know what to expect...make sure you stop cardio @ least the wednesday before your show, you need to rest and if you are lean enough and feel confident stop that monday or tuesday. Rest your bod!! and your mind! Go get a massage and take a day to pamper yourself...You are doing great..it takes some mental toughness to diet and do what you are doing so be proud of yourself for coming this far and take it easy on yourself...You got a lot of nerves and stress working on your mind...try to relax a little and get your mind off your show...Make your to do list and be ready in advance so there is no rushing. Youve done your homework girl so you ARE READY! Just gotta make it through and know it is only a short time away..and it will be here before you know it.

Write in a journal when you feel bitchy..clean house or something to distract some of your energy. When are you carb loading for your show and how are you eating now?? Your last week you are low bf and your body doesnt like it so its not going to feel the greatest...you are going against what your body wants and knows to do. Keep your head up and just get through the day..I get bitchy and short w/ people..but you will see w/ more experience you will know what to expect and it wont be such a nervous time etc....We are all behind ya!!!! You will be eating in no time at all Get your mind right and get ready to KICK ASS...You worked hard and sacraficed now its time to take it to em!!!

You will be OK i promise!!! You will get more sympathy from me than W6....Ive tried no luck...he will just tell you like it is Keep going babe!

 

[Fennec]

NEXT TIME??? (maniacal laughter)

 

[new@gettinbig]

We will see...after your show you will want to do another...you are suffering and in pain now...wait till the pain leaves your body

 

[OTCbooty]

Yes, yes, yes, what new said. That's exactly why I wrote that. NEXT TIME you will KNOW you can be easier on yourself until it gets closer to the contest, and you WILL be less miserable because of it.
Wait til you walk out of there Nov 3, triumphant, and down the road, can't wait to feel that rush again. You don't have any of us fooled.

 

[Sassy69]

Fennec ---

You will do just fine! I totally understand where you are coming from - I trained for 16 weeks for my first ever show. The last three weeks were like a full-on brain fuck. You are so miserable because you feel constantly depleted. If you get pulled into a meeting or anything that makes you miss your next meal by one minute over 3 hours you could easily go postal. (I almost did one day at my boss... and I'm SOOOOOO mellow at work...) I was sore all over because I felt like a bag of bones.

At this point, you are basically as ready as you will ever be - you've done all the hard work already. Now you just make sure your posing is perfect, that you can smile while you are posing and not grunt audibly while holding it. I think that figure has fewer presentation concerns from the point of view of doign a full posing routine w/ the music, but when I just couldn't stand thinking about diet and all that shit, I would spend some time thinking about my posing suits, my hair, makeup, etc. During the last week you actually start changing up your diet each day -- I really looked forward to these days -- even if it meant starting water depletion, etc. It was just something different that was supposed to produce a specific result.

It was during the last month before my last show that I started getting really nutso about the diet, etc. and that's when I got into the muscle boards - just SOMETHING to occupy my hands and mind until the next meal.

And the best part of all of it -- when its over you have some GREAT horror stories to tell other first timers! Would you like to hear about how I lived off boiled chicken breasts smothered in flax seed oil for 3 days before my comp???

GOOD LUCK! WE"RE BEHIND U 100%!!!! If you need to come on here and enter one personal rant thread per day, we're with ya all the way! Ya do what ya gotta to make it. They say its more about diet than it is about training, but its actually even more a mental challenge!

 

[Fennec]

You guys are so great! I am so glad you are around! You always make me feel better. My "Next time?" post actually crossed with New@'s post - I had not read it yet. Still, I have re-evaluated my priorities during all this, and I do currently feel like this is gonna be a one time deal for me. I don't know if I can put my family through it again! You're right, we'll see....

Ummm... I am supposed to drop carbs Sunday 40 g, Monday 35 g, Tuesday 30 g, then Wednesday 75 g, Thursday 100 g, Friday 120, and Saturday (show day) 140 g. I'm supposed to sodium deplete the last 3 days, and I'm still confused on what I am supposed to do regarding water - will check with my trainer tonight. The day of the show I am supposed to eat lean beef (wi/no seasonings) and yams. In fact during this whole week I am supposed to use yams for the carbs in 1st 2 meals, then dark green veggies for the remaining meals.

I guess part of my frustration is that "if I knew then what I know now" I would have taken the entire last week off of work, instead of only the last 2 days. I am having so much trouble concentrating and focusing - I feel like you did, Sassy, people come in and want to talk to me and I just want them to leave me the hell alone!! Of course, I can't do that, because I can't let stuff at home affect my work performance, so I have to just deal with it. I'm even having trouble being nice to people I love, let alone people who annoy me in the first place! (laugh)

So I'm really dreading Mon, Tues, and Wed, when I have to work, especially so carb depleted.

Thursday and Friday should be a breeze - so much fun stuff going on, hair appt for highlights, make-up and photo shoot session wi/my friend who is competing, too, etc. We'll be busy and I won't have to try to focus on work.

Thanks again, guys! You really help!

Take care,
Fennec

 

[FitFossil]

Hang in there! Remind yourself of what you've already accomplished, then you'll know you CAN do this. Visualize yourself on that stage and the incredible rush you'll feel. You're in the home stretch.

 

[MS]

I think competition bodybuilding is THE toughest sport in the world. The balance of mental and physical disipline is like nothing else! I also think the mind of a competition bodybuilder becomes pathological: Obsessive and compulsive behaviours, adherence to abnormal diet despite the body telling you otherwise, constant thoughts of food, drugs, supplements......not really the healthiest in the short term, but it's how you cope AFTER the competitions that decide whether the sport will rule your life. One more week....it will be a long week but sooooo worth it. I predict you will find it easier NEXT TIME

 

[Sassy69]

Fennec - I realize you are gettign closer and closer -- but something my last trainer told me when I was prepping for my last show --- its not your responsibility to be nice to people right now --- focus on what YOU have to get done. If it means you close yourself off for a couple of days, stay away from emails, phones, etc. - just tell people you need that time to prep and they will just have to understand. Dont' start feeling guilty pressure to be nice, etc. YOu've worked a LOOOOOOONG time to get to this week -- so dont' blow it now because someone got nosy. You have enough stress - you dont' need more. If they are your friends, they will understand that you will get back to them next week or in two weeks.

Make sure you watch all the stuff you put in your mouth with sodium -- it will just make you retain water - you need to dump all that subcutaneous water before the show. But you also want to time your carb up so you dont' look flat from being so water depleted. (I'm not an expert on the figure requirements ... but it should be similar to bb.) The carb depletion sucks, but let me tell you about the water depleton..... You start getting a greater appreciation for not living in the desert. You will probably cut your your water in half on Wed, cut that again in half on Thurs, down to about 1/2 liter on Friday, and then after Friday night, no more water. (You may start water depletion Thurs - check w/ the trainer) You will be chewing on your tongue you will be so dried out. BRING GUM! And dont' talk alot during Friday and Sat -- it just makes you that much drier in the mouth.

You might also consider using Taraxatone or dandelion root & uva ursi (usri uva??) to help with water dumping. These are natural diuretics. Check w/ your trainer.....

The night before the show the steak will help give you energy and the yams will help you fill out. Ask your trainer tho -- lots of people carb deplete and then dont' start their carb up until its too late. Carbs take about 48-72 to hours to get you filled out again. Many competitors end up looking flat on Sat & then look the best they've ever looked on Sunday. Uhhhhhh... a day late. Oops. It was also recommended to bring red wine to the show. I think I killed half a bottle with another girl before 10 am when we did the prejudging -- red wine is a bit of a diuretic and will kinda of help bring out some vascularity. Also you can't drink any water so it helps, and it also helps you relax a little. Between the morning & night shows I was also told to pound a burger & french fries w/ ketchup - fat & salt to help fill you out again. A little iced tea w/ lemon -- lemon is another mild diuretic. But DON"T DRINK WATER YET. I drank too much damned iced tea between shows -- I had a nice thick guy when I got on for the night show. Shit.

Everyone has their own favorite way to prep the last few days and I still haven't found my favorite. But I would mostly say listen to your trainer - BRING GUM to help w/ the water depletion and DON"T DRINK ANY WATER after dinner on Fri night until you are done w/ the night show on Sat. Then go wild!.

Oh yea -- be careful how you go wild -- you can pretty much eat whatever you want Sat night and maybe thru Sunday. But get back on a low carb diet on Monday so you don't freak out your body. Be REALLY careful about eating dairy (substitute soy if you have to) - your stomach will probably rebel if you try to eat dairy anything. I had no diary tolerance for about a month afterward. And just ease back into "life" --- you might retain some water right after the show, so be careful -- it really sucks to come out of a show all nice and ripped and then bloat up like a water balloon in 2 days. And then just rest for a few days and then start back into the regular training.

YOu will do wonderfully! But be good to yourself -- pace yourself during the last week before the show -- you will be stressed and depleted - get a good night's sleep and don't feel pressure to answer to other people unless you have to. They will understand if you just tell them you need some time to stay focused n your comp. They can see the pix when its all over.

 

[MS]

Wooohoooo I just got back from the BB National competitions and I'm all excited for you fennec. It looks soooo fun being up on that stage. My 3 negative observations were 1) that the vast majority of men and women still don't know how to manage the last week since there were a lot of competitors that looked lean enough, but smoothed out, 2) the rest of them didn't have a clue how to diet, and 3)you cannot possibly spend too much time practicing your posing and putting together a good routine. Also practice your smiles In summary, not enough people hang out here at the Elite women's board like you do!

 

[Fennec]

(laugh) But I DO live in the desert!!

You're right, we talked about the water tonight, and it's just what you said: Wednesday drop to 1 gallon, Thursday 1/2 gallon, Friday 6 8-oz glasses, Saturday (show day) nothing but sips if needed to prevent cramping. I'll ask about the wine and the natural diuretics. Also have to remove sodium from Tuesday on.

I actually felt better after I worked out tonight - nice to have real physical pain instead of all the phantom pains from the diet.

 

[Sassy69]

(laugh) But I DO live in the desert!!

I can appreciate what you are talking about - I went to school in Phx and spent a lot of time out at shooting ranges, etc. (that's another story...) But when I say you feel like someone stuffed a bag of cotton in your mouth... you will understand. To keep track of the amount of water you are drinking it helps a lot to get a bottle like the 1 1/2 liter bottles and mark out what is the amount you are allowed for the day. Maybe put it in the freezer for a few hours so you can enjoy it to its fullest. But mentally it helps you to pace yourself. That's also when you get a feel for what its like to have water "rationed". It kinda makes you think....

Definitely have some good sugarless gum with you. And not the kind that disintigrates in your mouth. It just really makes it a lot easier. Otherwise you just end up gettign your teeth stuck to the dry sides of your mouth. Trust me --- all my pix from my first show all show me doing that - constantly licking my teeth to get the "layer of fuzz" off. LMAO! Here's another trick -- ask the trainer about this too -- take a b-6 pill around 1 pm of Friday and then another at 1 am Sat am. b-6 is a bit of a diuretic. I was also told to keep a bag of potatoe chips, even just a little one, with me - esp. right before the prejudge - if you start to cramp up your electrolytes may be a little f'd up - so eat a couple chips - this is supposed to help. I got this and the b-6 thing from C.J. -- of posing suit fame. Maybe keep a potassium supplement or some magnesium / calcium or Vit E - according to my bible "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", cramps can be due to dehydration and some doses of potassium, Vit E or mag/cal can help. Again check with your trainer. I haven't proven this last part to myself yet , but its in the books.

But you will do wonderfully. And just remember to have fun. You've done all the hard work - now all you have to do is have fun, don't trip on the fuck me shoes and SMILE!

Here's some good luck karma for ya!

 

[MS]

No doubt that first time around you should do exactly as your trainer tells you (I'm sure you've picked a good trainer). Next time around you may have a better feel for what YOUR body responds to or doesn't. That's why they have novice classes! No one can know at their first competition how to dial everything in to perfection. You just have to be the absolute best you can be on the day, have fun, and exude positive vibes as best you can in the circumstances. For instance, at the competition I was at today, one poor guy had to come on 3 separate times to attempt his free-posing routine because they couldn't get the tapes straight. Talk about a psych-out! But when they finally put HIS music on he performed one of THE best routines of the whole show. He had that good-feel positive vibe/I'm enjoying myself attitude and the audience loved it.

As my first trainer said to me once-upon-a-time " there are hundreds of different ways to get to the stage and look your best. The only thing I ask is that you don't try and mix-and-match advice your first time. Pick a trainer and a method and stick to it 100%". These are words of wisdom. It's sorta like saying "don't change horses mid-stream". You'll be the best looking body you've ever been in a week's time. Enjoy the moment.

 

[Sassy69]

I definitely concur w/ MS -- that's why i said check w/ your trainer. I related my experiences so you can maybe understand why you are doing certain things or what you should expect. For ex, I NEVER thought water depletion would be that bad -- but it was miserable. And if you do lose your restraint you end up w/ a bloated look from like one extra glass of water.

The first time you want so much to understand why and what's going on -- I kept askign questions so I could know what was going on and I either got "don't worry about it" or "just stick close to us" -- well, my trainer was too busy w/ her husband who was also in the comp - so I was on my own. And stuff she told me to not worry about I realized was very critical to the comp -- like how your hair looks, etc -- not the absolute most critical part, but still important and she told me to not worry about it. That sucked.
And I got the same thing the second time - it was all -- So and so will be there and take care of it. Well, so and so wasn't there. I was repeated told she would be there, and then after spending ridiculous $$ prepping for this show, no one seemed to give a shit that I got fucked by these people who told me I could trust and who I paid sick $ to to ensure that I would get the things I needed. Thx alot.

So it becomes obvious to me that the only way I can be sure that these things will get done is if 1) I know about them and 2) I take care of them myself - or at least be able to if the trainer cant' be there for whatever reason. It is sooooo no fair to spend months and months prepping for something and then get fucked within 2 days of the show. So I guess I go really far out of my way to try to help at least give other newbies/novices an idea of what to expect. Its not fair to have someone you are supposed to trust tell you that these things are not a big deal or that they will take care of it and then leave u hanging. By saying "dont' worry about it" they are not only not giving you info you may really need , they are basically telling you that your questions dont' even warrant a straight answer. Not cool.

But definitely stick w/ what your trainer says - other people's advice can really just leave u completely confused - but at least ify you ask your trainer and get clarification, you have learned that much more.

 

[Fennec]

I know you were speaking figuratively (about the desert), and at the same time letting me know how bad it's gonna be - I'm dreading the water depletion. That is gonna be sooo wierd, after training myself to drink 3 gallons a day!

Yep, I'm doing what my trainer says. I've been working with him for the past 3 1/2 years. When something I read on the boards sounds reasonable, I run it past him, don't just jump in and try it. Of course, since he's a guy, I get a lot out of the advice from the women here! There are things he just doesn't focus on, that other women do. Every now and then I go ahead and try stuff, even without his say-so, but not when it comes to the show.

The really nice thing, though, is that there are three of us girls in the same show, same class, and we're all friends. We will be helping each other get ready backstage and stuff. We've been trying to get all the info we need from him in advance, 'cause he's not allowed back stage to advise us.

I am scared of screwing something up at the last minute, so I'm really glad you told me about watching the water the day of the comp - I probably wouldn't have been thinking of it. So many details to worry about.

Thanks for all the help, again! I'm gonna go look up the nutritional value for the yams I'm supposed to start eating tomorrow, now, so I can plan my final week's menu.

I keep going up and down emotionally. I agree 100% with MS, I think it is pathalogically unhealthy mental stuff we do to ourselves. But, I'm gonna finish the job. I'll just keep posting here, when I start to lose it, like ya'll said!

Fennec

 

[Fennec]

That's one of the things the other gals and I have been talking about: It doesn't matter where we place, we have already won just by getting there! We are so proud of each other and ourselves! It was funny, when we went down together for our final fittings for our posing suits, one of the ladies in the shop asked if we were nervous, and we all just sort of looked at each other, shrugged, and said "Nope!" We've already done all the hard work - we've been working really hard all year long - now it's time to enjoy showing it off! I think we'll be relaxed and we want to have fun with it and show our support for eachother. We are all looking forward to the show!!

Fennec

 

[gymratess1]

I wish you the best of luck. You'll do great. Just remember--you are doing this for yourself. And you are almost there. When it's getting rough at the end just remember how great you'll look and feel when you are on that stage. I can't wait until I do my first show next year. I backed out of one a couple of years back. What a big mistake. I was four weeks out and when I watched the show I was so unhappy with myself because I knew I should've and could've been up on the stage. Keep up the good work. Here's a little lucky man for you to carry around on your shoulder.

 

[new@gettinbig]

Just checkin to see how you are doing...Keep us posted this week....Your almost done girl

 

[Fennec]

Doin' ok. Last week was really rough, I was down and exhausted, and my husband was out of town, so you guys really helped me through. This week, the end is (finally) in sight! I'm checking off each thing: Last leg workout yesterday, last tanning session today, last cardio coming up tomorrow morning, as well as my last arm/shoulder workout and last low carb day (woo hoo!). Two more days I have to work before I'm on personal leave. Four more days to the comp and finally after that comes..... (drumroll please) FOOD!!!!!!!!! (laugh)

Fennec

 

[VooDoo Lady]

I was utilizing the oh-so-nifty Search button and came across this post.....thought SteelWeaver might be interested in some of it......

I know I was

 

[Gladiola]

OMG - I found this post about a month ago.

I had initially thought that competing was HELL & just simply not worth it - plain & simple. I'd lose my mind. My boss at the gym did it & was SO NASTY for at least a month out.

Then I started eating more clean & got leaner & thought, No, I COULD do this! My muscle is decent... it's cutting down the fat I'd need to do - I could do it! Plus the reasons for competing... how amazing it would be to see what my potential truely is ... so I was thinking maybe in over a year...

Then I read this post & was back to thinking NO WAY!

VDL - did it scare you?

 

[VooDoo Lady]

The only thing that scared me was the fact that I don't have a trainer to guide me.

Honestly I know I can do the rest. I have in-human self control when it comes to my diet (when I really want to) so I know I could face these challenges!

I have come to the conclusion that it will never happen without a trainer that knows the ropes, though. So, I have begun my initial search for someone here in the area......

I'm so pumped about the thought of competing.....I get "weepy" (heeheehee Gladi) when I think about it.

It was the same excited and weepy feeling that provided me enough motivation to get through college to get my undergrad degree this past May.....

SO I KNOW I CAN DO IT!!!!

 

[SteelWeaver]

Thanks VDL

Yeah, I've seen this post - read it a few times actually. It's a good one.

Right now I'm just trying to focus on one step at a time, but I hear the tick, tock.

Time is entering that warp area where it shrinks and expands, and my head is DEFINITELY in a space of focus and compulsion that I need for the next few months. No SERIOUS panic buttons yet - diet's a bit freaky, but I'm handling ... gonna print this one out ...