4th attempt at prep

[dom7226]

At this point I am starting to think either the getting shredded side of bodybuilding isn't for me or I am just the biggest puss in the world. I am definitely not the kind of person to just roll over and die, but this is my 4th prep attempt and once again I am ready to throw in the towel.

I'm currently 2 weeks out from a show and still at 7% body fat (I have a bod-pod at work I can use) and have been for the last 6 weeks. Somehow I have managed to put on a consistent .5-1lb of lean mass by every one of my 2 week check ins but not look any leaner what so ever. It seems like with all 4 preps I get to the 4-6 week point and bodyfat just comes to a screeching halt and I just start feeling like complete shit. I'm not following iifym but the macros at each time have been roughly 300g P, 70-100g C, and 30g F (I'm currently 5'7 192lbs) when it all falls apart.

Also all 4 times when I get this low I begin getting blood sugar shakes between meals, blurry vision, and light headedness. And this time around I have thrown up about 20 minutes into my last 2 workouts... I can't imagine this is "normal" but if I have to fight thru this crap to finish my goal I will.

Has anyone else had this kind of problem before or am I just destined to never hit a stage?

 

[lucabratzi]

I only know what works for me but I don't know how eating 100c a day you get dizzy and all that. I've gone keto for like a month and felt fine. It's usually the beginning part of cutting carbs you feel the worst. Your body is transitioning from using glycogen for energy to using fat stores. That's prob the reason U don't feel well is cause you're in a calorie deficit not because of low carb.

What category are you goin to do?

You can definitely get down to 5% in 2 weeks. You can get lower depending how bad you want it.

I think that's what it comes down to is how bad you want it. Some peoples priorities change when you have to get low bf and they say fuck it. Some people thrive off that. Neither is better or worse. But if your 2 weeks out my opinion is nut up and get it fuckin done.

Good luck

 

[Docd187123]

Not a physique competitor but try running a PSMF diet for the final two wks to drop as much fat as possible before your show. Then do the water and carb manipulation you'd normally do. This is also one reason why ppl hire a coach. Do you have one or doing it on your own?

 

[dom7226]

I'll be doing physique, and especially with "failing" 3 times before I'm more pissed and determined than ever, it's just frustrating seeing how easily some people seem to drop weight while I literally feel like I'm killing myself for 1 lb. Like I said before, I hate to sound like im bitching or being a puss but I can't help but feel like something isn't quite right.

 

[lucabratzi]

I'll be doing physique, and especially with "failing" 3 times before I'm more pissed and determined than ever, it's just frustrating seeing how easily some people seem to drop weight while I literally feel like I'm killing myself for 1 lb. Like I said before, I hate to sound like im bitching or being a puss but I can't help but feel like something isn't quite right.

You're already in the home stretch. Just stick it out. Even if u step on at 7% then you'll prob do pretty good w you're stats.

 

[Ahmad90]

Yea dude 7% at 192lbs for someone whos 5'7"! Youre bigger than most amateur bodybuilders at that height lol. Remember, low carb doesnt work for everyone, youd be surprised how many dudes there are that eat tons of carbs before a contest and still come in very lean. Maybe increase cardio??

 

[lucabratzi]

Yea dude 7% at 192lbs for someone whos 5'7"! Youre bigger than most amateur bodybuilders at that height lol. Remember, low carb doesnt work for everyone, youd be surprised how many dudes there are that eat tons of carbs before a contest and still come in very lean. Maybe increase cardio??

Everyone is loading their face w carbs. It's not uncommon to eat 1000+ carbs the 2 days before. Load up the muscles w glycogen, fill out and look tighter

 

[Ahmad90]

Everyone is loading their face w carbs. It's not uncommon to eat 1000+ carbs the 2 days before. Load up the muscles w glycogen, fill out and look tighter

Im talking about weeks or even months before. Im personally not going to drop carbs below 250-300 during my contest prep and instead will just increase cardio or training volume. Its a much easier process when youre already lean before a contest or start cutting slowly even 4-8 weeks before you begin your prep.

 

[lucabratzi]

Im talking about weeks or even months before. Im personally not going to drop carbs below 250-300 during my contest prep and instead will just increase cardio or training volume. Its a much easier process when youre already lean before a contest or start cutting slowly even 4-8 weeks before you begin your prep.

Yea I started my 14 weeks out but only got serious 12 weeks out and I was fat. At least 15%. I'm really going to try to not get fat after this show.

I wish I could eat 300 a day and lose weight

 

[Ahmad90]

You should
Make a goal of around 10-12% BF naturally before jumping into contest prep/cycle. 10% would be very good if possible. And make sure its a slow process that takes weeks. Cutting too quick can make you end up in a situation like now where you feel like gains stopped. They really didnt stop it just takes more time, im sure you could get to 5% BF but it would take 4-6 weeks as opposed to the 2 weeks you have left. Regardless, im sure you will do good in the show according to your stats.

 

[dom7226]

Well I talked everything over with the coach and he's saying it couldn't possibly be the diet... So pretty much I am going to keep working on this myself.lol I am calling it on the show since I don't believe in presenting a package that isn't 1st place competitive. I plan on still getting "show lean" to prove to myself I can do it, doing a photoshoot to keep a goal in mind, and then try to maintain a decently low bodyfat thru the winter without going crazy; that way come next year I'll already be 1/2 way there. Besides, I haven't had an "off season" for over 2 years now and I'm sure my body could use a break from crazy strict dieting as much as my head does.