25 weeks too long??

[figuremodjessica]

I am doing in a show in March and this is my first show. I was thinking of going ahead and start dieting just to have a leg up. I would rather be ready 3 weeks early instead of trying to rush it at the end. I just had a baby 3 months ago and am currently at 22% bf.

So is 25 weeks ok or too much??

[Mloveb]

I'm sure someone will have better input on this but the most I've seen someone start out is 16 weeks. I think dieting that long you can loose alot of muscle.
But everyone is different.
I'm sure someone may have a better answer for ya. Good luck and Grats on choosing a comp!
Grats on the baby too that is awesome, she's adorable form the picture, just wanna pinch her cheeks! lol

[figuremodjessica]

Thanks,
I will still eat enough and only start with a little bit of cardio...just kind of a baby step really. And then at 16 weeks, start a fat burner and really up the cardio.

[Nic902]

I usually start my diets at 16-17wks out....by dieting slowly it helps me keep my muscle instead of crash dieting and burning it all. I think it makes prep easier...and gives you plenty of time to make some tweaks along the way without freaking out.

25wks is a lot of time...I think 20 would be more than enough.

[figuremodjessica]

Yeah, I might just slowly start this saturday by like cutting out some of the carbs....then at 20 weeks jump into it. I just want to make sure I am ready!!

[dbroncofan]

Yeah....I agree with Nic...25 weeks is too long for a couple of reasons.
Once you start really cutting you can no longer put on muscle. So basically the muscle you build now is what you bring to the stage for your show. Take advantage of this time and grow, grow, grow. That doesn't mean you need to put on weight, but I wouldn't put yourself at a deficit yet or you risk not getting much muscle growth.
Also...you will burn out. Dieting for 16 weeks is a long time...dieting for 25 is killer. I would maybe work on cleaning up your diet now...eat good clean foods, but still allow yourself a cheat once per week and enough food to maintain some great muscle.
Are you doing any cardio right now?

[figuremodjessica]

I do cardio about 3-4 times a week right now for only about 30 mins. And here is my diet for now...(I am allergic to eggs, so I cant eat them)

1. 35g protein powder with 1/4cup oats
2. 6oz chicken w/ 1/4 cup oats
3. 35g protein w/ 8oz fat free milk and 20g waxy maize
4. 6oz chicken w/ sweet potato and 1/4 cup nuts
5. 5oz lean meat w/ 2 cups green veggie
6. 35g protein powder 1/ 1tbs PB

Maybe I should just cut out one of the carbs and maybe a shake meal???? And just do that til about 20 weeks??

Originally Posted by dbroncofan

Yeah....I agree with Nic...25 weeks is too long for a couple of reasons.
Once you start really cutting you can no longer put on muscle. So basically the muscle you build now is what you bring to the stage for your show. Take advantage of this time and grow, grow, grow. That doesn't mean you need to put on weight, but I wouldn't put yourself at a deficit yet or you risk not getting much muscle growth.
Also...you will burn out. Dieting for 16 weeks is a long time...dieting for 25 is killer. I would maybe work on cleaning up your diet now...eat good clean foods, but still allow yourself a cheat once per week and enough food to maintain some great muscle.
Are you doing any cardio right now?

[MuscleMama87]

[SIZE="3"]Hey Congrats on the baby btw!!!!

Im not an expert..I only have one show under my belt..but girl...I think 25 weeks out is waaay to much time. Like everyone said..you want to build some muscle now..when you start cutting for a show you cant build your muscle and if you start too early you may risk losing your hard work. The most I would go out would be 16 weeks like Nic said (I started mine at 10 weeks)

From the looks of your diet, I wouldnt cut out anything just yet..it seems like you are worried that you wont be able to cut when the time comes or you wont be at your "prime"..I dont think you have anything to worry about..but thats just me

Your gonna be fine I will be rootin for you the whole time!!! [/SIZE]

[figuremodjessica]

Yeah, I used to do some powerlifting so I am quite strong and I do have a good amount of muscle...but I would hate to loose any.

[dbroncofan]

I wouldn't cut any carbs out yet. You want to maintain that muscle and you also need to have something to cut out later in your prep.
If you cut things out too soon you will have no where to go later when you really need to lean down.
Same thing with cardio...I wouldn't up it yet..otherwise you will be doing hours of it later on and killing yourself to lean down.

I would try to keep what you are doing and lift heavy and later slowly change things.

[figuremodjessica]

I was thinking that I started a little cardio now...that I wouldnt have to do so much....But now that I think about it, if I did start some now....then my body was just continue getting used to it and lord knows I dont want to be doing 4 hours 5 weeks out...aaaaawwww

[alygrrl]

I agree with the rest...Start slow, clean up your diet...eat only whole clean foods. Focus on lifting and building muscle.
I wouldn't increase your cardio just yet. Use it as a tool. A fat buring tool...the more you do now the less of an effect it will have when you really need to drop weight. So I would start to add cardio in at the 16 week point and increase the time and intensity from there.
Also, DB is right. I would have KILLED MYSELF if I had to diet for 25 weeks. Seriously, I would have gave up. Not only is dieting/ preping for a show taxing on your body but it is mental game and emotionally exhausting. 16 weeks is plenty, trust me. I started at 16 weeks, fairy soft with some muscle and by show time I was LEAN!

Just my opinion Girlie..I am sure you will do fantastic at your show! and there are a lot of Mommies on here who compete, you should PM them for some contest coping tips

[Nic902]

Originally Posted by dbroncofan

I wouldn't cut any carbs out yet. You want to maintain that muscle and you also need to have something to cut out later in your prep.
If you cut things out too soon you will have no where to go later when you really need to lean down.
Same thing with cardio...I wouldn't up it yet..otherwise you will be doing hours of it later on and killing yourself to lean down.

I would try to keep what you are doing and lift heavy and later slowly change things.

X2! If you start cutting stuff out now and doing too much cardio, where will you make changes when you plateau? Take it slow, eat clean and keep hitting the weights heavy...16wks would be plenty of time.

[jillyrev]

Originally Posted by figuremodjessica

I am doing in a show in March and this is my first show. I was thinking of going ahead and start dieting just to have a leg up. I would rather be ready 3 weeks early instead of trying to rush it at the end. I just had a baby 3 months ago and am currently at 22% bf.

So is 25 weeks ok or too much??

hey there!
i just talked to my coach today about my prep for the Arnold. currently i am 23 weeks out... i wanted to start my diet at 20 weeks out but he said no way before 16 weeks...

do you have a coach? what are your goals? your stats now? a lot goes into this... how is your diet now? are you eating clean? is someone going to work your contest diet? there are all things you need to think about... you dont want to over diet, but if you have a lot to lose then cleaning up your diet might be a good thing!

[Mynxie]

In my experience dieting that long isn't good for you. My contest prep ending up lasting from the end of March til Nov, last year. By the last show my body had literally shut down and stopped cooperating. 16 weeks is the max any coach should let you diet. I'd say just clean up your diet now, have a cheat meal once a week, and continue lifting. Try not to add too much cardio this early, otherwise, you'll be at hours of it by the last month. UGH!

Post your goals and then we can help more. Congrats on the wee one too!