Question for Figure competitors-

[MsBeverlyHills]

Im training for a show in December & Im really good with the diet & weight-training, but the cardio (45 mins in the AM on an empty stomach) is really wiping me out. At around 10am- Im physcially sick & exhausted- I cant exactly take a nap at work

anyways- any ideas to get past that. I know the cardio is important, but its been a rough couple wks.

thanks

 

[Miss24k]

What time is your last meal of the day?

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

around 6:30 or 7pm. Should I change that?

 

[Miss24k]

around 6:30 or 7pm. Should I change that?

You might want to have some protein and fats alittle later than that.

I should have asked you what time you are doing your cardio.

You are probably waiting way too long to eat something, like 12 to 13 hours.

 

[nikkita]

in the past when doing long cardio sessions in the AM I brought with me an energized drink to that after the first 20-25 mins I had some sips, and feel good to finish alright

however it worked better for me to divide my cardio sessions, one short in the AM (20-30 mins) and one in the PM... whatever time necessary to fill my cardio requirements.

Taking a thermogenic can aid to give you energy as well.

Be sure to have your breakfast or first meal almost right away of your AM cardio, so that you don't burn out your muscles.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

Mis24K- yeah Im doing the cardio at 6:30 so its about 12 hrs. Maybe a late night protein shake would help.

nikkita-2 cardio session a day??? good idea- but I really just like to get it over with at one time. Im taking a thermo in the afternoon, its just the late mornings that im toast

 

[Miss24k]

Mis24K- yeah Im doing the cardio at 6:30 so its about 12 hrs. Maybe a late night protein/carb would help.

nikkita-2 cardio session a day??? good idea- but I really just like to get it over with at one time. Im taking a thermo in the afternoon, its just the late mornings that im toast

I think a protein/fats would help before bed, not carbs before you are going to go to sleep and won't use them. The fats will slow down the digestion of the protein.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

I think a protein/fats would help before bed, not carbs before you are going to go to sleep and won't use them. The fats will slow down the digestion of the protein.

protein shake?

 

[Miss24k]

protein shake?

that would be good with a tbsp of peanut butter.

 

[aandd]

Cardio Breeze from the AF store is the bomb! I can tell a difference in my energy level on the days I take it and the days I forget.

edit to add that I am no where near a figure competitor... just someone who loathes doing cardio and needs all the help I can get. LOL.

 

[nikkita]

Mis24K- yeah Im doing the cardio at 6:30 so its about 12 hrs. Maybe a late night protein shake would help.

nikkita-2 cardio session a day??? good idea- but I really just like to get it over with at one time. Im taking a thermo in the afternoon, its just the late mornings that im toast

what do you eat after your AM cardio?

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

protein shake?

Worried...12-13hrs no food and then AM cardio on empty stomach. Then when do you eat...I hope immediately after the cardio? Dependent upon when your show is in Dec - you are at least 8-10 weeks out? Where's you BF at now. I just worry a lot that many people on EF aren't eating enough carbs or enough at all. Just saying this as an opinion on what I see people posting they are eating (or not) here on the boards. Possibly starving off some muscle? Not trying to be critical - just hoping you make it to the show with enough muscle to...well, show.

Think you should eat some protein and veg in whole food form as late as you can. For 7 yrs while I competed, I ate immediately before I went to bed..10 or 1030pm. AM empty stomach cardio is okay, but no longer than 20mins at high intensity is really needed. Seriously, those 45min empty stomach sessions have got to be chomping up your lean tissue like mad.
__________________
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

 

[Daisy_Girl]

I second (third?) the idea of more food alter at night. A sprotein shake plus fast is great - flax oil, PB, almonds. A REAL MEAL of food is even better. Food is more anabolic anyway!

Also, any chance you could drop the cardio for now? Do you really need it right now? Do you think you could drop it and add it back in about 4 weeks out for a final push?