So I went & Saw the Trainer today....

[jenscats5]

He is the owner of a Gold's Gym here, previous competitor, wife has competed, has worked with 60+ (#) women -- 1 pro fitness, 2 champions, and several who've done their 1st show & won & others who've placed in their first show then did another in a year & won.....He said the Sept show is a Natural show so it will be a LOT different than the girls I saw at Sassy's show.

He seemed kinda impressed with what I've been doing already -- the fact that I keep a log/journal and my diet, which he said is pretty clean. He seemed kinda surprised at the % of bf I have considering my basic diet. He says for me to compete I need to lean out. Calipered me (7 site) at 20.7%

He doesn't seem to be a big "supplement guy." Meaning he suggest a Multi + glutamine but didn't go into a diatribe on "other stuff." His plan would basically tweak what I'm doing now & when I see him again he will give me a plan -- which I need to follow so he can track what works & doesn't. I DON'T have to work out at his gym.

He would want me to lose 20lbs of fat for Figure & 25lbs of fat for BBing. We can decide @ 8 weeks out which we'd do. His costs are: $100 down & $40 when I see him --> 1st month = 1x; then every 2 weeks till the last 4 weeks; then 1x per week or 2x per week if I do BBing.

He can assist me with posing. He does posing clinics ($15). He said my body type is similar to another woman he trains, so he believes my body fat will be hard to move. Oh and he said my skin is still thick. So he wants to adjust my diet to stay 1 step ahead from body adaptation. He thinks my body has adapted to what I've been doing......

SO -- now what to do........

 

[*Bunny*]

Hmmm... what do you think about what he said?

 

[Miss24k]

You have to remember everyone has a different approach

And what Bunny said how do you feel about what he said?

 

[foreigngirl]

He is the owner of a Gold's Gym here, previous competitor, wife has competed, has worked with 60+ (#) women -- 1 pro fitness, 2 champions, and several who've done their 1st show & won & others who've placed in their first show then did another in a year & won.....He said the Sept show is a Natural show so it will be a LOT different than the girls I saw at Sassy's show.

He seemed kinda impressed with what I've been doing already -- the fact that I keep a log/journal and my diet, which he said is pretty clean. He seemed kinda surprised at the % of bf I have considering my basic diet. He says for me to compete I need to lean out. Calipered me (7 site) at 20.7%

He doesn't seem to be a big "supplement guy." Meaning he suggest a Multi + glutamine but didn't go into a diatribe on "other stuff." His plan would basically tweak what I'm doing now & when I see him again he will give me a plan -- which I need to follow so he can track what works & doesn't. I DON'T have to work out at his gym.

He would want me to lose 20lbs of fat for Figure & 25lbs of fat for BBing. We can decide @ 8 weeks out which we'd do. His costs are: $100 down & $40 when I see him --> 1st month = 1x; then every 2 weeks till the last 4 weeks; then 1x per week or 2x per week if I do BBing.

He can assist me with posing. He does posing clinics ($15). He said my body type is similar to another woman he trains, so he believes my body fat will be hard to move. Oh and he said my skin is still thick. So he wants to adjust my diet to stay 1 step ahead from body adaptation. He thinks my body has adapted to what I've been doing......

SO -- now what to do........

What supps are you taking? I allready am taking 4.5gr of glutamine after workout and multi's, fish oil, flax seed, l-arginine. Can you tell me what are u taking so I can maybe add them on to my list?

 

[Miss24k]

Can you tell me what are u taking so I can maybe add them on to my list?

This right here is a dangerous statement!!!!!

Just because someone else is taking or doing something, doesn't mean YOU SHOULD. You need to find out WHY they are taking it!

 

[foreigngirl]

This right here is a dangerous statement!!!!!

Just because someone else is taking or doing something, doesn't mean YOU SHOULD. You need to find out WHY they are taking it!

OK then, if anyone can tell me what are they taking and why, what does it do, so I can decide if its for me or not...

 

[jenscats5]

You have to remember everyone has a different approach

And what Bunny said how do you feel about what he said?

That is true....about the diff. approaches.....And I've never done a contest so I'd have to rely on someone else with experience, etc...

I thought he was nice & easy to talk to....

Hubby said it best: So, you're going to pay this guy to do what?? Tell you what to eat & what to do (workout)?? That's it??

But I do realize competition & "life" are 2 diff. animals.....

 

[jenscats5]

What supps are you taking? I allready am taking 4.5gr of glutamine after workout and multi's, fish oil, flax seed, l-arginine. Can you tell me what are u taking so I can maybe add them on to my list?

I take:

Viactiv Calcium chews or Tums EX --> For Calcium
Glucosamine & Chondroiten --> Joint Health
Cardio Breeze --> Energy, mild thermogenic

And I'm also currently taking a Fat Burner.....for, um, fat burning...

 

[Miss24k]

OK then, if anyone can tell me what are they taking and why, what does it do, so I can decide if its for me or not...

Huney I wasn't trying to be mean, it's just alot of girls come on here and try and follow what someone else is doing. And our bodies are all different what works for me will not necessarily work for you.

Sorry if it came across harsh

 

[jenscats5]

Huney I wasn't trying to be mean, it's just alot of girls come on here and try and follow what someone else is doing. And our bodies are all different what works for me will not necessarily work for you.

Sorry if it came across harsh

I love when you yell -- yell at me more often!! Yay!!

Miss Missy =

 

[*Bunny*]

OK then, if anyone can tell me what are they taking and why, what does it do, so I can decide if its for me or not...

Good reading for you ... AF Store

(sorry Jens not trying to jack your thread)

 

[jenscats5]

Good reading for you ... AF Store

(sorry Jens not trying to jack your thread)

Do they have Glutamine at the AF store??

 

[*Bunny*]

Do they have Glutamine at the AF store??

Yes, I use it (of course) EnerG

...has an interesting *twang* to it, but it appears when the stock of this particular 'flavor' is out, the 'flavorless' will be available again, or so I've heard (kinda tastes cocoa-y chalky (not in the 'good' way to most) but I doesn't bother me at all and I actually like the taste)

 

[foreigngirl]

Huney I wasn't trying to be mean, it's just alot of girls come on here and try and follow what someone else is doing. And our bodies are all different what works for me will not necessarily work for you.

Sorry if it came across harsh

Nah, dont worry about it, I dont see it being harsh, it was only the plain truth and I like that. It's just that I am not totally clueless (I know a little bit, cause my husband is into this really deep) and wanted to know what other girls are taking so I can research it and figure out if its for me or not, thats all...I'll try to be carefull how I ask Q

 

[sdupdike]

I take:

Viactiv Calcium chews or Tums EX --> For Calcium
Glucosamine & Chondroiten --> Joint Health
Cardio Breeze --> Energy, mild thermogenic

And I'm also currently taking a Fat Burner.....for, um, fat burning...

Jen, I'm new here, but I thought I'd comment on your calcium supplements. Those viactiv chews have corn syrup (1st ingredient) and sugar in them. And the calcium in them is not the kind of calcium that is best absorbed by the body (same goes for the tums). I believe from what I've read that calcium citrate is the best calcium supp to take.

 

[Miss24k]

I believe from what I've read that calcium citrate is the best calcium supp to take.

This is true, your body absorbs cal. citrate much better, this is also the kind I use

 

[The Shadow]

He is the owner of a Gold's Gym here, previous competitor, wife has competed, has worked with 60+ (#) women -- 1 pro fitness, 2 champions, and several who've done their 1st show & won & others who've placed in their first show then did another in a year & won.....He said the Sept show is a Natural show so it will be a LOT different than the girls I saw at Sassy's show.

He seemed kinda impressed with what I've been doing already -- the fact that I keep a log/journal and my diet, which he said is pretty clean. He seemed kinda surprised at the % of bf I have considering my basic diet. He says for me to compete I need to lean out. Calipered me (7 site) at 20.7%

He doesn't seem to be a big "supplement guy." Meaning he suggest a Multi + glutamine but didn't go into a diatribe on "other stuff." His plan would basically tweak what I'm doing now & when I see him again he will give me a plan -- which I need to follow so he can track what works & doesn't. I DON'T have to work out at his gym.

He would want me to lose 20lbs of fat for Figure & 25lbs of fat for BBing. We can decide @ 8 weeks out which we'd do. His costs are: $100 down & $40 when I see him --> 1st month = 1x; then every 2 weeks till the last 4 weeks; then 1x per week or 2x per week if I do BBing.

He can assist me with posing. He does posing clinics ($15). He said my body type is similar to another woman he trains, so he believes my body fat will be hard to move. Oh and he said my skin is still thick. So he wants to adjust my diet to stay 1 step ahead from body adaptation. He thinks my body has adapted to what I've been doing......

SO -- now what to do........

duh.....at 15% yourskin WILL be thick....its caled bodyfat

LOL

depends on what your gut says......

 

[jenscats5]

duh.....at 15% yourskin WILL be thick....its caled bodyfat

LOL

depends on what your gut says......

Well, he says I'm at 20% so I guess I've got both....

Do you think what he said is pretty "normal" for contest prep? Being as I have no experience in this, I don't know if any of it is "logical."

 

[Miss24k]

What did he say regarding contest prep? Did I miss that part of the post?

 

[The Shadow]

Well, he says I'm at 20% so I guess I've got both....

Do you think what he said is pretty "normal" for contest prep? Being as I have no experience in this, I don't know if any of it is "logical."

I really didnt see any specifics..other than the plan you are on look good...tweak a bit(duh)....thats really all I saw.....the thing about the fat loss is debatable...5 oounds between figure and bbing??

5 pounds divided by a scale weight of say 115-120 is about 4 %...so thats about right imo

 

[jenscats5]

What did he say regarding contest prep? Did I miss that part of the post?

Well, once I start paying him -- he'll tell me what to eat & give me a workout. Which I would need to follow exactly so he can track changes. No adjusting his "plan" cuz then he can't track changes.

 

[jenscats5]

I really didnt see any specifics..other than the plan you are on look good...tweak a bit(duh)....thats really all I saw.....the thing about the fat loss is debatable...5 oounds between figure and bbing??

5 pounds divided by a scale weight of say 115-120 is about 4 %...so thats about right imo

Well it seems to me that in order to get "specifics" I need to hand over the credit card......and to complete I'd have to "lean out" -- another duh....

Gawd -- if I lose 20 lbs of fat -- would there be anything left of me?? LOL

 

[*Bunny*]

I guess there are more generalizations than specifics as to his 'training' but you wont get details unless he sees the $green$...

If you can afford it, I honestly don't think the learning experience would hurt you at all, and you have all of us to help you along the way as well.

Besides, having someone there, face to face, and help with posing might work better for you as this will be your first show.

I think you need to trust what/who ever you decide for your training/prep. Everyone will probably have a different opinion on how to prepare and last thing you need is to be running around all confused...

I wish I could give you an accurate response re: the comment "He would want me to lose 20lbs of fat for Figure & 25lbs of fat for BBing"

If you got the funds...why not?

$.02

 

[jenscats5]

I guess there are more generalizations than specifics as to his 'training' but you wont get details unless he sees the $green$...

If you can afford it, I honestly don't think the learning experience would hurt you at all, and you have all of us to help you along the way as well.

Besides, having someone there, face to face, and help with posing might work better for you as this will be your first show.

I think you need to trust what/who ever you decide for your training/prep. Everyone will probably have a different opinion on how to prepare and last thing you need is to be running around all confused...

I wish I could give you an accurate response re: the comment "He would want me to lose 20lbs of fat for Figure & 25lbs of fat for BBing"

If you got the funds...why not?

$.02

Well, yeah -- having someone right here to see the changes as they occur then adjust accordingly would be necessary....Plus I don't think I could do this on my own & just show up @ the show w/o a "professional" to evaluate me 1st....

 

[The Shadow]

Well...no.


You would be what 115 pounds at what 5'6"?

 

[jenscats5]

Well...no.


You would be what 115 pounds at what 5'6"?

I'm 5'4" or maybe 5'5".....

 

[skittles]

Could you see another trainer, and go with which ever one you pefer?

 

[jenscats5]

Could you see another trainer, and go with which ever one you pefer?

Well, I don't know of any......our lil state isn't big on gyms -- most don't even have personal training staff.

The guy who does the bbing shows here is a guy I know & he referred me to this trainer......told me this guy is the "best" around here....

 

[*Bunny*]

Well, I don't know of any......our lil state isn't big on gyms -- most don't even have personal training staff.

The guy who does the bbing shows here is a guy I know & he referred me to this trainer......told me this guy is the "best" around here....

(...think you made your decision...)

and you're like 5'3



j/k

 

[Roonytunes]

Well, I don't know of any......our lil state isn't big on gyms -- most don't even have personal training staff.

The guy who does the bbing shows here is a guy I know & he referred me to this trainer......told me this guy is the "best" around here....

Jen, forgive me if I'm confusing you with someone else, but are you in Delaware? If so, would you consider crossing the border into PA? There are plenty of trainers to choose from in the Philly area.

 

[skittles]

(...think you made your decision...)

I agree

Only the best for Jens

 

[Miss24k]

Jens, for me i did my first show without a trainer, had my sister-in-law help me out, but she lives in Boston. I didn't want to pay all kinds of money and wasn't sure if competing was something I liked. Many times I wish I had someone next to me, because it was extremely hard doing it by myself.

Anyway after this competition I will be working with a trainer because I want to take my body to the level next, and I'm determined to blow them away next year. Don't think I can do that by myself. He's also going to be helping me with the last week of prep this time around.

 

[Foxy Cleopatra]

Well, I don't know of any......our lil state isn't big on gyms -- most don't even have personal training staff.

The guy who does the bbing shows here is a guy I know & he referred me to this trainer......told me this guy is the "best" around here....

Hi Jenscats!!

I am new to this board--but not contest prep--so I'd love to offer you my 0.02 (although due to inflation it might be worth 0.005 now )

Anyway, there are more good things that he said about what he could do for you than bad. Ultimately it comes down to "does he give you the willies or not" . But the fact that he is not pushing supplements is a major PLUS for him. He is confident that he can get you to contest weight (AND shape-very important) without the use of suppies which means he knows how to manipulate food and probably has a good nutrition knowledge base. It also means the diet that he gives you will be more specific to you b/c it will only be YOU that makes it "work"--not some magic concoction. I don't if I made sense saying that .

Also, his fee is more than reasonable and is about what the going rate is. Anything more and you need to have more big names behind you. That means he's not "all about the money" but is more likely just making a living like all the rest of us.

You want someone to diet you down for a show not because you don't know how, but because that's the last thing you need to be worrying about when a show is coming. Four weeks out from show you will realize that you are about as objective as a chocaholic on a tour in Willy Wonka's Factory! You need another eyeball whose main priority is to see you succeed! You will think you're fat, you're not losing fast enough, you need bigger shoulders, you need to drop the small farm animal off of your backside, and etc.! His job is to smack some sense into you--ok, maybe a little beyond what you are paying him for, but close enough.

If you can, talk to someone who worked with him...but if you don't have that as a resource...go with that little voice inside you...

 

[Miss24k]

How much is he charging up every time you see him after the first month?

 

[jenscats5]

How much is he charging up every time you see him after the first month?

$40 every time I see him (Month 1 = 1x; Months 2-3 = every 2 weeks, last month = 1x per week) + $15 for the posing classes

 

[jenscats5]

Jen, forgive me if I'm confusing you with someone else, but are you in Delaware? If so, would you consider crossing the border into PA? There are plenty of trainers to choose from in the Philly area.

I am in DE, yes -- but I know myself & I wouldn't go if I had to drive to PA...

 

[Sassy69]

Hey girl - it sounds like he gave you the basic evaluation you are going to get from anyone seeing you for the first time. He's giving you the guideline for the typical competitor w/ your height. If you are not already lean, you are just goign to have to go thru that whole body transformation. I've done this before & I still had to go thru the same thing. As a result of 3 months of dieting and doign a show, technicallly, only NOW can I say I'm in a good place to START prepping for a figure show. Because you don't have a good handle and a documented experience with how your body reacts to diets, training, cardio, holding water, etc. you have to do all that. If the guy has successfully gotten competitors to national / pro winning level, he must know something. He can't promise anything because there are so many variables and ultimately it depends on you and the whole process. But he can give guidance that can be tweaked & adjusted along the way. If you only see him physically 1x / month, you can do things like - have him show you the poses, then you can take pix on a weekly basis & send them to him so he can see your progress in the positions that the judges will be observing you - because the only important thing you need to do is (well, yes you need to be able to walk in the big shoes) look perfect in the poses they ask you to do. You can look like crap back stage, but those poses are how the judges look at you for critique. (Like matty says "... its all about the quarter turn to the right, beeyotch")

As far as the "thick skin" -- yep that's what you have when you arent' competition lean. You can continue to keep your skin moisturized at all times to help keep it supple (also helps when u get to protan time) but you just need to keep the bodyfat loss goign to thin out your skin. Then at contest time you can pull some of the subcutaneous water out w/ the water depletion, natural diuretics like taraxatone, etc. and also with the carb up - which will help pull out any water it can find in yoru body and use it to hold the carbs and fill out your muscles some more.

BTW -- not all the girls at my show were juiced. Plenty of natty girls. But like I continue to say - you either do a show or you dont'. It is particuarly hard when its your first time and the rigor of the diet & training is a shock cuz its new and also the stress of waiting to see the results. But you have to keep in mind that you don't live & die by this show. Don't let your success or progress in going after this show define who you are goign forward, cuz there are always levels of improvement going on. Esp for your first show, you want the experience and you want to be the best you can be for THAT show (because you are on a limited time table doing a whole new experiment). A good trainer will give you tweaks to the diet & training along the way. He should be fairly candid about what you need to reshape for the show, but also realize that there is a reasonable level of leanness that you need to sort of just play the game. Dont' get hung up on the weight numbers he says because in figure weight is irrelevant - the classes are based on height. But what matters is your tightness, proportion and general symmetry on stage. And just remember that you are there to have fun with it. I've done 2 shows very seriously and they were just a lot of work and frustration. The show you guys came to, I took for what it was worth and never had so much fun in my life. You should grow from teh experience and learn so you can use that knowledge to improve your life post show.

*steps off soap box*

I think this guy is probably worth the money -- competition is not somethign you can easily set a budget for and expect to get off cheap. Because it is a full-on life-learning experience that affects your daily life, emotions, etc. really down to the core. If you have a guy who has experience you can draw from, is easy to talk to and will give you useful advice, go for it. I think you will also discover there is VERY LITTLE to be modest about durign this process so it is even more critical to comfortable w/ this guy. At teh end of it, the worst you do is learn what you DONT want to do

 

[jenscats5]

Hi Jenscats!! Hey girl!!

I am new to this board--but not contest prep--so I'd love to offer you my 0.02 (although due to inflation it might be worth 0.005 now )

Anyway, there are more good things that he said about what he could do for you than bad. Ultimately it comes down to "does he give you the willies or not" . But the fact that he is not pushing supplements is a major PLUS for him. He is confident that he can get you to contest weight (AND shape-very important) without the use of suppies which means he knows how to manipulate food and probably has a good nutrition knowledge base. It also means the diet that he gives you will be more specific to you b/c it will only be YOU that makes it "work"--not some magic concoction. I don't if I made sense saying that . No, he didn't give me the willies. Plus his wife was there -- looks like they work together. Seems like a laid back guy. BIG guy. And yes, I liked that, when I asked about supplements -- he didn't give me a LONG list of take this & this & this & you have to buy it from me & me only, blah blah blah....And yes, he did say adjustments would be made based on how I look, etc and that "I can tell if you cheat."

Also, his fee is more than reasonable and is about what the going rate is. Anything more and you need to have more big names behind you. That means he's not "all about the money" but is more likely just making a living like all the rest of us. I was wondering about this part.....

You want someone to diet you down for a show not because you don't know how, but because that's the last thing you need to be worrying about when a show is coming. Four weeks out from show you will realize that you are about as objective as a chocaholic on a tour in Willy Wonka's Factory! You need another eyeball whose main priority is to see you succeed! You will think you're fat, you're not losing fast enough, you need bigger shoulders, you need to drop the small farm animal off of your backside, and etc.! His job is to smack some sense into you--ok, maybe a little beyond what you are paying him for, but close enough. Good points all!! And I since I'm not experience or even know anything about competing I think a "pro" would be more helpful to me. I just don't think I could do it on my own.

If you can, talk to someone who worked with him...but if you don't have that as a resource...go with that little voice inside you...

Good tips -- my responses in bold!! Thank you SO much for the advice....You & everyone else!!

I am SO FREAKING indecisive when it comes to doing anything....

 

[Miss24k]

Hey girl - it sounds like he gave you the basic evaluation you are going to get from anyone seeing you for the first time. He's giving you the guideline for the typical competitor w/ your height. If you are not already lean, you are just goign to have to go thru that whole body transformation. I've done this before & I still had to go thru the same thing. As a result of 3 months of dieting and doign a show, technicallly, only NOW can I say I'm in a good place to START prepping for a figure show. Because you don't have a good handle and a documented experience with how your body reacts to diets, training, cardio, holding water, etc. you have to do all that. If the guy has successfully gotten competitors to national / pro winning level, he must know something. He can't promise anything because there are so many variables and ultimately it depends on you and the whole process. But he can give guidance that can be tweaked & adjusted along the way. If you only see him physically 1x / month, you can do things like - have him show you the poses, then you can take pix on a weekly basis & send them to him so he can see your progress in the positions that the judges will be observing you - because the only important thing you need to do is (well, yes you need to be able to walk in the big shoes) look perfect in the poses they ask you to do. You can look like crap back stage, but those poses are how the judges look at you for critique. (Like matty says "... its all about the quarter turn to the right, beeyotch")

As far as the "thick skin" -- yep that's what you have when you arent' competition lean. You can continue to keep your skin moisturized at all times to help keep it supple (also helps when u get to protan time) but you just need to keep the bodyfat loss goign to thin out your skin. Then at contest time you can pull some of the subcutaneous water out w/ the water depletion, natural diuretics like taraxatone, etc. and also with the carb up - which will help pull out any water it can find in yoru body and use it to hold the carbs and fill out your muscles some more.

BTW -- not all the girls at my show were juiced. Plenty of natty girls. But like I continue to say - you either do a show or you dont'. It is particuarly hard when its your first time and the rigor of the diet & training is a shock cuz its new and also the stress of waiting to see the results. But you have to keep in mind that you don't live & die by this show. Don't let your success or progress in going after this show define who you are goign forward, cuz there are always levels of improvement going on. Esp for your first show, you want the experience and you want to be the best you can be for THAT show (because you are on a limited time table doing a whole new experiment). A good trainer will give you tweaks to the diet & training along the way. He should be fairly candid about what you need to reshape for the show, but also realize that there is a reasonable level of leanness that you need to sort of just play the game. Dont' get hung up on the weight numbers he says because in figure weight is irrelevant - the classes are based on height. But what matters is your tightness, proportion and general symmetry on stage. And just remember that you are there to have fun with it. I've done 2 shows very seriously and they were just a lot of work and frustration. The show you guys came to, I took for what it was worth and never had so much fun in my life. You should grow from teh experience and learn so you can use that knowledge to improve your life post show.

*steps off soap box*

I think this guy is probably worth the money -- competition is not somethign you can easily set a budget for and expect to get off cheap. Because it is a full-on life-learning experience that affects your daily life, emotions, etc. really down to the core. If you have a guy who has experience you can draw from, is easy to talk to and will give you useful advice, go for it. I think you will also discover there is VERY LITTLE to be modest about durign this process so it is even more critical to comfortable w/ this guy. At teh end of it, the worst you do is learn what you DONT want to do

Well said Miss sassy pants.... this is just 1 of the reasons I love this HAWT mama so much

 

[Sassy69]

A good trainer can tell IMMEDIATELY when you are cheating.

My trainer can nail people when they walk into the gym ... "So N-, how much wine did you have last nite?" BUSTED!

You either do a show or you don't.

 

[Evil_Frisky]

Sassy your the Best

 

[Miss24k]

Good tips -- my responses in bold!! Thank you SO much for the advice....You & everyone else!!

I am SO FREAKING indecisive when it comes to doing anything....

ahhhhhhhhhhhh JUST FRIGGIN DO IT ALREADY!!!

 

[Sassy69]

You either do it or you don't girl, and I think you are just aching for 3 months of masochist dieting, death by deadlift training and kicked-my-ass cardio because your life is so empty and meaningless without it!

SO JUST DO IT!

 

[jenscats5]

Hey girl - it sounds like he gave you the basic evaluation you are going to get from anyone seeing you for the first time. He's giving you the guideline for the typical competitor w/ your height. If you are not already lean, you are just goign to have to go thru that whole body transformation. I've done this before & I still had to go thru the same thing. As a result of 3 months of dieting and doign a show, technicallly, only NOW can I say I'm in a good place to START prepping for a figure show. Because you don't have a good handle and a documented experience with how your body reacts to diets, training, cardio, holding water, etc. you have to do all that. If the guy has successfully gotten competitors to national / pro winning level, he must know something. He can't promise anything because there are so many variables and ultimately it depends on you and the whole process. But he can give guidance that can be tweaked & adjusted along the way. If you only see him physically 1x / month, you can do things like - have him show you the poses, then you can take pix on a weekly basis & send them to him so he can see your progress in the positions that the judges will be observing you - because the only important thing you need to do is (well, yes you need to be able to walk in the big shoes) look perfect in the poses they ask you to do. You can look like crap back stage, but those poses are how the judges look at you for critique. (Like matty says "... its all about the quarter turn to the right, beeyotch")

As far as the "thick skin" -- yep that's what you have when you arent' competition lean. You can continue to keep your skin moisturized at all times to help keep it supple (also helps when u get to protan time) but you just need to keep the bodyfat loss goign to thin out your skin. Then at contest time you can pull some of the subcutaneous water out w/ the water depletion, natural diuretics like taraxatone, etc. and also with the carb up - which will help pull out any water it can find in yoru body and use it to hold the carbs and fill out your muscles some more.

BTW -- not all the girls at my show were juiced. Plenty of natty girls. But like I continue to say - you either do a show or you dont'. It is particuarly hard when its your first time and the rigor of the diet & training is a shock cuz its new and also the stress of waiting to see the results. But you have to keep in mind that you don't live & die by this show. Don't let your success or progress in going after this show define who you are goign forward, cuz there are always levels of improvement going on. Esp for your first show, you want the experience and you want to be the best you can be for THAT show (because you are on a limited time table doing a whole new experiment). A good trainer will give you tweaks to the diet & training along the way. He should be fairly candid about what you need to reshape for the show, but also realize that there is a reasonable level of leanness that you need to sort of just play the game. Dont' get hung up on the weight numbers he says because in figure weight is irrelevant - the classes are based on height. But what matters is your tightness, proportion and general symmetry on stage. And just remember that you are there to have fun with it. I've done 2 shows very seriously and they were just a lot of work and frustration. The show you guys came to, I took for what it was worth and never had so much fun in my life. You should grow from teh experience and learn so you can use that knowledge to improve your life post show.

*steps off soap box*

I think this guy is probably worth the money -- competition is not somethign you can easily set a budget for and expect to get off cheap. Because it is a full-on life-learning experience that affects your daily life, emotions, etc. really down to the core. If you have a guy who has experience you can draw from, is easy to talk to and will give you useful advice, go for it. I think you will also discover there is VERY LITTLE to be modest about durign this process so it is even more critical to comfortable w/ this guy. At teh end of it, the worst you do is learn what you DONT want to do

Damn lady -- I you!! Wise, wise words.....THANK YOU!!

 

[Sassy69]

Plus at the end of it all, you will have some totally awesome stories to freak people out with .. like eating boiled chicken w/ flax oil on it or nuking some 90% cooked ground buffalo meat in a microwave at the local gas station while the local Hispanic kids distract the owner by fighting over the IceeFreeze machine and yelling high-pitched Spanish verbal assaults on each other.

And, when its all over, you can tell these stories with your EF friends over a Capt & Diet while waiting for the waiter to find you a mudderfugging white potato.

 

[jenscats5]

You either do it or you don't girl, and I think you are just aching for 3 months of masochist dieting, death by deadlift training and kicked-my-ass cardio because your life is so empty and meaningless without it!

SO JUST DO IT!

I see him Tues. nite at 9:30 pm.....

 

[Miss24k]

Plus at the end of it all, you will have some totally awesome stories to freak people out with .. like eating boiled chicken w/ flax oil on it or nuking some 90% cooked ground buffalo meat in a microwave at the local gas station while the local Hispanic kids distract the owner by fighting over the IceeFreeze machine and yelling high-pitched Spanish verbal assaults on each other.

And, when its all over, you can tell these stories with your EF friends over a Capt & Diet while waiting for the waiter to find you a mudderfugging white potato.

yup you'll definiately have stories to tell.... funny as hell 1s too. Like running around in the rain looking for salty nuts, or getting off stage and are shaking so bad that a trainer comes up to you and tells you huney you need to eat this icing... from a damn tube, and you actually do it, or freakin out in a restaurant for a glass of water.

So Jens... hmmm just STFU and do it!!! (since you like the whip so much, i'ma just it more on you)

 

[jenscats5]

Plus at the end of it all, you will have some totally awesome stories to freak people out with .. like eating boiled chicken w/ flax oil on it or nuking some 90% cooked ground buffalo meat in a microwave at the local gas station while the local Hispanic kids distract the owner by fighting over the IceeFreeze machine and yelling high-pitched Spanish verbal assaults on each other.

And, when its all over, you can tell these stories with your EF friends over a Capt & Diet while waiting for the waiter to find you a mudderfugging white potato.

OH!! I thought of you when I went to Trader Joe's the other day & got a package of buffalo....I chuckled to myself....

And I'm planning on carrying potatoes with me everywhere..... *wink*

 

[Miss24k]

OH!! I thought of you when I went to Trader Joe's the other day & got a package of buffalo....I chuckled to myself....

And I'm planning on carrying potatoes with me everywhere..... *wink*

Don't forget the water haha

 

[jenscats5]

yup you'll definiately have stories to tell.... funny as hell 1s too. Like running around in the rain looking for salty nuts, or getting off stage and are shaking so bad that a trainer comes up to you and tells you huney you need to eat this icing... from a damn tube, and you actually do it, or freakin out in a restaurant for a glass of water.

So Jens... hmmm just STFU and do it!!! (since you like the whip so much, i'ma just it more on you)

I plan on stocking up on salty pistachios too -- based on yours & Sass's stories, I have all sorts of mental notes....

Oh and yes ma'am.....

 

[Sassy69]

Not to blow the moment, but if you've ever seen a diabetic go into a sugar shock, that tube of frosting is more than just a tasty treat....

 

[*Bunny*]

Well said Miss sassy pants.... this is just 1 of the reasons I love this HAWT mama so much

^ for emphasis...

 

[*Bunny*]

p.s. I'm so pumped by this thread I want to do it just for fun with you jens...

Yes I know, I'm

carry on...

 

[jenscats5]

p.s. I'm so pumped by this thread I want to do it just for fun with you jens...

Yes I know, I'm

carry on...

Start a new journal or keep on with the current??

Hey does this mean I can eat junk till Tuesday??

 

[Miss24k]

Not to blow the moment, but if you've ever seen a diabetic go into a sugar shock, that tube of frosting is more than just a tasty treat....

Actually it wasn't a tasty treat for me, I think it was a lifesaver actually. I think in my little rants about my show I forgot about that 1. It wasn't funny at all. I held it together on stage, but once I got backstage I almost fell down. Somebody gave me the icing and with a few minutes I was feeling much better. That's another thing I learned about my body with this comp prep, I have to watch my sugar levels.


Hmmm Jens what the hell, you like my today don't you, I don't think I'm whipping you hard enough.............

NO DAMN JUNK FOOD FOR YOU!!!!

 

[buffgrl23]

This trainer sounds awesome! I need something like this. I know my gym definitely does not have anyone that does anything like this. Any suggestions on how to locate someone in my area?

 

[Sassy69]

This trainer sounds awesome! I need something like this. I know my gym definitely does not have anyone that does anything like this. Any suggestions on how to locate someone in my area?

If you are in competition prep and cant' find anyone just through personal inquiry / word of mouth, you can start by contacting the organization (e.g. NPC, NABBA, NGA) that is sponsoring the show or the gym / or whoever is promoting the show. Ask if they can recommend someone. Usually the local / state competition community is small enough that you can find at least a few people who do contest prep.