Ectomorph pics and tips from my last show!
Ectomorph pics and tips from my last show!
6 Attachment(s) Hello All,
I've been lurking these boards now for quite some time and just thought I would share some pics from a show I had recently. I've learned tons of information from the "contest preparation" section of these boards and thought it would only be fair to share what has worked for me. I have never hired a nutritionist for contest prep and it has taken me YEARS to figure out what works for my own body. So unfortunately, I cannot offer any diet tips or suggestions. I have learned that almost everybody is different and what works for some people will most likely not work for yourself.
First off, I consider myself a 100% lifetime drug free bodybuilder. There are many "definitions" to what is natural and what I consider natural is no steroids, growth hormones, diuretics, etc. Basically, the rules that WNBF organization enforce. I do take supplements like, Creatine, BCAA's, and weightgainer/protein shakes but still consider myself natural. I don't want to turn this thread into a debate but just thought I would let you know what I personally define what a natural bodybuilder is. It has taken me years to get to where I am today and have many years to go to improve. There is no magic formula. Just proper training, diet, and TIME to achieve results naturally.
So what has worked for me? I am probably one of the freakiest ectomorphs alive today. I am 32 years old and my metabolism is still freakishly high. I've learned that my body loves carbs so when I cut carbs my fat AND muscle melt away at the same time! When I diet for a show I actually keep my calories and carb intake pretty high. This is combined with very little cardio.
I've also learned not to cut out water. I do the whole sodium load and deplete strategy but slowly taper off my water on Friday. I sip on water throughout the day. I cut off water once for a show and could not get a pump and felt very "flat" on stage.
Don't include the last week before a show as part of the fat burning process. Be ready at LEAST 1 or 2 weeks early. You want to be sharp and not risk doing anything drastic the last week to play "catch up" and ruin 12+ weeks of dieting! If it ain't broke don't fix it! :-)
Posing! I cannot stress how important practicing posing is for a show. I've seen so many competitors focus on their physique and not presentation. You must get your muscles used to flexing and holding poses for seconds at a time. If not, your muscles may end up "quivering" or shaking due to not practicing and perhaps other factors. I started competing in 2005 and still have many years to go to perfect my posing.
In Summary:
-For ecto's you may need to keep calories and carbs high. I highly recommend hiring a nutritionist to help you learn your body and come up with a dieting strategy. I didn't do this so have learned through trial and error.
-Don't restrict water. I drink 2.5-3 gallons Mon-Thur. On Friday I drink about 1.5 gallons then sip from 6:00pm on.
-Be ready for a show 1-2 weeks ahead of time!
-Presentation and posing. Practice! Practice! Practice!
I hope that some of this may help you guys out. I've found a lot of information lurking these boards over the years and still have a lot more to learn. So after 11 years of working out and 3 years of competiting I have earned a WNBF Pro Card and plan on making some noise in the Pro ranks! :-) After this season, I will need to take at least 1 or 2 years off to bulk up and work on my weak areas. Thanks for reading this and now on to the pics! Oh, in these pics I competed as a middleweight weighing about 174 the day of the show.
Thats some freaky conditioning! I hope to get to that level one day!
Dam! you are ripped
Damn man! That's phenominal! Congrats to you and your determination!
Congrats you looked amazing! From one Natural to another!
Great conditioning! You look fantastic ! Congrats !
cflivinadream,
Thank you for taking time to post some of your experiences with contest preparation. I am sure this info will help someone else that's ecto like you. It is obvious from the pictures that you know what works for your body!
I agree with your definition of natural and found it refreshing to see you view on such a post.
What do you guys think his bf % is around 3-3.5% because he looks ****in diced. I have a show on the 25th 4 days out...Wan't to try and compair bf % off of what he looks like...
Wow, excellent conditioning, you've hit it.
you look great, keep up the good work,
Thanks everyone for your positive comments!
What do you guys think his bf % is around 3-3.5% because he looks ****in diced. I have a show on the 25th 4 days out...Wan't to try and compair bf % off of what he looks like... I'm thinking I was probably about 3.5% but that's just a "guess". We tried to measure with some skin calipers 2 days before the show and unfortunatley the reading was off the charts! :-O I usually just go by the mirror anyways for my shows.
I appreciate all the feedback and encouragement for my future shows. Now time to GROW! :-)
Excellent info! Is very interesting.
And great phisique. Those shoulders impressed me!
6 Attachment(s) Hello All,
I've been lurking these boards now for quite some time and just thought I would share some pics from a show I had recently. I've learned tons of information from the "contest preparation" section of these boards and thought it would only be fair to share what has worked for me. I have never hired a nutritionist for contest prep and it has taken me YEARS to figure out what works for my own body. So unfortunately, I cannot offer any diet tips or suggestions. I have learned that almost everybody is different and what works for some people will most likely not work for yourself.
First off, I consider myself a 100% lifetime drug free bodybuilder. There are many "definitions" to what is natural and what I consider natural is no steroids, growth hormones, diuretics, etc. Basically, the rules that WNBF organization enforce. I do take supplements like, Creatine, BCAA's, and weightgainer/protein shakes but still consider myself natural. I don't want to turn this thread into a debate but just thought I would let you know what I personally define what a natural bodybuilder is. It has taken me years to get to where I am today and have many years to go to improve. There is no magic formula. Just proper training, diet, and TIME to achieve results naturally.
So what has worked for me? I am probably one of the freakiest ectomorphs alive today. I am 32 years old and my metabolism is still freakishly high. I've learned that my body loves carbs so when I cut carbs my fat AND muscle melt away at the same time! When I diet for a show I actually keep my calories and carb intake pretty high. This is combined with very little cardio.
I've also learned not to cut out water. I do the whole sodium load and deplete strategy but slowly taper off my water on Friday. I sip on water throughout the day. I cut off water once for a show and could not get a pump and felt very "flat" on stage.
Don't include the last week before a show as part of the fat burning process. Be ready at LEAST 1 or 2 weeks early. You want to be sharp and not risk doing anything drastic the last week to play "catch up" and ruin 12+ weeks of dieting! If it ain't broke don't fix it! :-)
Posing! I cannot stress how important practicing posing is for a show. I've seen so many competitors focus on their physique and not presentation. You must get your muscles used to flexing and holding poses for seconds at a time. If not, your muscles may end up "quivering" or shaking due to not practicing and perhaps other factors. I started competing in 2005 and still have many years to go to perfect my posing.
In Summary:
-For ecto's you may need to keep calories and carbs high. I highly recommend hiring a nutritionist to help you learn your body and come up with a dieting strategy. I didn't do this so have learned through trial and error.
-Don't restrict water. I drink 2.5-3 gallons Mon-Thur. On Friday I drink about 1.5 gallons then sip from 6:00pm on.
-Be ready for a show 1-2 weeks ahead of time!
-Presentation and posing. Practice! Practice! Practice!
I hope that some of this may help you guys out. I've found a lot of information lurking these boards over the years and still have a lot more to learn. So after 11 years of working out and 3 years of competiting I have earned a WNBF Pro Card and plan on making some noise in the Pro ranks! :-) After this season, I will need to take at least 1 or 2 years off to bulk up and work on my weak areas. Thanks for reading this and now on to the pics! Oh, in these pics I competed as a middleweight weighing about 174 the day of the show.
Answer:
Thats some freaky conditioning! I hope to get to that level one day!
Answer:
Dam! you are ripped
Answer:
Damn man! That's phenominal! Congrats to you and your determination!
Answer:
Congrats you looked amazing! From one Natural to another!
Answer:
Great conditioning! You look fantastic ! Congrats !
Answer:
cflivinadream,
Thank you for taking time to post some of your experiences with contest preparation. I am sure this info will help someone else that's ecto like you. It is obvious from the pictures that you know what works for your body!
I agree with your definition of natural and found it refreshing to see you view on such a post.
Answer:
What do you guys think his bf % is around 3-3.5% because he looks ****in diced. I have a show on the 25th 4 days out...Wan't to try and compair bf % off of what he looks like...
Answer:
Wow, excellent conditioning, you've hit it.
Answer:
you look great, keep up the good work,
Answer:
Thanks everyone for your positive comments!
What do you guys think his bf % is around 3-3.5% because he looks ****in diced. I have a show on the 25th 4 days out...Wan't to try and compair bf % off of what he looks like... I'm thinking I was probably about 3.5% but that's just a "guess". We tried to measure with some skin calipers 2 days before the show and unfortunatley the reading was off the charts! :-O I usually just go by the mirror anyways for my shows.
I appreciate all the feedback and encouragement for my future shows. Now time to GROW! :-)
Answer:
Excellent info! Is very interesting.
And great phisique. Those shoulders impressed me!