Aspiring Figure Competitior

[mcar1936]

Hello Everyone:

I am new to the site and just wanted to introduce myself. I am 5'8" and weigh 148 lbs. I am looking to lean out, I'm not particularly sure what my BF % is, but I'm assuming it's about 23-24%. I would like to get to 15-16%. I have been training for about a year and a half and have been consistent with my diet M-F, measuring in at about 1700 calories a day. The weekends are killing me and I have not been able to lower my weight for the past couple of months. I currently do an upper/lower split and do cardio 20-30 min. PWO and try to run 2 miles twice a week on my off days. I would like to enter into an amateur figure competition in the LA area, but if I am not 100% satisfied with where I am at, there is no way I will hop on stage. Additionally, I have RUI Clen and have not started on it yet. I am thinking about doing Keto along with my cycle, but am open to suggestions on what I should do to break my plateau. I know I do have to put my diet in check on the weekends also. (that's probably what is holding me back.)

 

[mcar1936]

I should also state that I am currently on an EC stack. This is my second cycle.

 

[Blondie_Bombshell]

When is the comp?

I would try the Keto alone first. I dont know anyone who doesnt loose on keto. Stick with that and the ECA and you should be good to go.

With the keto that I am doing right now, I refeed every 14 days. So you would have to clean up your weekend eating habits.

 

[supergirl]

With the keto that I am doing right now, I refeed every 14 days.

Damn.. I would be a moody bitch!! I know you are a huge keto fan Blondie, but you also need to be careful of the strain on your pancreas with a very low keto/long down time diet.. so please use caution and don't go keto too long

I personally prefer a cyclical semi keto diet.. similar to what Lyle McDonald suggested.. What I found that works for me personally is two days down, 1 day up.. Keeps me shocked and constantly metabolizing... I have also tried 5 down, 2 up (weekends up) which is successful, but I personally still prefer the 2:1 which I feel worked better and I had less mood swings and less muscle loss.

Blondie.. do you also use clen or an anti-catabolic while on a long keto diet?

Supes

 

[Blondie_Bombshell]

I am actually more moody after refeeds, since I begin to go through card withdraw and cravings all over again.

I am not recommending she stay in keto forever, but during contest prep is a very common time to use it.

I use keto for 10 weeks at a time, there is actually no proof that ketogenic diets arnt safe. Many cultures stay in ketogenic diet for most of the year (ex: Eskimos). Since doing keto my blood work has actually improved.

I sometimes use clen or at least an OTC energy supplement. But not always. The diet does enough on its own.

When using keto I think may people confuse muscle flatness (from lack of water/carbs) with muscle loss.

 

[Miss Muscle]

You don't need keto diet or clen right now.....you can lose weight IF you clean up your weekends. That is 2 whole days out of 7 you are screwing up. If you can manage to get your weekends under control with diet you will lose weight. If you can't do that you won't be able to diet for a contest.

If you want to consider a contest make sure you can stay consistent with your diet.

 

[mcar1936]

WOW Ladies, I must say you are all awesome. The wealth of information and the willingness to help fellow fems out there reach their goals is so motivating. Thanks for the info. For me, it's all about self control. I def. need to clean up my weekends. I am going to hold off on the clen and see what 4 weeks can do with a clean up on my weekends. I may start a journal and post a pic soon.

 

[Miss Muscle]

WOW Ladies, I must say you are all awesome. The wealth of information and the willingness to help fellow fems out there reach their goals is so motivating. Thanks for the info. For me, it's all about self control. I def. need to clean up my weekends. I am going to hold off on the clen and see what 4 weeks can do with a clean up on my weekends. I may start a journal and post a pic soon.

A journal would be good!

 

[supergirl]

I am actually more moody after refeeds, since I begin to go through card withdraw and cravings all over again.

I am not recommending she stay in keto forever, but during contest prep is a very common time to use it.

I use keto for 10 weeks at a time, there is actually no proof that ketogenic diets arnt safe. Many cultures stay in ketogenic diet for most of the year (ex: Eskimos). Since doing keto my blood work has actually improved.

I sometimes use clen or at least an OTC energy supplement. But not always. The diet does enough on its own.

When using keto I think may people confuse muscle flatness (from lack of water/carbs) with muscle loss.

I agree that keto is good for contest prep, I was not disputing that, nor am I saying it is dangerous and not to do it... I was simply stating precautions due to my conservative self
I don't have nearly the amount of experience in keto as you because I haven't dieted the way you have but according to research, articles and testimonials, I will agree that Keto is primarily safe and effective, however there have been reports of organ stress, kidney stones, high cholesterol etc... although I don't know about the eskimos

As per your improved blood profile.. did you use MCT instead of regular fats? Low animal fats?
I know a competitor that used coconut oil for a large percentage of their fat intake and had better results like more energy, improved HDL and lower LDL. The coconut oil metabolizes faster because it is an MCT (medium chain trig) rather than the typical long chain trigs so you can actually produce a greater amount of ketones that way.
There is also a product called Liquigen that is an MCT and made for keto dieting.

I am not positive about the anti or catabolic properties of a keto diet and I am sure alot of people confuse muscle flatness with loss.. I know that clen is often used while on keto primarily for energy but maybe also as an anti-catabolic added bonus

Anyway.. I am glad you found something that works for you and I give you ALOT of credit for sticking to it.. Keto is probably the hardest diet to maintain and you need a hell of a lot of dedication and determination, so good for you!

Supes