The Big Decision....

Much to my girlfriend's dismay, I have decided to compete this year!

After much deliberation and soul searching, bodybuilding is in my blood, it's my passion, it's what I do, it's who I am. There's no escaping it.

No other sport takes you on such a journey of self discovery, no other sport needs such self discipline and commitment, and no other sport gives you the gratification that winning a bodybuilding show does.

The weeks and weeks of dieting, eating nothing but dry chicken and rice for the most part, never missing a workout or a cardio session, obsessing about everything that has anything to do with what you want your end result to be, striving for perfection at any cost, giving your all, your blood sweat and tears, your emotions, your inner most being, to step on stage, and be a champion.

There are no team mates, no coaches, no physio's, no backroom staff, it's just you and your competition. All the weeks of training and dieting, come down to a few minutes, and in those few minutes, your destiny is defined. Could I have trained harder, dieted harder, done more cardio??? It's too late, at that moment, all you can do is present the physique you've spent the last 12 or so weeks creating, and hope that it's good enough.

Why do we do it?? A sport that takes so much out of you, that needs so much time and money, for so little in return... because we love it!

I remember the first bodybuilding video I saw, Shawn Ray's posing routine from the Mr Olympia 1994. It was the most inspirational piece of sporting footage I have ever seen. I was 16 years old, and from that moment, I knew I was destined to step on stage one day.

So here I am, after a few months of backing off the training, I'm starting to get into my stride, and come February, my journey begins.

Stay tuned for more updates



Taken from www.mycontestprep2010.blogspot.com

Thinking about Competing in a BodyBuilding Show?? Here are some things to consider first..

Do you think you can commit 12 grueling weeks of dieting - consuming fewer calories than you are used to?
Do you think you can stick to a strict pre-contest diet - no cheating!??
Do you think you would never miss a workout or meal in that time???
Do you think you can handle the early morning and late night sessions on the treadmill????

If your answer's are YES.. then read on!!
(Pictured right - Trojan Warrior Jo Sperring, NABBA Ms Britain 2009)

Once you decide that you ar going to compete, you have to decide which organisation to compete in. Most organisations require a registration fee, once paid you are an official member an can compete in which ever shows you want within that organisation.

These are amateur organisations, and unfortunately for you there are no cash prizes!! Unlucky eh? If you want to earn money in this great sport you have to be a professional in most instances, you do this by winning your pro-card, usually achieved my winning the British Overall Championships. Once you have chosen your organisation, you need to choose which contest to enter. Check out www.nabba.co.uk & www.ukbff.co.uk

Getting ready for a show is very time consuming, preparing 6-8 meals a day,weight training sessions and cardio is required, so you need to make sure you are going to have the time needed.

You will also need a pre contest diet to follow, if you haven't looked into this, then it would be a good time to start now!!! As this is the most important part of the whole process. Get this wrong, and you will be wasting your time!

There is ton of information available for you on the Internet, from different diet strategies, carbing up, carb depleting, cutting your water etc. Your head will start to spin if you try and read all of them. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. What works for one, may not work for someone else.

My advice is to speak to as many people you know who have competed, and take as much advice as you can - BUT BE WARNED - no doubt people's advice will vary, and if you listen to too many people you wont know which advice to follow. So, just pick one person, and adjust their contest prep advice to however best suits you with regards to time and money etc.

Next there is your posing and your tanning, it amazes me how many people turn up to a bodybuilding show to compete, and don't know how to pose!! They have dieted for weeks and weeks, taken their body to the limits, only for them to look like a fool when their side chest pose looks like they are carrying a handbag with severe arthritis!! Get some help, and practice practice practice. There are loads of videos on youtube of competitions etc, and you'll be amazed how much you can learn from watching them. All tan and posing trunks that you will need are available from TROJAN NUTRITION, ask Mike or Julie for advice on this!

The next and final thing is to get motivated!! You will never last the duration of your prep if you are not motivated. You need to have the mind set that you will achieve your goals no matter what, no matter how big the distractions, no matter how tired and hungry you are, no matter how good that piece of cheesecake looks.. nothing will get in your way. Surround yourself with magazines, video's and books, stay positive, and when you step on stage looking ripped tp shreds, it will all be worth while!!

If you want advice on pre contest dieting or anything else mentioned in this article, please get in touch with us and we would be more than happy to help!!