hi everyone,
i have a show on june 5th. my 9 site skinfold total is 36. i'm trying to get that down to the mid twenty's but in doing so i'm losing to much muscle. i'm following the 5 meal plan with 2 carb ups. i do 55 min. of cardio a day split between 2 sessions(one 35min the other 20min). i do this 6 days a week.
i want to get the skinfolds down but at least keep the muscle i have. i'm thinking of cutting the cardio some but i'm very stubborn.
i would be greatful for any suggestions.
thanks, todd

Todd,

Not only is the amount of cardio you are doing way, way too much for 6 weeks out from your competition, but it is also overkill for ANY TIME out from a competition.
I can almost guarantee that should you continue with your present stategy, you will step onstage soft, stringy, and flat with no degree of hardness at all. That's the bad news... Here's the good news :
You can effectively drop your cardio to 2-20 minute sessions per week. If you are working with a Beverly advisor who is monitering and adjusting your nutrition, you will find that during the last 3 weeks in particular, leading to the show, your metabolism will kick into overdrive and you'll be burning fat at a pace which will not compromise muscle loss.

Good luck and please update us with your progress.

Aram

Aram is right, with cardio less is more if you diet is on point; and if you are with beverly it should be.

Further, at 36 sum, you are already basically "show ready", just let the diet do the rest from here on out with a bit of cardio to keep the metabolism moving.

You should be able to easily get them into the 20s if you have 6 weeks left. You are way ahead of the game at this point.

Don't get us wrong. We are not anti-cardio. Ummm...YES WE ARE, when it comes to body building. A tighter diet works well and that is what the 2 carb up meal plan is basically about. Minimal cardio.

Off-season cardio is awesome. But it isn't used for shedding fat. Conditioning. Completely different diet scheme.

Frank

PS...Has anyone seen my Peanut Butter?
~Hands patting around~

thanks for the help. this cardio is kicking my butt. i think i will cut it down to 20 min. 2 or 3 times a week and see how that works out.

thanks, todd

With the others on cardio. You are overusing it.

Back off as they and you have stated.

You may also want to look at adding some carbs and calories back a few days per week above what you are currently doing.

6 weeks out and Sum 9 = 36 you are ahead of the game.

The added calories may actually make hitting mid 20s in mm possible.

Ray

ray,
i do the carb loads on mon and thur. if i add carbs will that interfer with that?

and what kind of carbs and when?

can you give me an example?

thanks, todd

Todd

If you are working with someone at Beverly via fax or email you may want to pose this question to them. Indicate how low your bf is and how far out you are.

Ray