Well I just wanted to say hello to everyone, my name is john and for the past 7 yrs I've had this goal that one day I'd get into the kind of shape that it takes to step up on stage and show what I've worked so hard for the last 10yrs.Financial reasons kept me from pursuing this goal but I never lost sight that the goal would be seen through. Well I'm 7 weeks out from an nga show in Buffalo NY the pro/am Oct 23. For the individuals who have competed before I have a question about carb loading. once this process is done how tight and full do your muscles feel? I know after the carb meal every third day while dieting the next morning the fullness is awesome but does'nt last long.

Hello John - Welcome to the board and welcome to the ranks of competitive BBer's! It is great that you have kept your long term goals in mind and are now doing what it takes to achieve them. Competing will teach you a lot about yourself and a lot about the sport.

As far as what you can expect from the final week carb up you have to look at it as a total process that includes first getting very lean (or the carb up and water manipulation really do not work very well) then carb depletion followed by carb loading. Also in the mix is your water consumption plan leading up to the final week and for the last 24 hrs. If done right most people will find that they fill out and harden/tighten up nicely. The effect is similar to how you feel after a good workout but visually you look very good because of the low body fat levels and water control.

There is a lot to it beyond my simple explanation but if you spend some time with the search feature here on the board you will locate many threads that talk more about these issues.

Best of luck and let us know how we can help. After you do a bit more research you may have more questions.

Thanks MadDog I'll be in Va in Nov for another nga show the mt rodgers show. I have an appointment this sat with bev staff I sure have plenty of questions. anyway the diet is going great I started cleaning up my meals in Jan and started the hard core diet 8weeks ago. My wife wonders how I can eat all this beef and turkey day after day, it's kind of funny I've grown cold to the food I just chew it up and swallow it down with the life saving crystal light. Oh before I forget good luck to you and your next show your picture sure look good.

I may be at the Mt. Rogers show as a spectator. I went last year. One or two folks from my gym usually enter that show as it is about an hour from where I live.

I go for the end of summer shows. I get too cold too easily when I lean out for a show and it is just too cold in November for me to be without my insulation Good luck with your prep. The BI staff are all very good so I'm sure that you will come away from your visit with a lot of good info and many questions answered.

John, Welcome aboard. I know how you feel about having a longtime goal, and finally taking that first step. Thats basically how I started into it, and believe me you won't regret it. The first step is the hardest , after that, theres no turning back. I'm sure you will find it all worthwhile. I'm also going to be competing in NY on the 23 at the INBF show in POUGH. so good luck!

MadDog if you do go to watch the mt rodgers be sure to stop and say hi to me and my family. I will be one of the heavy weights,also competing in the masters.

Hey Bob thanks for the reply, having people to talk to while suffering through dieting that experience the same ups and downs is motivating. Good luck with INBF show. how is your progress coming? only seven weeks left. I plan on doing as many shows as possible while I'm in shape, all the way untill April looks like about six of them. Then my wife graduates from the college of pharmacy here at the university of kentucky. that will be a good time to relax and enjoy a week of eating normal in the bahamas for her graduating present and for me achieving my goal of finally getting into awesome shape and competing.