I'm 2 weeks from my contest and I'm so hungry. I'm at 1200 cal and suppose to drop this next week to 900. I have a job where I'm carrying 20 lbs of tools around my waist 6-8 hrs aday, up and down latters also.
This is my first contest and I'm wondering if this is enough intake for my expenditure. I'm 5'4" 140 lbs and 14 % body fat. Any input or ideas would be appreciated.

Are you working with someone from beverly. That intake seems awfully low to me, its about 9 X your bodyweight and when dropped its like 6-7X bodyweight.

Are you doing figure or bodybuilding. I take it figure.

Id think this is too low given your occupational caloric expenditure as well. May want to post your diet as well.

Jason

Jason Theobald

www.geocities.com/chezburger10/JASONTHEOBALDBIO.html

Hey Dana. What contest are you doing - I'm 2 weeks out also. As Jason stated, are you working with a consultant from Beverly? The calorie intake you state is very low - why are you going down that low? If not working with a Bev consultant - maybe you can cycle your next few weeks - by having calories slightly lower than 1200 - and cycle lowering calories by 10-15% across 3 days. I'd be afraid of a total metabolic slowdown and you'd go backwards in progress. Also, how long have you been on the diet for the show? Maybe you've just hit a standstill and need to get moving again.

Here is a third vote for "Your calories seem very low". Have you tried the two meals/wk carb up concept? That will help keep your metabolisim going.

Too few carbs and calories can be counter productive to your fat loss goals. You will be hungry during the last several weeks of a pre-contest diet, but it should not be to the point where you can't continue with your normal routine without feeling light headed, etc. If that is happening - you probably need to ad a few calories back in.

VA MadDog

Are you close to your goal? Maybe that is why the suggested calorie drop? Are you at a plateu ? If so I would vote for an increase in cardio this week if you can and a slight decrease in calories. If not in a plateau, stay with what you are doing.

Contrary to what everyone here says. I have had to drop by calories below 1000 a day for a week or two my first two competitions. I have competed.I think both times was because I need to do MORE CARDIO!! That is what works for me. I have been averaging lower calories for quite some time (maybe 8 weeks now) At 4 weeks out I STALLED for almost 10 days in my progress. So I increased my cardio by a few sessions so I would not need to reduce my calories.I had a few higher calorie days, then had three days dropped below my average calories. This worked. Now I will increase my calorie back this week.

I think the key is knowing your own body, AND LISTENING TO IT.

Leslie

Hang in there Dana! You're almost there. During your final week, you may want to try this:

Get the amount from your shakes and mix it in with 1 gallon of water and add a tub of Crystal Light or your favorite drink and sip on it thoughout the day. You will only have "3" meals but you're taking in some important nutrients little at a time thoughout the day. It may trick your body to thinking it is eating all day long. It worked for me.

Frank

Frank, glad to see you back, and that is an interesting approach.

Jason

Jason Theobald

www.geocities.com/chezburger10/JASONTHEOBALDBIO.html

Dana, Whatever turns out to be the problem with your diet,if thier even is one,You should realize that a great deal of contest dieting is mental. No matter what you are going to be hurting. You have to train the mind as well as the body, most anyone on this board who has competed before can tell you this. Those who can persivere this and come in shredded usually are the winners. Learn to train the mind. Best of luck to you .I hope this helped a little ...