Going by the diet and taking all my supplements and have for 3 weeks. I've gained 2 1/2 pounds. My legs, arms shoulders and back are bigger and tighter looking but I have like this soft fat or something around my tummy and lower back. My husband told me tonight that I'm getting fat. I'm about to cry. I did notice the bulge yesterday that I didn't have before around my belly. Never have I ever done as many situps as the last 4 weeks. Could it be from the Synergy?
Didn't take that during the last contest prep but everything else is almost the same. I'm about to panic! He doesn't understand either but he does notice that I've picked up on my cardio, etc. but I'm gaining weight. I started at 109 after a weight gain from the holiday, I usually weigh 105, now I weigh 111, urgh!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you're trying to make a weight limit, then worry and drop the MS (Muscle Synergy). It does contain creatine.

Ab work can make different effects for people from thick, rounder abs to wider waisted. I tend to do weighted, low reps. I did build thicker abs, but I really don't concentrate on ab workout all year. I vary them from only once every two weeks to 3X per week contest time.

Are you still regular on your cycle? If so, is that the problem? Remember, once you get below that certain BFC, you're skipping out of it.

Beverly does claim to put on muscle while shedding fat. Now is a critical time where you can see if you make mistakes and certain foods will cause you to retain fluids.

If the Arnold was this weekend, then there's something to panic, but it's not. So, don't panic.

Thanks! I'm competing in Figure. This morning I weighed 110 so I'm down one pound. I'm for sure tighter and my muscles are bigger in my shoulders, back and arms. Not sure if it's a hormonal problem, I had a hysterectomy years ago but I do have one ovary so I don't have to take hormones. Not sure if it's the cycle or not. I was wondering that too because I have been so moody. Happy one minute and crying the next.
My husband was concerned and wasn't trying to be mean but it did hurt my feelings when he said I needed to find out the problem now why I look like I have a entertube around my belly.. I did drink a very large diet fountain drink a couple of hours before he said this. I'm cutting those out from now on out. I'm sure that's probably part of the bloat. I have been following the fat burning diet that Sandi gave me and weighing out all my food. Doing AM cario on the elliptical on an empty stomach and then evening, weight lifting and a cardio class or intervals on the treadmill. I've been working my abs out more and harder than I have ever, that could be part of the problem with holding water or fat there right now. 250-350 crunches a day by doing 3 different exercises to work all of my ab area. I don't think I could possibly try any harder or exercise any more than what I'm already doing, I'm so sore and tired. I will start adding weight with my crunches and lowering the reps to see if that helps.
My husband said this better be last contest! He hates me competing now. Use to love it but he said he would rather me drink beer with him and be fat than to see me dieting and exercising this much. Same man that said he would divorce me when I weighed 135 if I didn't loose weight, URGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I think he maybe a little jealous too. He brags about me most of the time about how I look and he acts so proud of me, he's just concerned I guess.

Patricia,
I had a similar experience last time I got ready for a show. (I compete in figure). As I started to lean out in the legs/glutes and harden in the back/shoulder area, it seemed that my lower abdomen and lower back were getting more fat. That was confirmed via my caliper measurements. I found the issue to go away the last 3 weeks prior to the shows. I at that time cut out the muscle synergy twice a day, took it only before weight work, and never took more than 5. I think that some bodies hold on to fat in some places more than others, so this may be your 'trouble spot'. Just give it some time, continue your excellent workouts, and don't stress over it, that only causes more cortisol issues. I don't know scientifically how or why the cortisol weighs in, just that when I am more anxious than usual it is harder to lean out.
Regarding your husband......have had that occur here too, it will be ok, this is supposed to be fun, and it is, but in the meantime it does wear on family members if you let it. Just do your thing.....if you find that you are 'crabby', don't take it out on anyone else, we decided to do this, no one else. With that said, do not allow anyone to deter you from your goal either. Take care,
Nadine

Thanks! My tummy looks much better now. I didn't take any Synergy this morning just to see if maybe that was causing me to hold water and I've had nothing with sodium and I've been drinking plenty of water. I feel great now too!
I will take a few before my weight lifting this evening along with the Muscle Mass.

Thanks again,
Patricia