Hi there,
I am coming out of lurkdom to ask ya'll for advice. I am competing in my 2nd figure comp in 5 weeks. I love Beverly products and used them for my first comp with much success. This time around however I am not as lean as I had hoped to be at this stage in the game. I am already doing 1hr cardio 5-6 times per week and 4 weight training sessions. These cardio workouts are intense - sprints, stairmaster, at least one spinning class. My diet is about as clean as I can get it. I have even cut out my much beloved Diet Coke (sob!) So, do you think I should add in some early morning runs? What are your thoughts on fasted cardio? Do you think there is great benefit to doing it this way or would it be just as helpful to do a run in the evening? I really hate to add in more cardio, but I just feel like things aren't progressing as they should be??? ARRGGHHHH!!! Why couldn't I just take up tennis like all the other ladies in my neighborhood!!!

I think you may be doing TOO much cardio. Sounds to me that you could be burning that hard earned lean muscle mass with the sweat and tears during you cardio classes. I would cut down to 4 days per week of cardio for the next 2 weeks just to see where you are at...What are your measurements now, and where did you plan to be?

Really, you think it's too much? Well, for my last show, I primarily ran first thing in the am and then did 20-30 mins on the elliptical or incline walking on the treadmill. This time, I wanted to try some more interval type workouts, instead....I am not sure what my bf is or where I would like it to be. I just know I want to be a good bit leaner. hahahaha. How do I post pics? Or could I email one to you?

Yes, you seem to be doing a lot of cardio. There are two basic things in preparing your contest. First, is diet. Second, workout and it's in that order. You can prepare the best workout ever, but if your diet is shot, you're going nowhere. You can have the best diet ever and you workout is minimal, you'd be better off.

You'll have to post your diet. Why are you cutting out Diet Coke?

Do not do all the cardio then workout in the same portion of the day. Keep them separate.

Frank

Hi Frank,
Thanks for your reply! I am following the Beverly 2 day carb up plan. This is the plan I followed for my last show and I liked it very much. I agree 100% that diet has to be completely on and this has always been a challenge for me. I have 3 small children and that makes for hectic mealtimes! However, this time I feel like my diet is much improved. I have really knuckled down with it. I have however, still been having nuts here and there. I did cut that out last week, so that should help. I think perhaps I am just being impatient!!! It just seems that progress is slower this time around

So, you're about 5 weeks out and this competition is your first of this year? Probably the best bet would be to contact Beverly to dial you in. By this time, you should be adjusting your diet weekly. I hope you didn't just start getting ready!!

Remember, they're looking for a soft, feminine look, not so much the muscular look for the figure.

Frank

Thanks Frank! I sent Rachel some pics (I had been working with her earlier in the year)and she said I looked "phenomenal" and that I should keep doing what I am doing. LOL! So, I guess I am just being paranoid. So, my plan is to simply really focus on keeping to my diet and continue with training as planned. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for your help!

Good Luck Stephanie, I'm sure you'll be just fine. You can send me pics if you want to my email address. I will gladly give you my advise on what I think but Rachel knows her stuff so if she says you look phenomenal then you are in.

good luck hon