I am going to use the Beverly Method for the first in my contest prep and have a question regarding the timing. I am currently at 180lbs. at 5.6% BF. I will compete at 172-176 at 3.4%. I am 9 weeks out from the show and don't want to peak too early, but want to come in the leanest and fullest I can. How far out do you recommend I begin the Beverly diet? I am very carb tolerent and plan on using the higher carb plan. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Mark and welcome to the board. Will this be your first competition? What is your height?

Body fat percentages can be very misleading and depend on many factors. I would respectfully suggest that your actual BF percentage may be higher than the numbers that you mention. It is indeed rare for someone to approach 4% and most don't get much below 5% even in ripped condition, but take that in stride. What really counts is what you look like. No one will measure your BF level as part of the competition, but they will look at you.

I would suggest starting right now, 9 weeks out is not too early. If you make better progress than expected you can always level off with your dieting and just maintain contest conditioning, but again it is a rare person who actually gets too lean for a show. Most competitiors are not lean enough to really show off their hard work in the gym. Contest prep is 75% or more nutrition and the rest split between training and presentation.

Do you happen to have any current pics posted anywhere? We could give you a better assessment if we could see what your current level of conditing was.

If this is going to be your first show find a posing coach who can help you with your presentation. That is very important to your ablity to display what you bring to the stage in a way that makes you look your best.

Good luck.

mad dog is that you in this months volume of the newsletter?

I was in one recently, but not the issue that just came out. My last article was in Volume X, Number 4, pg 19. I liked the photo on page 1 the best.

Ray looked great in his article in the same issue, especially his ripped abs photo on page 5.

VA MadDog, This will be my 10th contest. I compete in the Open Middleweight class. My height is 5'7". Any help you can offer with the Beverly system would be appreciated. I have some photos posted at www.bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/simpleguy4/.

Thanks, Mark

Mark - Did you get the email response that I sent?

VA MadDog, Yes I got your e-mail and I thank you for taking the time to respond. Again, your posts are a great source of information and we appreciate your input.

Mark