So I came up w/ another one. What does everyone use? pam spray or posing oil?

Mussy...Last contest I used Dream Tan, which has a little shine to it, but not enough. I carefully used some Hot Stuff, I sprayed a light mist and patted it down, careful to not let it run. I didn't see too many people at all using PAM at my last show, but I have seen others at other shows use it.

Thanks, I have both, used Pam the last time. Just not sure yet about this time. I have the Hot Stuff too.

Mussy, This show this weekend will be 4th NPC show in the last year and a half and all I have really seen being used was PAM. And what was a suprise to me was they had moderators or stagehands put it on for you. I have used dream tan before and I liked it but its expensive and I think a pain to put on. Good luck ! Two more days ....

Thanks Bob. Good luck to you too. How's the final diet going? Are you doing the beef and grapefruit?

Shelly - Bob.. Make sure the Venue you are competing at ALLOWS Pam. The last 2-3 shows I was in this Spring PROHIBITED it's use. The one promoter told competitors at the meeting.. if he saw anyone using Pam - they'd be disqualified and escorted from the venue. I decided to play it safe and go with Jan **** posing oil and hot stuff. Good luck guys.. it's getting close.. Hang in there!

Mussy, The last week has been tough as expected had to work the last three days prior, including today. I work 12 hour shifts too. I get up at 4am. and don't get home till 7pm or so. And I work at a Nuclear power plant , which most of the area is restricted of food and drink, talk about a challenge, try getting in six meals, 3 gals. of water, and all the supps in. Then when the day is over and I get home I have a 2 and 4 year old running at me like frieght trains wanting to play "jack me up " Thats when daddy takes his shirt off and body slamms them on the bed! As for the beef and grapefruit, yes I'm doing it today the thing I'm doing different this time is adding 1 scoop of MP with the meals, and to be honest my stomach has been cramping all day, and I feel bloated and weak. I just hope it all comes together by tomarrow morning. Good luck to you !

Bob, good luck to you too. I understand about the little ones. My two little girls are running around like crazy-just to young to undersatnd what's going on. The beef and grapefruit seems to be going ok. I was kindof worried at first sinve I havn't eaten beef for a very long time. I still feel alittle blosted so lets both hope that goes away by tomorrow. I hanv't had any cramps but feel really tiered and drained today. Tomorrow can't come soon enough. How many coats of pro tan are you doing? I am doing 4, and have to do them by myself, figures my husband had to work yesterday and overtime today (he works 24 hour shiftys) luckily he's off tomorrw see he can go with me.

mussy..just wanted to add my two cents in about the pam spray...it's cheap and easy to put on but the downside is that it make you too shiney and this is not to good when your on stage with the bright lights reflected off the pam...the last show i did the judges were compaining about this (too shiney) and they can't see your cuts and lines from the reflection off the pam (does this make sense?)...i use baby oil gel, it goes on nice, doesn't smear your color up and leaves a nice "sheen"...remember you want a sheen not a shine!...if you want to save yourself money don't bother with the "hot stuff"...i find it works (vasodilates) for a short time and doesn't leave any type of "sheen", the skin quickly absorbs it. If you want your veins to vasodilate try Niacin. i take 500mg 30 min before i go on stage and my veins are "popping" bigtime!...although it does have it's side effects (flushed, tingling feeling on the nose and ears) it doesn't seem to bother me so much but everybody is different...i think i went over my two cents...talk to ya lata...kat...

Mussy, I put on three coats allready going to put one more on tonight and touch up in the am before prejudging. Its going to be a long day got to get up at 3am its a 4 hr. drive to my show. I can't wait til today is over.

If you've never taken niacin prior to going onstage, I would highly suggest that you DO NOT use it!
I have witnessed several disastrous results over the years by first timers and seasoned veterans as well.

John..... How are you my friend? Some of the mishaps I've seen due to niacin: 2 people rushed to a hospital after taking niacin (don't know exactly what their symptoms were),uncontrollable scratching and itching while onstage,dizzyness and trouble with mobility, one guy, who should've won his class developed the runs at the most inappropriate time, and missed the pre-judging, and I remember a couple of competitors vomiting after downing a dosage of niacin.
Why take the risk? If you didn't do anything drastic and crazy during the final week, why take a shotgun approach at something backstage that you're not really familiar with and ruin all that hard work?

70 shows? Boy, and people tell me that I am insane I guess I'd better unretire and see if I can come close to that amazing number.

Aram

Hey Aram.. I agree 100% with you on the Niacin. Prior to one show - I was in my final week's prep and decided to try niacin. Unaware of the side-affects, I popped 500mg of niacin. Within seconds, literally, my body was on fire! My face turned reddish purple, my ears were so hot they felt like they were going to explode, I broke out with hives and red blotches all over my body esp. my legs and chest. I began to panic and started to experience breathing problems. I was rushed to the ER where they monitored my vitals. I was fine.. but not knowing what to expect.. it was a very scary situation. Also, I've seen competitors use niacin - it does get them vacsular.. but also - they turn red and look puffy - which disguises their definition. I'm with you.. why risk it. OR, if you plan to try it.. do it at least a week prior to the show. And, take a lower dose of it. I still can only tolerate HALF of a 250mg. tablet.. or I itch and get a rash. Val

John... I agree 100% bud, but the very last time that I ever "carbed up" on beer I woke up strapped down in a bed in my 6th rehab hospital 21 years ago in the south Bronx with a bunch of tubes and needles sticking out of me. Complete with 11" arms and weighing in at a whopping 105 lbs. So I have to eliminate that method.
The most vascular I ever got for a show, was when I ate the greasy fried skin off a 18 or 20 lb. turkey my mother cooked, a 2 lb. jar of peanut butter, and the next morning ate 2 big jars of Welches grape jam and 4 or 5 tbls. of Crisco shortenning. I won my first bodybuilding show ever, and was sick every day for the next month.

Boy, those were the good ole days

Aram
I think I have to give that method a try for my next show, sounds like a winner to me!

hahaha this is a great post!

Bob wow we have alot in common I too work at a nuclear power plant and have a 4 yr old girl and 1 yr old boy I too work a 12 hr swing shift I have been competing for the past 8 yrs 6 of them with team beverly with much success I know exactly what you are going through.