hey everybody..i'm new to this forum...which i think is completely awesome and helpful!...i wish i would of found it sooner!!....i have a question to throw out....i'll be doing two shows back to back coming up in the next two weeks...i will carb deplete/load the for the first show then i have 1 week before i do my second one...i don't want to deplete/load twice..i think it might back fire..you can only trick your body so many times!..any suggestions how to maintain peak condition for 7 more days!!.. help!.this is a tricky one...kat

sully(sulcop) posted a thread on this subject, just go through the archives to find it. he had it nailed, in awesome condition!!!

thanks tammy for the info!..i shall check it out!...kat

katwmn - You can actually carb load and deplete two weeks in a row. It is a little easier if you have 2 or 3 weeks between shows, but it can be done.

The more important thing will be to work out your plan for controlling sodium and water. While it will be ok to splurge a little and have a big meal or two after your first show, you will have to be careful not to overdo it. (You would have probably had a carb up meal on Sunday anyway right?) Keep sodium intake at a moderate level and come down slowly and then ramp back up with potassium if you are using that. Stay on the natural diuretics straight through. If you have been drinking a lot of water as you should be, you should get back to that higher level of water intake after the first show, then drop back again the next Friday night if that type of water manipulation is in your plan.

Sully is the multi-contest expert - hopefully you found his threads from last fall. I think that the above will mesh with his suggestions.

...thanks for your helpful advice VA madDog...since reading throughout this forum iv'e read alot of material about sodium loading/depletion...i never tried this approach before...i did 5 shows last year and did very well..i just stayed away from sodium alltogether...but did k+ load along with my H20 tapering...this year i want to try the drinking H20 up until the show (not so much fri, sat ) along with teraxdone (spelling?)...it does make sense to keep hydrated which in turn will keep the muscle cells full...as opposed to dehydration...looking flat and stringy...i'm just worried about my legs...they seem to retain tons of H20 if i'm not competely dry...one more thing..i plan to have a small cheat meal sat night after the show...then start my carb depletion until wed....do i still do another total body workout..or just practice posing?..what about cardio...i want to come in sharp for the second show (ripped to the bone! )...this is my second year of competing i have so much to learn!!...thanks for your help....kat

My legs are also one of the last areas to get detail so I feel your frustration there. I would stay away from cardio as that would pump more blood (and water) back into your legs. Posing after every meal is good for bringing out detail that last week, or in your case that last week and that last week again! Also, active stretching for your quads and hams is helpful. A total body workout at a moderate level of intensity is fine for Monday and Tuesday - no leg work though. Don't worry too much about a couple of regular/cheat meals on Saturday night/Sunday. It is ok to replenish carbs before depleating again. Just stay away from a ton of sodium or it will mess with your mind as you would retain water for a couple of days after eating a lot of high sodium content foods. A little sodium is ok and actually desireable, but not a ton like you would get from scarfing down a pizza. Best of luck. Keep us posted!

thanks again maddog!..i will keep ya posted...kat