hey everybody...i have questions requarding k+ loading....if i'm not doing the sodium loading scheme....just drinking x2 the amount of h20 (up until fri evening)...do i still need to take in the k+ for supplementation ( along with cal-mag) to keep my electrolytes in check?....do i take K+ gluconate?...and how much (mg-grams?)...i know k+ work in conjuction with the sodium depletion scheme...but i'm unclear about k+ by it's self...well i'm just unclear all together! ...i need a little help!...if anybody can clear it up about the whole thing i would greatly appreciate it!!!..thanks......kat

Normally k+ supplementation is used in conjunction with sodium and water manipulation. In this scenario the k+ is intended to do several things; Help keep your eletrolytes in balance, help prevent muscle cramping and help shuttle carbs (glucose) into the muscle cells. Aram has suggested using a relatively nominal amount of K+ for this purpose, perhaps 300-400mg/day spread out into 3-4 doses of (1) 99mg tab and I would agree.

Taking a good multivitamin or something like one of the BI vit packs and supplementing with magnesium and calcium would probably be enough as I think that there is some k+ in many of the vit packs (check out the lables).

Personally I don't think that k+ supplementation is essential in your case, nor do I think that it would hurt anything. If you have had problems in the past with eletrolyte imbalances and or cramping I'd say throw it in, if not you probably don't have to be overly concerned. The folks who run into problems are the ones who do not take anything to keep thier electrolytes in balance or who overdo some aspect such as extream sodium manipulation or getting their water way wrong or messing with strong diuretics. Do one of these to an extream and it can result in an unplanned trip to the ER and serious complications. If you are following a typical BI pre-contest diet and last week plan you should not have to worry about any unexpected health issues.

One hint to help with the last week planning is to write down your last 10 day plan and make sure that you have an extra copy in your gym bag. With the low carbs and everything else that is going on it is easy to forget small details. Relying on lists that last week can be a big help.

thanks VA for your feedback...i am not currently following the BI precontest diet, but would like to see a format of one...do they show a copy of the diet on the BI website?....i think my diet may be close to it, although i'm not doing the beef/grapefruit scheme(which i really would like to try )...i've been taking bev supps for a couple of years, and i will continue taking them up until show time...(ultra 40, Mass)...thanks again for your help....kat

There are many examples of BI pre-contest diets on thier main web page or in various issues of the NNN newsletter. Here are links to articels that include various pre-contest diet plans.
http://bodymusclejournal.com/vol06/tracy_beckham.html

http://www.bodybuildingworld.com/Winter97/16wks.html

http://bodybuildingworld.com/vol8_3/my_mission.html

Also who ever you work with at BI can send you thier final two week prep-plan if you ask for it. Hope this info is helpful.

thanks for the info VA...great stuff..i'll keep ya posted!!