Hi, I am planning to enter a figure competition that will take place this summer. How long in advance should I begin to prepare (in terms of serious diet and excercise). Ive seen some people begin 12-16 weeks out, but also have heard about others that begin 6 months out!

Thanks!!

quite simple, get a 9 site bodyfat test done, compute lbs of fat you are carrying, provide yourself with 1.5 lbs of fat to lose per week or even 1lb of fat per week. It is said you can do 2lbs without losing muscle, but why push it. You need to carry as much lean tissue into the show as possible to look your best.

Usually for figure women compete around 8% to 13%, very wide ranges I know, but everyone is different and look different at different %s.

Thanks so much, Jason! So, just to make sure Im computing the math correctly (assume currently 120 lbs and 30% bf)....

120lbs x 30% bodyfat = 36 lbs of body fat.
Assuming my goal is to get to 10% bodyfat, that would equat to 12bs. of bodyfat (120lbs x 10% = 12lbs). So, that means I would have to lose 24lbs of bodyfat (36-12).

Assuming i can lose 2 lbs in a week, that mean i should begin to "train" 12 weeks out (24lbs / 2lbs per week = 12weeks). Right?

Also, what is a 9 site bodyfat test? Which type of bodyfat test do you recommend?

Thank you!!

Yes that is about right.

I would not plan on 2 lbs per week, set your plan to 1 lb to 1.5 lbs per week. 24 lbs in 12 weeks is a lot for a woman to try to lose.

9 site skinfold test most accurate of the skinfold tests. Though still far from perfect.