Could someone clear up for me the reasons behind sodium depletion..etc..for the final days leading up to a competition. Also, what does this look like for a figure competitor?

Well, we're going to go back a little. It is used a lot when manipulation water depletion. Some would go more than 36 hours WITHOUT water intake to dehydrate, removing (or thinking they were) water from the skin, trying to keep it in the muscles.

As for figure, I don't believe it is a major issue. Reducing the amount, but depletion I don't feel it is as important as it used to be...especially for figure.

Thanks Frank! But is it still something to watch? I sipped on distilled water during the day at my first competition (my next is April 12) I'm still new at all this competition/dieting stuff so I just want to make sure I do all I can to better myself...some women I asked (figure) said that they hadn't had anything to drink all day and another woman was drinking black coffee. I guess I just don't want to be doing something totally wrong for my physique. Thanks to anyone for their input/advice.

I believe in the NPC national level, it will be important because it seems they are still looking for tight, thin, not so muscular bodies. In Texas NPC, from region to region, I've had some big questions to consistency. The tight figure didn't win and didn't even make top five.

For you, I would suggest lower intake. It's going to be depending how you work your water. Some have overloaded Sun-Wed then cut back. Others will work by "keeping water in". I've never tried this and I'm referring to body building.

If they're looking for a softer presentation, cut back starting on Thursday. Sodium will keep the water more on the skin.

I see no reason to dehydrate.

Thanks for the advice!

My diet consists of a lot of sodium. The week of I add salt for extra sodium then reduce it as low as I can for 2 days, then the day of the show I ate a little to keep water in the muscles. I would try to experiement a little, not to far one way or the other and pay attention to see what happens, expecially after the show so you know for next time.