After almost a year of heavy training and even heavier dieting I'm off to my 3rd competition this weekend. I want to thank everyone for their advice and support. Last November I was 218 pounds and 30%+ body fat. Jeremiah has helped me with the diet along with reading Layne, Craig and VA MadDog's post - it looks like I will come in at 173 pounds and about 9% body fat. I have another show in 5 weeks and I'm done for the season I need to put on some size during this winter! The fun part this weekend will be my girlfriend and training partner doing her first figure show.

I'll let you know what happens
Gregg

Best of luck Gregg!

I'll be sharing in the "Competition Weekend" joys with you as I have my show on Saturday.

Great Job!

Good luck to both Gregg and Mike (and Greggs girlfriend).

Gregg you have made awsome progress by going from 30% bf to under 10% bf - you must feel like a new man, and you certainly look like one.

I'm sure that both of you guys will do well and look great - but of course probably not as good as Greggs girlfriend -

Lots of Luck! Have a great time!

T-

Good luck! If you followed the Beverly guidelines you should do great! I was going to reply to your NPA post, I have done well in there shows, and I am on the NPA site (won the Tri cities last year) and thought Harry ran a great show. I missed the classic due to my work load, but plan on hitting his nationals and USA next year. Good luck and when you see Harry tell him Sean Sullivan says hi and will be back next year!

Sully

Thanks Sully, I saw your picture on Harry's site last night - recognized you from another board's avatar. This will be my first NPA show and am looking forward to it - I grew up in the town where Harry has his gym so after almost 30 years I'll be going back! I'll tell Harry hello for you!

Mike, MadDog, Tee. Sully thanks - back to my posing practice :-)

What's that, I can hear the rice cakes and PB rattling in my gym bag - a seductive song they sing.......

Hey guys I have my 3rd competition under my belt I didn't do as well as I liked but this year is about learning. I placed 3rd in Masters 40-49 and 4th in middle weight open. I decided at the last minute to go open instead of lightweight novice. My girlfriend won overall figure in her first competition. She was awesome! Now I need to decide whether or not to do the next competition in 5 weeks, or not. I feel like I've dieted away too much lean muscle - I'm giving myself a few days to decide. Thanks again for everyones support.

Gregg - Congrats to you and to your girlfriend for your placings. (Why don't you invite her to become an active member here?) You must be very proud of her class win in her first show!

This is indeed a learning experience each and everytime. If you look at it in that regard, and use the information gained to better yourself in the future then you have gained from the experience.

Do not feel bad about how you placed as long as you tried your best to be your best. Your effort and dedication speak for themselves - how many people follow through on their desire to compete? How many step on stage and can take pride in what they have accomplished since they began thier journey to compete? Yes placing high or winning is a great accomplisment, but one that is driven more by who else happens to show up in your class then it is by what you brought to the stage.

I'm glad to see that you plan on future competitons and there is no doubt in my mind that you will come back as a better BBer.

Take pride in your past accomplishemnts and make plans for future improvements. I don't know about you, but I like summer shows - I just hate to be cold all the time due to low body fat levels when the temperature starts to cool off in fall.

If you decide to do the next show in five weeks, there is enough time to improve your level of conditioning but it will mean more weight drop. If your focus is more on adding LBM, then aim for a show in 8 to 12 months, get your off-season diet worked out so that you stay close to contest weight (15-20 lbs) and jump into a growth phase.

Good luck with whichever path your choose.