Hey guys I finally joined the discussion board! I wanted to throw this out there for other fellow competitors and people who were at the Natural Northern this past weekend. While I did talk to the judges I wanted to get the opinions of other competitors too. The pics from the contest are up on MuscularDevelopment.com. I placed 6th in the lightweights. I followed the Beverly Diet and supp. program and was really hoping to walk away with a trophy this time and I'm just trying to figure out what happened. If you take a look at the pics I'm the one 2nd to the right (in the comparisons, which I looked better in those and faded big-time at night). Any constructive criticisms and/or suggestions would be great. Thanks! oh, btw, hey Vinney, we met up for a little bit in the pump room, just wondering if you remembered me or not! haha.

Jon,

Here's the cold, hard facts:

It is a little difficult to say by pics alone because they may not have been taken at the precise moment where a peak flexing is achieved simultaneously on one person or the entire group.

It's up in the air for 1st and 2nd. I would have chosen the #2 as first place because of density. #1 First Place guy seemed a little tighter. Neither has great leg separation, but the second place has better thickness and development. Both look good. Third place looks like he's stepping in from the Masters division. He has great upper body muscle, the kind of density usually achieved by a person over 30. Legs too lacking.

Your placing is about right. You need more separation and you came in looking a little soft. Tighten up more by continued off-season dieting and workout. Don't go beyond 10%. Add size by lifting heavier through the legs. Squat and deadlift throughout the offseason, even if that's all you did, you have some size improvement. Compare your legs in these photos to Cytrainer's and you'll see what I'm talking about as far as muscle separation. I think you are about the same weight as Craig, too.

Great smile and confidence, I must add. This is a start. Keep posing. I believe that is the best way to develop muscle separation. You may be about a year off. The next Northern, you will come in sharper, but I honestly believe if you keep working heavy and working on posing, your better moment will be the 2009 Northern.

While you are competing against others, your best competitor is YOU. Every time you step on stage, you want to be better than the last time. The next time you get on stage, select one or two of the judges to take a few detailed notes.

Your photos look like my first contest. Did you over-do the cardio? I did. I measured that by the extreme loss of strength and looking FLAT. I held size, but there was nothing defined, not even the legs. My legs were massive, but soft-looking and flat. I didn't understand what the judges were looking for. That's the number one problem and unless you dig, you don't know. Attend some more competitions and judge for yourself. Once you see and understand, training in the mirror is a piece of cake.

Craig is a pro. Take a look at his development and apply training AND diet, you will see a major transformation! At the end of the 2009 Northern, you'll look back and these pics, this post and smile.

VINCE, you were about 10 days from having those "feathers" on the quads! Great job. Again, these are photos. It looked like a tough class. From 2nd to 6th place, I'll bet the numbers are not that far apart.

Yes my conditioning was a little off! I WILL NOT let that happen again! I guess when everone in your gym is telling you how good you look, it makes you think "you look good." This was a very humbling experience and I'm embarrassed by how I looked. I learned a lot from everything. I'll redeem myself on October 20th in Columbus. ONBF

Hey Jon, yes I remember. Hopefully I see you again in future contests!

John,

I think Frank gave you a very fair and unbiased opinion. The guy that took fifth, wasnt any bigger than you, but he was leaner, that rules the day in a natural show for sure. You look like you needed about 7-5 more weeks to diet. Stay lean this offseason adding lean muscle and start your diet 16-14 weeks out, I bet you will see a much different physique the next time. Its all a learning experience.

Not related, but I also agree that second place should have received first (from the pics at least).

Hey Jon and Vinney,
I competed as well, did not know that I was watching you two BevNuts while you were on stage until today! Great job........lots of competition. Frank gave super advice.......practice and consistency are what works.
I also competed in the Figure Master's and Class C, it was my fifth show this season, and it is true the more you do this (competing) the more you can refine your physique.
Congrats also to Shellie H, I met backstage, what a sweetheart!!
Nadine B.

Thanks Frank, and Jason. Frank, where I can I find pics of Cytrainer/Craig, like you were telling me? I really appreciate everyone's feedback and the truth is that I only dieted for 11 weeks (I was leaning out for the beach and then when to florida, and when I came back I figured I was still pretty lean so I would have plenty of time). I guess even if you're leaner you still need a good 16 weeks. I kinda thought that I was flat and cut too much water cuz I was trying to make weight, but maybe it wouldn't have been an issue if I dieted longer. If anyone else as anything, I'd greatly appreciate it, I'm open to any and all constructive criticism.

As a natural bodybuilder you should never totally cut your sodium and water,if you do you will flatten out like a pancake.I did the Natural Northern(Bantanweight 1st,and Masters Men 4th)and was probably the driest,hardest and most ripped guy in the show.I followed a last week Peak Week protocal which on thursday I had 2 gallons of water and 1.5 grams of sodium,Friday I had 1 gallon of water and 1 gram of sodium,and on Saturday I had 12ounces of water upon waking and sipped till prejudging,as far as sodium in the morning Saturday whatever was in my foods and this was the best I ever looked.

Scott,
I definitely agree with that approach, and actually I planned on having a little more water than I did on Friday and Saturday, but I decided at the last minute to drop down to lightweight so I ended up cutting back water after around 2 pm. Needless to say, I was miserable, didn't sleep at all, and had a splitting headache. But I guess i did all that to myself.
So what about carbs, did you carb up for the show and how do u manipulate that relative to sodium and water?

Jon,

I'll get back with ya. In the meantime, CRAIG...Show your stuff!

hello.I competed in the b class and placed 10th. could you all go to muscular developement look at my photos danielle szabo. Please give me a ton of feedback!! Be honest. I folowed magazine articles got to 14% body fat and 124 from 147 in about 14 weeks. I had 2 carb meals a day plus 2 carb meals a week all the way thru. I think I want to do it again in April. Any advice on whAt I can do to improve. I called for advice and couldnt get help without the large purchase order and I bought beverly supps at a local store. I saw the score sheets and found out some judges thought I was 6,7,8,and 9. Made me feel a little better HA Ha!! cant wait to see what you all think.

Hi Danielle,
I will look at your photos, but in the meantime, where did you get the actual scoresheets? I too am interested in seeing what my numbers were. I'll go look at your photos now, and if you would like, I can give you an honest critique. Was this your first show?
Nadine

Oh Danielle! You and I met at the early check-in, so yes, it was your first show, now I remember you.
Ok, here are my thoughts for you in the future:
It does not matter what bodyfat % you are, what matters is your overall look: leanness, ability to 'see' definition, proportion, and symmetry.
You are doing fine, just need to define more areas equally. So that the judges can see delt definition, quad sweep, glute/ham tie-in. You were fit. But, need some more muscular definition, this does not mean 'size', it means seeing where you have separation (slightly, not manly). You have a good color, you are very pretty and looked comfortable on stage. Maybe also higher heels, like 5 inches would elongate your body too.
So, now you know what may not work for you nutritionally, change it up a bit, drop the carb up meals and see what happens while continuing to work each body part 2x/week. Need any more help? Let me know, I'll give you my e-mail if interested.
Nadine

thankyou. I emailed todd pember. he emailed me the score sheets. I remembered you from the show when I saw our name. Did you use the beverly diet. What was your plan like? Id love more help next time but cant afford a nutritionest. what kinds of things did you change each year for better results. Also i've adjusted my diet from 1300 to 1900 and a 40/40/20 split. what do you eat off season. I worry about dropping all the pm cardio. Any advice is welcome. I dont know any competitors around here.

and yes Id love your email. it would be great if you dont mind.

Hey Danielle,
Just e-mail me, I'll help you out. Yes, I used/use the Bev method. Also, I hired a trainer (the BEST....Julie Lohre), so I have good info that I trained with.
nbkdbye@hotmail.com.
You had a lot of questions, so just write to me, this really is not that hard. Only takes a plan and a little organization!
Nadine

Danielle,

I'll check on it.

Danelle:

Compare your pics to the first place. You'll see the only difference would be to further lean out. You have size, and leaning out will only make your definition show much better. Your side pose is awesome.

Don't do an off-season gain! Continue to pose and pose after your workout. If you do these things, you'll definitely place higher!!