I'm still in offseason mode but will soon be [in a month or two] switching gears to pre-contest for a show I plan on doing in October, the USBF NYS Natural.
I competed in this show in 2004 and came in at 176 pounds. I was in my best condition of my life but I looked thin...I was thin. I am 6'2" just about and although my placements were 2nd and 3rd in both classes I competed in, I know I would place higher if I was more like 190-200 range.
Okay,so now to the point...I am now around 185 after a year or so of experimenting with different approaches to building muscle. Some examples of what I did was bulk up to 215 and cut down, stay lean and try to gain while remaining lean, gaining/leaning phases, etc. At 185 lbs I'd say I'm pretty lean for an offseason person. I'm just unsure if I should compete or not.

I really want to do the show in October but if I'm going to diet down to exactly the same bodyweight, I'm afraid I may see that I didn't make any progress from two years ago.

[Honestly, I know I've made progress in strength gains and such but if I look the exact same, it will be somewhat depressing.]

What do you think? Should I extend my offseason and forget about this show in October or should I compete and end up being at the same exact spot I was two years ago?

Now, I know why people always tell me that it takes time. Being natural is a long term thing and that I probably won't reach full maturity until 10-20 years from now...which is why a lot of the pros are 10-20 years older than me. But then I see young guys like Layne Norton and say to myself, what an inspiration. I need to meet him and talk with him. Maybe I'd learn something new and shorten that timeframe a little bit.

What are your inputs?

Oh yeah and as a little background. I did my first two shows in 2004. I started bodybuilding two years before in 2002. I got started lifting weights when I was 17. I am now currently 25. My lowest weight has been for the shows in 2004 at 176. My highest weight through the 2000-current timeframe was 235--in an effort to bulk. So, I've tried a couple different things...and I am happy with my results but just unsure if I'm doing something wrong or if I really need to get another re-dosing of patience.

Thanks guys,
winflex

Oh yeah, by the way, does anyone know how to get pictures right into the discussion board without doing the links?

Winflex,

If you feel like you have improved over the year then I say start prepping for the show. Even if you come in at around the same weight, you'll probally look better. There's a couple things that will factor into this. You will have gained some muscle maturity, and you can always try to come in better condition. For me, I'm going to come in at my lightest weight ever this year, but I have improved in some areas, some of the things I mentioned: muscle maturity, increased thickness and better condition.

Oh and if you still have a month or 2, before you're considering starting precontest, you still have some time to make progress. Maybe do a lean gain/hardening for a month or something along those lines.