Competitive Bodybuilding page

[waugie14]

Any competitive bodybuilders out there? Just wanted to get some conversation going!

[alex_the_iron]

I'm not a competitor but I had a keen interest in bodybuilding for a number of years before switching to strongman/oly lifting.

I've known a few guys who got into tip-top shape for their contests on a primal/paleo style diet although I can't say I know many who used one in their offseason.

[waugie14]

Alex, did the people you know start managing their macro-nutrients or just keep going by feel everyday? I've been eating like this before I found this site just interested on applying this to take it to the next level.

[beniger]

I did a natty show June 2009. Since then I've trained the same, but haven't counted my macros. I've done PB diet, BB diet, strongman/GOMAD diet. Right now I'm planning to just do PB diet and train hard, but at times I miss the competitive BB scene.

Any competitive bodybuilders out there? Just wanted to get some conversation going!

[waugie14]

I miss it to man, definitely ready to get back up there. I do contest prep for people and it's been killing me watching them up there and being backstage. Just not sure how to go about this myself. I haven't done any cardio or counted macros and its been great, so not sure what to do lol.

[alex_the_iron]

Waugie, these were fairly precise guys nutrition-wise - so yes they counted stuff!

However they did have something of an aversion to higher fat intakes especially saturated fat - which I think is key to success on a paleo/primal diet. I would say they also over-consumed protein therefore never truly becoming a fat burning engine.

There is a criticism of higher fat diets in that competitors end up looking a bit 'stringy' on stage after their diets, I think this is mostly because guys use a high fat diet just for contest prep - which as I'm sure you know, is hardly the time - what with extra training, reduced calories and so forth - to try and get the body to adapt to a whole different style of eating. So they probably never truly adapt to the diet and end up losing some muscle through gluceogenesis.

They'd probably have more success condition-wise if they used the diet throughout the year (and were therefore quite adapted to it).

I know Gironda and the old-time bbers loved their high fat diets: beef, cream, eggs with hardly any starch (although Gironda did recommend a carb meal every 3rd/4th day to restore liver glycogen - this could be achieved with fruit/sweet potatoes so still fairly paleo). They tended to be ripped to shreds as well.

[waugie14]

Definitely makes sense! The only problem I have with counting my macros is I have stomach problems since having my gallbladder out 2yrs ago which led me to this style of eating. So really going by how I feel everyday has been successful, also I'm a contractor so some days I feel i need more, some days I dont. I've kinda tried tracking my intake before and just couldnt keep up to it like I used to and actually made me look worse.

I think my plan may still be going by how I feel but adding in some HIIT to start off, having a carb refeed when i feel i need it.

[alex_the_iron]

Totally agree with the 'by feel' thing - exactly as you say, no two days are alike expenditure-wise, your body will always let you know the answer if you listen to it!

Best of luck mate. I think key for you will be the refeeds especially if you're going to do a bunch of higher intensity cardio!

[waugie14]

Thanks for the support man, If I like the way my preps going I'll definitely log it on here, 16 weeks out tomorrow. My names Chaz Waugaman if ya wanna hit me up on facebook.

[alex_the_iron]

I'm not on Facebook, but again, very best of luck with the prep!