As I try to post what I’m thinking, as far as altering training and diet go, I figured I’d put this out there… (Remember, not all of my choices are perfect, I just try to weigh everything out, and make a smart decision. If it works, you can learn from what I did, and if it doesn’t, you can still learn to not do what I did! -lol)
I’m just shy of being 7 weeks out from the 1st show I’m looking at (April 17th), and this week, my numbers were at 2600 cals, 225g carbs, and about 250-300g prot on a typical day (not my ‘low’ or ‘high’ days). Having started this prep 15 weeks out, the majority of my intake has been about 2700-2800 cals, only dropping to 2600 the last week or so. Looking back at the numbers of my contest prep from last year, I maintained about a 2400-2500 cal average intake throughout the majority of the time (at least the last 8 out of the 14 weeks I prepped).
My goal this time, was to keep my numbers higher, and offset things a bit with the introduction of cardio much sooner. So far, the higher numbers (especially the higher carbs), have allowed me to maintain a much better degree of muscle size, and thickness, which is great. I am however,admitedly slightly concerned about whether my conditioning will be what it needs to be on game day. This past week, I began substituting a cup of cottage cheese for a mid morning protein bar, the rational being to keep my calories about the same, but knock the carb content down slightly (from 225 to about 200).
Considering that my average intake last year was 175g initially, and then 150g by this point, I think I’m definitely doing well (I realize that you can diet on much higher muscle sparring carbs just so long as you’re maintaining enough of a deficit for continued fat loss). What I do realize though, is that at some point (most likely in the next week or two), I will have to drop my cals a bit (I’m thinking down to 2500, which is still more than most people diet on!). This is where I came up with an idea that I figured I’d share:
I have been adhering to the full suggested Anaconda protocol (Alpha-GPC, 3 FINiBARs, 3 Anaconda + 2 Mag-10), and certainly have no complaints whatsoever. I do believe wholeheartedly that it has contributed to my increased thickness, and the fact that I’ve held onto so much more size this year. What I came to, with a few calculations, is the fact that if I were to replace one (only ONE) of the three FINiBARs I take before each session, with 2 scoops of SWF, I would not only keep my carb intake steady, but would knock off about 100 cals (easily bringing my from 2600 a day, to the goal of 2500).
I had emailed this idea a little while back to ModBrian, who I feel knows a hell of a lot about the background and use of these products, and while he did point out the SWF wouldn’t provide as long of an energy boost as the bars, I did get the impression that he sees where I’m going with this, and that contest dieting is an altogether different animal than when you’re in a gaining phase. The addition of some extra liquid (SWF) before the 2L of Anaconda/Mag-10 is not something I really want to think about, but at the end of the day, it really does all come down to your numbers.
I’m not sure if this will be a permanent adjustment, or it I’ll just try if for a few weeks, get a little more on pace with where I should be and then be able to add the extra bar back in, or even if I ride it out through the first show, then go back to 3 bars leading to the next. I’m figuring this out as I go along! -lol.
S
