Number One Mistake of Natural BB'er and Fitness Models

What I have learned over the years is that about 90% of all natural bodybuilders and male fitness models make the same mistake prior to each event they compete in. They ALL seem to “carb-deplete” too much and too early! If I could have a nickel for every time I have heard I looked AMAZING a week out and I don’t know what happened!?!?! I’d be the next W. Buffet!

The question…Why did I look great a week or two out and at the event I looked “off” (flat, small….)?
The answer… You changed something! If you look amazing today, you will look amazing next week as long as you don’t start messing with things! You are natural…so act like it!! There is NO reason for a natural competitor to deplete for a week and load for two to three days…I cannot say that loud enough! For myself, I DO load…but I DO NOT do a carb depletion. The loading is due to me knowing I am bout to stress my body seriously…pumping and flexing for one or two solid days is VERY stressful to the body…so…it needs extra fuel!

This is as short as I can make it…so, if you did what you were supposed to do, diet, cardio, training and REST…then you will look amazing at the event without having to deplete.

If you did not, depletion is a way to make the best of a poor prep.

The REAL Thought: Get with a professional that knows what they are doing, has experience with individuals other than themselves. Develop a plan WITH that professional and stick to the plan without the interference from the outside…no matter what. That is how you will learn what works for you and your competitive physique.

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Permalink Reply by Raffi Melkonian on August 19, 2009 at 1:46am

I couldn't agree with you more on this topic.. well said and very true. Keeping your carbs to the amount of where you body looks the best and is at peak is what needs to be kept for the last week before the show as well. The only adjustments needed to be made is you water intake and cut off time night before. Like you said work with a experience individual or professional to see what works.. keeping things natural and real.

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Permalink Reply by Fentris Lane on August 19, 2009 at 8:48am

Wow! Interesting ~ I have been taught that you should totally carb deplete and reload a couple of days before. Learn something new everyday and I do agree that it is all about contest prep, nutrition, cardio and resting.

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Permalink Reply by Lucas G. Irwin on August 19, 2009 at 10:49am

Essential advice for all natural competitors!! I experienced this first hand and with the help of Jason Powell and my nutritionist, Tess Lobon, I made some adjustments before my last competition. It made a world of difference: fuller, tighter and a much better package all together. I simply could not compensate for the extreme depletion I put my body through, but when i switched to a low carb prep and a calculated and controlled load, my results were great!

Great advice!

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Permalink Reply by Jason C Powell on August 22, 2009 at 8:57am

In short, no. Natural bodybuilders and athletes are not more sensitive to the fats in beef as compared to any other fat from any other animal source.

There is an “allergen” scale for about everything out there…and surprising to me, a good number of people are slightly allergic to some of the enzymes in beef…that could be where this misconception in beef comes from. The allergen will only cause slight bloating (water retention) and that’s it. But, when an athlete in at 4% body fat, a slight increase in subdermal fluids looks like a fat gain.

So, beef, fish, pork, eggs and so on are all good sources of protein…the point is to eat the cuts that are lean…typically 5% fat or less.

NOTE: The beef I eat is Springerhill, ground longhorn. It is 98% lean and carries less cholesterol and fat than skinless boneless chicken breasts.

I may post soon some of the actions and reactions of steroids to the human body to help clarify why they work the way they do and why the athletes on AAS “juice” are required to eat differently as a whole.

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Permalink Reply by Miguel on February 17, 2010 at 11:26am

Where do you find the Ground Longhorn???

Thanks for the info...

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Machate on October 3, 2009 at 3:43am

Sounds like I need to set up an appointment! I've never heard of competitors NOT depleting/re-feeding.. I've never gotten that far (yet), but all of the competitors I know do it.

I'd like to hear more about this method, because the LAST thing I want to do is be miserable the week or 2 before the show and then not re-feed enough, etc...

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Permalink Reply by Kai on October 3, 2009 at 7:58am

lol Jason is probably the #1 person to talk to in this regard. He is, hands down, one of the best natural bodybuilders ever and has the ultimate complete male physique. Not to mention, he has 2 masters and is a PhD candidate in human physiology. He knows EVERYTHING about the human body lol

To be honest, most competitors and even trainers don't really know the answers on how to properly diet down for a show..they go by what they hear and read somewhere without having a deeper understanding for all of the human physiological systems. In short, definitely learn what you can from Jason and from other great naturals here at the REAL spot.

Although this site is brand new, I believe we are building the home for great competitors who are educated, passionate and motivated! I hope you get a lot out of this site and the incredible members!

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Permalink Reply by Everette Henderson on October 8, 2009 at 11:18am

Great info and discussion, I've gotten EXTREMELY RIPPED for my last two shows and I can honestly say that Jason and Kai is right on. I know what works for my body and what helps me get there, but I have no idea Why it works. Hit me with the truth big boy so I can dial it in even better next time.

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Permalink Reply by Reggie on October 15, 2009 at 8:11pm

Good read indeed, I never deplete just load...and a slight load at that.

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Permalink Reply by Amber Passini on October 21, 2009 at 1:58pm

Jason, couldn't have put it better myself. If you do the work, you will be in top condition onstage without putting your body into a dangerous situation.

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Permalink Reply by Jason C Powell on November 12, 2009 at 10:09pm

I hear ya! That's one of our topics at our camps...selecting the right team for your contest prep. There is NO reason to go through ALL that prep and fall short due to something you have total control over! Thanks for participating...see you at the next mixer!

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Permalink Reply by Garrett Tyra on December 21, 2009 at 12:02am

i hear that man! a huge misconception in natural BBing... we don't ahve that added extra somethin something if you know what i mean to fill our muscles out or push us through those grousome workouts, we need the carbs!! YEAR ROUND!!!