Time frame

[Grover]

Heres a question that is sure to come back and bite me on the butt.

I know there are a lot of variables but just want to get a general idea so that I can set realistic goals.

In general how long does it take (taken you) to get into serious competition size.ie months/years?

[orange]

That depends on what size you are now.

[Bazza]

Orange is right..more info please...Age, weight, current training, what are you eating etc?

[Grover]

Ok more info

6'2"

108kgs

23% bf -working hard on reducing this

training 6 days a week seriously for last 6 months

Was doing upper body mon & fri, lower body & core Wed, cardio on otherdays

then changing around the following week.

3 weeks ago changed training pattern (saw PT) and now having extremely intense all body workout on Mon & wed, normal weights routine on fri

everyday doing 20 mins treadmill in am and usually on rower or cycle in pm.

Diet

5am protein shake

6am 1/2 cup oats 3 egg whites

9am protein shake or bar

12 steak/chicken with salad

3 protein shake or bar

7 steak/chicken salad or veges-occassionally a potato

930 protein shake

Taking creatine, BCAA, glutamine, testosterone tabs (isotori)-why cause at 44 I reckon i need all the help I can get!

Appreciate any advice

thanks

[Bazza]

Ok Grover..thanks for that info...my first thought is you need more carbs in your diet. If you're not eating enough then you're not going to have the energy to go hard to build mass. If this is your goal and you ulitmately plan to compete, then that is my suggestion. I personally think that the desire (particularly for older farts like you and me....I have a few on you) is to launch straight into a strict food program that attacks the so called 'excessive carbs' that people on the more advanced edge of the age spectrum suffer from, in an effort to get rid of that extra body fat.

Many PT's will launch into the arguement that we consume too many carbs, and whilst that is generally true...IMHO the sudden exclusion of, or mass reduction of carbs does nothing to help the ultimate goal of getting your body in balance. I posted a Carbs V Protein article in the nutrition post which may be of interest. Its a marathon not a race and if getting your body to that stage where you are happy with its size and definition is the goal, then I suggest keep the carbs in there to make sure that your have the energy to get the gains, and also so you're not raping the body of protein, which needs to be converted to glycogen etc for energy.

I would invite comments from others about the effect of carb stripping whilst cutting up, and the effect it has on muscle mass, and then carb loading before a comp to fill out and pump up the muscles. So my five cents....ignore carbs from the diet at your peril as they are every bit as important as protein...in the long run...

[Grover]

Thanks Bazza

appreciate the feedback, will go check out your other post.

Had a good training session this am, another 1% body fat down-had a slack weekend, no cardio and ate out 2 nights of it!

The wife still wants to have a life lol

haven't managed to get her into training yet!

[rose]

Ditch the extra shakes/bars and replace with protein from food. Protein from food will get you better results. If you're trying to build mussel you need mussel food.

I'd only rely on the shakes for post workout protein (convenience), until you can down something that used to breathe. Even then, I'd carry chicken or tuna or something to have as well. Esp at your size. You eat less than me, and I'm just a peanut.

And I agree re more carbs. Keep them clean and you'll be sweet.

My 2 cents.