first timer hopefully this year

[lillybella]

Hey people, im hopefully going to hit the stage for the first time this year,really nervous already as like me wife said i dont wanna make a fool iof myself up there.

question being, what was the most important aspect of your pre comp training/diet/prep phase

[Ann]

Hey people, im hopefully going to hit the stage for the first time this year,really nervous already as like me wife said i dont wanna make a fool iof myself up there.

question being, what was the most important aspect of your pre comp training/diet/prep phase

Hi there. The most important aspect of my pre-comp training/ diet phase etc - listening. Listening to one person. You will always have those well wishers who will give you advice. This is ok. In spite of that, it is extremely important to engage with someone who:

1) Knows what they are talking about

2) Has done more than one or two shows (and competed against more than one or two competitors - good competitors also - (not the average Jo Bloggs off the street).

3) Have got a good eye (or know what they are looking for and knows what needs to be improved on).

4) Is honest. There is no point in paying good money to someone who is telling you, you look fantastic when in actual fact you may look terrible. Of course this paid person is going to say whatever you want to hear - that's how they make their money!

5)Being honest with yourself. This is possibly one point that is always overlooked. If you can say, " I think my legs look fantastic - but they look like rubbish - how can you improve? Afterall, you've already got it in your head that there is no need for further improvements to your physique.

The list is wide and varied. Everyone has their own ideas of what works and what doesn't. Furthermore, everyone is an expert! (Believe me - you will come across this sooner or later).

Finally - whats the rush? The stage will always be there. My suggestion. Attend a competition whose athletes are outstanding. You will possibly only find this at the Nationals or overseas. Regionals there may be the occasional person who could show up out of nowhere and blow everyone off the stage - this rarely happens.

Then afterall this - sit down and discuss it further with your partner. Part of this process will be your loved one. They will be the ones who will continually support you (or kick you in the arse if need be). But remember, this is a choice YOU make. No-one elses. Therefore, if you start getting shitty with someone during your dieting phase - pre-comp - get back to reality and think to yourself - is all this dieting really worth the aggravation - afterall this is my decision - and as such they should not be put through all the dramas - that does come - and will come with shows.