nervous!

[NewoneDn]

Hi, I am a first time competitor and will be on stage in 2 weeks time (EKK)

Im told by my very exp trainer that I am ready for stage but I just dont see it. Im concerned that if I dont believe, that I will deliver a poor show when the big day rolls around and this will show on my face (stunned rabbit )

Has anyone got any tips on how they realised they were ready and believed they deserved to be there?

[nate225]

Video your posing & watch it.

You'll be amazed at how different you look compared to your own perception or what you see when looking in the gym mirrors.

Nate

[Optimass]

It's pretty normal to feel that way. The interesting thing is that many other experienced competitors go through the same feelings of insecurity.

You need to keep things in perspective. This is your first show - if you don't place in the top 3 what will this mean to you? or if you don't look as sharp as the open graded athletes? IMO - your first show is more about the challenge you have had leading up to the competition. And the sacrifises you hade made in order to adjust your lifestyle to support the training and the nutrition.

Your first show is a great milestone. Your first few shows (as a novice) should be about benchmarking your physique against how you showed at each event. The very best body builders in the sport don't over analyse the competition in the respect of ... that guys has better abs, or this guy has better legs. The main frame of thought is around showing the strengths in your genetic physique, whilst minimising the opportunities.

Getting on the stage for the first time is a major achievement - many athletes quit in the last few weeks because they worry about what people may say if they don't get a podium finish. Believe me when I say, your family and friends will respect you more for finishing what you started.

Enjoy your first experience - use the time backstage to see what the open class competitors do to prep. Introduce yourself to the officials and the other athletes - network. These people are serious about the sport and are generally keen to share ideas with like minded people.

Finally, never under-estimate what the final week of preparation will do for your conditioning. Whether you use the waterload option or full dehydration technique, your physique can change dramatically in 2-3 days. If your trainer is experienced, and qualified - you need to have faith in thier plan. Second guessing it at this late stage is only going to muddle your focus. The tan and lights add another dimension to your stage physique.

By the sound of it you have nearly everything you need - just the courage of a lion ....

[cantygirl]

Its natural to self doubt, especially when you are carb depleted. If you trust your trainer and she/he has got you this far eg weight loss, training etc, you also need to place your trust in them knowing that they wouldn't put you on stage if you weren't ready.

Something I tell my clients who compete:-

1. You don't have to do it.

2. Treat your first show as a practice run for future shows.

3. Yes you will be nervous but you will be prepared from all your practice.

4. You will leave the stage on a huge high, its a huge accomplishment.

5. You don't have to do it.

Remember too, that you made the first move when you enquired about the possibility of competing, everyone has their own reasons for doing it, the last few weeks are the hardest both mentally and physically.

You won't let your trainer down if you make a hash of it, but you will let yourself down if you don't follow it through.

Its a tough sport you've signed up for, your a winner now.

[NewoneDn]

Thanks Guys- all really helpful suggestions, I have taken some pics of me in my poses.

I feel totally privileged to be getting up on stage and haven't given any thought of a placing- getting through the training and diet and being there is reward enough!

I have really loved the journey and will definatly be doing it again.

Question: I know what the dehyrdration merthod is but whats the water load method?

[bob26]

How does the dehydration method work also?

Oh and post up your pics :wink:

[time in motion]

Hi and welcome..

I am also competing for the first time in 2 weeks time, and I am well nervous! I still see sqidgy bits.. I think my bum is flat and Im not lean enough in some places.. but its a head game and my trainer says I'm ready, and she would know, she's competed and won/placed for a few years, So i choose to trust her judgement.

And the way I figure it I've already won anyway - I've improved my body, my confidence, my partner is really proud of me and I know now for sure that I have the guts and determination to acheive what I want.

Whether or not i stack up against the other competitors remains to be seen BUT it really doesnt matter anyway and who cares if i forget bits of my routine or posing its only 60secs out of my whole life.

I choose to do my best and be proud of me whatever happens. Theres always next year.

Good luck, dont panic and have fun.. Its just a game

[Dubble_D]

Just remember, very few people have the guts to take on a challenge like you guys are and even fewer feel the satisfaction of seeing it through!

Well done :clap:

Enjoy it, There is no other feeling like it when you get of stage and it sinks in that you have accomplished what you have set out to do.

[PeterDolan]

Must be a women thing haha I have a client entering next weekends comp in Welly's, she also feels she isn't ready. She may not be the best on the stage but she looks good, better than any of the trainers at my gym, and she has gone through so much while dieting (custody battle, homicidal ex husband and more) not to get up there and have a great time and feel great about herself.

So what if you aren't "ready", this is the year you test the waters and next year you do everyting in your power to come in with the best package you can present, nothing less.

Have fun and good luck!

[Dubble_D]

How does the dehydration method work also?

I am no expert and have only done it once, start of sodium and water loading (increasing water intake) then gradually cease all sodium and bring down water to a bare minimal.

Best to get the expertise of a experienced competitor.

[bob26]

How does the dehydration method work also?

I am no expert and have only done it once, start of sodium and water loading (increasing water intake) then gradually cease all sodium and bring down water to a bare minimal.

Best to get the expertise of a experienced competitor.

yup for sure :wink:

[Optimass]

How does the dehydration method work also?

I am no expert and have only done it once, start of sodium and water loading (increasing water intake) then gradually cease all sodium and bring down water to a bare minimal.

Best to get the expertise of a experienced competitor.

yes - very much so. I wouldn't recommend experimenting without getting some qualified advice as the outcome may undo your hard work. Sodium loading can be very dangerous when combined with a timed water load and unload. If you haven't already discussed either option with your trainer/coach, then may be they are not wanting to go there for your first show.

For my first show I dehydrated 4 days > carbed up with oven baked kumara chips and dried pineapple. I came in at about 5-6% and was reasonably shredded at 85kg. However, I probably lost too much weight and could have come in 2-3kg heavier had I used the water load system I use now. (or would use were I still competing). It took 2 more shows to get a good handle on what worked and didn't work so well. So much to consider from athlete to athlete .... do you unload your water from 2,3 or 4 days? How many days to load 6 days - 15 days ..... What to carb up on?.

My recommendation is to stick with what your trainer has in their plan. There are always going to be other shows - you can also get back into a standard nutro routine for a couple of weeks after your show (between shows) and experiment a bit.

If you check out Mike Debenhams Pro Debut journal, you'll see how fine tuning that last week can have a distinct difference to your physique - and within a matter of days/week(s).

viewtopic.php?t=4413

1st show ...

2nd show ...

but then we are talking Pro .... as a novice its just about you, as an open competitor you'll need to have a good idea about how to fine tune. thats why your novice year or two should be spent getting the basic down to a fine art.

[Grover]

8)

awesome pics Optimass

What was the time frame between shows??

[NewoneDn]

Hi, Thanks guys for explaining.

My trainer tells me that given that I am not super lean the whole dehydration/water thing wont do much apart from make me feel terrible and confuse me so Im counting on the last fews weeks of hard core training to give me a little more and the tan

She says I have good shape, that the leaness will come with time/training, and assures me I wont make an idiot of myself, I am working on the 'courage like a lion'

[weener lad]

Hi Newonedn, personally I have only competed 3 times but every year the nerves get better and I learn to trust my training,diet and advice I am taking from others. This will all come with time and knowledge of how your body reacts, unfortunately that means dealing with your mind playing tricks until you have that experience. All I can say is trust your training and keep doing what your doing.

As far as playing with water loading I would suggest you try it in the off season first to see how your body reacts. Don't waste 10-20 weeks hard work on a gamble :nod: Dehydrating always works and is pretty straight forward as long as you don't push it to far.

All that said I'm sure your training has it sorted so listen to him/her.

8)

awesome pics Optimass

What was the time frame between shows??

That's Mike Debenham in the photos, think it was a week or ten days between shows. His journal can be found in on here, it's worth the read

[Optimass]

8)

awesome pics Optimass

What was the time frame between shows??

That's Mike Debenham in the photos, think it was a week or ten days between shows. His journal can be found in on here, it's worth the read

:nod: yep - i think it is 10 days. (and no not me .... he is much, much shorter ... :grin: )

Hi, Thanks guys for explaining.

My trainer tells me that given that I am not super lean the whole dehydration/water thing wont do much apart from make me feel terrible and confuse me so Im counting on the last fews weeks of hard core training to give me a little more and the tan

She says I have good shape, that the leaness will come with time/training, and assures me I wont make an idiot of myself, I am working on the 'courage like a lion'

this is good advice :nod:

[weener lad]

Interesting Vid, worth a quick watch.

http://www.gasparinutrition.com/GaspariChannel/tabid/57/Default.aspx?fn=rich_neil_qa%2Frich_neal_qa_episode_2_kc.flv

[NewoneDn]

Thanks- very interesting