Many people think that contest preparation is exactly like losing weight. When contest preparation is explained you find that it is so much more than losing weight. Contest preparation is a science. It involves so many different aspects and is something that should be supervised by a coach.
How is Contest Preparation Different from Losing Weight
The goal of contest preparation is to bring the best physique possible to the stage. This means the fat is below 10% and your muscles are full and vascular. The presentation is the most important. It is not about achieving a scale weight.
Getting Your Mind Right for Contest Preparation
Ask anyone who has competed and they will tell you: Your mind starts playing games with you. You will start to feel like you are too skinny or too fat, that you need to eat more or less, that you need to do more cardio, and so on. As your prep evolves, you may experience physical and mental fatigue, become moody, and start taking your frustrations out on people around you.
Always stay calm and remember that you picked this path. Stay focused on the positives and don't let the negatives derail you. Small steps add up over time, so even small victories are still progress. If you don't enjoy the journey, then what's the point in even competing?
Don't Withdraw Socially
Having a support group can make the prep process so much smoother. Let your family and friends know what you're doing and what the plan is before you begin preparation. However, it's important to remember that not everyone's life revolves around training, cardio, and diet. So if all you do is talk about the contest and what you're doing to prepare, trust me, you'll become irritating as hell. Keep your friends and family in the loop, but if they're not competitors, they won't understand what you're going through, nor should they.
On the other hand, a buddy or significant other who trains, cooks, and chats with you can make all the difference in your experience. Remember, though, you're the one doing the contest, so you can't rely on anyone else to be responsible.
Focus on the End Result
You need to focus on the end result. Remember that you are competing against yourself and nobody else. You want to be a better version of yourself.
