lisahu

wow finishing 2 figure competitions within 3 weeks, leaves ya feeling a little lost. I have been so strict the past 17 weeks, it feels like I'm just out there floating with no direction. I am keeping up weight training (as I have a few things to improve on) and cardio is going well (obviously much less) I have softend up a bit (hoping most is water and not fat). But the eating schedule is ????? like how much protein/carbs for the day. I know what to eat just not how much. I do want to put on a little muscle, bigger shoulder caps, glute/hammie tie in, calfs, thigh sweep. I have all of these however just needs to be a little bigger. I am freaking out with off season, gain. Don't want to go above 14/15%BF. Any thoughts? If someone does not eat alot of fat/sugar, is it possible to maintain things with less cardio? I am someone who needed alot of cardio to go from 18% to 10%BF.???

juggernaut

After I got finished with my first contest, I felt the same as you did. My trainer set me straight. He basically said to me that now that I am done preparing for the show, its time to get back in the warrior mode and start building some serious muscle.
So, I did. I got back into being in the gym, I got back to feeling strong as anything, I added some weight and some of it was fat. But I said so f***king what. I was still 15-20 lbs short of my contest weight. I also believe that if you dont put that weight on, your gains will be small and undeserving.
Bottom line is you need to eat and enjoy life to become the better competitor. Take a break and step back. What do you want to accomplish for a while? Do you want to gain some muscle? Cant hurt!
Dont think maintenance-think growth. Dont give what you always gave-you'll always get what you always got. Get into the fast lane and drive home some new additions to your already great physique!