@Wattie - what were your numbers like when you were competing? I can’t imagine having a body fat % that is close to single figures, and doesn’t it mean if you’re losing a kg in weight it must be mainly muscle mass you’re losing?
This is not a problem I’m going to have anytime soon, but curious as to how it works when you get down to such low fat levels...
Hi Jon, there’s a thread link (Atom forum) on here somewhere that gives some stats re my weight.....don’t think I’m that far off that weight just now but it can change in a day or so......whereas when I competed it was pretty flat and consistent. My body fat was a good 3 %+ lower.
I was eating chicken and zucchini, 3 x per day for around 10 weeks. It was ridiculous.
I competed on a natural basis (and only did it once) and there is no doubt that as I lost weight I lost muscle. I got really quite skinny......it’s very difficult to maintain muscle mass whilst losing fat if you are not on something. That didn’t interest me.
Most body builder types are not that fit. Very few, if any do cardiovascular exercise as it burns muscle mass. They will slow walk for an hour, to avoid burning muscle.
Personally I enjoy the cardio side of fitness and don’t feel fit if i’m Out of breath after exercise. As a result I skip and do low impact ( elliptical machines) cardio every other day.
Not ideal if muscle mass is the objective.
My wife has far more experience, success and discipline than I have. She measures her food by weight when in Comp-mode, will carb deplete for a period, water load, then Carb load but water deplete.
It’s very technical and frankly I think it’s waaaaay too much.
Even she struggles to get it right. I’ve seen her compete looking too skinny for her event. She often looks better a week later after a dozen doughnuts, kfc, a couple of curries and a normal diet,
The important things to remember are.
- It’s not a race, slow changes work best
- Try to eat cleanly. Fats are important but stick to lean chicken, veggies, fish etc when you can
- To lose weight, burn more than you consume.
- Reward yourself for progress, have a total day off. Eat a couple of junk meals, have some wine, chillax and enjoy. Life’s too short.
Honestly, from experience if you can get your diet right, it’s 70% of the road to success, which is why I like the fast.
You’re doing very well, as are many others on here.
Slowly slowly is the best course.