Physique comp prep, 8 weeks to go: all change!

My first bodybuilding comp is 8 weeks on Sunday. EIGHT weeks. That’s, like, two months. Or less. Time flies eh?

I’m trucking along, training hard, lifting heavy and eating well, trying my best to maintain all the muscle I’ve gained whilst cutting body fat so I hit the stage in the best condition possible.

Yesterday, my trainer Kat sent me my new training plans and we had a Skype call to discuss my nutrition goals for the next few weeks. So I thought it was time to update those of you who are interested!

For the past few months I’ve been training in an 8-day cycle, with five lifting sessions every eight days (legs twice, back/triceps once, chest/biceps once, shoulders/back once).

With (just) eight weeks to go, my calories are starting to come down, and it’s no longer realistic to think I’ll be gaining any muscle. The aim is to retain what I’ve worked so hard to gain, and to get rid of body fat so I can show aforementioned muscles to the judges! So my training now is focusing on more cardio and interval training, and a slightly different approach to weights.

Here’s my new 8-day cycle for now – as with anything, we’ll see how it goes. Nothing’s set in stone, we give it a try for a week or two to see how I respond physically, emotionally, hormonally and all the rest of it.

1 (am) interval training (this could be a kettlebell complex, hill runs, a track running session, bike turbo session etc)
(pm) weights – legs & some postural work. This day is a “high” day for calories and carbs – cos I need it!

2 (am) weights – pull – back and biceps
(pm) cardio session (this could be a bike ride or even a long walk with the dog). This day is a more medium/lower calorie and carb day, with carbs (other than those from veg – which I eat with abandon) put mostly before and after training.

3 (am) interval training
(pm) weights – push – chest, shoulders, triceps & yoga/stretching. This is a medium/higher cal/carb day as intervals and weights demand it!

4 ideally some cardio (as low impact as I like) and the all-important posing practice. If I need it, this day can be a complete rest day (although I really should practise posing as often as possible – got to get that pesky left shoulder blade doing what I want it to during my lat-spread!)

and repeat for days 5, 6, 7, 8. 🙂

Yesterday was a day 4, I walked the dog briefly (but briskly!) in the morning and was then persuaded by my husband to come out on my lovely road bike. It was very windy, and I was wiped out afterwards!

Today is a day 1 so, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to swing some kettlebells in front of a somewhat bemused dog….

I’m a bad blogger, no progress pics, but I’ll take some soon….

So that’s it for my very brief update, but I’m happy to answer any questions about my training, preparation, planning or nutrition. Please just ask away!

Physique comp prep, 8 weeks to go: all change! is a post from The Fit Writer blog.