Hi all. I’ve been reading articles here on T-Nation for almost a decade now, and this is the first place I come for anything training related. And now, I’m not just trolling, I NEED ADVICE…
I’m a figure competitor 11 weeks out from my show. In the past, I’ve been moderately successful (still working for that pro card though) using “standard” BB type diet programs pre-contest, where calories are gradually cut and macros manipulated more as D-day approached. Cardio, too was gradually increased as needed. I NEVER did excessive cardio(45 min-1 hr MAX), and most diets never took me lower than 1200 cal or so for peak week.
Typically, diets Ive tried before have been lower carb/high protein/mod fat type (standard). This has been pretty successful, but again, since there’s no Pro-card in my hot little mitt yet, I decided to try something new and different this time around, and hired a new, pricey coach. He’s very good, has a slew of successful and pro clients,and is very responsive to emails (my last coach disappeared for 3 weeks during a prep). He makes changes to things as I give him my daily checkins.
Here is my dilemma:
I have been consuming 1200-1000 cal/day,averaging 1000, everyday, with the exception of days I felt like sh** and had a cheat meal, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER. Currently, my macro breakdown is about 28% protein, 49% carbs, 23% fat. I am also instructed to do at least 1 hr of cardio daily. My total weight loss since December? About 4 lbs.
I am using a scale to gauge, simply because I dont have access to accurate BF analysis. Visual changes are, however, minimal. I am hungry, tired, cranky, foggy, and all of the other 7 dwarfs rolled into 1. My workouts are garbage. Fatigue is constant. I have spoken with my coach and the responses have been to cut more cals out(from 1200 to 1000 or so), or to change nutrient timing, not quantity or macro makeup.
I understand the theory behind the plan, which is to get me stage ready 3-4 weeks early, then work up from there for show day. I am starting to see and feel signs of depression, and definiately frustration. I am also afraid to mention my lack of progress to my coach truthfully, as I fear the cals will be scaled back even more. Very reluctant to go into triple digit calories, as Im sure to be useless at my job.
Call me crazy but my gut is telling me this is a very bad prep. It’s not my first time at the prep rodeo, and this is by FAR the worst feeling ever, peak weeks included. I have thought about quitting (too far in it now) and/or just doing my own thing, but I paid this guy ALOT. The planning just seems to go against the grain SO much, I feel that it will either be evil, successful genius, or kill me. Should I ride it out and see what happens, risking misery for many more weeks? This could be a pro-card, or total metabolic collapse. Damn.
Any input or advice, especially from the pros, hinthint,winkwink, would be greatly appreciated…