Can I do this??

Green_eyed_beauty

So my wonderful sister got me crazy excited to enter an NPC competition in the bikini class this April (20th to be exact). I've been training at home and changed my eating habits for the last 2 1/2 weeks. She is a what I very fondly refer to as a "gym rat" and is a heavy lifter... me on the other hand... lazy, work-a-holic (aka - I normall don't work out at all, even though I should) LOL!

I have done just regular bikini competitions in the past; I know & have all the tanning, walking, clear heals, suits, ect stuff.

Here are the stats---- I am 29 years old, 5' 7.5" & 132 lbs. I eat approximately 110 grams of protien a day with a total of 1,700 calorie consumption and "work out" about 45 minutes a day with a combination of about 15-20 minutes cardio and the rest is all small weights & body weight training all done at home. I eat back my exercise calories because I'm trying not to lose weight. (I also live alone, am single and have no kids, so that may shape your responses)

So what I am wondering is what exactly I should be doing for the next 58 days to prep for this so I can actually look competition ready?? Can I do this without going to a gym and/or a coach? Should I try and drop weight while adding muscle?

Any advise would be much appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

briana0522

Hey! Wow, it will be here in no time. Does your sister have a routine that you can follow with her? Having a trainer that knows about competitions would probably help if you really aren't sure what to do. I know you said you want to do it without a trainer but it seems like you need some guidance right now. Maybe you could get a trainer for a few sessions only. Has your sister competed before? Most people take at least 3 months to get ready but if you really stuck to your diet and exercise 100% you might be able to prepare in the next 2 months. Are there any other competitions a little bit later that you could plan for instead? That way you could go watch this one and prepare for a future competition. Either way good luck!

Green_eyed_beauty

My sister is doing this without a trainer as well but she does go to a gym and no she has not competed before... She gives me advise on food & working out and I give her info on tanning and stuff. It's a funny balance. LOL! But she and I are built completely different and are at completely different "stages" of preperation. I'm on the fast track to do everything and she is already "cutting". I am also in the tall category and she is in the short... so we won't be competing against each other unless we both somehow win our height classes.

The plan is to do this competition in April and then do another one in September, so I think the experience from this up coming competition plus the additional time this summer will make me able to at possibley place in september. I'm not looking to win in April... just compete for the experience of it.

My big question is what should I aim for for body fat percentage (and therefore what should I weight) so I can work toward dropping fat and building muscle.

I have been trying to get into see a trainer, but my resources (and time) are very limited.

rmhand

The little sister here! Bodyfat % for bikini division competition is usually 12-18% (but everyone wears it differently). BMI and body fat % are two totally different things which is why I got caliper tested. Judging by BMI only; 18% would put you at a weight around 120 (which is my goal, lol).

Green_eyed_beauty

Ok - so I need to get "caliper checked" and go from there.
Thanks!!

Babsvii

i thought 12-14% was idea for competition... i am about 17% right now and feel no where near ready for competition.

also i would no rely on the caliper testing they can be off by a few % if you are really serious about getting your BF check go for a Dexa scan.

Green_eyed_beauty

Wow - I just looked up that Dexa scan online - that is some very serious stuff there! Very interesting. Thanks for the info!

budru21

Physique contests are all about appearance. BF% doesn't actually matter. It isn't tested before the show, and judges don't look at you and say, "Hmmm...she is at a 12% and the other girl is better because she is at a 11%" Lol. If you look the part, you win. Look up IFFB Pro Bikini competitors and see what they look like on stage. If you can obtain that amount of leanness, which isn't very lean in comparison to figure, physique and body building categories, you can do it. It is all about the booty. If you have a round butt, small waist, and fit arms...you're good. After that, it is all in how you pose to present your package. Not knowing how much muscle you have currently, how lean you are, or how well you diet down....it is impossible to give you any advice on whether you need to build up muscle and cut fat. Two months isn't much time to build anything really substantial anyway. Good luck!!! Which show are you doing on April 20th? My figure show is the same date in Missoula, MT. :-)

Green_eyed_beauty

I am guessing I am about 20 to 22% BF right now. I am an engineer so numbers mean everything to me... I guess that is why I was looking for a "magic formula" for comp prep. LOL! :P

I definately have a butt and it is definately needs some reshaping... I'm working my waist down as much as I can and my arms aren't terrible. I have been "stalking" the internet for pictures & videos of the competitions but I have found such a range of appearances that I guess it is just like any other competition I've done, work hard, present well and pray for the best.

The one I am hopefully doing is in the Flint, Michigan area. Must be a popular day for scheduling them.

Thank you for the thoughts budru21... much appreciated!

budru21

Good luck!!!