Off season gains as a competitive bodybuilder

[colossus]

Hi,

My query relates to gaining muscle and size with a view to competing this year, as opposed to gaining muscle, size and fat to look good in clothes.

Last year, I was fairly lean at almost 15 stone, with maybe 10lb to come off to step onstage. What actually happened was I got suckered into a keto diet that was also catabolic and ended up walking onstage at 12stone 12lb - and that was after Paul B got hold of me, force fed me with carbs and generally halted the disappearing act I'd managed to perform.

For this year, I intend to compete in the same show - the Birmingham inters over 80kg (I was the little one on the end who weighed 81kg and got to stand just from Patrick Williams ), but hopefully much nearer the 90kg mark this time.

Paul has a good handle on my pre-comp and also on my off-season diet but I am still a little confused with how fat or lean I should ideally stay while gaining this year - I'd like to grow at a good rate but not get overly fat.

I understand adipose tissue and overall mass gain almost inevitably go hand-in-hand but where's the benchmark? 10%, 12% b/f in the off season?

Also, if x amount of protein, carbs, fats does the job, and adding extra in would make me overly fat, can I safely keep upping the cardio to compensate, or am I just pouring more water into the bucket as the hole gets bigger - ie where are the limits for gaining excess weight, doing cardio, etc?

If sitting on a bike all day negates the fat gain but allows more cals and nutrients to achieve higher muscle tissue gains, I'm all for it - but am unsure of the limits of my (ectomorph) body.

Thanks very much for your time.

Keith

[colossus]

Hi,

My query relates to gaining muscle and size with a view to competing this year, as opposed to gaining muscle, size and fat to look good in clothes.

Last year, I was fairly lean at almost 15 stone, with maybe 10lb to come off to step onstage. What actually happened was I got suckered into a keto diet that was also catabolic and ended up walking onstage at 12stone 12lb - and that was after Paul B got hold of me, force fed me with carbs and generally halted the disappearing act I'd managed to perform.

For this year, I intend to compete in the same show - the Birmingham inters over 80kg (I was the little one on the end who weighed 81kg and got to stand just from Patrick Williams ), but hopefully much nearer the 90kg mark this time.

Paul has a good handle on my pre-comp and also on my off-season diet but I am still a little confused with how fat or lean I should ideally stay while gaining this year - I'd like to grow at a good rate but not get overly fat.

I understand adipose tissue and overall mass gain almost inevitably go hand-in-hand but where's the benchmark? 10%, 12% b/f in the off season?

Also, if x amount of protein, carbs, fats does the job, and adding extra in would make me overly fat, can I safely keep upping the cardio to compensate, or am I just pouring more water into the bucket as the hole gets bigger - ie where are the limits for gaining excess weight, doing cardio, etc?

If sitting on a bike all day negates the fat gain but allows more cals and nutrients to achieve higher muscle tissue gains, I'm all for it - but am unsure of the limits of my (ectomorph) body.

Thanks very much for your time.

Keith

kk - You obviously know what you are talking about and if its the same Paul B that comes to CNP then listen to him as he also knows what he is talking about.

I'm glad you realise that a quick fix diet (keto) is not the answer, when you are dieting for a contest the slower you lose your fat the better this also helps you skin keep up with the fat loss. To be honest with you there is no precise figure I can give you, I always say to people just keep your abs in sight (not ripped) but once you cant see your abs, you are too fat but if see them too much then you are not having enough kcalories.

Yes, doing a lot of cardio will speed your metabolism up which is great providing you eat more kcalories, if you are trying to gain weight, people will think why do cardio but a faster metabolism can metabolise more protein giving your body more building blocks but remember to add the extra grams of protein.

[colossus]

Thanks Kerry - abs outline, it is.

It's the same Paul B - he was a godsend last year and continues to be.

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply - appreciated.

Any sign of 10lb bags of Pro-Peptide?

[colossus]

Kerry,
I'm flattered, thanks for the kind words. Almost everything I know is from information passed on through the CNP team, noteably yourself & John Hodgson. I can honestly say that even a ten minute chat with you & John will yield far more useful information than the three month full time PT diploma course I did a while ago.

Rightyho,
No 10lb bags yet as far as I know, but the 5lb bags are the new design with the whole bag being printed instead of a stick on label. They look really funky & will sell a lot better I reckon.

[colossus]

Yeah there is an option written on the 5lb bags (unticked of course) for 10lbs so maybe there are plans for this in the future

John.

[colossus]

Paul just checked out the new design, very nice.

[colossus]

Great bag & a great product inside. Result.

[colossus]

kk - Product development is always on the go and obviously when you have been selling Pro Peptide in 908g tubs for a few years and then go to 5lb bags you have to see the response and yes, it has been very good so we will be looking to the 10lb bags.

[colossus]

Now, THAT'S a result for the end user.
Thanks for all the help, guys.

[colossus]

Now, THAT'S a result for the end user.
Thanks for all the help, guys.

kk - You've not seen the price yet :-)

[colossus]

This sounds promising

[colossus]

This sounds promising

kk - Will keep people updated.