18 weeks out Cardio

[tflexxin]

I have just started dieting, and want to try reversing what I did last year in terms of cardio. Every year I end up ramping up the cardio close to the show, when I am already lean but not quite lean enough. This inevitably costs me muscle.
So this year, while I am at my fattest, I am starting right out doing double cardio. my rationale is that I am eating plenty, I have plenty of fat for my body to burn, and therefore the amount of cardio can pretty much ONLY burn fat.
sound reasonable?

 

[Lenny]

Do you plan on reducing the amount of cardio as you get closer to the show? Start out on the higher end and taper closer to the show...I think that could be a good idea.

 

[VTliftVT]

I remeber Pucinella saying he did no cardio the last week pre-contest and that actually HELPED him burn off that last little bit of stubborn fat deposits for whatever reason. It's in that big ass thread buried in this forum somewhere.

 

[tflexxin]

Do you plan on reducing the amount of cardio as you get closer to the show? Start out on the higher end and taper closer to the show...I think that could be a good idea.

That's the idea. Less stress on the body when in such a depleted state seems to equal retaining more mass, staying fuller, etc.

I just want to see if this sounds plausible to the PM guys....

 

[Elvia1023]

That's the idea. Less stress on the body when in such a depleted state seems to equal retaining more mass, staying fuller, etc.

I just want to see if this sounds plausible to the PM guys....

Sounds good to me. Plus you will be in a better state in the run up.... better prepared. So no drastic changes should be needed. When people stress their bodies out further (extreme cardio) in such a depleted state it's asking your muscle to go bye bye. Keep us posted with your progess and what differences you experience. Good luck with your prep

 

[eroc613]

I have found the key for me has been the length of my diet. This year I started 16 weeks out. At 7 weeks out I had to start upping my cals, because I looked 3 weeks out. Now two weeks into higher cals, I'm the same weight and definately leaner. If I didn't have time to adjust things, I would have never discovered that I was able to get leaner on the higher cals. I now look the best I've ever looked, and I'm actually gaining strenght. Never before, have I gotten stronger while dieting.
I also didn't start cardio until 10 weeks in, and now I'm doing four days of (25) min. cardio. Then taking 4 days off. When I start cardio after the break, I get noticably leaner, but keep my fullness.

I'm 5 weeks out and all signs are telling me I'm going to be my leanest ever. I'm almost ready now, so I'm coasting in and my wife loves my new approach. I haven't be an ass the entire time. I love the longer diet.

 

[chris250]

Yeah I think starting cardio sooner than later...is a good idea...then as you get closer to the show, taper it down some, depending on conditioning...probably will be able to eat more this time around