Can I be lean enough for a show 5 weeks out?

[Gymratforlife]

I got started back to training about 4 months ago after having an 8 month lay off due to work and a major move from where I lived. Decided to try to do a local show on the 5th of september to get my motivation back up and get in shape again. These pictures are from 3 days ago. We are at 5 weeks out today. I am currently doing 2 1/2 hours of Cardio and ketosis Palumbo type diet. Do you guys think I can come in at 5-6% 5 weeks from now if I bust my ass and go up to 3 hours of cardio? Or did I bite off more than I could chew?

 

[MAINEVENT]

IMO.....no.

 

[jawbreakerkid]

agree with Main. Pick a show further out, give yourself a good 12-16 weeks and not kill yourself.

 

[Gymratforlife]

agree with Main. Pick a show further out, give yourself a good 12-16 weeks and not kill yourself.

I dont mind doing all the cardio 2 me its actually fun. i love cardio and have set up a lifefitness at the house and one in the office. If the 3 hours of cardio per day can get me there in 5 weeks I have no problems with that. I guess I will just continue to go at it and if Im not ready at 7 days out then just pick another date. I started the diet 12 weeks out and was wayyyyy out of shape. Here is a picture of that mess.

 

[mikeyt869]

well your progress is great but i think you would be better suited to pick a show 10 weeks from now and do your best rather than push the limits and try to drop weight to fast.

 

[Gymratforlife]

well your progress is great but i think you would be better suited to pick a show 10 weeks from now and do your best rather than push the limits and try to drop weight to fast.

Do you think 2 1/2 hours of low intensity cardio doing bellow 130 bpm heart rate will sacrifice too much muscle on a keto diet in those 5 weeks? My main concern is not killing myself but sacrificing muscle mass.

 

[AWN2004]

Do you think 2 1/2 hours of low intensity cardio doing bellow 130 bpm heart rate will sacrifice too much muscle on a keto diet in those 5 weeks? My main concern is not killing myself but sacrificing muscle mass.

To be blunt....

Forget that show and pick another one. Stop trying to convince yourself it's remotely possible. I mean that in a good way because you will just restrict yourself so severely and end up burning up some hard earned muscle. Pick something a good 10 to 12 weeks from now and you are in a good position to come in in condition.

 

[Shelby]

Do you want to come in your best, or do you want to come in looking like a haggard mess?

You won't be your best in 5 weeks.

Not even close, regardless of what diet and cardio protocol you use.

 

[Gymratforlife]

To be blunt....

Forget that show and pick another one. Stop trying to convince yourself it's remotely possible. I mean that in a good way because you will just restrict yourself so severely and end up burning up some hard earned muscle. Pick something a good 10 to 12 weeks from now and you are in a good position to come in in condition.

I am going to take every ones advice because that is the reason why I posted the pictures and asked for an opinion. I knew this was the best place to get the correct answer. I guess I should stay with 2 hours of cardio from here and stay on the diet and pick something 10-12 weeks from today? Or should I back off the cardio some?

 

[Gymratforlife]

Do you want to come in your best, or do you want to come in looking like a haggard mess?

You won't be your best in 5 weeks.

Not even close, regardless of what diet and cardio protocol you use.

Thank you Shelby,I know you know your stuff and I really greatly appreciate your advice. this may be my first time posting but I have been lurking as a guest reading here for years.

 

[pesty4077]

IMO, I would wait for more time to develop yourself and then diet. You said you just came back, give it more time and come in your best.

 

[chris250]

I will go with a different answer (kinda)...I will say, you can be ready in 5 weeks, yeah...If you do your super supplements right, and do the correct diet..Yeah, you could be ready...But, you will probably lose muscle to be in good shape (noticed I didnt say great shape)...So yeah, you could be ready, I've seen it done a few times before..But these people suffered alot (ALOT) and by the time they got to the show, they did lose a bit of muscle in the process...

chris

 

[Designbuilt]

I agree with Chris, pretty much exactly what he said. I would like to add that if you want to do it just to step up your training and diet, and it's a small local show, then hell, why not do it for fun and to step up your training.

But if it's for a serious show and/or you want to come in at your best you need a little bit more time.

 

[mikeyt869]

yea its possible to do the show but just not your best, so it really all depends on how you want to place and how lean you intend to be. You stated 5-6% but you really should be as lean as possible without feeling like your loosing to much size to quick. Were all here for you bro good luck either way

 

[Tom]

cardio

i think that much cardio would just eat up too much muscle. maybe find a show for later in the year or early 2010.

 

[AWN2004]

Hire someone.

It sounds like you need someone to help you out. At 12 weeks out I'm not sure 2 hours of cardio is warranted at this point. I could be wrong as I have not seen full body shots but it just seems way too extreme. Get a good diet program from someone who knows what they are doing. There is no reason that three months from now you wouldn't be able to show up on stage in very respectable condition.

There seems to be a couple people that say it's possible to make it in five weeks. There is no way you would make it. I know everyone is different and everyone's bodies respond differently but I'm willing to bet the condition you desire is not the one you would show up with after five weeks of killing yourself just to make the show. It sounds like you really want to do the show so I ask you this question: Do the show just to do it, or compete and show up in the best possible shape with the most muscle? Which would you rather see if you were sitting in the crowd at the night show?

 

[Gymratforlife]

Hire someone.

It sounds like you need someone to help you out. At 12 weeks out I'm not sure 2 hours of cardio is warranted at this point. I could be wrong as I have not seen full body shots but it just seems way too extreme. Get a good diet program from someone who knows what they are doing. There is no reason that three months from now you wouldn't be able to show up on stage in very respectable condition.

There seems to be a couple people that say it's possible to make it in five weeks. There is no way you would make it. I know everyone is different and everyone's bodies respond differently but I'm willing to bet the condition you desire is not the one you would show up with after five weeks of killing yourself just to make the show. It sounds like you really want to do the show so I ask you this question: Do the show just to do it, or compete and show up in the best possible shape with the most muscle? Which would you rather see if you were sitting in the crowd at the night show?

I am working with a trainer now that has conditioned many national competitors and who's wife is an ifbb pro and he does all of her training and diet. He is on the fence also about weather I can come in ready or not. He is a good friend of mine and is not conditioning me for money but rather for recognition for both of us locally. I own a supplement store and he trains many athletes locally and out of state so I do have to come in shredded. Its a small local show and I wanted to do it to get back in shape but I do have to come in top shape for it. I dont feel like I am loosing muscle mass but who knows. I guess I can keep training till the day gets closer and if I am not ready I will just go ahead and raise my carbs some and start putting some muscle back on for 3 months or so then pick a show when I am lean and full 12 weeks from there.

 

[AWN2004]

I am working with a trainer now that has conditioned many national competitors and who's wife is an ifbb pro and he does all of her training and diet. He is on the fence also about weather I can come in ready or not. He is a good friend of mine and is not conditioning me for money but rather for recognition for both of us locally. I own a supplement store and he trains many athletes locally and out of state so I do have to come in shredded. Its a small local show and I wanted to do it to get back in shape but I do have to come in top shape for it. I dont feel like I am loosing muscle mass but who knows. I guess I can keep training till the day gets closer and if I am not ready I will just go ahead and raise my carbs some and start putting some muscle back on for 3 months or so then pick a show when I am lean and full 12 weeks from there.

Are you from Colorado by chance?

 

[Gymratforlife]

Are you from Colorado by chance?

Florida.

 

[therecanonlybe1]

not too mention you would be putting yourself at high risk for injury