What happened?

[Marvin Martian]

I competed in a half dozen shows back in the late 90's and I remember how messed up my thinking would get the closer it got to the contest date - I especially remember the last week and making dumb ass changes last minute... Is that what happens even on the pro level? I know they were just bathroom/gym pics - but Jay looked freaking phenomenal in the pics posted last week... I get that they weren't on stage with other competitors - but last night he looked totally different compared to those pics.. Is it just lighting - or was he really different? If he did something - manipulating water or carbs - WHY? It seems like after doing as many contests as he has at that level he would have known he was on and just coasted in holding the look he had...
This is a genuine question - I am not at all saying I know what to do and I know I am a complete novice compared to Jay... I am sure in person he looked different from the webcast...
There are a bunch of you on here that are much more knowledgable than me so I hope some of you reply and give your opinion... I understand that nobody other than Jay and his team know exactly what he did in his prep but tell me what you think...
If you think it was just lighting or the fact that he was on stage with the others - OK... But if it was something else - can he fix it or is he done?
I can't imagine how frustrating it has to be after prepping so long and looking spot on just days out - then having a showing like that..

 

[IronManRep]

I think bathroom pics can look very different than what the athlete actually looks like due to lightning. Look at all the pics posted on Instagram and fb, guy's and girl's can look like freakin beauty queens in those pics but in real life they look pretty beat the F up.

 

[Google&Pubmed]

It's not the end. He can look really different today from what he consumes and how much he drinks.


But one other thing is that the videos sucked. The pictures really show the difference and yea those really do look different but in the videos a lot of people looked like Meh to me but that is because the video is super pixelated and shitty and I think a 7 year old kid is controlling the cameras. Or maybe a recent high school grad.

It's was just a pre-judging. Tonight he should look better.

Also I believe he only had 6 months to get ready so he couldn't get all that size back and then diet down. If he competes next year he will look much better because I think he'll keep his waist down and on control and then just try to gain his old size back.

 

[Incognito1]

I'm sure water and carb manipulation had a part in it but there's a massive difference between bathroom lighting and stage lighting also. No where near as many close shadows on stage

 

[red5150]

I'm sure water and carb manipulation had a part in it but there's a massive difference between bathroom lighting and stage lighting also. No where near as many close shadows on stage

This! Hell I'm even almost happy with how I look in certain bathroom pics. Then you see yourself washed out under stage lights and a pic is taken in mid flex and your like holy shit I look like a turd. Maybe we should have a bathroom pic display on here.

 

[Marvin Martian]

This! Hell I'm even almost happy with how I look in certain bathroom pics. Then you see yourself washed out under stage lights and a pic is taken in mid flex and your like holy shit I look like a turd. Maybe we should have a bathroom pic display on here.

Good point - every once in while I even catch a glimpse and think damn - when the lighting is just right...

It just really seems like Jay did something that made him lose the look he had... Respect to the man - in no way am I qualified to judge him... The other guys posted locked room / gym / bathroom pics and I am sure they made certain that the lighting was favorable - and based on those Jay looked like he would be battling for top spot... Been glued to the TV watching football and missed the finals so not sure how he placed... I just think Jay was dry enough and full enough that he didn't need much if any carb/water manipulation...

 

[AshopRep]

It's all about angles and lighting. If you take the pic from above, it will make your waist look tiny.

 

[ThinkTank]

I thought Jay was working with Chris Aceto for this contest?? I expected more. Jay lacked definition and size. Bottom lime was that he was smooth and flat.

2010 vs 2013