Tips for doing a BB show

   Occasionally when I am talking with fellow lifters about competing they will make the comment, 
“I have often  thought about maybe competing.”  Usually  I reply that if you have every seriously 
thought about it then do one and when the  show is over you will know if you love it or hate it.  
For those that are serious about competing I  will try and give the best advice I can to prepare 
them to attain that goal.
   First, I tell them to find a show  that is relatively close, something that is in your home 
town or at least a  short driving distance.  Side note: Over the years I have seen a  few competitors 
actually choose shows further away because they feel less  nervous than if they were in their hometown.   
There are a number of websites that post calendars for all their  shows.  Then when you find a show 
make  sure it is at least 8 months to a year away.   People do not realize how hard and how long it 
takes to get ready for a  show.  It’s not something you just decide  one day you want to do and just 
show up.   For proper fat loss, notice I didn’t say weight loss, it is crucial to  understand that 
in order to preserve all the muscle you worked so hard for  typically the most fat you can lose 
during a week is 1-2lbs.  
   Second, once you have figured out a  show to do, get help.  There are so many  little things to 
competing that if too many little things go wrong they add up  to one big thing, and that is losing.   
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.   Almost every gym has a few competitive bodybuilders or at least 
retired ones  that can give good advice, and if that fails then get on the internet and  search for 
help.  There are many  bodybuilding sites or forums that you can get good advice from.
   Third, be prepared for an emotional  rollercoaster, and prepare your family also.   When dieting 
for a show your body goes through many stages and your  temperament also.  It’s amazing to see  how
 your body and emotions react to food.   When we have carbohydrates in our system we typically are 
more cheerful.  Thus, when the diet calls for very low  carbohydrates and water intake the temper 
can become very short with minor  headaches.  
   Overall, when I give this advice to  future competitors I don’t do it to discourage them but to 
prepare them for a  tough but thoroughly rewarding task.  So  many beginners I have watched after 
their first show with a huge ear to ear  grin looking at pictures a friend or family member has taken 
with their trophy  grasped tightly in their hand.  The road  is tough but the reward is great, because 
in the end you are not doing it for a  cheap trophy made of plaster with spray paint on it, but a 
healthy lifestyle  that can’t guarantee long life but can improve your day to day attitude and  
well-being.

…For more information and tips,  check my website, www.chadamartin.com.