Dieting differences

[fluteangel]

I don't plan on competing in figure forever. I DO plan on keeping on adding muscle every year and cycling being lean with bulking (moderately). With that as a mindset, what would be the difference (if any) in a contest prep diet vs. just a diet to cut your fat from a bulk if you're not going to compete? I'm assuming there isn't much difference till the end, but if you're not going to compete, but you'd like to lean down, what would be the difference in the diet?

[Brandi]

I'd say flexibility. You don't have a drop-dead date to get lean by, so you could be more flexible. And you aren't going o have a peak week.

[Blondell]

I'd say flexibility. You don't have a drop-dead date to get lean by, so you could be more flexible. And you aren't going o have a peak week.

:yeahthat:

[Inatic]

None.

that is exactly what i do :)

[Blondell]

None.

that is exactly what i do :)

But, even though you choose to not have that flexibility, you don't think that you could have it? :scratch: Not having a deadline does allow a bit of flexibility imo, whether or not someone uses it is another thing, but it is there if someone chooses, right? :cool:

I realize that you are answering for yourself, but I'd like to know your thoughts on it in a general sense. :o Heck, we can all learn from you. :love:

[Inatic]

my comment was there is not really much difference in the diet part.. you still diet the same.. Yes there is flexibility in say on how fast you diet it off.. most people dont want to drag it out forever either way...With no dead line like you said, is that flexibility part.

still you sort of work the 'seasons' the same in that you lean down in the warmer months/show a lot of skin and use the 'off season' to bulk or bring bf up.

Perhaps i miss understood something?

[Blondell]

my comment was there is not really much difference in the diet part.. you still diet the same.. Yes there is flexibility in say on how fast you diet it off.. most people dont want to drag it out forever either way...With no dead line like you said, is that flexibility part.

still you sort of work the 'seasons' the same in that you lean down in the warmer months/show a lot of skin and use the 'off season' to bulk or bring bf up.

Perhaps i miss understood something?

Gotcha. I think you understood correctly and answered w/ how you do it.

I was just wondering if you see the flexibility there as an option. You answered my question. Thanks. :)

[Ali]

I'd say flexibility. You don't have a drop-dead date to get lean by, so you could be more flexible. And you aren't going o have a peak week.


Yep, that's me. I am on my diet most of the time, but if I miss a meal or have to eat something w/o protein, I don't freak out. When it's contest time, I am a little more stringent. Plus if I'm DYING of hunger, I will add some cals...not so during a contest.

If there is a special get together I don't mind celebrating with food. During contest, I probably wouldn't...maybe. Even sometimes during prep I do, though. It just depends.

I am also a little more lenient with my macros. If I don't hit my protein numbers...meh. It just depends what you want to look like and how fast. If you start getting too lenient, you will just end up at maintenance.

Bottom line...for dieting just for me, I try to make it a little more moderate so that it's not uncomfortable or a disruption to my life. For a contest, there are sometimes moments of :mecry:.