Five Contest Prep Tips to Ensure Success

[ShelbyStarnes]

This isn’t just a bunch of random shit I put together to make a cute article. These are real deal tips that help me get through contest prep. Pay attention.

5 Contest Prep Tips to Ensure Success

By Shelby Starnes

This isn’t just a bunch of random shit I put together to make a cute article. These are real deal tips that help me get through contest prep. Pay attention.

1. Keep the focus on your actions, and the results will come.

All too often we get caught up in what we’re going to get, or what the end result will be, and in doing so we lose sight of what we must do in order to get there. We think “I want this” or “I want that” rather than “I need to do this,” and “I need to do that.” This disconnect not only prevents us from reaching our goals it can also prevent us from enjoying the journey.

By putting our focus on our daily actions instead we are guaranteed success. It’s just a matter of stacking up enough “good days” to get to where we want to go.

Remember: To climb a mountain you must keep your eyes on the path, and not on the peak ahead.

2. Make your practice perfect.

“Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” – Vince Lombardi Jr.

I constantly see novices spending tons of time practicing posing, but doing so incorrectly. What a waste of time and reinforcement of bad habits! Set yourself up for success by making sure that you’re not just practicing, but practicing perfectly. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This applies to all aspects of bodybuilding: training, dieting, posing, etc.

3. Don’t reinvent the wheel.

Yes, there is a ton of free information on the Internet (and elsewhere) to help you reach your physique goals. Yes, you can probably get into decent shape doing it yourself. But you can also drive yourself nuts wondering if you’re making the right decisions and waste a lot of time figuring out the best methods to achieve your goals.

Having an experienced coach in your corner will ensure you come in at your very best, and leave the guesswork out of the equation. This allows you to focus on the tasks at hand rather than wasting valuable time and energy on a bunch of “what ifs.”

There are many great coaches to choose from. Find one that you respect, trust and fit well with.

4. Practice gratitude.

It’s all too easy to focus on the negatives during contest prep and ignore or forget the positives. This obviously creates a pretty dismal experience! I suggest setting aside some time each day (perhaps during cardio) to think of all the things you’re thankful for and that are going right for you now, instead those going wrong, or that you worry about.

For me this gratitude includes being healthy and able to train and prep, being supported by my family and peers, having the means to diet (many on this planet are starving right now), etc.

Doing this regularly puts my mind in a frame of abundance and positivity rather than one of deprivation and negativity.

Remember it’s a privilege to compete. We are very fortunate to have something that motivates us so greatly.

5. Create a “Lessons Learned” list.

Assuming you’re going to do this again, you’re going to want to do it better the next time (and the next time, and the next time). Make sure you’re noting what went right with your prep, and what went wrong. There are many minor details that add up to make an experience enjoyable or miserable. Be cognizant of these details and figure out what works best for you, so you can replicate it next time.

Perhaps you’ve found that you train best earlier in the day, or prefer eating a certain protein or carb source prior to training, or that you need to start practicing your posing at 12 weeks out instead of 6 weeks out. Whatever it is, write it down and save it to review next time so you can avoid the same mistakes, and spend more time on new improvements.

There will never be a “perfect” prep, but you can always improve upon the last.

http://www.360cut.com/store/pg/29-Fi...x#.UcOgwvnrzxQ

[Steve56]

Great article!

[esau]

love it!

[ManimalPatB]

Great Article!!

[sassy69]

Even Shelby's "random shit" becomes words to lift by, words to live by!

[nic902]

Great article! All 5 are great tips, especially gratitude...something more of us need to focus on.

[swingslammer]

Practice posing.......you have to be able to present what you have. I still pose all the time after 30+ years.

[sassy69]

Practice posing.......you have to be able to present what you have. I still pose all the time after 30+ years.

So you're saying you're a poser?

*snicker*

[The Solution]

Amazing article as always Shelby!

[lastson]

So you're saying you're a poser?

*snicker*

That's just mean, funny but mean..lol


Great read

[Provo82]

excellent straight forward advice

[Franz'Kaiser' Beckenbauer]

Great Tips

[Baldiewonkanobi]

5. I competed for over 25 years and NEVER got 5. nailed.

Great post.

Baldie

[Jordan Coburn]

6.- Skoal, Black Coffee. Repeat as needed.

[Wheels]

excellent straight forward advice

Agreed, and all too often we forget the straight forward stuff; thanks for reminding us Shelby !