Rob listen, I'll give you your props on the computer stuff, but how in the hell are you going to sit there & advise Mike on what to do for contest prep,when you've never been close to stepping onstage. You know absolutely nothing on what it takes to compete ,other than what you've read or heard someone else do. Tell me( & I am not busting your chops) honestly, how many times have you competed or how many people have YOU personally prepped for a show?Just because Dell computers told me step for step how to hook up my computer ,does not mean I'm ready to build web-site's or tell you how too either.
I'm not trying to call you out on it. And I'm not attacking your advice.
However, I have dieted before, so I do know the effects of a slowed metabolism and reduced food intake on the human body. And I've built sites for many competitors while on various parts of their precontest diet, keeping records for them for their member sections on training and diet.
And most do not lose so much weight so fast, most do not look so sickly, most do not go to such extremes while still 20 weeks out. Mike was drinking a half a gallon of gatorade a day, in addition to tons of food before. His body was used to more calories- a lot more. IMO the cut was too drastic.
You're the expert, not me, but this is a discussion board where differing opinions usually contribute to the best possible outcome. For something as complex as a first precontest diet on a 40+ man at 250 pounds using gear and ECA, there may be major adjustments that need to be made.
In other words, the map may change, and the calories may have to come up. He is losing too much muscle too fast, IMO.