Block- I was taking like 3-4 a day with some of my meals and after working out. I have been feeling better and I might give them another try, at least before morning cardio. If not I have my back up glutamine that I can use.
FitChic-thanks! I have really been training hard, all those other pics are from May-June last year. I competed at about 115 last year, I was so little and when I look back I look more like a fame competitor as opposed to a NPC competitor, I just hadn't given myself enough time in the weight room to regain what I had lost during my marathon year.
No, I am normally in the B class, I'm 5'3 1/2. In the off-season this year I got a little over 140 (which was so much fun, I suppose I won't be as bad this year but I really wanted to get big so I could pack on muscle-normally I hovered around 135 or under). I am hoping I will compete at 122 but I may come in a little lighter. Last year I hovered around 8% for my shows, this year I think I will be a little under that. My problem is my abs...I lean out almost too well in my upper and lower body, I already have striations in my shoulders which isn't a good thing for figure. If I don't get low enough my abs just don't look as good plus I have a thicker waist. It also seems like the girls are getting more and more lean so I am hoping for 6-7% which I think should be relatively easy to hit.
Last year I had a guy at my gym help me with my diet (he had done a few shows and was being nice by helping)...as you probably figured out though I am pretty self-reliant and independent so I did a ton of research and through competing last year I learned my body. When I reflect on last year I think I made mistakes which lead me into the shows looking flat and I am going to change some things this year. I have some friends who I talk things over (and I'll ask open-ended questions on forums) but for the most part I try and figure out what is best for me. Although I have had a lot of supplementation help from Pride Nutrition and I really think that has made a difference in the ease of dieting! Thank God!
My first show is The Heart of America, NGA show in Peoria IL-May 13.
I'm still undecided about the Illinois State NPC show May 27
Then I'll do Jr. Nationals, Team U and, if I have enough money, the Vegas show.
Thanks again, its always nice to hear that your hard work is paying off!