The $$ spent to compete in a contest now

[Howard]

I agree. I would actually tell any Teen or even a kid in their early 20's being a Pro bodybuilder is the worst goal they could choose. I'm all for professional sports but just ones that pay Millions.Basketball,Baseball,Football but IFBB Pro Bodybuilder NO!

Knowing what I do now, I wouldn't have competed in most of the shows I did .

I enjoy working out but having to do all the extra crap to compete wasn't fun.
It seems pretty dumb now, to PAY $ to do something I didn't enjoy .
Plus, all amateur ( NPC) contestants , pay $$$ to put on a show for the crowd.

It's like a stripper tipping the men for watching her bend over.

[Howard]

You're exactly right.  Most guys never get close to lean enough, then delude themselves into thinking they just didn't peak right.  What they think is water is actually fat from not dieting correctly or hard enough.  I think it's an absolute joke that anyone that isn't competing as a pro even needs a diet coach.  99% of these coaches don't know shit about anything, and neither does the competitor.  If you can't put together your own contest diet, especially with the amount of info out there for free now, then you have no business competing.  I know guys that have never won a local contest that pay a coach. 

The guys that now do MPD have it right when it comes to getting ultra lean with a ripped 6 pack .
I honestly feel that the MPD dudes have the correct goals when it comes to building a lean, impressive physique.
I don't think they need to compete in a show using MPD rules and format. They should  do it for strictly personal reasons.

[Go 4 It]

I probably spent about 2,000 in 8 weeks to prep for my last show, majority of the cost went to food, tanning was free (it was summer time in Chicago so I just laid out for 2 hours a day after AM cardio and breakfast), I paid a coach for this show he gave me a great rate (Mike Liberatore) and supps he didn't recommend any just real food (lots of grass fed beef) oh and aqualyze by species a few days before the show. I like to look at it as an excuse to get into great shape and enjoy the changes you can make to your physique, with the hopes of being better then the rest of the guys that are competing that day, and a better version of yourself.

[njflex]

I probably spent about 2,000 in 8 weeks to prep for my last show, majority of the cost went to food, tanning was free (it was summer time in Chicago so I just laid out for 2 hours a day after AM cardio and breakfast), I paid a coach for this show he gave me a great rate (Mike Liberatore) and supps he didn't recommend any just real food (lots of grass fed beef) oh and aqualyze by species a few days before the show. I like to look at it as an excuse to get into great shape and enjoy the changes you can make to your physique, with the hopes of being better then the rest of the guys that are competing that day, and a better version of yourself.

[Howard]

I probably spent about 2,000 in 8 weeks to prep for my last show, majority of the cost went to food, tanning was free (it was summer time in Chicago so I just laid out for 2 hours a day after AM cardio and breakfast), I paid a coach for this show he gave me a great rate (Mike Liberatore) and supps he didn't recommend any just real food (lots of grass fed beef) oh and aqualyze by species a few days before the show. I like to look at it as an excuse to get into great shape and enjoy the changes you can make to your physique, with the hopes of being better then the rest of the guys that are competing that day, and a better version of yourself.

Good reply and honest ,basic break of an  effective pre contest diet.
I recently gave up using protein powders and my bowels are grateful LOL.

There are plenty of guys who spend a lot of $$ playing golf ( clubs, green fees, balls, etc ).
Nobody expects them to make money from golfing, (* unless they are on the pro tour, and few are).

There is NOTHING, I repeat ,NOTHING wrong, with spending some $$ on a hobby you enjoy.