MUSCLE MILK CONSUMPTION FOR PRECONTEST FIGURE DIETS

[FLEX N FREAK]

i have a figure girl 8 weeks out and she has been doing 2 muscle milk shakes w/ water per day along with her 4 meals.

Shes making progress every week and is on track, but is there a point where i should replace the muscle milk with just whey isolates.

what do ya contest guru's think ?

[The BEAST]

You should replace them immediately-muscle milk has something like 16 grams of fat per serving, the protein is extremely cheap...all competitors are much better off with higher forms of protein, at the very least a whey isolate...NO CONCENTRATE, the only reason companies put concentrate in their products is to save money.

[Bast000]

I would replace the shakes with carbs.  High protein diets are unnecessary.

I have dieted with 275g protein and now with around 100g protein and I find that my diet is going just as well, only I am stronger in the gym.

Make sure she is getting a proper amount of calories, not too high or low.

[POB]

I find muscle milk fills me up,and my desir to eat is less,maybe drop it off the last 2 weeks if on track

[Jodi]

It all depends upon how her body reacts to a higher fat and higher sodium consumption.  There are 18 grams of fat in the two scoop serving that is recommended.  In that two-scoop serving, you get 32 grams of protein, which I feel are necessary--especially if she is a natural competitor--200 mg of sodium, and 12 grams of carbohydrates, six of which are sugars.

I think you have to look at where your girl is at the eight-week mark.  Is she right on track?  Figure wants a softer, rounder look, and the excess fat and sodium might help with her maintaining a fullness to her body.  You might then look at upping the cardio to keep the size of the muscles and the weight down.

Again, it all depends upon her body and her reactions to various food groups.  I get softer and rounder when fat is added to the diet.  I can watch it happen within a 24-hour period.  On the other hand, my body works well with both simple and complex carbohydrates.  So for me, the Muscle Milk is a huge no-no.  For others, it works wonders.

Try taking it away from the diet for about three or four days and not changing any other variables.  Watch her body closely to see what immediate changes you notice.  Then you'll probably have your answer.

[FLEX N FREAK]

thanks Jodi, i was hoping you would reply. 

[ARMZ]

My god, Muscle milk pre contest? That's just crazy..  Try isopure zero carb.. Just say NO to fat and simple sugar from this point on..

[Jodi]

Armz, you have to remember that figure's a whole different animal--especially this year.  All the rules that you would typically follow for a contest kind of get thrown out the window as the judges demand a softer and softer look from the competitors.  I personally had to have two cheat meals a week going into my shows for the past two years in order to keep from getting too lean and too little.

I'm assuming she's doing a local or regional level show since there are no more national figure shows left beyond the North Americans, but either way, it will be her shape that will win the show...not her conditioning.  If she were doing bodybuilding or fitness, I'd recommend taking the Muscle Milk out of the diet by the six-week mark, but with it being figure...well, she might be safe with the extra fat and sodium.  It just depends upon what conditioning she needs to create the Y-shape look they want from the girls.

If you do decide to take it out and go to a whey isolate protein (Isopure is one choice; Nectar is another that I personally like), combine it with a natural complex carbohydrate (like oatmeal or cream of rice) so that you don't have a deficit in calories or energy level.  Throw this in after a cardio or weight session.

[mbell]

I have to agree with Jodi. First off each individual is different. No way can I consume Muscle Milk in my contest prep and I work for the company. However, I know several women who have had it up until show time. It all depends on the person.

I can tell you that we do have a new Muscle Milk Light that is out next week. You might want to consider it for your girl. It is the same protein, same taste (I think better and I am PICKY) eight flavors....

Calories 195
Protein 25
Fat 6
Carbs 11

[kszep]

I would be very cautious of any advice that claims you should "never" eat this or absolutely "have to" eat that.  It totally depends on the individual.  For instance, I never take out dairy, fruit or bread pre contest (which is considered a crime by most industry standards).  I come in at about the same bodyfat level as my other natural competitors.  If your figure athlete is making progress while enjoying her muscle milk, I would say let her keep having it.
-Katie