Figure Competition Diet

Figure Competition Diet

The figure competition diet is probably the most grueling part of figure competition prep. A workout may last an hour or two, however dieting is 24 hours a day. The major aim of this article is to provide you with everything you need to know about figure competition diet and figure competition training.

Author: Jennifer Searles - IFBB Pro Figure competitor.

MEALS: Eat every 3-4 hours. This translates to roughly 4 or 5 meals per day. One should be able to consume a good breakfast, lunch and dinner, with one to two snacks.

CALORIES: Find out your BMR. This stands for your Basal Metabolic Rate, or the amount of calories your body burns at rest. This also translates to the number of calories your body burns just sitting around all day and doing little of anything else but breathing. I always try to consume a couple hundred more than my BMR. When cutting, I consume a couple hundred less. Exact numbers you want? Well, that's one of my specialties! For more specifics, send me an email, and I can give you a personalized program to get you into tip top shape!

PROTEIN: How much do you weigh? Then in order to maintain lean mass (muscle) I suggest that you eat .8-1g of protein for every pound on the scale that you weigh. If you weigh 130 pounds, then you should consume roughly 100-130g of protein each day from sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean meats, egg whites and protein powder.

CARBOHYDRATES: Think of your body as your car, and carbs as gas. You really only need gas when you will be driving your car. Therefore, I suggest eating your starchy carbs (ie: rice, potatoes, oatmeal, yams, whole grains) in the meals that fall before and after your workout, and for breakfast. Every other meal can be comprised of veggies and protein.

FATS: I like to take these in sparingly. I always make a point of keeping my fat intake to around 15-20% of my total daily calories. I rarely use anything else except olive oils, peanut or almond butters, or fats that are found naturally in my animal proteins. Stick to the good fats found in fish, nuts and olive oil - Omega 3 and Omega 6's. Saturated fats are pretty much good for, well, nothing.

WATER: You honestly can't drink enough! Well, maybe you can... aim for at LEAST 64 oz per day. I personally aim for no less than a gallon (128 oz). The stuff keeps you hydrated, and helps everything in your body work better. It doesn't make you burn fat, but it definitely helps your body's processes move more smoothly and that may aid in weight loss. Also, dehydration isn't healthy… so don't put yourself in that position.

SNACKING GUIDELINES:

Snacking can actually help you lose weight and maintain weight loss. That's because by eating a planned between-meal nosh, you're less likely to overeat at your meals. The trick, however, is to not overdo the snacks. Here are some guidelines to follow:
* Women should strive for two snacks per day.
* If you get very little exercise and are over 50, limit yourself to 200 calories of snacks per day.
* If you are very active and younger, you can have two 200-calorie snacks per day.
* If you find that you are losing more than three pounds a week, choose from the higher-calorie snacks or add additional snacks to your daily menus until you maintain or lose at a rate of no more than two pounds per week.

* 100-Calorie Snacks
* 1/4 c 1% cottage cheese and 1 c sliced strawberries
* 1 hard-boiled egg dipped in 1 Tbsp light ranch dressing
* 1/2 c fat-free ice cream or frozen yogurt
* 28 pistachios
* 10 almonds or cashews
* 1 large stalk celery stuffed with 1 Tbsp peanut butter
* 1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 oz turkey breast
* 1 oz mozzarella string cheese and 4 green olives
* 1 c light yogurt
* 1/2 oz baked tortilla chips with 2 Tbsp salsa
* 1 fat-free chocolate pudding cup
* 1/2 whole wheat bagel (4" diameter), toasted, with 1 Tbsp sugar-free jam
* 1/2 c steamed soybeans (edamame)
* 1 hard-boiled egg with 1/2 slice toasted wheat bread

* 1 c chicken noodle soup with 2 saltine crackers
* 1 small (4") whole wheat pita with 1 Tbsp hummus
* 1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 oz sliced turkey breast and mustard
* 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese with 1 c cherry tomatoes
* 2 fig bars
* 20 animal crackers
* 1 c berries mixed with 2 Tbsp plain, nonfat yogurt
* 3 to 4 c microwave air-popped popcorn (see package for calories per cup)

* 200-Calorie Snacks
* 2 fig bars and a medium apple
* 1 oz trail mix and 1/2 c light fruit yogurt
* 1 c broth-based soup and 2 rice cakes
* 1/4 c roasted sunflower seed kernels
* 1/4 c dry-roasted mixed nuts
* 8 reduced-fat Tricuit crackers with 1 oz reduced-fat cheddar cheese
* 1 whole wheat English muffin topped with 1 Tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter
* 1/2 c raisin bran cereal with 1/2 c skim milk
* 1/2 c 1% low-fat chocolate milk and 4 squares low-fat graham crackers
* "Free" Hunger-Fighting Foods and Beverages
You can have virtually any vegetable (minus the more calorie-dense potatoes, yams, peas, and beans) as snacks during the day, and enjoy them in unlimited quantities.
* Hot tea with skim milk and sweetener
* Sparkling water with lemon
* Salad greens, any type
* Bell peppers
* Carrots
* Celery
* Tomatoes
* Steamed or fresh broccoli/cauliflower
* Mushrooms
* Sprouts
* Onions
* Asparagus
* Beets
* Green beans
* Vinegar
* Mustard
* Herbs and spices
* Low-sodium tomato or V-8 juice
* Low-sodium fat-free salad dressing

Sample Weekly Workout in Off-Season (also appropriate for those wishing to lose a little fat and look sexy, toned and trim ;-D)
Note: I already have quite a bit of muscle, so my focus is to maintain what I have, and stay lean. For those wishing to build muscle, the workout would be a little different. HOWEVER, I find that most women (unless if you are a competitor) really want to maintain muscle and keep the fat off…. If that's you, then this is a GREAT weekly routine! I can also help with gaining muscle. If that's your interest, contact me and I can set something up for you!

Monday- Full-Body Circuit Weight Training
60-90 Minutes of Cardio

Tuesday- Pilates Class
60-90 Minutes of Cardio

Wednesday- Lower Body Weight Training
60-90 Minutes of Cardio

Thursday- 60 Minutes of Cardio

Friday- Back/Shoulders/Lunges or Step-ups in Weight Room
60-90 Minutes of Cardio

Saturday- Yoga Class
30 Minutes of Cardio

Sunday- REST!

* I am a certified personal trainer in New York City. I hold certifications through AFAA, ISSA and NASM and have been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for over 10 years. I am also available for nutrition counseling. If you are interested in training with me, please send me an email.

Additional topics: Thigh Workout Guide | Jennifer's Profile

www.JenniferSearles.com * Figure Competition Diet