| Anyone who has every competed in a natural | | | | of your regular training routine. By now you should |
| bodybuilding competition understands that early | | | | have your music selected. Find someone to create a |
| scheduling and planning make for a successful journey | | | | CD of the appropriate length. Practice your routine. |
| to the stage. So when should you start your planning | | | | Send notice to your friends and family about your |
| and what should you do first? A great place to start is | | | | natural bodybuilding competition. |
| with a list of shows, selecting one that will take place in | | | | One month out - It is time to take care of the details. |
| about four months. A four month time frame will allow | | | | For the ladies, buy your jewelery and make an |
| you to feel less rushed and is a great starting place if | | | | appointment for your hair, nails and makeup. Order |
| you are a new competitor. Even if you have done a | | | | your tanning products at the start of the month if you |
| natural bodybuilding competition before, a preparation | | | | are doing self tanning. If you opt for spray tanning at |
| checklist will save you time. | | | | the show, get your name on the appointment list early. |
| Four months out- Committing early to compete in a | | | | Remove all the hair off your skin to see how your |
| natural bodybuilding competition mentally prepares you | | | | body reacts and to determine how long it takes. If you |
| for the months ahead. You will start to focus more on | | | | have an adverse skin reaction, try another hair |
| your training and you will think twice before committing | | | | removal method until you find one that works for you. |
| diet sins. But, before you register for a show, be sure | | | | Start exfoliating your skin on a regular basis all month |
| to read the event guidelines and drug testing policies | | | | long. Address any skin conditions that could affect the |
| for that organization. Be sure to get questions | | | | tanning outcome. Slightly increase cardio activity to help |
| answered about any banned substances. | | | | cut that last bit of fat. Your diet should be extremely |
| After you select a show, set a budget for it. Consider | | | | limited, super clean and low fat. Drink extra water if |
| the obvious and hidden cost. If you plan to hire a trainer | | | | you feel hungry. Stop taking the colon cleanse |
| or posing coach, start looking for the right person for | | | | program and eliminate from your diet any food that |
| you. A trainer is extremely beneficial if you are new. | | | | gives you gas or makes you bloated. |
| Even if you have experienced, working with someone | | | | Practice your posing and routine or stage walk daily. |
| else can help you progress more quickly. That person | | | | Get someone to take pictures or a video of you |
| can help to point out changes or deficiencies you need | | | | practicing. You should have your posing suit by now. If |
| to work on. | | | | it needs size adjustment, send it back at the start of |
| Three months out - Ladies, order your posing suit now | | | | the month to ensure you will have it returned in time. |
| or sooner. A finely crafted crystal suit can realistically | | | | Send a reminder notice to your friends and family |
| take two or more months to make and be delivered | | | | about your natural bodybuilding competition. |
| to you. Listen out for music you would like to use for | | | | One week out - If you have stayed on track with you |
| your routine. Locate someone to help you | | | | planning, this is the time to rest before the show. Verify |
| choreographer your routine. Start considering your | | | | all appointments and personal commitments from |
| theme and order your props or outfit. Start a colon | | | | friends early in the week. Spend some time in the |
| cleanse now to get that stomach super flat come | | | | sauna and stretch. Practice your routine or stage walk |
| show time. Track your diet and training progress. | | | | daily. Spend some time practicing with your posing suit |
| Two months out - This is a great time to assess your | | | | on. Taper you food and water towards the end of the |
| progress. If you are not seeing constant improvement | | | | week so your stomach will be super flat and your |
| in your physique based on your current training and diet | | | | physique will be tight. |
| program, it is time to make some changes. If you have | | | | Preparation doesn't mean everything will be prefect, |
| not started already, track your workouts and your diet | | | | but when you have a systematic approach mishaps |
| in a journal. Start taking weekly pictures. Identify areas | | | | are minimized. Planning your work and working your |
| of your body that need more attention and create a | | | | plan can mean the difference between placing top ten |
| plan to to improve it. Cross train with functional and | | | | and winning a natural bodybuilding competition. |
| plyometric exercises. Include yoga or stretching as part | | | | |