Page 33 - NGA NATURALmag 2021 SPRING / SUMMER Issue

Spring-Summer 2021
Lessons Learned In this experience I I learned that a a a a a a a a a flexible meal plan and eating foods you enjoy in in in moderation was the most sustainable strategy for me One thing that that I noted was that that my coaches would always offer me a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a refeed refeed day day day A refeed refeed day day day is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a day day day day in in in which carbohydrates are increased for that day’s meal plan but because I would decline to take those days my body body remained in in in in starvation mode which made it harder to to lose body body fat and this in in in turn led me to to restrict more calories I was also encouraged by my coaches to reverse diet diet after the the show Reverse diet diet is a a a a a a a a a a a systematic and strategic increase in in in calories to to slowly bring the the body back to homeostasis Listen to your coach You pay them a a a a a hefty fee because you you you believe they know more than you you you do about bodybuilding contest prep So trust them and take the the advice they are giving you If you you have concerns about taking various types of supplements seek advice from your physician and enlist their help with making the the right decision
on on what works for for your body Unfortunately I learned that that some of my increased hormonal levels was was most likely due to the supplements that that that I was was taking like like creatine creatine The good news is that that my creatine creatine levels did return to to normal when I stopped taking it It is is also important to look for signs and symp- toms of eating eating disorders disorders Many people believe that only women develop eating eating disorders disorders but the fact is is is that that men men particularly those that that are are bodybuilders are are equally susceptible to developing an eating eating dis- order If you you find yourself binge eating eating two or or three times a a a a a week and then follow this up with excessive exercise triggered by the the the guilt of unhealthy overeat- ing or or you you you look in in in in the the mirror and think that you you you are fat because you you you gained a a a a a a a a a a a a few pounds after a a a a a a a a a a a a show seek professional help immediately It may be be be one of of the best decisions you you will have ever made in your life And finally give yourself the break that you you you deserve After you’ve put fin in countless hours days weeks and and months as you you you you have worked to to achieve your your your goal it’s time to to relax and and enjoy yourself for for for a a a a a a a a a while before gearing up for for for your your your next big contest! n n n n n n NGA NATURALmag
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