Participating in a bodybuilding contest
gives me a certain high. Being on stage in my best shape and showing
everyone the fruits of my labour and 12 weeks of strict dieting couldn’t
get any better. But along with it comes a lot of sacrifice and
emotions. Those who have dieted for a contest before (or currently
dieting for one), you know what I’m talking about. Here are some tips
for future bodybuilding competitors to maximize the joy of competing and
to minimize the pains that come with it.
Winning Mr Kuala Lumpur 2013 is a feeling I will never forget!
#1 The Diet Won’t Kill You. But The Pressure Will.
I used to eat a lot of canned tuna for my pre-contest. Blek! They’re convenient, but taste horrible!
Following a strict pre-contest diet for
12-16 weeks isn’t easy. It’s torturous. It’s the slowest and most
gruelling torture anyone can put themselves through. But if your calorie
deficit is moderate and you have cheat/refeed days every 5-14 days,
it’s actually not impossible to follow through. Still, during
pre-contest dieting, I have seen many competitors (including myself) go
through depression and horrible mood swings. And believe it or not, it’s
not because of the diet but because of the pressure of competing.
Serious. If you go through the same pre-contest diet BUT without the
contest, you will feel a lot more relaxed, as if you’re not on a diet at
all. Try your best to relax during pre-contest dieting. Take more weeks
to diet so you don’t have to rush things. Whenever you can, go out,
enjoy and have fun with your friends and family. Learn how to cook and
experiment with spices so your food tastes good but still fits your
macros. And most of all, remember that this is just a contest and
winning isn’t everything. 
#2 Learn From Your Contest Prep
Many of you will make mistakes during your first bodybuilding contest, but hopefully not as bad as this guy!
You’re probably gonna make several
mistakes during your first contest prep. It could be a diet, tanning,
posing or water control mistake. It happens to everyone. The best you
can do is to write down every detail of your diet and contest prep,
analyze what went wrong and try to not make the same mistake again for
the next contest.
#3 Bring Your Parents To Your Contest!
Thanks mom for the support and the genetics.
If your parents are unsupportive of you
bodybuilding, DRAG them to your bodybuilding contest! I’m serious. Just
like most of you, I have a mom who wants me to study very hard and take
sports as just a hobby. Yup, typical Asian parents. However, after she
saw me competing and winning Mr Kuala Lumpur, she actually cried and was
proud of me. Since then, she’s supportive of all my bodybuilding
efforts and contests. I want you guys to feel the same way. You don’t
have to win, but you can show your parents your passion and why you love
this sport so much. In fact, your parents may feel honoured by your
invitation. After all, for most of us, how often do we invite our
parents to join us in an activity? Note: I have nothing against studying
hard. In fact, please do that. I just think that without passion,
you’re just gonna be another graduate without a direction.
#4 Make Plans For Post-Contest
This was what I had the day after Mr Kuala Lumpur 2013. Beat that! Bwahahahaha!!
Yes, we all know about pre-contest
anxiety and depression. But do you know there’s also post-contest
depression too? It’s that feeling you get when you’ve anticipated and
focused on that contest so much that when it’s all done and over with,
you have no idea what to do next. So remember, before you even compete,
plan what you’re gonna do AFTER your competition. A photoshoot the day
after the contest will be a great idea, since you’re still in shape (and
from experience, you might even look better than contest day itself).
And why not go out and have an awesome meal and have some fun with your
loved ones? Those are short term plans. For the long term, plan your
next contest or what you’re gonna do in the off season.
#5 Have Fun, Stay Humble, Make Friends
It’s team Kuala Lumpur at Mr Malaysia 2013!
I hate it when some people take contests
too seriously and they start trash-talking and hating on other
contestants. Come on, guys. Have some sportsmanship. The contest is just
for a day. Your image and relationship with other people in the sport
will last for a long time. Plus, as a bodybuilder, you should upkeep the
image of the sport. We are hardworking, dedicated, aspiring athletes.
Not petty douchebags.
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