CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE July/August SUMMER ISSUE | Page 118

05
NOT HAVING A
GAME PLAN
One of the biggest mistakes you can ever do whether
it's in your prep phase or after a contest is not to have a
game plan. Just like during your prep, “Winging It” will
not suffice, nor will it do you any favours by following
that same mindset once the contest is over. One of the
worst things to do is to have a detailed game plan for
the 16 weeks of your contest prep right down to how
many milligrams of sodium in those Caramel Rice
cakes you love so much, and then do a full 180 degree
turn around and not pay attention to a single thing
once the show is over. In this industry the “All or
Nothing” attitude does prevail with many but it
shouldn't. No matter where my athlete is during the
year, whether its pre-contest, offseason, or directly
post-show, having a detailed plan of action is
implemented every step of the way. This is how
progress takes place and champions are made
05
18
BINGING ON TOO
MUCH JUNK
Now this is a major problem with a lot of competitors.
Many will say this is an issue more with women than
with men but I have to disagree. I think it’s equal
across the board. Now with you dieting hard for the
last several months, your brain is going to play a lot of
tricks on you. You are going to start hearing voices in
your head pushing you to let loose and have fun. The
problem with many athletes is that they cannot
control themselves once they start. Having a Cheat
Meal is one thing, and eating 2 litres of ice cream with
a box of cookies after running through the
McDonald's Menu like you were trying out for the
sequel of the Super Size Me Documentary is another
animal. Yes you may have dieted hard during your
prep but that doesn't give you a 'Hall Pass” to eat like
a gluttonous slob once its all done. You have to stay in
control and keep everything in perspective. Just as a
Cheat Meal was planned during your prep time (if you
had a nice coach), it should also be planned in your
off season and post show period as well