CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE APRIL || ISSUE 33 | Page 36

In the last issue, I examined the different
phases of our sport’s seasonal cycle – off-
season, pre-contest, and post-contest. Each
phase has a different focus, goal, and
mindset, and therefore a best approach for
each.
The off-season and pre-contest phases get
the most attention because that is when all
of the fun stuff happens. Building to make
improvements during the off-season, and
then getting into stage condition to show off
all of your hard work are both very
rewarding. But as I will explain, it is the post-
contest phase that is most important to
ensuring long-term success and continued
enjoyment of our sport.
On the way to achieving stage condition, you
will most likely need to progressively reduce
calories and increase workout volume. And
then to get that last little bit of detail and
fullness, during the final week you may
choose to restrict, or, even worse, deplete
your water and carbohydrate intake and
sodium. Depending on the duration and
severity of these pre-contest activities, your
body is put in a relatively high level of
stress. 
Once your show is over, and once your body
is given an opportunity to recover, your
body’s primal response will be to
immediately protect and prepare itself in the
event of more stress (ie: more intense diet &
training) coming again. Your body will
naturally over compensate and/or over store
everything you eat and drink so it is ready for
more. 
IT’S A NATURAL RESPONSE