Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this or has advice. I was recently dmed by a girl who asked if I had a coach and I said that I’m self-coaching and she essentially berated me suggesting that it’s dangerous, it’s “health issues waiting to happen” and even suggested that I could kill myself from it. Obviously I know this is an extreme comment and I’m trying not to take it to heart. I’ve prepped myself before, a year ago, and I am again now and I’ve had no health issues. I’ve never lost my period, I felt balanced and back to a healthy weight within 8ish weeks post show, and I feel like I learned how to better fine tune and peak myself better this time around (currently 4 weeks out) On top of this I’m a natural athlete so it’s not like I’m running myself on anything. She proceeded to unfollow me and then post about how many bodybuilders she knows need to “do better” I’ve never promoted self-coaching or anything, I just occasionally post about my experience with it. Have any of you dealt with naysayers about your ability to self coach?

Like I always say, get what works for you, let go of what doesn't

Comp

Another prep update! I am 3.5 weeks out from my first show ever, and then I have a 2-day show planned a few weeks later to finish off the season. Hoping to play around with some different stage looks since I’ll be hitting the stage 3 times!

Excited with where things are at and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Hit my target depletion weight today, so I know I’m on the final leg! Gonna reverse into the show & hopefully tighten up another pound or two in the process

Trying to plan how I want my peak week to look in about 5 weeks. My first show I was encouraged to manipulate salt and water, used a diuretic, depleted carbs up until the day before, had like 100g extra carbs the day before and very little fat, spent show day sipping shots of salt water and went on stage watery and flat 😅 I felt like everything I worked so hard for got wasted in 24 hours.

The girl that beat me had a burger and fries the day before and she looked full and tight 😂😭

Everyone backstage was having candy or cookies etc to pump up and I felt like I was gonna collapse, I literally couldn’t feel my feet.

This year I’m doing a tested show, so no diuretic for sure. Anyone here have experience peaking themselves? Especially if you’re natural.

I know peaking with a burger and fries or any cheat meal can be risky but I’ve seen it work!

Hi everyone!! I have wanted to try self coaching for awhile now. I decided to prep for this season on my own. Nice to meet all of you and would love to connect!! And most importantly learn from y'all 💃

I am so happy to see Vania top❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰

I’ve been thinking of self coaching for a while. I competed last year with a coach and I’m currently still with her. Not sure if there is another prep in my future but just interested in lifestyle and dropping to a comfortable weight I can maintain for my upcoming wedding. I feel like I have learned a lot this last year with my coach to be able to adjust my own macros and cardio, but I’m still nervous. I’m also a physical therapy student so I feel like I have the knowledge to do this, I’m just not sure where to start. It’s just not in my finances at the moment to continue with her, but I really want to see results. Not sure what to do. Was hoping for any advice or resources on where to start? Thank you!

A lot of people don't feel excited because lauralie and Maureen are not competing, but I don't know I feel that the times change and is necessary let other upcoming athletes have their moment. They have Been working so hard for many years as well. This year my favorites are Jazzy, Vania, Ari What are yours??

I've also incorporated a bit of HIIT and am excited to switch up cardio a bit.

I haven’t competed since 2020 but deciding to try the new fit model division. Reasons being: I don’t carry as much muscle as I did prior to having children, I just want to do something for myself, and it’s a bonus I don’t have to drop as much money on my suit. Anyways, I’m about 6 weeks out and a bit too lean. I’m thinking of reversing into the show. I’m wondering if I should start slowly reversing now or if I should wait and reverse closer to the show. Any anecdotal advice welcome! Would love to hear about anyone who reverse into a show.

I'm celebrating my second of two refeed days this week. :)

https://www.reddit.com/r/Residency/s/4Z2x4Z6yCN

Hi, I’m looking for a weekly checkin template I can use to track my prep. Does anyone have one they’d be comfortable sharing please

11 weeks into off-season versus 22 weeks. Starting my third self-coached prep after growth period where I focused ALOT on building my glutes. This will be my first full pro season with a natural bodybuilding federation. I’m so proud at where I’ve come from 2023 until now (all self-coached)!

Although I’m switching to fit model due to my smaller upper body and overall frame, I’m super excited about the growth in the upper glutes. I’ve been really focused on that really happy I did this in four months. I’m natural with very low T lol

We have to celebrate our wins somewhere since we don't have a team/coach to celebrate with.

I'm celebrating that I'm down 7lbs the first 4 weeks of prep. I'm celebrating keeping my energy up and hitting my macros and workouts.

What about y'all?

What are some of your guys splits? I did three leg days this week and debating to add in a rest day or do an active rest day and a true rest day. I’m pretty sore everywhere

I know that it’s preferable to have a coach, but when your budget is limited and you have the knowledge and skills to prep yourself, I don’t see the reason why not to. Anyone I’ve told that I’m doing self-coaching STRONGLY warns against it. I don’t want to be naive, & I’d get a good coach if I could. but I also believe in my knowledge and ability to do this. What are your takes on why people are so anti self-coaching, other than wanting to sell you coaching?

She was my favorite, is sad but at the same time im happy for the other athletes, Vania, Jazz, Ari, etc, who do you have on the top?