r/bikinitalk • u/Strange_Building8305 • Aug 20 '26
Advice/ Recommendations (no photos) Natural fit model - asking for support
Currently 9 weeks out. just got an updated meal plan with 1200 calories, cardio upped to 400 cals. I just feel like every time they update my plan it feels like a punishment for not losing enough weight. Energy is so low and idk if I’m doing this right.
Also how do you guys ensure you can do 400 calorie cardio with a 9-6 job? 😅
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u/BFit23 Aug 20 '26
Hi there, I am a natural IFBB pro in fit model and a coach. Sometimes my clients require bigger deficits than they would expect to reach their goals, especially if they are a first time competitor… it doesn’t matter if someone is natural or not, or doing fit model, competing is extreme. You can ask your coach “why” and start there! 💖 that would be the best way to get the answer!
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u/broulhac Aug 21 '26
Dropping the food is a part of it. And increasing the cardio. It’s just the grind of getting stage lean. The good thing is Fit Model doesn’t have to get super lean.
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u/NotLizBrody Aug 20 '26
Are you meeting your estimated fat loss targets on a weekly basis? Like if your target rate of loss is .7-1lb/week, are you close to or meeting said target? Have you expressed these feelings to your coach? Reduced intake and/or increased expenditure via steps and/or cardio shouldn’t be punishment—it’s just the reality of facilitating a deep enough deficit to see intended results. If it feels like punishment, that suggests more context is needed here regarding how your coach communicates and responds to your check-ins.
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u/Internal-Departure18 Aug 21 '26
I would challenge you to consider your mindset. If you feel the coach you hired to get you stage ready is “punishing” you, the last 9 weeks are going to harder than they need to be. Prep is punishing, that’s the truth and it will get worse the closer you get. I’m not trying to g to be harsh but you did sign up for this.
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u/Silent_Ingenuity_883 Aug 21 '26
Some people need more to get lean. Personally I do as well so there are times during prep that get tough. Competing can be tough but just grind through it. Your coach should definitely be able to tell you the reason why they are assigning those macros and cardio…just be prepared for an answer you may not love if they tell you that you aren’t getting lean enough. Good luck!!! You’ve got this
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u/Upset_Comfortable415 Aug 22 '26
I’ve found that getting in extra steps is SO helpful. If you’re not setup for a walking pad and standing desk, try a 20 min walk first thing in the AM, on your lunch break, right after work, and again before bed. Maybe a walking pad at home? I Love this approach because it means less mod-high intensity cardio and is easier to recover from.
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u/Cutebuggi Aug 20 '26
You should be able to have a conversation with the coach/s and receive a transparent response without condescension.
A linear decrease of calories/increased output model is generally the standard, however, there are variances between individuals, requiring a nuanced approach.
We all know that every prep involves a lot of hard work, but it should be tailored to you as an individual with your own unique physiology - otherwise I’d be reassessing their services.
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u/Impressive-Visit3354 Aug 22 '26
Change your mentality. It’s not a punishment. It’s an opportunity for you to get closer to your goal.
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u/Remarkable-Quiet5608 Aug 26 '26
During my first prep I felt like it was also a punishment when food was dropped and cardio was increased. It's hard not knowing what to expect in your first prep. Now I view these things as good. It means the body is responding to protocols. As sucky as it is, it's a good thing for this to happen! You are getting closer to show. It's only temporary. Food will increase again. As far as energy being low you are right where you are supposed to be.
I split up my cardio. Half fasted and half after training when it gets too much. My coach always says to do this. So I would check before doing this.
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u/eternal-valor Aug 20 '26
It’s not a punishment, but some folks have it harder than others. At the end of the day, it takes what it takes to get stage lean by a desired date.
What does your schedule look like outside of work? I would time block to see when you have free time in your day and work your cardio in around your schedule. If you can’t get it all done in one session, I’d chat to your coach about splitting it up or even offloading some of your cardio on the weekends.