jovinni

I'm new to "serious" weight training.
My question: How do you know if you are doing things right? Sorry if this is a broad question. I guess I just wonder if I'm on the right track with my workouts. I'm planning on competing in figure in October and while I'm showing gains overall, I'm worried that I may not be doing enough or following a proper schedule. I have hired someone to help me with nutrition and when I start cutting (planning to do so 20 weeks out) I'll hire a trainer. But for now, the next 7 weeks I'm on my own, as I have been since I started this process in January.

I realize there is a lot of information on these boards as well as others but I just end up getting confused.

Without hiring a trainer, does anyone have resources I might be able to access in order to educate myself?

Any help is appreciated!!

MacTech

Hi Jovinni, I would let your nutritionist and PT figure this out, as it all is very individual. You say you are showing gains, that is paramount. Go by what you see in the mirror and how it affects you. If you feel you can pick the pace up a bit and you are not meeting your own expectations, then by all means trainer harder and eat correctly.

There is a lot of info here at ironmass and it's the only resource you need to get you in the right direction. What works for some, doesn't work well for others.

Above all, believe in yourself and rid any self doubt. Good luck with your show, I will be watching your progress.

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Still going thru life one rep at a time.

My training journal.

jovinni

Thanks Mac, I appreciate the response. I guess it's just hard to not doubt yourself when you're doing it on your own. My husband is supportive and that is a great strength for me. For the next seven weeks I'll just keep pushing hard and doing what I can. My worry comes from not wanting to get two more months down the road and not being where I feel I should be or where I need to be and wishing I had done things differently. But it's a learning process.

Thanks!

Succio

There is no better place to learn than the internet. You may think different, but if i hadnt stumbled upon a bodybuilding/powerlifting forum, id probably be doing a routine that consists of bench press and db curls every day.

post up your stats, routine, and diet. Don't be afraid, this is a very helpful and friendly forum.

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SUPPLEMENTS.NET REP

Ikaika

FYP!

For OP: the mirror is your best friend. You don't have a whole hell of a lot of time, but keep training hard and take lots of pictures. You can use them to judge weak points that you feel like you should work on in the coming months, and they tend to be more reliable than just asking someone to look at you posing.

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No supplement can make up for the lack of a strong work ethic.

jovinni

I just had some pics taken and boy was that an eye opener. This is probably what sparked my concern. I'll keep at it of course and just keep browsing this site and the internet for information until I can get with my PT. Thanks!

MacTech

It is good that you have your husband for support too. My xwife hated me going to the gym, even for an hour and I think her worst moment was when I won my first show. On the other hand, my girlfriend thinks its great, as she loves the results.

There are many female bodybuilders on MySpace, as well as these forums, who can help you.

__________________
Still going thru life one rep at a time.

My training journal.