Final changes to diet

[Eat it or Beat it!!!]

Guys i have a question directed mainly towards experienced nutritionists and Dirk...how close to a show would one cut out diet sodas eg pepsi max etc. and sauces eg soy ? also when would u have your last cheat meal?

[DirkMoneyshot]

Wow really loaded question---

I always say 4 weeks for (diet sodas and cheat meals) - this goes the same for protein powders. Strictly whole food.

reason why is you do not want your body to react badly and if it does there is plenty of time between the show and 4 weeks out to recover.

As for sauces and soy----I keep these in basically the whole way but only because I know how much they are using and adjust their water accordingly for the carb up and depletion.

Sodium / water is not the enemy, not knowing how to properly proportion them is. You can't effectively carb up without both.

[DirkMoneyshot]

Also I should ask, why are you cheating on a precontest diet???

Its one thing to be ahead of schedule and neededing to put more kcals back in, but if your serious you should be eating right the whole time.

Diet for only 16 weeks for a show, eat like a pig after.

[Eat it or Beat it!!!]

thanks dirk for your response. i use one meal a wk as a cheat meal to mainly keep me sane...it gives me something to focus on and work hard towards...sort of a weekly goal.

How do u structure you 'top up' or 'cheat meals' with your clients?

Also would you remove all milk from coffee...im currently having about a 2 tsp just to stop the hot ater from burning it

[DirkMoneyshot]

thats a tough one - 2 tsp. is not a lot, but a probably would if it was a client of mine. Just cause i never leave something to chance.

As far as structure----Some guys don't ever get any while I've had one need a cheat meal every other day along with a milk shake once a day. In addition to no cardio or T3 or thermo's or GH. Go figure.

[Eat it or Beat it!!!]

hmmm everyone is different. Thanks again dirk