Just Starting. . .Am I Out of My Mind?

For my 40th birthday (June) I want to be in the best shape of my life.  I have been in very extensive bootcamp for the past 2 months and I have lost 5% bf and gained about 8lbs of lean muscle.
 
But now I have just found Fitness/Figure competitions.  I have no illusion of winning any thing, again I just want to be in the best shape and with this competition it gives me a good goal.  I am at 23% BF right now. . .do I have a chance?  What do I need to be at?  I heard most (all?) competitions are in the 4%-10% range is that right?  Is that for the young people or for us old folks too? lol 
 
I just don't want to look foolish and to also be realistic. . .so where do I need to be with my body fat?
 
Thank you!
Kim

I'm sure Linda will swing by soon to help you out. She is another moderator on this site and a figure competitor. Or you could PM her by looking under the names of the forums and it will say all forum moderators. Click that and then look for ItalianAngel. That's her.
 
Good luck and good to hear you've made so much progress so far. 5% is a lot!

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for woman, the lowest they should go should be around 8-12%.

Thank you for the two responses and the journal is awesome!
 
So the lowest is 8-12%. . .what's the highest that I won't embarrass myself?  Is it 15%?  18%? I just started my diet portion (the harder diet) because this (A Fitness Competition) was not a goal of mine until yesterday when I heard that this was an option.  So the diet will move me faster along. . .I just need some parameters to shoot for and understand.

ORIGINAL: DARMICAAZ

For my 40th birthday (June) I want to be in the best shape of my life.  I have been in very extensive bootcamp for the past 2 months and I have lost 5% bf and gained about 8lbs of lean muscle.

But now I have just found Fitness/Figure competitions.  I have no illusion of winning any thing, again I just want to be in the best shape and with this competition it gives me a good goal.  I am at 23% BF right now. . .do I have a chance? 
of course, if you are willing to follow the right meal plans and workouts specifically needed to get YOU where you need to be, catered to you!

What do I need to be at?  I heard most (all?) competitions are in the 4%-10% range is that right?
yes that is right and can vary depending on each persons intra muscular fat which does not count toward looking lean, subcutaneous fat.
  Is that for the young people or for us old folks too? lol 
for us old folks too!!!  Been doing it for over 10 years and still working on new goals in competition!

I just don't want to look foolish and to also be realistic. . .so where do I need to be with my body fat?
Show me your pics, height and weight.  Outline your meal plan, contest date and workout plan or post it here and we can move from there.
Linda

Thank you!
Kim

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ORIGINAL: vdk_au

for woman, the lowest they should go should be around 8-12%.

yes in general but for contest they get leaner.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Really? I thought it wasn't possible for woman, and plus it's put their health at much risk. Linda, what is your fat % usually for a contest. Anyways, what I'm about to paste is an extract from Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle from Tom Venuto.

Body fat rating scale                        men                     women
Competitive Shape ("ripped)              3-6%                     9-12%
Very lean (excellent)                       <=9%                     <=15%
.
.
.

Linda you have mail.
 
I couldn't figure out how to put pics on my profile (or did you mean on my post?. . .I see an icon on the bottom I haven't seen before.  If I figure it out. . .I'll post more than the face shot I figured out. lol
 
 

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Okay. . .so I figured it out. . .can I post more than one pic?  We'll see.  Oh. . .ignore the goofy face pic. . .I wasn't ready to upload "good" pics.
 
These pics were at 28% BF. ..maybe more.  (but not much) and again I am at 23% now.

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Last one. . .just to make up fo the goofy face one.

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you look GREAT! keep it up!!!

While I dont have much advice in terms of competition preperation. But I'd just like to say you look fantastic. By the way you were talking, I didn't expect you to look that good to be honest. You look amazing, keep up the good work.

I bet the guys are thrilled you got those pics up, they are very hot!!
Now for your reply......I emailed you, here it is again:
Yes I think with a bit of leaning and some muscle gains in a few spots you will do fine on stage in contest, with some local tightening.
Focus on lat pulls, mid back rows, side delt and rear delt raises, Squats, lunges of all types including walking, single leg squats with toes out, ham curls, deadlifts and 3 specific butt exercises done twice per week.   Oh and inner outer thigh machine or cables too.  Abs of course.  Pec flys are enough for your chest.  Some tricep dips and chins for your arms.  Lastly calves too!
I would aim a bit lower than 15%, go for 10-12%.
Vary light and heavy on these too, you need high rep days and hi weight days with low reps, both for leaning and bulking so I would look at 3 days on and a day off etc, going heavy on 3 days with low reps, then light on the other 3 days with very light weights and very high reps of 20 or more.
Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com