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FEMALE MUSCLE

ZOA LINSEY IFBB Pro
Canadian IFBB Pro bodybuilder Zoa Linsey answers your questions on diet, training, supplementation and contest preparation!
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Protein Powder Pre-Contest

Q. Do you use protein powder all the way up to the day of a show? If so, how much and how often each day?

A. Protein powder is a great choice to make meals more convenient, particularly for those who have busy or challenging work schedules or who have problems eating six solid meals during the day. As a pro athlete, my concern is to make sure that in times of extreme physical stress and deprivation (such as contest dieting), I’m able to give my body a wide range of nutrients to maximize my body’s essential functions such as digestion, tissue repair, and organ repair. This can be challenging as pro bodybuilders are expected to get down to an extreme level of body fat that in many ways can be stressful on the body. However, it’s an addictive challenge! For me, using a protein powder is valuable up until about 8 to 10 weeks out, used once per day, for one meal (approximately 2 scoops). After this point, I’ve found that real food with generous quantities of fresh vegetables is more valuable to me as I have more caloric restrictions and the training intensifies. For some of my clients with busy and hectic lifestyles, I keep protein powder in until the last couple weeks. Ultimately, a diet full of variety and a multitude of vitamins and minerals is always the best choice for health, but also as important is just getting in the meals. If protein powder helps you do this, then go for it!

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