thanks for the kind words guys. to answer some questions...i weighed 175 the first show and 174 the second. i didn't try to drop water at the end, because i wasn't really retaining any. i was only taking sd at the time. i think i could maintain that condition for a few weeks if i had another contest coming up (and i had to), but since i know i can eat again, it's tough. i'm not a naturally lean person and my body struggles at a low body fat %. i'd rather be fat and happy. right now i weigh 185 (and that's only because i've restrained myself

) my record is 30 lbs in 20 days. however, i think i'm going to do one more contest at middleweight in the fall, so i don't want to get too heavy. after that i'm going to take 18 months and try to compete as a light-heavy, so after that it's hello fatboy.
glenihan, after competing for 17 years i think i've finally found the perfect formula for contest tanning. it's what i'll be doing from now on.
assuming saturday morning pre-judging:
1. apply 3 coats of pro-tan throughout the day on friday
2. upon waking saturday, do not shower. instead appy another coat of pro-tan.
3. one hour before getting on stage begin to appy one coat of dream tan #2. this will take about 20 minutes. bring someone along to help...it will be a bitch by yourself. do not put your clothes back on. do not apply oil...there is enough of a sheen in the dream tan for pre-judging.
4. some of the dream tan will wear off between the morning and pre-judging. you should still be dark enough for the night show though, so only apply another coat if you really need it. you should be dry enough at night to apply oil. use a spray-on like pam and don't rub it in.