Written by Dallas McCarver
22 October 2015

15NN120-DALLAS

Bodybuilding Problems Solved with Dallas McCarver

 

 

Cardio Blast for 12-Week Diet

Hey Dallas, what was your cardio regimen for your 12-week contest prep diet? Did you start with 30 minutes and gradually build it up? How much did you end up doing, and at what intensity? Which machines did you use?

 I started at 30 minutes in the morning fasted, then went to 30 in the a.m. and 20 in the p.m. and worked my way up. I have done as much as an hour and 45 minutes total between the two sessions. For machines, I swap it up. I use them all: bike, stairs, treadmill and elliptical. It just depends on what I am training that day and how my legs feel. I try not to do the stairs all the time. I find that an hour every day on the steps beats the hell out of my legs and flattens them out.

 

The Power of Red Meat

Dallas, for some reason I am stronger on days when I eat peanut butter and avocado. This also happens when I eat red meat. It’s the good fats that make me stronger, right? However, with the red meat, I’m not sure about something. I already take creatine as a supplement, so what is making me stronger when I eat red meat?

 You pretty much answered your own question. It’s the energy from the fats in the red meat, but that’s not always the healthiest source of fats. You should try olive oil, coconut oil or maybe even almond butter. Those are all good healthy fats that always seem to help me with my energy levels.

 

Even I’m Not Superman

Do you have days where you feel you’re weak as hell? What’s your favorite body part to train? What carbs do you find you don’t digest well?

 Weaker days? Of course, bro … no one is Superman 24/7! My favorite body part to train would be either back or legs, because those are the ones that need the most work and I love a challenge!
As for carb sources, I find that my body responds well to sweet potatoes as well as jasmine rice. I have never really eaten jasmine rice until lately, but now I am in love with the shit! It seems like in the correct amounts, it keeps me full but not too watery, and gives me good energy.

 

Protein, Carbs and Fat Leading Into a Show

What ratio of protein/carbs/fats works best for you leading into a show?

There is no magic ratio that I have found (so far). I start out with higher carbs and fats with moderate protein, and then the closer I get it’s obviously less fats and carbs, and slightly more protein. I think that’s pretty much the way most competitors do it.

 

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