All inclusive holiday after comp - terrible idea
Jumping straight into a holiday right after a show can be a terrible idea. Here’s why:
Post-Show Physiology
Extreme rebound risk: After weeks (or months) of prep with low calories and high cardio, your metabolism is suppressed, leptin is low, and hunger hormones like ghrelin are spiking. The body is primed to regain weight quickly.
Water retention: With sudden changes in diet (especially carbs, sodium, alcohol), you can balloon with fluid and look/feel terrible within days.Psychological Crash
Loss of structure: Prep gives you routine, discipline, and clear goals. On holiday, there’s no structure, no gym schedule, and endless temptation. That sudden shift can feel overwhelming.
Food obsession: Post-show cravings are through the roof. Being surrounded by buffets, cocktails, and treats makes it nearly impossible to moderate.
Physical Health Concerns
Digestive stress: Going from super clean food to heavy restaurant or holiday meals can wreck your gut (bloating, GI distress, constipation/diarrhea).
Hormonal chaos: Extreme swings in body weight, alcohol, and poor sleep can worsen the already fragile post-comp environment (mood swings, fatigue, poor recovery).Mental/Emotional Fallout
Body image crash: You’ll likely spill over fast, losing the sharp, lean stage look. Many athletes panic seeing their physique blur out within days, which can trigger guilt, depression, or binge–restrict cycles.
Holiday regret: Instead of enjoying yourself, you may spend the trip anxious about your body and food choices.
Better Alternatives
Take 1–2 weeks of controlled reverse dieting first to stabilize your body and mind before traveling.
If you must travel, plan it as a wellness-style trip with some structure: gym access, meal control, and flexibility without excess.
In short: holidays right after a show are a recipe for binge eating, rapid weight rebound, poor digestion, and mental turmoil. Giving your body (and head) a gentle transition first makes for a far better long-term outcome.
Exactly — and that adds another layer of problems. Coming off anabolics, diuretics, or other compounds used in prep makes the “post-show holiday” scenario even more dangerous. Here’s why:
🚩 Water Retention After Steroid Use
Hormonal rebound: When exogenous androgens are pulled, natural testosterone is suppressed while estrogen may stay relatively high. This imbalance promotes fluid retention and fat gain.
Cortisol spike: After prep stress + PED withdrawal, cortisol tends to rise. Cortisol drives both water retention and fat storage, especially around the midsection.Aldosterone rebound: If diuretics were used, aldosterone (the hormone regulating sodium/water balance) comes roaring back once stopped. That means extreme rebound edema, swollen ankles, puffy face, and rapid weight fluctuations.
Why a Holiday Makes It Worse
High-sodium food & alcohol: Restaurant food, processed snacks, and cocktails drive water retention through the roof.
Lack of routine: Less control over water intake, training, and sleep makes the rebound more severe.Psychological blow: Seeing your physique go from shredded and dry on stage → puffy and bloated within days on holiday can be mentally crushing.Digestive load: Steroid use can already affect gut motility and microbiome balance. Overeating on holiday only magnifies GI distress and bloating.
The Triple Threat: Food + Hormones + Travel
Food rebound → post-show binge + cravings.
Hormonal rebound → suppressed test, high estrogen, fluid swings.Travel stress → poor sleep, dehydration from flights, jet lag.
Together, this creates the perfect storm for rapid weight gain, bloating, and emotional burnout — not exactly how you want to spend a “celebration” trip.
✅ The smarter move:
Do at least 2–4 weeks of a controlled reverse diet, keep training, and start your PCT (if using PEDs) before traveling.
By the time you go away, hormones and digestion will be stabilizing, and you’ll enjoy yourself far more without feeling wrecked or self-conscious.