Initially, Robert Sikes embraced “bro dieting” in order to win bodybuilding shows. He soon found out, however, that the side effects were disastrous. Despite athletic successes, Sikes’ high-carb, low-nutrient crash dieting led to imbalanced hormones, a lowered sex drive, diminished strength and an unhealthy relationship with food. Struggling with disordered eating, Sikes could see no way out of his self-created hell—until, that is, he found the ketogenic diet. After seeing drastic improvements in his gym performance, relationships and overall health, Sikes pioneered a new method of natural bodybuilding that leveraged a ketogenic protocol with high dietary fats and nutrient-dense foods. The wisdom gleaned from his rigorous self-experimentation is compiled in Ketogenic Bodybuilding , a comprehensive guide to achieving show-level conditioning by following a healthy, sustainable ketogenic plan. In Ketogenic Bodybuilding , readers will learn: The seven phases necessary for successful contest prep and reverse dieting - The mindset and manipulations required for success in each phase - Nutritional meals with enough “caloric runway” to properly fuel the training demands - How strategic ketogenic refeeds can control metabolism and help push through plateaus - The three levers to manipulate for optimal cardio (and progressive overload training) - Why safe “reverse dieting” after a show is as important as the prep itself - The ins and outs of posing, tanning, exercise, supplements and more In Ketogenic Bodybuilding , Sikes has produced a guide that proves natural ketogenic bodybuilding isn’t simply competitive; when used correctly, it is positively savage. "Sikes cuts through all the bro science and urban myths surrounding the keto diet to give you the real talk. He knows of which he speaks and walks the walk, having used his keto knowledge to earn his pro card and coach countless clients on the subject. This book covers everything from mindset to any nutritional question you could have about ketogenic bodybuilding. This is the Bible of ketogenic bodybuilding." -Marcus Aurelius Anderson, mindset coach to elite CEOs, leaders and entrepreneurs, author of The Gift of Adversity , TEDx and international keynote speaker and host of Acta Non Verba podcast " Ketogenic Bodybuilding is truly the only comprehensive guide you will ever need to optimize the keto diet to transform your body, especially for those competing in the sport of bodybuilding. Robert's passion for natural bodybuilding and the keto diet really comes through in this book and his personal story resonated with me on many levels. He used bodybuilding and ketogenic nutrition to not only transform his body, but to overcome personal struggles, disordered eating, and to instill a growth mindset to excel in business. The ketogenic diet has sharpened his mind to educate others on these topics. This book is a beacon of light to those that are confused about how to implement a keto diet for bodybuilding and gives readers a step-by-step plan. If you are a competitive bodybuilder, fitness model, fitness coach or just someone seeking to optimize body composition and overall metabolic health, this book is for you!" -Dominic D'Agostino, PhD, associate professor in the department of molecular pharmacology and physiology at USF Morsani College of Medicine "When it comes to the nuances of cutting on the ketogenic diet, especially getting to stage-level leanness, Sikes is the one coach everyone thinks about." -Nsima Inyang, bodybuilder and co-host of Mark Bell's Power Project podcast "Finally, a keto resource for bodybuilders! Sikes is an expert when it comes to prepping bodybuilders and physique athletes using a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic Bodybuilding provides you with insights into Sikes's own nutrition, training and mindset so that you can achieve your goal physique using a ketogenic diet." -Chris Irvin, MS, CMO of BioCoach "When it comes to ketogenic bodybuilding, Sikes is the world's number one expert on the topic. He's got years of experience under his belt and has proven the effectiveness of his methods with results. Being an outlier and a contrarian in the field of bodybuilding, he doesn't shy away from challenging the status quo and is expanding the collective consciousness of what we know about muscle growth. The book is an absolute gem for anyone interested in living the keto lifestyle while simultaneously getting after their dream physique." -Siim Land, bestselling author, speaker and consultant "Robert Sikes is a force to be reckoned with in the world of ketogenic bodybuilding and competition prep! His tried-and-true ketogenic approach has proven itself very effective for countless competitors, myself among them. Utilizing his program, I was able to win my 'pro card' and several other top three placings at natural bodybuilding competitions in 2021! His attention to detail is like no other. I highly recommend this boo