To estimate how many weeks prior you should start cutting for a competition: 1. Estimate your current body fat percentage. (My visual guide here.) 2. Subtract your target body-fat percentage for the stage. (5-7% if you are a man, +8% if you are a woman.) 3. Multiply by two. 4. Add four weeks for a safety net. So, if you are 15% body fat, give yourself 24 weeks. {[15-5)*2]+4} (This assumes a steady weight loss rate of 0.5% of body weight per week, which is what I would recommend for competitors.)