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Tazzie looks awesome in that shot.  Then again, she's one of a relative few women who I think look very attractive even at their most contest-ready.

I see it as an evolution of bodybuilding contests.  At some point a contestant turned in a body that was better defined that the others and got high marks, and the rest of the competition decided to push the limits.  I do not have a problem with the "ripped and cut" look from an aesthetic standpoint, as that is a subjective thing.  I do feel that contests should move more in the direction you suggest for health reasons– many bodybuilders (both men and women) go to such extremes in order to create such an ultra-ripped appearance that it can become dangerous.  They have already dieted until they're at remarkably low fat levels, then they work hard to reduce their water levels, which can also reduce the presence of some minerals and nutrients.  It's ironic that when many bodybuilders are in contest shape (when they look their most amazing) they may be at their most unhealthy.  I don't think that we should be rewarding that.

Well, that set of criteria was a very personal daydream – not a practical or workable suggestion, but my point is that the judges can influence this by changing judging criteria.

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Interestingly, tonus, I believ ethe legal position with respect to steroids in the UK is much the same as in the US.

As a scientist, I can't agree with those (sorry Ant) who say "No studies are needed – anaecdotal evidence shows us X."  Anaecdotal evidence here in the UK told parents that the combined measles/mumps/rubella vaccine gave several small children learning difficulties such as autism – this was exacerbated by a doctor who wrote the flawed and discredited paper that started the scare.  Huge, long-term, international studies have now shown no link at all.  The only legacy is that the level of vaccinated children in the UK is low enough to allow a measles epidemic – of course, measles isn't the worst disease possible, but it can kill, and certainly it's better to prevent it from happening. 
What I'm saying is that clinical studies are needed to determine the effects of verying types of PED on healthy and non-healthy individuals, both male and female, not only because the anaecdotal evidence is, as tonus says, contradictory, but because it is only anaecdotal.

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What a great idea!

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I'm liking what I'm seeing. 8)

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Fascinating; the general consensus so far is exactly in agreement with my view – a full offseaso look or a "retro-contest" look (firm and defined but not mummified) are preferred by most respondants so far.  I understand why judges look for ultra-shredded conditioning – it lets them be lazy, as they don't have to use as much judgement or thought to decide who has built the best body – instead, they can concentrate on who has the least bodyfat – IMO a much easier decision.  Sorry, but that's the way I feel.  I have often daydreamed about what my judging criteria would be if I founded a new contest, and they would be mainly shape, proportion and symmetry, with conditioning only to highlight the muscles.  I would deduct marks for excess vascularity and unattractive facial effects, i.e. pinched cheeks.

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Which makes me cry to the heavens even more – why, Jess, why? >:( :'(

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Glorious and beautiful – and great progress for 6 weeks out!

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I think 20 inches may be too much – I worry about what she might need to take to get there.

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Wow – those photos are steaming-up my glasses! ;D
Mimi, I know this seems like an odd question, but I'm curious to know what you think about the "stripper shoes" Nikki and Amber are wearing here?  I don't like the clear ones Figure competitors wear, as I always think they look trashy, but I do think the ones Nikki is wearing are very sexy and classy. 

Of course, it goes without saying that both are in superb condition and look strong, sexy, lean, but still feminine – much better for my taste than the extreme dry conditioning required for contest these days.  If you find contest footage on the Internet from the 1980s or the first half of the 1990s, this was the sort of conditioning that predominated – and I think it's no coincidence that more people watched and appraciated FBBing then.  The women looked much healthier and more aesthetically pleasing (also sexier than now, IMO). 🙂

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Lol, hate the group so much you cant say the word C? XD

You got it! ;D ::)

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