How do you eat before a comp/ showcase?

Before last night's showcase, I ate a combo meal at Subway: steak and cheese signature wrap on tomato basil tortilla shell with two chocolate chip cookies and an Arnold Palmer. (But that's just me.)

Last Friday evening was the first night of two for this previous showcase weekend. My instructor Mary performed an International tango with me that night. She had a wardrobe malfunction. Her black and white dress was attached only by a plastic butterfly in the middle of her back. Due mainly to my tango hold, the plastic butterfly came off in the middle of the dance. My right hand (in closed tango hold) was literally the only thing that was holding her dress together! As we finished the dance and took our bows, Mary's hand replaced mine to continue to hold her dress on. She was grinning sheepishly... obviously quite relieved that her dress didn't fly off as well. I compliment her professionalism. She completed our dance despite the "danger." Kudos to Mary! During our encore last Saturday evening for "round two," she attached her dress with something sturdier than that flimsy plastic butterfly. There was no wardrobe malfunction on Saturday evening! And we were both great! (Not showing the video. Mary would KILL me! Maybe I'll show the Saturday video instead when I get it.)
 
When we do our showcase that is a 3 minute jive in very heavy, beaded fringe dress, I try to have an empty stomach. I will stop eating about 3-4 hours before and if need some energy, I will have an espresso or some orange juice about 45 min before.
 
I try to eat as little as possible on competition days, i.e. just enough to sustain me. Adrenaline usually gives me energy on the floor, lol. Usually, I tend to live on yogurt and fruit and then eat a decent dinner.
 
I eat eggs and lean mean sausage in the morning. Snack on peanut M&Ms during the comp to keep my blood sugar up. Usually adrenaline plus the peanut M&Ms can keep me going through multiple rounds!
 
Just did a showcase last weekend. It started at 6 PM. I ate a normal breakfast and lunch, but didn't eat dinner until after the show.
 
I've now done three comps this year with my students. I started December 220lbs I'm now down to 180lbs and back to dancer shape. I eat very limited calories I've had no carbs or sugar since December.

I have two cups coffee and a protein bar and that lasts me until about 4-5 pm when I beat a steak and salad.

Not eating and dancing fasted has given me so much more energy and no sluggish or bloated feeling. I typically do 50-79 heats a day at comps plus recalls.
 
I'm currently at a comp, and I ate dinner early the night before and skipped breakfast and coffee this morning. For lunch, I'm having coffee and half my usual lunch portion.

I don't want to feel sluggish on the floor, and these dance clothes are so tight! (I'm a guy)
 
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