I am wanting to prepare for a bodybuilding contest come next April. My only concern is dieting and training around my shift work. I work 12 hour shifts.
I work a day shift...6:30 am to 6:30 pm and a Night shift..6:30 pm to 6:30 am.

My rotation is as follows...Week 1.....3 Day shifts...2 days off...2 Night shifts
Week 2.....3 days off.....2 Day shifts...2 days off
Week 3.....3 Night shifts..2 Days off...2 Day shifts
Week 4.....3 Days off....2 Night Shifts...2 Days off

As you can see from the above I work five 12 Hour days every 2nd week and I find my energy level usually very low to train after a 12 hour day shift..I dind I'm both mentally and physically drained.
I have done four bodybuilding contest in past...but I was working regular hours..Monday to Friday...and always started my contest prep 16 weeks out. I did five weight training sessions a week and as much cardio as I could.

I was thinking because of the shift work of starting my contest prep, perhaps as much as 20 to 24 weeks out...and cutting down the weight training sessions to four times a week...any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated?