Chronology of a figure competitor’s thoughts…
Here’s what really happens in the mind of a figure competitor and why competing really gets so hard.
16 weeks out from the show: “Whooo Hooo! I feel so fat, I can’t wait to begin the diet! I am going to be so so perfect this season! I can’t wait to see the fat melt off!”
When I started my diet this season, nothing could deter me. I had holidays in there, I started diet mid December and didn’t touch but maybe 3 Christmas cookies. I had new years in there and a few birthdays and I just kept plugging away. When everyone else was eating pizza, I was eating chicken and celery…
11 weeks from the show: “OK, so I am feeling a bit hungry between meals and now I want to go to bed so I don’t sit and think about food at night. But I am thrilled with the weight loss and watching the scale go down every day!”
I am still losing weight steadily and the diet is paying off. Yay! Though it gets tough at night because now the diet is a little lower and if I think about food too much, I may actually drool a bit on myself…
Super Bowl Sunday. “OK seriously, who didn’t cheat?”
Why should this day be any harder to get through than all the other holidays? Because our bodies are low and feeling tired and that pretzel looks like God put the best piece of food on earth right in front of you and he said, “go ahead, just have a taste…” Oooh how that pretzel was so delicious. And that chip and that brownie and that roast beef sandwich and that… yeah – you get the picture… did I mention Rice Krispy Treats? Damn, up 5 lbs from water weight.
9 weeks from the show. “Why the hell am I doing this again? Oh yeah – that’s right 1 lb is 1% body fat. I can do this, I can do this, I’m pretty tired though. But on the other hand, I can count my abs…”
So 1 pound at this point is proving to be about 1% body fat. And food is looking better and better every time. Training is getting harder and harder, not just the amped up workouts, but the fact of even getting the motivation to get in the gym… Until you train with people who you just think look better than you and then you resolve again to push and push.
7 weeks out. “Too tired to move!”
My body is rebelling and I don’t even want to stand up to go to the bathroom, which I am doing a lot because I am so hungry so I am drinking water all the time to curb hunger. I don’t have the motivation to work, or even pee at this point and it is a hassle to even drag my butt out of bed. But I know that my body isn’t where it needs to be and I need to keep pushing.
I have people I train with telling me they want to quit and I tell them to keep plugging, but who am I to tell them that when almost every day at this point I think about quitting. And I have an out too. I am getting married in 9 weeks and all I need to do is say training is too much with the wedding so close, but then they win… Everyone who doubted me wins and I won’t have that. Because, I am not a quitter. I won’t stop now.
I am going to make myself proud and everyone who trains me or with me proud. I can do this because I am strong and hardworking…
Did I mention I’m tired too? So so tired. Damn, I think I gotta pee again! Uggh!
February 18, 2008 at 9:13 am
hha.a.a..i love it..you got it down to a T.!!! Keep it up..your abs are rediculous!
February 18, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I feel ya girl–especially with the peeing–it drives my husband crazy! I’m 10 weeks out now myself and I’m starting to get that dazed zombie look, bits of crusty hot sauce on the side of my chin….but I think like you–gotta keep plugging away. You are a champion because most people can’t handle this–and by most I mean like 95% of the population. I now how you are feeling–so close, and yet still so far away–just know, that everytime I see new progress pics of you, I turn it to high gear at the gym and renew my motivation. So thank you, for your inspiration. On that note, I will go relieve myself;)
February 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I would feel much worse if I quit now. Its a pride and ego thing at this point, I have talked about it, I have even made it a point to let some know that I am NOT to old to do this!!
One of the girls we train with said "this takes a special kind of person" well then the thought runs through my head, you mean if I don’t do this I am not special LOL, of course, I am!! SO ARE YOU WENDY!!
As a matter of fact this actually makes me feel younger, look younger, and definitely feel better. I really enjoy the fact that I am probably in better shape then some 20 year olds and at this point alot of the women who are my very own age!!
Why do so many women give up on themselves?????