Bodybuilding, is said to be a selfish sport. It is, after all, all about you. Your time in the gym, your groceries….yes I need all those egg whites! No I already portioned that to 4oz…don’t eat that!! Your supplements. Your rest time. Your goals. Your competition. Your routine. Your music. Your posing oil. Your tan. Your diet. One word……sacrifice.
Bodybuilding and competing is a huge sacrifice. You can eat sleep and breathe it….. o.k., thats good for some. Sometimes, you get blinded by the me! me! ME! You are so involved in yourself that you don’t see the affects on others. You and your partner can share a love for the weights and the sweat…but where is the line drawn when it goes on to the competing level? Some try it and it’s not for them, love the lifting…but don’t love the sacrifice of 12+ weeks of diet. No enjoying movie night, be in bed early, mood swings, low energy, more me, me, me. It’s not a fun thing for the non-dieting person who is now forced to sacrifice along with you because they want to support you. They may smile and show support…but lets be honest…do they really love not going out, and early bedtimes and carb depleted grumpiness?! Ca’mon! Let’s be honest!
Once you start competing some can be easily hooked! The dedication and true accomplishment at the end of a competition, is an addictive feeling that makes you look on to the next show with excitement and new goals! You may be encouraged by others to go on and compete again…and again!
When will it stop though? Do you end up doing well in every show and the momentum just can’t be stopped? Does life get put on hold because you still have a few shows left to accomplish? You are in your prime…..no need for a family started until your done doing as many shows as you can possibly do…..let the baby making days start when your 35!! You should be done with competing then!! Even financially, unless you are sponsored, competing is one helluva expensive hobby! All the costs involved for 5 minutes on stage! Unless you finally get to the larger shows there is no money to be made in competing!!
This doesn’t apply to all, it may only apply to a handful. But there are people out there who can see themselves in some part of my message, at one point or another. There are those who may be going the next step from the gym floor to on stage. I do recommend competing to anyone who considers it, at least once in their life!It is a great feeling of accomplishment and a test of will and strength, both mentally and physically. But I just want people to know it IS a selfish sport, and to keep in mind the sacrifices that are to made down the road and to balance their life, lastly to remember what is important to YOU! No one else.
Please note in no way do I put down my fellow competitors in this little blog of mine, it was just something I needed to air out, and maybe perhaps shed some insight on….a little light…who knows.
I have been doing so much thinking…I just had to let some of it out!
Thanks for your time
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