Teenage daughter said “What?”
I told my 13-year-old daughter that after giving it a lot of thought, I was going to start the serious bodybuilding again. She went crazy and starting telling me things like: you will look gross!; you’re not going to do a contest, are you?; you are way too old to think about doing something like that!; can’t you just quilt or something?; (and I really like this one) don’t you dare tell my friends! She said my arms were already too big just from lifting for a couple of months and gosh, they were going to get bigger… gross! Then she said moms weren’t supposed to workout and look great, they were supposed to be plump and not do sports.
I basically told her that this is what I WANTED TO DO and it had nothing to do with her. I would not look like the folks in the magazines and most people will look at me & think that I work out, not that I’m doing bodybuilding. It is a little sad to think that she would be so ashamed of having a mom that looks good but hell, she’s a teenager and that is where her head is at right now. I hope she changes her mind down the road if and when I get in good enough shape for a local contest.
August 14, 2008 at 10:00 am
Now I am not a wife or mom , but being a husband and dad I can relate. I think she will come around when she hears the positive comments from others. I know my wife never quite took me seriously until she saw the changes in me and my daughters friends at college want to know how big are my biceps lol best of luck
August 14, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hey zubee,
I’d continue the training, but I’d consider delaying any shows until your 13 yo is ready for it.
The idea of "mom" in a bikini at a show, in public, being looked at by a crowd is probably a bit too "high profile" for her. Afterall to her, your not a woman or an athlete, your a mom.
BTW, I’d love to hear your training plan. I train Mrs G once a week and she’s interested in building as much muscle as possible. Love to hear from a successful trainee.
August 14, 2008 at 10:43 am
LOL. Great blog. I think you’ve got the right attitude and goal set. Don’t expect any quick changes of heart from your daughter. As she approaches her upper teens she’ll one day be amazed at "how much you’ve learned" all of a sudden. There’s hope, in spite of the present "blur". Best of luck…go for the "gold".
August 14, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Thanks for the positive comments! Yeah, I don’t want my daughter to be upset about me in a tiny bikini, flexing on a stage, in front of lots of people. That day, if I can get there, is probably at least 2 yrs off figuring I have to build muscle first & then diet for a contest to get ripped. So maybe at age 16, she won’t be quite so grossed out at the thought of her mom looking not so "motherly". BTW, she has gone to the local pool with me when I’m wearing a bikini and has been OK with that this summer.