I was recently approached by one of my former college professors in regards to my advice on training for a figure show. My first thought was, I can't believe a teacher I had is now asking me for information and advice. This was one of my favorite professors from Penn State asking me for help with diet and exercise. I was excited to start spilling out information, stats, numbers etc. As my excitement built up, I started having a hard time figuring out why it was so hard for me to type it out in a message back to her. Here I was, filled with knowledge and facts yet I couldn't seem to write them all out. I took a few more sips of my starbucks, and then it all made sense. I wasn't excited about the information I was about to provide, I was hesitant because I was anxious. It brought back memories of training and dieting. I'm writing this today from my all out honest opinions and evidence. I'm not going to sugar coat this, so take it for what you want.
Attached is the e mail of my response to my former professor.
In all honesty, and I'm sure you know this as well, the figure/bodybuilding mentality and training is terrible for your body. I didn't realize how much of an effect it would have on me post competition.
Sure, I realized what it takes to get 'ripped', but in all health related aspects its the worst thing I did for myself.
I have been having a hard time re introducing foods into my system that I gave up for 16 weeks. I can no longer process alcohol, wheat, and dairy. My body fat dropped so low that I haven't had a mestral cycle in 9 months. I have to see specialists to figure out how to cure a lot of what is going on with me, and in the end hoping I can have kids someday in the future.
It was not only physically but mentally draining for me. I'm not saying you can't do it, or shouldn't do it, but I just want to share my feelings and journey with you. None of it should be sugar coated to look nice. I trained in an untraditional 'bodybuilding' way by doing crossfit (which i think saved me in some aspects) and realized now that I could have done less and still seen the same results. I nearly killed myself with the supplements, workouts, and lack of sleep. It may look great from the outside, but coming off of it has been the hardest thing.
I had a desire to train for another one afterwards, but it was the time and money commitment that also stopped me into doing so. The glamor, glory, and fame make it look so appealing from the outside. What was happening inside was a different story. I train athletes and realized that what I was doing to myself (training like a figure competitor) wasn't athletic. I was lacking flexibility, spending HOURS in the gym without even sweating, and I wasn't having fun.
If you want to win shows, you have to bulk up, gain muscle (which is a lot harder than I thought), your clothes somedays fit and somedays will rip because of how big you've gotten. After you've done that, you have to 'shred' food from your already bland diet. Diet isn't the hardest part, it was mentally staying alert which was the hardest for me. My clients saw my mental state suffer, as did their workouts from the way I was not thinking clearly.
To say the least, it took over my life. It was all I knew. My family and friends (what I had left) came second. I was obsessed, and to be honest you HAVE to be obsessed to do it. There is no 90%. Its 110% or nothing at all. No more "just one cookie" or "just a small portion of milk in my coffee." No cheat days, and you cooler was your best friend.
I'm not sending you this to scare you from doing any type of show, because I have no doubt that you would be great. You have great muscle tone already and if you're diet is already in check then by all means I'll give you some tips and pointers to help you anyway I can. I figured this was the more genuine way to go about answering your question as a message instead of a wall post.
Hi!
We should get together sometime soon! I'm not doing hybrid competition..I've been having some injury issues and trying to figure out what is going on with me health wise...from coming off the figure diet I have been having some bad stomach and bowl issues. TMI!?
In all honesty, and I'm sure you know this as well, the figure/bodybuilding mentality and training is terrible for your body. I didn't realize how much of an effect it would have on me post competition.
Sure, I realized what it takes to get 'ripped', but in all health related aspects its the worst thing I did for myself.
I have been having a hard time re introducing foods into my system that I gave up for 16 weeks. I can no longer process alcohol, wheat, and dairy. My body fat dropped so low that I haven't had a mestral cycle in 9 months. I have to see specialists to figure out how to cure a lot of what is going on with me, and in the end hoping I can have kids someday in the future.
It was not only physically but mentally draining for me. I'm not saying you can't do it, or shouldn't do it, but I just want to share my feelings and journey with you. None of it should be sugar coated to look nice. I trained in an untraditional 'bodybuilding' way by doing crossfit (which i think saved me in some aspects) and realized now that I could have done less and still seen the same results. I nearly killed myself with the supplements, workouts, and lack of sleep. It may look great from the outside, but coming off of it has been the hardest thing.
I had a desire to train for another one afterwards, but it was the time and money commitment that also stopped me into doing so. The glamor, glory, and fame make it look so appealing from the outside. What was happening inside was a different story. I train athletes and realized that what I was doing to myself (training like a figure competitor) wasn't athletic. I was lacking flexibility, spending HOURS in the gym without even sweating, and I wasn't having fun.
If you want to win shows, you have to bulk up, gain muscle (which is a lot harder than I thought), your clothes somedays fit and somedays will rip because of how big you've gotten. After you've done that, you have to 'shred' food from your already bland diet. Diet isn't the hardest part, it was mentally staying alert which was the hardest for me. My clients saw my mental state suffer, as did their workouts from the way I was not thinking clearly.
To say the least, it took over my life. It was all I knew. My family and friends (what I had left) came second. I was obsessed, and to be honest you HAVE to be obsessed to do it. There is no 90%. Its 110% or nothing at all. No more "just one cookie" or "just a small portion of milk in my coffee." No cheat days, and you cooler was your best friend.
I'm not sending you this to scare you from doing any type of show, because I have no doubt that you would be great. You have great muscle tone already and if you're diet is already in check then by all means I'll give you some tips and pointers to help you anyway I can. I figured this was the more genuine way to go about answering your question as a message instead of a wall post.
I am here to help in any way, I have A LOT of information in regards to diet and training so let me know what you think.
Hope you're doing well!
-Kara
Hope you're doing well!
-Kara
