Why i decided to compete
Bodybuilding requires a great deal of dedication, discipline, and hard work, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. It involves intense training and strict dieting to build muscle mass and reduce body fat, which can be challenging but also rewarding.
Many people are drawn to bodybuilding because it allows them to sculpt their bodies and achieve a level of physical fitness that they may not have thought possible. It also provides an opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication on stage, and to compete against other athletes who share their passion for the sport.
For the longest time I have been drawn to the sport of bodybuilding, the whole thing, training with intention, having a set routine and strict structure to your day all because of your end goal which is to showcase your best physique on stage. Ive been wanting to do this for years but honestly I was never in the right place to really do it. Mostly mentally. I didn’t have the best relationship with food nor my body to really dedicate myself to something this extreme and fixated on those areas that I struggled with.
2022 I decided I was ready. I was finally going to compete, push my mind and body to a different level and I was going to give my all into it. I understand that there are many ways to do this but this ( for right now ) is what I chose.
But why? The question i’ve been asked numerous times by mostly family members who have been extremely supportive but don’t quite love the idea of what the body building lifestyle entails. To be honest I never quite knew how to answer this question other than “ because I want to” but right now, 2 weeks out from my first comp, feeling like shit, having gone through a lot of emotions, I now know.
I wanted to focus on a aesthetic goal.
I began training consistently, eating well and eating more and of course when you do these things your body begins to thank you by looking better and feeling better. The confidence boost that comes with this is obviously amazing, I was feeling myself and I just wanted to see what I could do, how would I look if I just trained for aesthetic purposes? You don’t have to sign up to a body building competition to do this by any means but if you havn’t gathered already I do things to extremes. Having a very strong and clear end goal also keeps me on track and accountable. I no longer wanted to only do things to a mediocre level. I do and will continue to push things to the greatest level I can, this is just the beginning.
I used to see this as a flaw in myself cause I have failed at more things than I can count. BUT something i’ve recently learnt is that failure whatever that may mean does not mean that your havn’t succeeded at something. The only person who never succeeds is the one that never tries. You’ve gotta have a crack to find out what youre capable of and make new perceived limits for yourself.
I wanted to isolate
You’ve probably heard it before but yes bodybuilding is a lonely sport. I have no problem being alone if anything its what im good at. Truth is at some point we need mental isolation, silence and solitude. This is your time to think, to plan, to escape the noise and chaos and demands of the outside world. What have I gained from this?….
Test my limits / Mental Push
Firstly i’ve learnt that its really hard to silence your mind, like really hard, however i’ve been through so many break throughs during this prep and honestly I owe a lot of it to embarking on this journey. Ive learnt and unlearned a lot of things about myself, i’ve learnt more of what I want for my future, the people I want in my life and increased my self confidence. ( I know they won’t see it right this second but I know that after these last 4 months I am and will be a better friend, partner and daughter )
During this i’ve learnt that no matter how many people will contribute to your wins, in the end its all about you. Your preparation. Your confidence. Your commitment. Your grip on your emotions. Your partnership with the voices in your head.
If any of those things falters, most likely so will you.
The last 2 weeks have been the biggest test to this for me. I can’t tell you how many times I felt like giving up and how many times I’ve doubted myself.
Ive worked this hard on mastering my mind.
If there’s doubt capitalise on it. Let it fuel you. Let it push you. That doubt is just your mind telling you that you need to take hold of your perception of yourself and fully lean into your potential. Those who work hard and tick every box should never feel doubt, remember that.
2 weeks to push. 2 weeks till I present my hard work for the last 20 weeks.
Will I compete again? Let me get to the show first. But I will say one thing.
I’m hooked on this feeling.
Pushing my limits, pursuing something seriously, being surrounded by people greater than me.
This is the beginning of something great for me weather that’s bodybuilding or not I know im destined for something more, something great.
You’ll have to wait and see.
