Finding Balance After a Bikini Competition; Post-Show Blog Series #4

Everyone talks about the importance of “finding balance” after a show but what does this even mean? For many people, there is no desire, from the body, to eat things outside of the norm like cookies, chips, or even a burger. Sometimes we really do wanna stick to our bro diet not for the way it makes us look but how it makes us FEEL!

Just because your competition season has come to a close, doesn’t mean you haaavveeeeee to start eating all the processed or new foods in sight. Of course, if you actually want them and it’s not for filling some sort of emotional void or curing the ‘restriction’ you felt, then HAVE it and ENJOY it. The problem I’m referring to is this stigma that now that the shows are over, ‘you should eat more normal’. Your normal is likely VERY different than the friend of yours who doesn’t compete.

Personally, I LOVE the taste of sweets and savories but my body HATES me for eating it in excess. I recall sometimes feeling like I “had to order something fun” because I didn’t want to be asked why I was ordering the chicken breast meal instead of the nachos. And then I’d be so sad with myself because not only did my body tell me she did not want the nachos but I IGNORED her needs because I felt like I ‘had’ to.

It’s easy to fall into this trap but the best thing we can do is define balance for ourselves. To me, it means different types of cardio (lots more hiking), trying new exercises just because I feel like it, spending more time traveling, and oh yeah we were talking about food...listening to my body, staying on point with my meal plan (I actually love eating the same thing every day but if you don’t, then at least find a structure that works for you and keeps you in alignment with your goals), and I take bites of things when I want them.

Yesterday I wanted a cupcake, I bought some for everyone and I tried a piece of each. I don’t feel the need to binge on food because I see the quality being more important than the quantity. If I find myself feeling guilty for any reason other than knowing my body didn’t want it and having it anyways, then I do the internal work revolving where those issues stem from rather than hating myself for eating the food; though I’ve definitely been there.

The point is, we need to remove the pressure to be ‘balanced’ based on others definition and begin defining ALL of life, on our own terms. After a show we must; set new intentions, create new goals, and develop different perspectives. What do YOU want? How do YOU want to feel? What does YOUR body want/need?! Maybe you start eating more for your gut health, joints, skin, brain, sex, hair, or enjoyment.

Maybe you choose to eat 90% on plan and then give flexibility. Maybe you say eff it to alllll the numbers and do what feels good for you for awhile. Maybe you try fasting, eating way more, doing a ton less cardio, or going out with your loved ones and practicing tuning into what you really want.

BEING FLEXIBLE = MORE LONG TERM BENEFITS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

So tune in, define your ‘flexible’ and your ‘balance’. Eat for fuel, muscle building, and FUNCTION. It’s not always about eating to achieve a shape in the here and now...especially when you’re in improvement season; trust the process, take mental check ins, and be comfortable with honoring your own needs

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