You Don't Have to Suffer to Succeed in Competing!

WHO AGREES?!! It’s time we STOP acting like we have to SUFFER in order to SUCCEED in bodybuilding

I see this happen ALL the time & it makes me sad that so many people think they can’t ask for or find an approach that works WITH their life

My beliefs have shifted overtime with competing

While I absolutely 100% believe you aren’t going to be stage ready doing the same damn thing you do in a “lifestyle” program

I also 100% believe that expressing your needs & expectations to your coach before starting a prep or ANY plan is EXTREMELY important

You can follow a plan your coach gives you to get ready in 12 weeks but if you’re miserable following it it may cause you to fall into self-destructive behaviors like going off plan, over eating, feeling guilty, etc

Then when you step on stage that day, you haven’t had the experience you were hoping for (which isn’t that what this is reallllly supposed to be about?)
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Even if you could be ready in 12 weeks, it may not be while following a plan that YOU enjoy or can realistically commit to given your life circumstances despite it seeming “normal” to other competitors

So it’s better to take 20 weeks, enjoying the process, learning along the way if you truly want to live the lifestyle, & still being able to satisfy other needs you had while getting “ready” in time

If you can’t workout 6 days/week then don’t try to cheat your way to the stage skipping workouts

Just ask your coach for a new training split w/ less training days. So what if it takes you more time to get there?

If you’re REALLY committed to this, then it shouldn’t be about the time anyways

While what I have listed in the photo isn’t everyone’s experience, it’s definitely common for many

Of course this sport is going to challenge you to change your ways & push out of your comfort zone

If you’re not willing to do that, then you CANNOT expect to change (& probably shouldn’t commit to getting on stage)
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HOWEVER

That doesn’t mean you have to suffer for weeks on end

If you have that mindset of “forced..suffering..miserable..have to” it’s either not the right plan for you OR you need to change your mindset to one of choice OR decide to live the lifestyle in a less extreme way w/o the stage right now & be okay with that

But it’s up to you to be honest with your coach from the get-go, set expectations & express your needs, then TRUST your coach & be willing to challenge yourself

It’s not all going to be sunshine & rainbows, otherwise we wouldn’t grow from competing, but “suffering” also won’t make you fall in love with this sport or sustain the healthy habits

What do you think about this? Would love to hear your thoughts!⬇️

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