The sacrifices of bodybuilding

[bsm1985]

As my commitment to being a competitive bodybuilder continues, I have to ask myself is this really worth it? I guess it depends on each individual person. We all have to answer that for ourselves. I believe bodybuilding at least for me started out as a love of just working out. I was an athlete in high school and even after I graduated I enjoyed working out to prepare myself for college ball. I played 2 years at the college level before hanging it up. But by then I was in love with the gym. Maybe not a bodybuilding mindset yet, but I loved the fitness and nutrition stuff that was involved with working out your body. Somewhere between then and right now I decided that I wanted to push my body and my genetics to the max to see what I could look like. But going into this one can not understand the sacrifices that must be made. It is something one has to encounter to really fathom the time commitment and sacrifice. I have taken heat in all phases of my life as bodybuilding has become one of my top priorities. You never truly eat the same, train the same, supplement the same. You are always finding a way to push your body further for results. And for what? There is no money at least not at the amateur level. Not everyone can become a pro. My goal is to one day have a pro card and being the person I am I will not rest until that is accomplished. So we kill ourselves day in and day out. We sacrifice time away from loved ones. We spend a lot of money on food and supplements. All of this for what? I believe it is the competitor in us that draws us to this amazing sport. We want to know if we have the discipline, determination, work ethic, and drive to look like a freak. I want to answer that question for myself. No one else has to ever be impressed with my physique! I just want to be able to tell myself that no matter how hard it becomes I can overcome mentally and physically to achieve my goals. Maybe some of you others do it for another reason, but at least for me, this is an individual thing. Even when my family, friends, and loved ones look at me like I am crazy I will continue to push to the finish line day by day. One meal at a time. One workout at a time. The journey is what we thrive for. The results will take care of themselves!

 

[csuperman]

i kind of gave up on bodybuilding to be honest and it's only ONE of my hobbies now although its more of a lifestyle, but i am not willing to make the health sacrifices needed.

 

[Presser]

Good post bsm1985 and I started out much in the same way, and I started out competing in powerlifting then moved to bodybuilding, and It was years until i first competed even though I felt like i could compete and I thought competing was NO BIG DEAL. And one day in the gym one of the big time competitors told me I had no idea what bodybuilding was all about, and that I was kidding myself if i thought it was as easy as i thought it was, and he was right, cause his comment pissed me off and I decided to do my first show, and he couldnt have been more right, its a whole new beast when your actually dieting down for a show, and truth be told I would never have had the respect for competitors that I did once i started doing a couple shows.

I however never had any delusions of grandeur in thinking I could go pro,lol. Reason is I hated the process more then anyone could imagine! maybe cause the wife was competing when I was and we dieted together and it was hell! lol.

Anyways good psot bro, and I wish anyone the best who trys to take competing to the next level of pro.

Bodybuilding is my lefestyle though and its always going to be! But the days of competing left almost as fast as they came,lol

 

[nuknuk]

Great post. If I didnt see my body keep changing for the better I wouldnt keep doing it.

 

[The Dude]

I think for someone with a deep love of bodybuilding you owe it to yourself to get up on stage at least once. As Presser said, its a whole different world. Training and getting "bigger" is much much easier than the training and dieting associated with prepping for a show.
Personally my competition days are over. I just don't have it, but I gave it a shot. Now bodybuilding is just a huge part of my lifestyle.

 

[The Survivor]

Well put bsm1985, I'm sure the general public is totally clueless as to how this whole thing works. They probably think we do 100 jumping jacks and calisthenics and eat filet o fish at McDonalds. Its been many years since I last competed and am trying to step back on stage at age 53. I was shocked to find out how my body has lost its ability to lose fat in 20 some years, but I've been determined for 2 yrs now and will stop at nothing. I have all but given up my social life (ever try and hang with the guys when you are in training and dieting?) eat bland foods (cheating to me happens 6 meals a year) and put training ahead of just about anything else, yes I've even turned down sex due to training.

Until I am physically unable to continue on or if I am 100% sure that I cannot get my BF down to competition levels, I remain committed to the contest BB lifestyle. Amen