I’ve spent the last 6 years of my life dedicated to fitness. I have competed as a bikini competitor in the NPC (National Physique Committee) in 8 shows in both Michigan and Kentucky. I have placed 2nd and I’ve placed nearly dead last. I’ve walked off the stage blown away by my performance and placing and I’ve walked off in tears. I began competing at 28 years old, now 34, I have seen the bodybuilding world and bikini land morph into a monster that I am not sure I can identify with anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I will probably compete again, but I have to remind myself often what I’m up against. Whether you are thinking about competing in your very first show, or you are a veteran, here are a few realities that no one talks about.
- Judges feedback. You’re too big, you’re too small, you need bigger shoulders, you need smaller glutes, your quads are too big. Have you heard this before? Listen, as a competitor – you have to be ready for the scrutiny that will come your way. There is a very particular look that the judges are looking for, especially when it comes to bikini girls. That look has only gotten smaller over the last few years. I am built like a woman, and I love (I repeat love) to powerlift – so I have built substantial leg mass. On the flip side, my shoulders don’t match my leg dominance. (If it did, I would be built like a linebacker) However, in order to get that ever desired X-frame, I need bigger shoulders. This is the message that I’ve received about my body. I tell you that to tell you this. You will never be exactly what the judges are looking for and every judging panel is different. Some may tell you that you need more mass. Yet, you could compete in a different show one week later, and they may tell you that you need to be smaller to do well in your division. This sport is subjective and as such you will reap different results at different shows. My biggest takeaway over the last 8 years is don’t let your acceptance of yourself depend on what a panel of judges has say about you. You are a perfect you. There is nothing too big, or too small or too this, or too that. Accept yourself at every stage of your journey – whether you’re competing, your in a weightless phase, or you are trying to just keep up with the daily grind. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health – and this sport can do a number on your mental health unless you also make it a priority.
- No off days. Let’s be real. Your body needs off days. Mental and physical health is necessary for muscle repair and growth, as well as gut health. If you aren’t allowing your body time to rest and recoup, it could be to your detriment. You can strategically place rest days throughout your week (which is probably what your coach has done) or you can listen to your body to determine what days are rest days – either way get your rest, your body and mind will thank you.
- Natural vs Not. Yes I’m talking about steroids and dieting drugs. Please understand that I am not here to judge. To each their own. If you decide that performance enhancing drugs are the right path for you, then you do you. But it’s important that everyone understands – this is on the table. If you are natural, bottomline is you are going up against women who aren’t – and yes I’m talking about bikini. Bikini girls take a variety of different things to gain mass quickly and drop weight even quicker. So when you see these women with the shape that the judges are looking for, it’s very likely that she didn’t naturally get there on her own. Did she do the work, yes probably. Did she push just as hard as you, yes probably. But she will undoubtedly look better because of the drugs she has chosen to take. So as a natural competitor you have to understand that you are an underdog. Steroids are everywhere and it’s amazing what women are willing to take and put their body through to get a trophy. I have thought about it myself, but I have never taken that route. It’s not for me. My health is of utmost importance, and steroids don’t put my health first. Using steroids puts my pride first. Remember, if/when you compete, you have to consider all factors that come into play. How you look, how you come in and what your full package looks like is only a small piece of the pie. Remember, if you are natural, this will come into play when you are standing up on that stage, side by side with someone who is not.
- Organizations, what’s the difference? The NPC hands out the coveted IFBB pro card that so many of us have tried to reach for. Many don’t compete in the NPC believing that most of it’s competitors take steroids. Because of this belief, many look to organizations that claim to be natural. The UFE is a good example of this. It’s a growing organization with many natural athletes. But, many of it’s pros are not truly natural. This is an organization that markets natural, but they cherry pick who they will drug test, and most often times they will not test their pros. It’s interesting, because again – to each their own. Everyone ‘s journey is different, and steroids are ok for some and not others. I have no judgement either way. But I don’t like to see an organization boast about being natural, when they truly aren’t. So pay attention, if this is important to you and remember that steroids can make their way into any organization.
- Politics. Ohhhh this one. This is a big one. This sport is very very political. I coached myself for many years, and I can tell you that (just like the real world) it always helps to know someone. Coaches call or text the judges before or during shows. Coaches sit on the judging panel when they have competitors physically in the show. Judges are very aware of which competitors train out of their gyms. And believe it or not, after a verdict is rendered, that result can change after it leaves the judges table. I don’t know about you, but if I didn’t fully win something – but won because someone changed the verdict, I wouldn’t want to win. That doesn’t do anyone any good. But this is all a very big reality. People don’t always win clean. So, if you don’t place well, remember there are many factors that go into placing. No, you don’t want to be a bad sport and scream politics if you don’t win or place. But, understanding that this is a factor, is important.
- Post-show blues is a real thing. You will want to work closely with your coach to ensure that you reverse out of your show in the most healthy way possible. But remember, your mind needs to be reversed as well. You will have just spent the last 12 weeks (give or take) over scrutinizing every part of your body. Sending weekly photos of yourself to your coach. Doing your own side by side comparisons and speaking relatively negative to yourself along the way. We have all done it – it comes with being terrified that after all the work, you still won’t be ‘good enough’. It takes more energy to be positive, which is why so many people struggle with it. (Me included) So when you begin to reverse diet out of your show, make sure that you have a mental reverse plan in place as well. Begin to talk highly of yourself. Write the things down that you love about your non physical self. Obviously we all know that it isn’t healthy or realistic to remain show lean full-time, but oh how we all wish we could. But that fluffier you is probably a lot nicer, a lot happier and a lot more patient since you are fed and not doing hours of cardio to get your weight down. Your family is probably a lot happier with the fluffier you. All jokes aside though, this journey is about more than the stage. That is a small part. When the stage is gone, who will you be? Who are you today? How can your competition experience help another person? I love to coach, so I’ve found that I can share my knowledge with others to improve their lives. I’ve found a mission beyond stage, and I encourage you to do the same. Don’t allow yourself to dwell on what your body is doing post show – remain healthy, give it the vitamins and nutrients it needs, and give it all of the love it deserves.
I know there are few more hard truths I can share, but I will save that for another post. I hope that you found this blog to be positive, despite talking about more negative topics. It’s only to be a source of reality. I wish I had been told all of the above when I started competing. I would have felt more informed and more prepared for what lay ahead. If you decide to compete, do it and do it with intensity. I love to compete, and you will probably see me on the stage again next year. If you decide not to compete, love your journey anyway. And if you are a veteran, you know exactly what I’m talking about. At the end of the day girls, we have to cheer for each other, love on each other and spread truth where it is needed and deserved.
Fit Little Bits 