Baby steps
It has now been 6 weeks since the comp and that is how long it is taking for my body and mind to slowly return to some sort of normality. My cycle is almost back i can feel it, but most importantly I am easing off the obsession with food a little more each day.
It really takes time to get back to normal after putting your body through all that stress. Reducing your body fat to the extreme's that we competitor's do goes against everything the human body was designed to do to survive.
We start our prep around the 16 week mark (even longer sometimes) and it really isn't surprising that it take over 6 weeks to get back to a normal and happy functioning body and mind.
I think one of the major hurdles post comp is the fear of weight gain. But once it slowly starts to creep back on wheather you like it or not, it just becomes something that you have to get used to because we all know it had to happen right? We all know this and expect it, we just don't like it ;-)
Now that I have added some body fat back to my physique I have overcome the fear of doing it, it's done! Now i'm in maintenance stage, I am happy with this weight for the off season and plan to keep it around this level whilst eating clean but still having "enjoying life" moments.
Post comp has really brought on some great gains fairly quickly, this is due to a change in training e.g: heavy weights, low reps and it's due to the fact my body and muscles are soaking up everything thing I eat after the big shock of reduced calories etc during comp prep. I'm taking advantage of this big time!!
I'm not completely out of the water with all this but as my heading suggests *baby steps* is still moving in the right direction.
Did anyone see the interview on Geoffrey Huegill on t.v. the other night? He being an Olympic Champion swimmer with a ripped physique is now overweight and very unhappy and trying to take on a challenge to lose weight again. This sort of thing seems to be very common amongst most athletes of all sports and both genders. I hope he succeeds in his new challenge :-)
Have a great week.
Deb xxx
posted by Splice at
5:14 PM
10 Comments:
I'm a converted believer that it not only takes a considerable amount of time to lose the necessary body fat to compete that it's as equally important that we take that same amount of time to put back on that healthy body fat for purely health reasons. Slow and steady wins the race. My pre comp prep and post comp prep are going to be totally different for 2008. It's yet another experiement but this time more than just food and exercise is taken into considering, my psyhological welfare is as equally as important.
Great post, love it! :o)
Lia xx
Thanks Lia!
Great response, love it! :-)
Debs
Thanks Lia!
Great response, love it! :-)
Debs
I didn't see Geoff but I just saw David Beckam ...... yummo! I had to double take at that little baby pick, I initially thought it had a very hairy bottom - LOL!!!.....blonde moment - then I realised it was a diaper : )
This post really hit home for me ... I'm 2 weeks post-comp and although I am managing my body fairly well, there is always this fear that I will loose everything I gained (or lost... hihihih).
Thank you! Reading you really helps me!
Good on you hun :)
Sounds like your progressing nicely!
Keep up the great work in the gym hun bet your next comp will be kick arse by the sounds of your gains already :)
Em:)
Hi Deb,
I really admire how you "have it all together" and can write so positively about the struggles we face.
After a pretty bad week things are looking up for me again and I'll continue to work towards better behaviours and a positive attitude. Its yet another challenge in the game of competing.
Cheers
Magda
Hey Deb,
You sound like you are in a good place and have realistic expectations.
These issues not only effect competitors, but people whom diet in general. Diet has to be a lifestyle change. What a great post you have done!
Sam
Sounds like its all coming together for you Deb, and its all a learning experience. Baby steps sounds like its the right approach. Good to hear that your training is still going fantastic.
Hilary xx
Hey Deb,
I will be off to NZ soon, but we need to make a training date for when I get back.
Lisa
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