Build a body VS Bodybuilding
Hey Everyone! Something a little different! I felt in my heart that I wanted to write a series about Bodybuilding and real conversation about body image and nutrition.
I’ve entered 6 bodybuilding competitions and I always get asked by my clients “how did you do it?”; “WHY!” or comments like “you're so small/tiny/thin, you didn’t need to do it.” And I know that as soon as I mention the words bodybuilding people have one of two reactions, “Ewww” or “Yay”; very rarely “meh”.
But I want to really tear these words apart and give a chance for us to understand our relationship with ourselves regarding looks, food and exercise. For me, it’s Body Building not Bodybuilding. I aim to be holistic in my approach, not only to my health but to my followers and clients. But, I can only use myself as an example and I hope what I say in this post and future posts will resonate with you.
Image by Enztom Photography.
Image by Enztom Photography.
I just want it to be abundantly clear that as soon as you decide to enter a competition or start working out towards it - that is NOT the moment when you start Body Building (even if you’re not competing and you’ve begun working towards the new you). In fact, it’s probably near the tail end of your journey.
#FunFact when your body is competition ready, this look lasts just a few weeks/months depending on your program...and then POOF it disappears. This phase is what I call the “BuildaBody” phase. It involves exercise, nutrition, a couple of mood swings, stilettos, baby oil and tan (yep even as a black competitor I had to use tan for the stage). This is not to say that this phase is easy to accomplish. BELIEVE YOU ME! but to point out it’s a competition and it’s a moment - it’s not who you are. You’ve built yourself a body (that you should be proud of). But real Body Building is something we all have to deal with, no matter your shape or size it starts with your sense of self.
Outfits: I love that some of the comps I was in were to fundraise for Breast Cancer Awareness, which happens to be this month too. Support #breastcancerawareness, ladies please get checked this month!
Stay tuned for part 2 of this series within the next fortnight.
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