AVOIDING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF LOSING SIGHT OF YOURSELF

This week the ADO Fitness trainers are addressing how their lives have been negatively impacted by fitness to spread some light on issues not everyone speaks about. Coach Lauren shares her story.

IMG_2293

I wanted to write this when I was just under two weeks out from NY Pro, because Amber suggested this topic during the last final weeks of my first prep of 2016 and I was definitely riding the prep rollercoaster.

Fitness turned my life around in many ways for the better. I am forever grateful and know that it will always be at the foundation of my life. I love the way I feel and that I have the opportunity to positively impact those around me.

Whether you compete or not, fitness can become a bit obsessive. Yesterday (5/11/16) was a rough day for me prep wise. I was starving, low energy… It was one of those days when you almost laugh and think “WHY am I doing this?! This is my hobby??!!” But it is ultimately, all your hard work pays off and every grueling second you spent in prep all becomes worth it when show day has arrived… either because you have “made it” and pushed yourself to the mental and physical limits or because you’ve improved on your last package, regardless of placing.

This isn’t the case for everyone. Some people don’t seem to have fun when they are competing… but I have an ABSOLUTE BLAST. I love it… and I get addicted. This is where fitness starts to run my life a little bit. I want to make plans into the future, but I have made my competing and ADO Fitness a priority. Suddenly vacations, trips and other things start hinging on “if I will be in prep”. I was pretty proud of myself when I made the trip to Wisconsin over the holiday season despite being “in prep” (for a show I never competed in). Your life is so routine that even if you’re “on point” being in a new environment can make you feel like you’re not.

The thing that I have disliked the most about this last prep (and is an issue every prep) is losing sight of yourself. I am normally an incredibly confident woman… and I love the way I look… however, when you put your “competition goggles” on as I call them, you are suddenly aware of every “flaw” on your body. Your face begins leaning out, chest becomes boney and you’re sitting their wondering if you’re lean enough. THAT is what I dislike the most. Losing sight of yourself. That’s why coaches need coaches- to keep you in check. I think when you’ve been the leanest you have and probably ever will be in your life- you always compare it to that… Eventually post show and a couple good pumps with all those yummy carbs and I’m able to see that I AM lean, suddenly maybe even TOO lean… when you’re building you want to be lean and when you’re lean you want to be building! Rationally, I know I look fantastic… but you start chasing this “stage lean” look and start questioning your appearance.

In regard to those two things that I do not enjoy about the fitness lifestyle… I will continue to do better. I will implement more flexibility and trust myself to keep myself on track and smashing goals… maybe it’s a planned weekend trip or maybe it will be flying by the seat of my pants and not freaking out if I forget my diet for one day. ((*Currently I am in New York vacationing with family. Staying on point for my next show, june 4th. I am proud to say I feel incredibly balanced with truly enjoying myself, getting work done, and staying on track. It is a VERY good feeling)

Additionally, I would say the amount of focus around food at social events can be difficult. I can go to bars or shows and people will often offer to buy me a drink. I often don’t want to launch into what I do and why, so I usually just say, “I am the DD” and amazingly, this still doesn’t deter some. I sometimes feel I am “left out” of social events because people assume if I am not partaking in the eating or drinking portion that I won’t have a good time- which isn’t true at all. That is a negative aspect, however it has also really taught me to enjoy other aspects of social environments- good conversation, a nice atmosphere, or seek out other things/activities that feed my mind and soul as opposed to focusing solely on food (I definitely missed out on a great boulangerie in today, but had an awesome museum day with my mom <3)

Ultimately it never feels like a sacrifice (to me) this is simply “what I do” to achieve goals (which is such a huge reward!) With the bad comes the good and with the good comes the bad, but finding that balance is what keeps you happy and healthy 🙂

Follow Lauren on YouTube for more helpful information!

Facebooktwittermail