Contest Prep Trauma

yzrider400f · 06-21-2008, 09:31 AM

Any competitors out there that have experienced some sort of "trauma" (i.e. an immense amount of stress) while nearing a competition? How did you deal with it, how did it affect your drive/motivation/focus? Were you able to bounce back before the show? Any thoughts or stories on this would be greatly appreciated.

MassFreak2063 · 06-21-2008, 09:43 AM

lets see......my truck was vandalized this week (and i don't have full coverage insurance).............3 weeks ago or whatever i had to move because of a COMPLETELY INSANE roomate............my truck needs lots of TLC and i can't give it to her right now for financial and time reasons.......**** yea i got stress......just gotta keep chuggin along though and figure out all the other **** when the show is done.

njmuscle66 · 06-21-2008, 11:12 AM

My father passed away last year around this time (June 30th). I was 8 weeks out from the Mr. Pennsylvania. I actually took my meals to the viewing and excused myself every few hours to eat. (Though I did go off my diet a little at the Italian Restaurant we went to after the funeral). A person can only be so strong right LOL. I thought about just bagging the whole thing, however one thing my father always tried to instill in me, was a sense of finishing what you started, and I felt if I stopped the prep, I would be letting him down.

I know this is a rather extreme example but I just wanted to share because there are always going to be stressful situation (or at least situations that you percieve to be stressful) that you can let impact your life, or you can just look at them as challenges and overcome them. And no matter what is going on in your life, someone is dealing with alot more.

wakingmalice · 06-21-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njmuscle66

My father passed away last year around this time (June 30th). I was 8 weeks out from the Mr. Pennsylvania. I actually took my meals to the viewing and excused myself every few hours to eat. (Though I did go off my diet a little at the Italian Restaurant we went to after the funeral). A person can only be so strong right LOL. I thought about just bagging the whole thing, however one thing my father always tried to instill in me, was a sense of finishing what you started, and I felt if I stopped the prep, I would be letting him down.

I know this is a rather extreme example but I just wanted to share because there are always going to be stressful situation (or at least situations that you percieve to be stressful) that you can let impact your life, or you can just look at them as challenges and overcome them. And no matter what is going on in your life, someone is dealing with alot more.

/thread. thats insane. great job.

Fjock · 06-21-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yzrider400f

Any competitors out there that have experienced some sort of "trauma" (i.e. an immense amount of stress) while nearing a competition? How did you deal with it, how did it affect your drive/motivation/focus? Were you able to bounce back before the show? Any thoughts or stories on this would be greatly appreciated.

Tore me down nearly completely.... Didnt bounce back until after my show. I had to break up with my girlfriend I was seeing and everything. Has happened to me 2 years in a row now but was much more severe this time with the longer diet. This past show it was my grandmother that passed in South Carolina who was the grandparent I was closest with.

I completely shut myself out from everyone at 2-3 weeks out. even family. Wouldnt answer a single phone call unless it was from my mother... Had no motivation to do anything but stick with my meals and get my training done. Ive had to drop classes towards the end of semesters because of this... **** can suck bro... If this is what you are currently going through I wish you the best of luck and assure you that things will improve once you are in the thick of your off season again

jasecase · 10-14-2008, 05:38 PM

Best thing you can do as you get closer to the show is schedule a LOT of free time!! You are going to want to use that time to rest and get your sleep since your body is functioning on much lower than normal nutrient intake. On top of that, you have to hit the tanning bed and increase the cardio.

I ended up spending lots more time in the gym the last few weeks. All I did was go to work, workout and sleep. I rarely talked with my friends. I was tired, slow, stupid and MISERABLE. It was just easier to stay away. After the show and I had food in me again, I was back to my normal self and I wanted to get back to the gym within 3 days.

The best suggestion I can give you is not to put too much on your plate (figuratively and literally) those last few weeks. Keep your head up, stay strong and it will be over and you will be looking to the next show.

LuckyDog · 10-14-2008, 06:33 PM

I've dealt with ridiculous amounts of stress during multiple preps. I lost my father after 6 weeks of him being in and out of the hospital. I was able to hold tight and stay focused with my prep.

This past year has been the worst ever - I've had enourmous work stressors (I'm in finance) and I literally didn't have the hours in the day to train, do cardio and give my business and my clients the attentioned they deserved. I was able to do my first scheduled show but had to pull out of the rest of the season which included the WNBF Worlds. To say the least I am disappointed and the way I "crashed" out of prep in a fury of cortisol has been horrible.

You have to take a hard look at the source of the stress/trauma and realize something has to give. Then you have to weigh your priorities around the situation and determine what you can afford to back burner. Sometimes its "the real world" and sometimes its prep.

Its very easy for us to distort the importance of competing. Don't get me wrong its VERY important - its a huge part of anyone reading this forum, but it is for most of us a hobby and we need to keep that in perspective when our lives become more complicated.

I wish you well with whatever your struggling with and trust your insticts to tell you how to manage it. Just never underestimate the depilitating effects of stress and cortisol.

darvoz · 10-14-2008, 11:47 PM

I think stay in the gym is the best idea. Keeps you focus and try and get as much as support behind you as possilble. Be social and don't dwell on it. I got a show coming up in 8 months..

Seems like theres a lot of financial probs going around at the moment. As long as you can afford the basics, gym, food for the day and other things you will be fine.

liftjunkie06 · 10-15-2008, 06:44 AM

My wife had a miscarriage when I was a few weeks into my cut, and we ended up moving 120 miles south, away from family and frineds, for a better job. I did take a little time off, was lacking focus. I got it back and went on to do well.

It really depends on how far out you are, and how you are feeling. For me, my head drives most of what I do, so if I'm not motivated, my workouts are worthless. I would say think of all the wrok you've done, and try to focus on the positive things, and those you can control (ie: weight, conditioning, diet, etc.).

Step Beyond · 10-15-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyDog

I've dealt with ridiculous amounts of stress during multiple preps. I lost my father after 6 weeks of him being in and out of the hospital. I was able to hold tight and stay focused with my prep.

This past year has been the worst ever - I've had enourmous work stressors (I'm in finance) and I literally didn't have the hours in the day to train, do cardio and give my business and my clients the attentioned they deserved. I was able to do my first scheduled show but had to pull out of the rest of the season which included the WNBF Worlds. To say the least I am disappointed and the way I "crashed" out of prep in a fury of cortisol has been horrible.

You have to take a hard look at the source of the stress/trauma and realize something has to give. Then you have to weigh your priorities around the situation and determine what you can afford to back burner. Sometimes its "the real world" and sometimes its prep.

Its very easy for us to distort the importance of competing. Don't get me wrong its VERY important - its a huge part of anyone reading this forum, but it is for most of us a hobby and we need to keep that in perspective when our lives become more complicated.

I wish you well with whatever your struggling with and trust your insticts to tell you how to manage it. Just never underestimate the depilitating effects of stress and cortisol.

Excellent point about keeping perspective as I agree and think that it is a hobby for most. However, I have never had a hobby like this that is so time consuming and involving (in a good way - for the most part). I think bodybuilding is a very selfish sport that requires immense mental toughness, above and beyond the physical capabilities and commitments. I think it is mental workouts that we put ourselves through that are actually more taxing than the physical, and it can very quickly blur those lines of perspective.

Thankfully, I have never had to face the tragedies that some have mentioned (at least while doing a prep), but at the end of the day, we ultimately can control only a few certain criteria around us and the rest we simply have to deal with. I think it is that loss of control (of which is paramount in bodybuilding) that tends to stress us the most. In bodybuilding we have ultimate control about how we diet, exercise and shape our bodies. The results are up to us and us alone, hence the selfishness of the sport. The external stressors that hit us, we have no control over, we just need to cope as best we can, lean on friends and family where needed and push on!!!