Do you feel ostracized when you on your pre-contest diet?

[God_Given]

When your on your pre-contest diet and getting ready for a show, do you start to feel like your cast of from the rest of society a little? I am getting ready to go into my first show in September and I'm starting to feel this way. I haven't really hung out with anyone outside of the gym, when my friends call and ask to do something I always turn them down because it will somehow conflict with my diet and so on. I mostly just go to work, workout, eat, sleep, and recover 7 days a week...

Is this a common feeling among you all as well? Just curious....

[Blahzay128]

I think this was common the first time I competed....However the second time around I got a bit better...and now in my 3rd prep I've gotten to the point where I realize that a balance between life/prep needs to exist.....In the past there were many issues w/ my girlfriend b/c I had zero balance.....Sure, I'm not able to go out to a restaurant and pig out...but I can still do other things....I bring my cooler w/ me everywhere I go...this resolves any food problems as I'm able to eat whenever I need.

I've also gotten better as far as my mood.....when I'm cranky and food deprived I now stop and think that dieting is MY choice...and it's not fair to take it out on the people around me.

[jauce]

I agree... my first prep was hell for everyone around me. However, this second time around, I'm much improved as far as mood, energy, etc. I think part of it is because I'm not so worried, I know what I have to do and I just do it. The first time I didn't know what I should do and when I should do it.

Like Blahzay128, you learn to do other things, you just have to plan your meals or take them with you.

[Cape1]

This was my first prep and I had to loose a ton of weight so I was totally ridiculous with it. It was hell for me and probably everyone else. But, I can see how the next time around, if I say relatively lean, it wont be as severe.

[God_Given]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys!