Competitors: what is it really like?

[chelly88]

So I'm curious to see what others have to say about the world of competing...I've been considering it lately a little bit more seriously but a friend of mine made it sound ugly. She had said that it was great but that it was all politics that really determined who won and who didn't, it was more about who you knew and were associated with.

I would love to hear everyone's experiences in this intriguing world...

[sixzebra]

Everyone's experience is different. My first show was a very positive experience as was every show I've done since then. The diet part sucks big time, but on show day it's all worth it! As far as politics, I've not seen any evidence of politics. From my experience as a judge, you get scored on what you bring on show day, not on what you did before hand. Regardless of whether I know you or not, you either have it that day or you don't.

I don't hang out with judges outside of the show. We don't have a meeting prior to pre-judging to discuss certain competitors and how they should place. In fact, we really don't talk to much during pre-judging because we are evaluating what's on the stage. But, nothing is absolute, I'm sure there are instances where a local favorite might have edged out an unknown merely on being known. But I personally have not seen that or experienced that as a competitor.

[TameMe]

Politics will always be apart of anything you do in life, at least that's the way I feel. If you are doing a show to see how far you can push yourself athleticly and how far you can transform your body then it shouldn't matter how you place. If you want to compete only to win or win a trophy you are setting yourself up for disappointment. This is a subjective sport. The leanest girl won't always win, the most muscular girl will not always win, it's all about the best package. Be prepared, you might not agree with the judges choice, but if you happy with the way you look and how you were able to do what very few women have the self control to do.... then you won!!

[SandyW1]

Well put Tamee! My goal is to look better for Spring '10 than I did for Spring '09. It is that simple. Of course I hope to place better, but my main goal is self-improvement.
I agree that you have to this for you and not soley for that trophy.
I honestly felt like I came in looking better for my 2nd Spring comp, but didn't place as well as I had at the previous. I was happy knowing that I had improved.
It is definitley a tough sport that requires a lot of discipline....probably why most of us love it!
Good luck in your decision!

[chelly88]

Thx for the input ladies... The reasons I'm considering competing is to keep the motivation up, add new challenges, have something to work towards and to prove to myself that I can do it. I have a 7 month old son and I'm in the best shape of my life right now...which is shocking to me. I never thought I would be at this level of health and fitness. It feels amazing and I want to keep it going!
However, I am a very competitive person by nature hehe but of course I would never expect to do very well in my first show. Especially considering I've never been all that confident on stage the few times I have been

[TameMe]

If you are the type of personality that will take it personally when someone beats you, who you feel wasn't deserving, than competing might not be for you (cause I gaurantee it will happen). I've actually seen girls kick, scream, throw their trophy because someone beat them who had "junk" on their legs or felt the winner didn't have as much muscle as they did, and these girls usually quit competing because "it's all political and fixed". Funny you only hear the losers complaining "political or fixed".... This is a VERY subjective sport, you can't allow things to get to you, you've got to use it as fuel for your next show.

[chelly88]

I'm not sure how I would react... I'm definitely not the type of person to throw a fit. That's the thing with a lot of sports and competition... it often is very subjective, simply because people are different and are always looking for slightly different things. I also realize there are just off days for people... I have plenty of my own haha. I'm very competitive and driven but I'm also very realistic with my expectations. The more I consider it the more appealing it is for me. I have done a lot in my life I never thought I could do... 60k walk in 2 days, my first 5k, losing the baby weight and getting in the best shape of my life, 100% natural birth of my son... now I think I want to take it to the next level. This is something very very few people can do and I have confidence that I can overcome and complete my first show. Sure, it'd be nice to win but I can't see it happening now or maybe even ever... the main reason I want to do it is to prove myself wrong and do something I never thought I could do. I will probably have doubts creeping into my brain throughout the preparation but soon I will show myself there's no reason i can't do it...just like everything else.

I'm going to attend a seminar next wkend to learn "everything there is to know about figure, fitness and bikini" and then, hopefully, I can make the most informed decision I can. Worst case scenario, I do it and it's not for me and maybe I'm a little disappointed but I know I'll be proud as hell of myself for getting up the courage to do it. I'm just not the drama queen type.

THx for the input ladies

[pyxis804]

I'm not sure how I would react... I'm definitely not the type of person to throw a fit. That's the thing with a lot of sports and competition... it often is very subjective, simply because people are different and are always looking for slightly different things. I also realize there are just off days for people... I have plenty of my own haha. I'm very competitive and driven but I'm also very realistic with my expectations. The more I consider it the more appealing it is for me. I have done a lot in my life I never thought I could do... 60k walk in 2 days, my first 5k, losing the baby weight and getting in the best shape of my life, 100% natural birth of my son... now I think I want to take it to the next level. This is something very very few people can do and I have confidence that I can overcome and complete my first show. Sure, it'd be nice to win but I can't see it happening now or maybe even ever... the main reason I want to do it is to prove myself wrong and do something I never thought I could do. I will probably have doubts creeping into my brain throughout the preparation but soon I will show myself there's no reason i can't do it...just like everything else.

I'm going to attend a seminar next wkend to learn "everything there is to know about figure, fitness and bikini" and then, hopefully, I can make the most informed decision I can. Worst case scenario, I do it and it's not for me and maybe I'm a little disappointed but I know I'll be proud as hell of myself for getting up the courage to do it. I'm just not the drama queen type.

THx for the input ladies

I'm doing my first show on November 8th. I started training in April and basically I entered the show to give me motivation to push myself and do something I NEVER thought I would do in a million years. I know I will most likely not win but I am proud of the accomplishments I have made so far and I am so glad I am doing this. I'm starting to look into the next competition so I can stay motivated. I say go for it and screw what everyone else does!

[futbolista]

I just did my first figure show last weekend. I didn't place and even though I thought I was mentally prepared for that, it still stung a little. That said, it was an awesome experience and I plan to compete again.
Over the past months of training and dieting, I've come to know myself so much better. I am stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally than before I started down this path. It is definitely not a sport for everyone, but it sounds like you would be coming in with a healthy mindset and I think you would probably enjoy it.

[SandyW1]

I agree that it is not for everyone. Not everyone gets the sport or what motivates us.
I agree with futbolista also that this is a huge learning process!! I learned sooo much about myself through all the training and prep!

[Italianangel]

no matter the outcome, disappointed or not, accomplishing hitting the stage always gives you a sense of accomplishment, empowerment and respect.

[chelly88]

I am shooting for something I never in my life thought I would do because secretly I thought I couldn't...and I couldn't before. I was never in the right mindset to prepare myself for such rigorous training and focus every day.

Just shy of 2 weeks into a new training and diet program I'm already finding myself challenged and learning new things about myself. Generally, I am a strong and dedicated person but I found myself at my weakest point in a long time yesterday. Buildup of stress and emotions and dealing with an injury already I was inches away from throwing in the towel and giving up...because it's just easier, and because I was being too hard on myself. Already I have to pick myself back up off the floor and continue on, already I am learning more about myself when I thought I kenw all there was to know! It will get harder and I'm certain that will not be the only time I want to quit but the hardest things are always the most rewarding in the end. I've had a lot of "drama" in my life and do not regret one second of it, why waste time on regrets when those are the perfect opportunities for growth and shaping yourself as a person? Even if I am not happy with how my physique compares to others on stage in march I have no doubt that this will be an incredible experience for me... and I have all of you here to thank for pulling me through and pushing me on

awwww hehehe

[Italianangel]

I am shooting for something I never in my life thought I would do because secretly I thought I couldn't...and I couldn't before. I was never in the right mindset to prepare myself for such rigorous training and focus every day.

Just shy of 2 weeks into a new training and diet program I'm already finding myself challenged and learning new things about myself. Generally, I am a strong and dedicated person but I found myself at my weakest point in a long time yesterday. Buildup of stress and emotions and dealing with an injury already I was inches away from throwing in the towel and giving up...because it's just easier, and because I was being too hard on myself. Already I have to pick myself back up off the floor and continue on, already I am learning more about myself when I thought I kenw all there was to know! It will get harder and I'm certain that will not be the only time I want to quit but the hardest things are always the most rewarding in the end. I've had a lot of "drama" in my life and do not regret one second of it, why waste time on regrets when those are the perfect opportunities for growth and shaping yourself as a person? Even if I am not happy with how my physique compares to others on stage in march I have no doubt that this will be an incredible experience for me... and I have all of you here to thank for pulling me through and pushing me on

awwww hehehe

Very well said!

[norinicole]

Politics will always be apart of anything you do in life, at least that's the way I feel. If you are doing a show to see how far you can push yourself athleticly and how far you can transform your body then it shouldn't matter how you place. If you want to compete only to win or win a trophy you are setting yourself up for disappointment. This is a subjective sport. The leanest girl won't always win, the most muscular girl will not always win, it's all about the best package. Be prepared, you might not agree with the judges choice, but if you happy with the way you look and how you were able to do what very few women have the self control to do.... then you won!!

This.

I am shooting for something I never in my life thought I would do because secretly I thought I couldn't...and I couldn't before. I was never in the right mindset to prepare myself for such rigorous training and focus every day.

Just shy of 2 weeks into a new training and diet program I'm already finding myself challenged and learning new things about myself. Generally, I am a strong and dedicated person but I found myself at my weakest point in a long time yesterday. Buildup of stress and emotions and dealing with an injury already I was inches away from throwing in the towel and giving up...because it's just easier, and because I was being too hard on myself. Already I have to pick myself back up off the floor and continue on, already I am learning more about myself when I thought I kenw all there was to know! It will get harder and I'm certain that will not be the only time I want to quit but the hardest things are always the most rewarding in the end. I've had a lot of "drama" in my life and do not regret one second of it, why waste time on regrets when those are the perfect opportunities for growth and shaping yourself as a person? Even if I am not happy with how my physique compares to others on stage in march I have no doubt that this will be an incredible experience for me... and I have all of you here to thank for pulling me through and pushing me on

awwww hehehe

Sounds like choosing to compete has been a great decision.
Good luck!!

[SandyW1]

Glad you found a decision that works for you! It is an exciting journey and I truly learned a lot about myself and I continue to learn more still! I love the challenges and pushing myself farther than I thought I could go!
Did you pick out a comp for 2010?

[chelly88]

I did...there's only one a year here so not much to choose! It will be at the end of March/10. BUT it looks like I injured my arm last week and may be off upper body training for up to 6 weeks

[SandyW1]

My next one is April 10th.
Sorry about your injury! I hate setbacks!! Good luck with your training!

[devotchkas]

Would any of you ladies be willing to talk with me, I have some questions about preparing for competition.

[Italianangel]

You are welcome to email or pm me if you like, always happy to help!
Angel@lindacusmano.com

[llnr008]

Are any of you ladies planning to attend and/or compete in any of the events at the Arnold Classic next year?