Before bodybuilding, I hated working out, I had a bad relationship with food, my body and was weak minded. At 26, I was incredibly insecure and felt lost in this world. When I made the decision to compete, I saw it as something to accomplish just to say I did it. I never in a million years realize that this decision was going to transform my life forever. Here are three ways bodybuilding made a stronger woman.
Positive Relationship With My Body & Food
Prior to competing, I hated my body and was terrified of food. I was “too fat” and had disordered eating issues. To be clear, I would never recommend that someone in that position get into a prep, especially as an intro to fitness as it is potentially harmful, but it worked for me. And in my defense, I actually didn’t realize my problems until I was in the middle of prep and was working through my demons at the same time. I am fortunate that competing worked in my favor as it helped me see my body for what it was and what it could do rather what it wasn’t, I noticed my “fat” but what I saw more was my muscle and I loved it. I feared food less as I began to realize I needed it not just for fuel in the gym but as a necessity to grow muscle. I once feared the scale and weighing over 140lbs and I soon began to get excited as I peaked over 157lbs. Everything in my head regarding food, my body, and physical fitness began to shift and my confidence grew from the inside out.
Helped Me See My Potential
Before bodybuilding, I had big dreams of being a performer, but I never thought I was good enough. In the workplace, I never thought I had the experience to earn a certain role. In relationships, I always felt like I needed to give in order to be appreciated. With my family, I felt like I needed to achieve above and beyond for their approval. I never truly saw myself for who I was and what I was capable of. Bodybuilding helped me see what I was able to accomplish physically and complete transformations that I never saw possible. The more preps I experienced, the more I superseded my goals and began to realize that my potential was limitless.
Challenged My Mind
There is nothing easy about bodybuilding especially when you cutting for a show; there are endless hours of cardio, dieting, hunger, physical discomfort and exhaustion. And it’s never just one at a time either, it’s all at once, kicking you in the throat waiting to see what you will do next. Some times I failed, but most of the time I succeeded. Every time I thought I couldn’t, I somehow did it. There were many times I wanted to give up and believed I wasn’t strong enough and in those moments I had two choices; give in to the thoughts and feelings or push through. The other day I felt like a failure and wanted to have a pity party. I almost skipped to the gym to attend the festivities, but instead, I thought to myself, “Kristine, this isn’t the day. It’s not over yet…” and I got my shoes on and went to the gym. I never thought that I would have the mental ability to embrace discomfort but bodybuilding taught me the discipline and showed me the reward of challenging my mind.
It’s funny to me to think that 7 years ago I despised the idea of working out. I never would have imaged that one fitness goal would set me on this path and challenge me into the woman I am today. The amazing thing about bodybuilding is that I am never too strong or too fit to develop more about my character and I am looking forward to meeting this woman in 7 more years!
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