This is a great question. Since we are dealing
with a bit of nerves as we get closer to the competition, you are looking in the mirror every day and counting the weeks and
wondering if you are going to be ready. I like how the question is worded, "How do you push past this" is
it a mental block or are you really not going to be ready?
We all have images in our mind of what we want to look
like when we stand onstage. We usually put pictures of someone with a similar body to ours on the fridge so we can
stay focused and know that what we are looking at is about what we want to look like. Now you look in the mirror and
you are looking nothing like the image of the most likely Pro, that you put on your fridge. I have a simple solution
to this problem. I hate to stress. I hate for my clients to stress, in fact it may very well be my pet peeve.
What is the purpose of going through contest prep if all you are going to do is stress out?
Here is the solution;
If you have never competed before keep on training, easy does it, do your cardio, eat your food, get the suits etc.
3 weeks out from your show if you don't look "acceptable" to step onstage that day, you need to move the date.
A lot of people will say, "but the body can change so much the last few weeks" or "you are going to drop a
lot of water" who gives a crap! I want to look good ahead of time. There are so many shows.... really way to many
to be hell bent on a particular day. Just push the day back, do a show 4 weeks later. You will look so much better,
and your body will be so happy too. Once you start stressing and releasing that cortisol, you are a goner anyway.
You wont be able to drop weight no matter how much cardio you do or how little you eat.
Now if you have done
a show before, this will be much easier. Make sure you are keeping track of your weight, pics and body fat. Have a log
of where you were for your last show and make sure you are ahead of that schedule. When you keep notes of what your
prep is, you will know how long it will take.
Remember, don't each so much in the off season. Have
some balance. Remember why you are competing in the first place, partly because you want to look better, not look better
for a day then look worse. Connect with your goals and your diet will be so easy. Focus every day on what you want,
how you want to look, and every morsel you can about your goals, then the diet and your entire prep is easy.
And
finally, this is a personal journey. No-one else but you can tell you if you are ready. Rely on your internal
guidance to let you know what you want to look like when you step onstage. Remember, each time you will get better and
better. Sometimes it is good to just go for it when you think you are not ready but not sure. Think what
is the worst thing that can happen? Most likely that is not going to happen at all, relax have fun and celebrate being in
great shape, that is what competing is all about. This is a forum for us, the athletes to celebrate our success and
victories with our physical fitness. No-one but you can say if you are ready. You know deep down in your heart,
what you need to do. So go for it!
