Learn to be Human, and Accept Your Fitness Path

We all know how hard it is/was to diet down for a contest/photoshoot, and to see ourselves in that ‘perfect’ image/condition. At that moment we think, “I made it, this is the new me! I look like da $hit!” but then after we reintroduce foods that were absent from our cutting diet regiment, we all of a sudden, and i mean FAST, magically lose almost everything we worked so hard to achieve, and we feel like we are back at ground zero. How do you feel then? I remember the first and second time I went through this, and it was very hard mentally; total MINDF#$K.

But what we all must realize is, that ‘look’ that we achieved sometimes isnt in our genetics to maintain, and we must also realize that ‘look’ isnt the real YOU or I. It is just an image of what we are at certain times during the year. So should we hate ourselves for looking as we should? Should we stress on the fact that this is the other person that we must present ourselves to the world (who of which 95% still don’t look at good as you or I when we are at our ‘worst’ state).

We all have that perfect ‘image’ of what we want as our final goal of physique. For me, Arnold Schwarenegger is something that I would love to use as my model of perfection; that is what I want. So how do I achieve this realistically? Do I keep dieting down n down? No. I must dedicate myself to putting on size/weight/fat back onto my body to start BUILDING.

Many fitness enthusiasts get scared or worried about this aspect. The mind on many find it hard to ‘let go’ of that ‘hard work’ it achieved to get lean and cut. But one must realize the path that they must continue on to achieve their ‘ultimate’ goal. Do I enjoy having extra weight on my body? Not really. Do I enjoy having my clothes not fit as well as I’d like? No, not at all. Do I sometimes hate having to force feed myself extra food when Im not hungry? It’s a pain in the ass on many occasions. So why do I do it? I see where I want to go, and I must commit to the path that leads me there.

What can I do to help me deal with putting on size better, after that I got cut/shredded/ripped? Think to yourself, “I know how to get ripped already. I know how to do it, and I know when to implement that strategy when the time comes. I have many pictures of my ‘shredded’ achievement, so that is all the proof I need to show to others, and I can use the photos by say I’ll be BIGGER next time, so these photos will be nothing in comparison.”

Those that have a hard time dealing with all this must understand that, this sport is a very up and down lifestyle, and those that are involved will understand COMPLETELY on what you are doing. Have your support group/team/friends, and you’ll be in great hands. Try to relax when your conditioning isnt as it would be during the final stages of contest prep. LIVE! RELAX! BE HUMAN! It will only benefit you more later on. Eat clean, but also eat some “non-diet” foods aswell. Eating 100% clean will only make dieting down harder. No need to sacrifice some of the things you like to eat during the offseason when there is no need to.

Also, remember this one important fact. For many, this is NOT A JOB, THIS IS A HOBBY AND SHOULD BE FUN. Most of us have fulltime jobs, family responsibilities, and other very important things to take care of. We should NEVER try to add stress from OUR HOBBY.

I hope this blog can help many of you that are wondering how to deal with some of these very same things that might going through your mind. Just know that, many will understand you, and never think of you as anything less if you are going after your ultimate goal. See your path, take it, commit to it, never regret, be human, and have fun.