EATING DISORDERS & COMPETING Firstly I want to state I am a novice. I am also an Amateur. So the following is purely my perspective and personal view of competing in the bodybuilding and fitness industry. To state the obvious; competing is not for everyone. I think there is a huge risk for people wanting to compete if they have shown disordered eating traits in the past. COMPETING IS NOT A SOLUTION TO EATING DISORDERS. It will replace the obsessive warped vision of your life and self you previously had, with a new one. So here comes the overlap- because although competing is part of the fitness industry now, and many competitors do lead fit healthy lifestyles, the actual process of competing and the physique an athlete displays on stage is not one that is maintained all year round. Even if you don’t do a peak week plan, or dehydrate, or carb load- you will have tanned and you probably would have manipulated your diet, reduced your training a little right before the show because you want to look full and energetic. So yes, arguably you would have done something a little different before stepping out, and I think this is good. This is what makes competing a commitment, a challenge, and admirable. Usually a competitor will have a coach help. Even if you know what youre doing, or even a coach yourself, a second set of eyes is often useful. Even the most experienced and realistic, mentally stable people can feel the challenges of prepping for a show and at it is a competition, and there are comparisons to the other competitors on the day, so yes there will sometimes be an essence of doubt in your mind. You will probably have a structured diet plan to adhere to, and in order to make progress it is important you stick to this plan so you can make changes accordingly. Don’t stick to your plan, you’re wasting your time money and efforts. So you can see the rigidity of prep. Now for someone who has an eating disorder, in my opinion this is all too similar to regimented behavioral patterns they would have developed previously. Let me reiterate; PREP SHOULD NOT REPLACE AN EATING DISORDER. It will not give you a dream body, or an easy maintainable physique. Because you will forever be dependent on a diet plan and prep. How can this person cope after the show when they now have no structure or goal? Prior to competing, I believe someone who has suffered with disordered eating needs to be at peace with themselves, their image and their understanding of sufficient calories and nutritious food in order to be able to step down from competing when they need to. I personally, having suffered from an eating disorder 5 years ago, rarely struggle anymore. As many will understand, I will always have a slightly tainted vision, but I manage this and as time goes on it improves. I had a few years to learn about correct nutrition and training, and understand my body and how it responds before i started competing, and I am still learning now. It is an ongoing process. My point is, from experience, and dealing with other women in similar situations (this applies to both men and women though) is that competing commitments can be strict, and for those suffering from eating disorders should not view competing as a solution. Competing should be considered after the understanding of looking after your HEALTH becomes a priority. Because in 30 years, you will value you that more.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 06:39:07 +0000
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