Build a Life

I WANT TO CLARIFY that this post is not at all an attack on the sport of bodybuilding.  It’s a reality check.

Lifting weights and building muscle can be a healthful, fun activity. There are individuals who lift weights for leisure, pleasure, and recreation. There are others who compete in the sport of bodybuilding. Sometimes the lines are blurred due to individuals seeing bodybuilding athletes on social media and believing that such results are naturally and easily achievable. Many competitive bodybuilders recognize the extreme nature of the sport and the temporary nature of achieving a “stage physique” however others seem to send the message that such a physique is attainable year round. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT VASTLY CONSTRICTING YOUR LIFE. IT IS REGARDING THESE FOLKS THAT AS A CONSUMER OF SOCIAL MEDIA IT IS CRITICAL TO LOOK BEYOND THE PICTURE. It is so easy to smile in a picture and portray happiness, pride, success, etc. However, eating a highly restrictive diet, pushing your body to extremes, and not having energy to engage in other aspects of your life is NOT LIVING.

While bodybuilders and competitors may be able to maintain this extreme lifestyle on a short term basis and then return to “normal living”, this is not the case for everyone. If you are posting about your competition prep please know that this could harm certain vulnerable populations who are your audience. Contest prep behaviors are HIGHLY DISORDERED and promoting them without acknowledging this sends the message that such behaviors are normal. They are not. For example:

Working out when exhausted and/or to the point of exhaustion consistently: NOT HEALTHY

Being hungry and not eating due to not having “enough macros”: NOT HEALTHY

Eating rigidly: NOT HEALTHY

Being exhausted consistently: NOT HEALTHY

Losing your period (for the ladies): INCREDIBLY UNHEALTHY

Being cold all the time: NOT HEALTHY

Isolating yourself because of your exercise/eating regimen: NOT HEALTHY

Not engaging socially with others: NOT HEALTHY

Having no energy for other interests (mentally, emotionally, and physically): NOT HEALTHY

Being preoccupied with food and your body: NOT HEALTHY

Focusing on your body aesthetic and ignoring your body functioning: NOT HEALTHY

I find it impossible to believe one can have a healthy body image when viewing their body purely based on aesthetics. When your body changes (which it inevitably will)….HOW WILL THIS AFFECT YOU?

I once heard the quote “your body is not your masterpiece, your life is.” I love this quote and share it to caution others from placing their value on their body. Lift weights and engage in movement because it makes you

·       FEEL GOOD

·       GIVES YOU ENERGY

·       IS FUN

·       ALLOWS YOU TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS

·       ALLOWS YOU TO CONNECT WITH YOUR BODY

·       SERVES AS A WAY TO RELIEVE STRESS AND CLEAR YOUR MIND

·       IMPROVES YOUR SLEEP

·       HELPS WITH SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

·       PROVIDES YOU WITH INNER STRENGTH

None of the above can be achieved through extreme, rigid exercise that focuses on controlling/manipulating your physical  appearance. This is not meant to criticize anyone, but rather my hopes are to highlight that such extreme behaviors can limit your life and negatively impact your health/well-being. Just be aware and recognize that in order to life a full life, exercise will need to look different than how your favorite bodybuilding competitors portray it to be on social media.