I have received a lot of questions about why I don’t compete so I decided to share my opinion with you guys! At the end of 2015 I was planning on trying my first bikini competition. I had a coach help me with some posing and as you can see from the pic above of my first session, I don’t look too happy lol. I felt stiff and like I had to put too much effort into letting myself loosen up and not look so athletic. Nothing flowed and I made it to about 3 weeks out when I decided not to continue.
I am a shy person and after physically putting the bikini on and stiletto heels, I couldn’t help but cringe thinking about walking on stage like this and bending over for everyone and their brother to see. I don’t want to be an object and I feel like it’s more superficial judging on stuff that isn’t even me! I’ve never had a manicure in my life- like what are nails?! Lol I had my hair and makeup done once for my friends wedding and I’ve never used a spray tan! The girl I had to be on stage was not really ME! I want to be a strong woman that is capable of repping out push-ups and curling the same as the guy next to me.
Not to mention the money that it takes throughout the prep, I’ll put this in perspective:
Spray Tan- $120
Sequin Bikini- $200+
Make-up – $65
Hair- $55
Clear Stiletto Heels – $50
Coach – $?
NPC Card – $125
Entry Fee- $150
Jewelry – $25
Mani/Pedi – $80
Wax- $50
Suit Glue- $10
Travel Costs – $?
Food/Protein/Supplements – $???
If you add all this up, it equals well over $1000! This is just the basics and you can’t really skimp on anything without it being noticeable. If you’re entering something like that then theres no room to make substitutions and expect to win.
I workout because I love it and the way it makes me feel.
I like doing challenges such as working up to doing the splits or hand stand push-ups as opposed to putting all your effort into something based solely on looks and whether or not the judges liked brown hair and blue eyes that day. There are so much politics involved no matter how hard you worked!
Working out makes me feel strong and clear headed, like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. With competing, as the diet went on and I lost weight, I didn’t have nearly the same energy or want to lift anymore because all my numbers were decreasing. I felt out of it and cranky. Most of my “muscle” and strength I had left felt non-functional.
I like to stay as healthy as possible and dieting down for shows isn’t as beneficial for your body in the long-term. In the final weeks your body is basically in starvation mode. Possibly going to the gym 2 times a day and not making up for it in calories so your body starts lowering its metabolic rate to burn calories slower- making up for the deficit. I honestly don’t like seeing that much tone, just in my arms 🙂 but I like a little more meat on my bones, if you will. I want to be healthy and balanced with a good metabolism working on my side.
I thought I may have to compete because it would be a nice platform to help get myself out there and promote the thing that I love. But this is just one of the many fitness misconceptions. After realizing all what it actually entails, you don’t have to compete just because you’re into fitness! Just because you don’t do the same things as someone else, doesn’t mean you’re any less dedicated or educated. Find your niche – Mine is helping people be healthy and balanced.
I definitely have nothing against competitors and some people really enjoy it. I just wanted to put my opinion out there and let people know that its okay if its not for you. Just because you have “fitness” at the end of your name doesn’t mean you have to compete. At the end of the day you have to be true to yourself, otherwise you will lose the passion that drove you in the first place.