I promised myself before taking the step to compete that I would NOT become a diva, but no matter how balanced you are and how "good" you become at juggling everything (kids activities, work, relationships, extended family functions), the truth is that something has to give, somewhere. And the closer you get to the industry and the subculture, even if you don't become a part of it, the uglier things begin to look. It eventually becomes so, so difficult to continue to drive yourself so hard for something you can no longer respect. Don't get me wrong--I love competition and testing my limits and feel that I'm setting a positive example for my children of walking the talk--but I see more and more women decimated by becoming "competitors." Eating disorders, weight gain, metabolic issues, plummeting self-esteem; exactly the opposite of what that hard-earned physique should represent.
Because of my amazing Coach, I've avoided a lot of these problems. But remaining a "competitor" makes me a PART of the problem, right? I'd rather set an example by living well for its own sake and not for the competition stage and a plastic trophy. Since I cannot in good conscience recommend this path to anyone else, I figure it's time to get off the path myself.
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Susan, you hit the nail on the head.
I promised myself before taking the step to compete that I would NOT become a diva, but no matter how balanced you are and how "good" you become at juggling everything (kids activities, work, relationships, extended family functions), the truth is that something has to give, somewhere. And the closer you get to the industry and the subculture, even if you don't become a part of it, the uglier things begin to look. It eventually becomes so, so difficult to continue to drive yourself so hard for something you can no longer respect. Don't get me wrong--I love competition and testing my limits and feel that I'm setting a positive example for my children of walking the talk--but I see more and more women decimated by becoming "competitors." Eating disorders, weight gain, metabolic issues, plummeting self-esteem; exactly the opposite of what that hard-earned physique should represent.
Because of my amazing Coach, I've avoided a lot of these problems. But remaining a "competitor" makes me a PART of the problem, right? I'd rather set an example by living well for its own sake and not for the competition stage and a plastic trophy. Since I cannot in good conscience recommend this path to anyone else, I figure it's time to get off the path myself.
February 18, 2011 - 5:31pmThis Comment
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