response to Twinee -bodybuilding silliness

[theresaann]

I moved this to the exercise board, since it's not raw related, directly.

wow, now that I'm raw I can't imagine turning myself inside out so harshly for a physique goal only (referring to contest prep and participation on cooked food and animal protein and supplements). It seems so silly and shallow now. It seems like if the brain is deficient in nurtrients and the body is acidic, then the spirit is not available and physique development becomes sort of like just another addiction, trying to fill a hole that only connection to one's spirit can complete.

I understand about stretching and challenging ourselves to peak physical expression, but on raw, it seems like it would be like using our body to sing a song to GOD, so blissful and wonderful. But if we have to push, deprive, and force ourselves to please "judges", it's like, huh?

On friday afternoon I came home, it was very warm for November in Michigan and the sky was crystal blue against the yellow and orange leaves of fall, and the sun was brilliantly bright. I was like, "oh my gosh!" so filled with bliss that I hoped on my bike spontaneously and rode to the beach and danced on the sand in the sunlight-my body was just spontaneously expressing the joy of being alive. I was just blissed out to the max. I don't think I've EVER done that. (a couple of teenagers looked confused watching me, like what's this "forty something mom" doing?)

I think THAT'S what exercise is supposed to feel like-an expression of the deep joy of being ALIVE. I will NEVER not be raw again. This is AMAZING!!!!!

[twinee1]

wow, now that I'm raw I can't imagine turning myself inside out so harshly for a physique goal only (referring to contest prep and participation on cooked food and animal protein and supplements). It seems so silly and shallow now. It seems like if the brain is deficient in nurtrients and the body is acidic, then the spirit is not available and physique development becomes sort of like just another addiction, trying to fill a hole that only connection to one's spirit can complete.

I understand about stretching and challenging ourselves to peak physical expression, but on raw, it seems like it would be like using our body to sing a song to GOD, so blissful and wonderful. But if we have to push, deprive, and force ourselves to please "judges", it's like, huh?


I think THAT'S what exercise is supposed to feel like-an expression of the deep joy of being ALIVE. I will NEVER not be raw again. This is AMAZING!!!!!

Thanks for moving this, you are right it is off subject but it is an interesting topic to me at least. I am glad to "meet" someone in the Raw Forum who knows what I have faced in my competitive past ! Your post made me smile ..I love reading about such an amazing experience.

You are so right about the competition diets and the addiction that comes from the pre post contest diet training and mental perceptions /attitudes that come along with it. It can be all consuming mentally and physically. That is why I have chosen, since going raw, that I must move on from that. I could NEVER do that Standard BB diet again either. I feel like a big weight is off me since I changed my diet and I am now enjoying my exercise again, new freedom, not to be tied to the I "MUST DO" training to build this body part and lose that oz of fat. And all to fit into a Judges standards, not my own !

I had an incredible year. It was not all positive stuff but still amazing. After my last show a year ago and went into an odd "post contest blues", self denegration for not being in contest shape year round, not being able to maintain that "lean contest shape look" and having set an unreasonable standard for myself to live up too. I was really questioning what I was doing to myself, my body my mental health and all for what throphies and pictures in a Mag...stupid. It lasted for months!

During that time with the urging of my twin sister I started to change/transition my diet to raw, do some detox, and now for last few months I am living on a raw/living food diet. I also did some meditation and such during that time and I have been able to work through so many issues I faced with my body image. It is a Journey..and I continue to travel.

have an amazing day..

[theresaann]

we go through so many stages of growth, don't we? I never participated in professional bodybuilding, but I was a professional model in my twenties (until kids and then fell off the "perfect" wagon), and I exercised like a maniac and dieted and all that. I was forever never quite "good enough". there was always that carrot dangling of being evermore physically "perfect". Yuck! I can't believe I did that to myself. raw is such freedom. It took me 15 years to think of it as freedom, but I do now. Yea! Blessings!!

[edie]

TWINEE1 It was great to read your post...my support goes to you working to find a balance in both worlds as I am doing the same it is a journey, a great one at that even when the road gets alittle rocky. For me it's all about being concsious...then I have the opportunity to make the right decision. Good luck on your journey! EDIE ;)

[rawcanadagirl]

Twinee1,
Congratulations on enjoying your exercise again! I know exactly what you mean. Since going raw, I have had a few ups and downs (it was very difficult for me at first), but now am feeling stronger and more fantastic each day.
When I was training and dieting for competition, I was always looking in the mirror - judging and picking apart flaws. The diet was horrendous - blood sugar all over the place, no energy (despite the oatmeal and protein shakes - :rolleyes: ) It was like slowly transforming into a different person...
But after a few months on raw, my workouts are definately more beneficial. I find I concentrate fully on what my body is doing, and that I am really enjoying it. I really feel like my entire being is benefitting from the work I am doing. I even like the look of my body more - even though it's not really that different on the outside...
RCG

[twinee1]

It is so nice to have others here who can relate to some of the body/mental issues that we go through in the competition world.

Post contest body blues are the worst.

I too feel so much better on the inside while the outside looks pretty much the same.

I lost a small amt of size in the last 3 months but that will come back quickly now that my body has adjusted to the change in diet.