Here’s Why A Contest Prep is Similar to Pregnancy

Here’s Why A Contest Prep is Similar to Pregnancy . I am NOT saying that contest prep is as challenging as a pregnancy. NO WAY. Not even close. Once we all understand that, we can move on to the discussion… . So even though a contest prep cannot be compared to a pregnancy, there are some similarities that are worth noting. . 1. There is a lot of hype and excitement at the beginning and at the end, but not so much in the middle. When a couple first announces that they are expecting, there are parties, hugs, social media posts, and tears of joy. When someone decides to start a contest prep, there are fist bumps, an influx of words of encouragement, motivational quotes, and #6monthsout. Then comes the middle. The middle of a pregnancy is the “boring” daily grind filled with the extremely slow monotonous growth of the fetus, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and the slow demise of the mother’s physical body. The middle of a contest prep is the “boring” daily grind filled with the slow monotonous reduction in bodyfat, countless cardio sessions, food scales, training when fatigued, and the insidious breakdown of bodily/hormonal functions. Then comes the end! The baby is born and the parties, hugs, social media posts, and tears of joy return. On show day, the fist bumps, social media posts, and motivational quotes return. But everyone forgets the middle, which is the most important and longest in duration.

2. Both are filled with wives’ tale. Many times throughout my wife’s pregnancy, I felt like I was backstage at a local bodybuilding show. Morning sickness=girl. Heartburn=a hairy baby. Carrying low=boy. Heart rate >140=girl. Mom craving salt=boy. Drink water=water gets under the skin. Tilapia=thins the skin. Wine and chocolate=more vascularity. Get my point?

3. Both are some of the most rewarding, empowering, transformative, and difficult things you can do. You will hurt. You will sacrifice. Everything in life is looked at with a different perspective and you will be more resilient moving forward. You gain respect and through the process, get the ability to inspire others to reach their goals.

4. Finally, and possibly the most important, it’s not about the birth or the trophy or the pro card that matters. It’s what happens afterward that matters. Being there. Raising the child. Being a role model. Being a positive ambassador for the sport and inspiring others.

Mothers and expecting mothers…thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do. We love you and our respect and gratitude is limitless!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z352un4zbY

#naturalbodybuilding #bodybuilding #weightlifting #powerlifting #physiotherapist #physiotherapy #physicaltherapy #physicaltherapist #clinicalathlete #3dmusclejourney #3dmj #team3dmj #contestprep