The Edge of a Knife/All over the Map/Goals

There have been times that the best of us question why we're doing what we're doing. Doubt.
Yes, even the people that you constantly see motivating others everyday.
They, at times, struggle to be motivated.

I recently got back from the CBBF National Bodybuilding Championships.
It put many things into perspective.

Watching one of my good friends, Rob Friss, go through hell and back. Questioning things, being at an all time low for energy reserves, not only physically but mentally.

Back to the point.

Really ask why you're doing what you're doing.

If you're doing something to cross it off your bucket list, do a LOT of research first.

Do you know that the average first time bodybuilding/figure show requires around 16 weeks of perfect dieting?

Do you know how long a marathon is?

I'm not talking about pick up softball in a bush league here and there, I'm talking about serious feats of "fitness."

I would like it if people boarderline equated it to an Olympic sport. People don't just wake up and say "the heck with it, I'm going to do a skeleton race this year at the Olympics."

No.

Not only that, but let's also say the following.

You're dieting for your first figure/bikini show. You're doing great, you have a trainer who's pumping you up, motivating you, you're following your meal plan, following your workout, following your cardio regimen, everything.

Everyone is telling you how awesome you look. Friends, family, everyone. You're pumped.

Let's also say you do in fact look good. Great even.

You compete.

You place dead last.

Here is that edge of the knife.

Does this crush you?

Or does this motivate the living hell out of you?

Tons of questions will be swirling about your mind. Were my friends/family lying? Did I look like crap? Should I have even competed? Should I dig myself into a tunnel and never come out?

You have to be prepared for this stuff.

Not only that, but if you are "serious" about your endeavor, you should get back up, dust yourself off, and do better.

Imagine if the first time you fell off a bicycle, you said "screw this" and never did it again. Sounds kind of silly, doesn't it?

To motivate yourself is challenging. I have a trainer/nutritionist myself as I have stated many, many times. I love it. They help me out a ton.

But also, reflection should be there. Let's keep with the bicycle analogy. Obviously if you have competed in something like figure/fitness/bikini, you are competent at riding the bicycle, and are trying tricks per say.

If you do it, and ACTUALLY decide you don't like it, that's another gig as well. Let's say its taking away from other activities you love. Being social, doing other physical activities. Trips. Work.

Balance. Yes its been talked about a lot, but not necessarily at this angle.

In order to improve somehow, eventually you're going to have to give up certain things you REALLY enjoy.

Bodybuilding - you're not drinking a few beers on the weekends with buddies.
You're not having a piece of cake at your birthday party. Especially if you're in pre-contest and it's not on your meal plan.

What are you willing to give up?

I've motivated myself a lot. By the changes I see. How I feel. How I train my clients and the success I see them have. I motivate them, which in turn motivates me. Plus, If I get wildly out of shape, who would listen to me in the first place? A fat nutritionist? Nice Mega, Nice.

Don't hesitate to be honest. But if you're willing to put effort, and sacrifice but NOT suffer... Maybe some magic will happen...