Prep- Is It Hard?

This is my most asked question from prepping for my bodybuilding competition let's dive into it.

Of all the questions I anticipated getting through prep, this was not one of them. Like everything, it comes down to intention so when asked on the spot, I am not sure how to construct my response in a way that address the part that is being asked. There are so many parts to prep so asking a general question like this leaves me with no response. I also believe "hard" is subjective, so let's take a look into it as a whole.

If you want to do anything well and to the best of your ability- it is going to be challenging. I did not choose to diet for 18 weeks through school, holidays, birthdays, a family vacation, work in Richmond (first half of prep), etc. because I wanted it to be easy. I wanted this process to shape me, change me, grow me, and teach me. It did all of that because I chose to endure something challenging and unknown. Aside from my coach's leg days... I tried to refrain from using the word "hard". So what if it's hard? I chose to do this and I was determined to execute it to the best of my ability. "Potential" is one of my tattoos for a reason and I believed this pushed me closer towards mine.

If you tell yourself it's hard, it's only going to be harder. (Dr. Masaru Emoto's study of water was going through my mind in prep)

I am not oblivious, but I also look at the positive side of things (glass is always half full!) so the main "hard" thing is labeling something hard. I don't know if people want a simple "no, I blinked and got a pro card" type of answer or a "it was hard" pouty type of response, maybe even a neutral just general question? Hard can either be evaluated as a stressor, something holding you back, or a challenge, which is a motivating factor. My subjective opinion of prep being an enjoyable challenge will not be the same for everyone.

I was well prepared going into prep. When my coach told me to wait for another show- yes, I was bummed and pouty, but I listened because SHE knew what was best for me in that stage of my life. I used that time to further my research. To analyze the unknown territory I was entering. Her having me wait, in my opinion, is one of the biggest contributors to the success I had in this season.

So, is it hard? 

If you have a hard time following directions, it will be hard.

If you do not know how to communicate your boundaries to friends, it will be hard.

If you do not have a healthy relationship with yourself, it will be hard.

If you do not know how to communicate to your coaches when/if you mess up, it will be hard.

If you do not communicate your needs to those around you (family/friends), it will be hard.

If you are not able to put all that you have into your goal, it will be hard.

If you are not comfortable accepting that prep is unsustainable and stage lean is unhealthy for most, it will be hard.

If you are not willing to get up at 5am to train before going to work, it will be hard.

If you are not willing to do cardio at 11pm after work, it will be hard.

If you do not know how to be selfish with your time, it will be hard.

If you can not turn down going out with friends, it will be hard.

If you think this will fix your discipline, it will be hard.

If "one more rep" does not motivate you, it will be hard.

If do not like the idea of measuring every gram you consume, it will be hard.

If you are not willing to schedule your schoolwork in between the times you're supposed to eat, it will be hard.

If you do not have a good relationship with food, it will be hard.

If you are not financially aware of what this sport entails, it will be hard.

If you are not prepared for people expecting you to give up or "fail", it will be hard.

If you do not align with "you vs. you", it will be hard.

If you are not aware of post-show mentality, it will be hard.

If you are unaware of what this sport does to your hormones, it will be hard.

If you can not bring your own food to social events/holidays, it will be hard.

If you can not communicate when you need your coaches to make an adjustment, it will be hard.

If you can not stand time alone with yourself, it will be hard.

If you are a victim to comparison, it will be hard.

If you do not layout your "why" for competing, it will be hard.

If you do not make posing a non-negotiable, it will be hard.

If you are not okay filtering people out who do not support you accomplishing your goals, it will be hard.

If you are not okay counting the shakes of salt you put on food, it will be hard.

If you already struggle with body dysmorphia, it will be hard and it will be amplified. 

If you do not know how to make a non-negotiable and stick with it, it will be hard.

If you think you can do this all by yourself- it. will. be. hard. as heck! :) 

There is absolutely no way to get what you want out of life if you want to take the easy route. Choose your hard then treat "hard" like a four letter word and put it in the back of your mind. Like I said, I was well prepared going into this. I was not blindsided to what this sport entails. I anticipated what I was getting into and I expected to not have such great support as I did.

You can read that list from either perspective. For me, personally, not having structure is hard. Not being in control is hard. Not accomplishing what I want is hard. None of those things align with my goals. If having to control as much as you can about your current situation is not something you like to do, which is what prep is, then this will be hard for you. 

If you simply enjoy working out, that does not mean competing is for you and that is okay. I also know people who do not like working out yet worked diligently and had success in their bodybuilding show. This sport is very individualized and it is all about deciding if this is for you or not.

The "hardest part" for me would be some people not understanding boundaries and the extremeness of this sport then taking it personally. Honestly, prep, or working hard as hell towards any goal, is a good way to filter people out. You have to have a level of selfishness and the right people value and understand that. Another difficult part would be at 1-2 weeks before show day, mostly going into peak week, when my hormones were adjusting. (anyone, specifically girls, please do your research on hormones in prep and the long term effects before you choose to compete!) I was exhausted, focus was out the window, and I was feeling bloated/holding water. In combination of my hormones adjusting and my body fat being so low- my sleep was irregular. For a few days, I would wake up at 5am and fall asleep at 3am. I just knew that it was all for a reason and I felt blessed that it had held off for 16 weeks! It is all mental. :) I also listened to my coaches, yet vocalized what I believe would be helpful. The mutual respect and communication goes a long way.

Not everyone is going to support you; this is probably why I legit fell to the floor when I walked out and saw all the people that came to my show. I have a good gym community and such great friends/family who walked with me through prep. When doing something that is this extreme, please be conscious and make sure you have a good support system. If things do get hard for you, people will have your back. 

In contrast to some things I shared here, my favorite challenge through prep was the mental part! I absolutely loved balancing the difference of being proud and being prideful, as well as appreciating the self and fueling the ego. (if you're seeing all my posts from show day... I will get back to finding this balance. I need to soak this in a little..lot..longer.) Everyone has their personal challenge and prep allowed me to have a structured way of evaluating this one. I appreciate the growth and character building prep taught me. It made the "hard" parts worth it and enjoyable. 

Contact:

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Email: mjillian.blog@gmail.com