Contest Prep: does it hurt your relationships?

[simeon]

Any tips from the guys/gals who compete and know the sacrifice and time that gets put into a show? I'm getting ready for my first show and have a wife and kids. There have been a few issues here and there but I'm doing my best. Its just not worth damaging your marriage for a contest IMO. Thanks

 

[Dangkolo]

BALANCE

 

[ddcmdb]

Stay away from tren... Insomnia plus carb deficient made me hard to get along with.

 

[marilyn]

If you are supportive towards them, then you will get support back..it can be tough, but it depends on you all.

Glad to see you think about your family first, and hopefully it will be great experience for you.

 

[TheDedicated1]

my girl loveees it! she doesnt like going out to eat and i realllly do, but during prep theres no going out to eat anymore

 

[nukeM]

LMAO! What relationship?

 

[SantiagoMuscle]

.

.

 

[Gunsmith]

My kids don't mind it , my wife doesn't realy like it mostly because i'm not eating what they want to eat so it calls for seperate meals to be cooked. That was last year when I had no clue what the hell i was doing nutrition wise , this year i'm sure it will be alot differant and they will be able to eat what I'm eating (with a little added) and all will be much better than last year

my famly is very supportive of me and my hobbies and I think thats what makes the biggest differance

 

[BossBrutha]

Stay away from tren... Insomnia plus carb deficient made me hard to get along with.

bump for that, I am the same way. Toward the end I only sleep an hour or two at a time thru the night.

It is definitely a strain on a relationship. Tempers are short, life is just not as happy.

 

[simeon]

Wow! I truly appreciate everyones input. My wife is really great. She doesn't mind the training and cardio cause she is used to that. But, bodybuilding on a competitive level is more of a mental game than anything. Everything is YOUR diet, YOUR training, YOUR physique a lot of the times. I'm an extremist as most competitors are I'm sure, so I either do something 110 percent or not at all. But, I am learning more and more that I need to give my family my time when I do see them. Thanks again for all the coments thus far, it helps!

 

[lynx]

The only hard part is when I tend to get a little edgy from the diet, but JT understands what's going on and deals with it in stride. Other than that he's my biggest supporter...and tells me when I'm too fat...b@$tard!

 

[robot]

I've found a couple of restaurants that will serve me an 8 ounces steak with brocolli or a green salad.

My wife eats her food and I eat mine. No real stress. If anything the simplicity of my diet makes things easier for her as she prepares almost all of my food.

 

[buzzkill44]

My gf is 8 months pregnant and due a week before my first show. Talk about hormones. She's crabby, I'm crabby. Just make sure they know you still love them and that this is important to you. do A LOT of reassuring. We both know why each other is crabby so we just talk about how crabby we are and were we laugh about it.

 

[dalvare1]

I've found a couple of restaurants that will serve me an 8 ounces steak with brocolli or a green salad.

My wife eats her food and I eat mine. No real stress. If anything the simplicity of my diet makes things easier for her as she prepares almost all of my food.

agreed, me and the GF go out to eat all the time.

if its during the day i get baked chicken w rice and veggies

if its at nite a baked or grilled chicken w salad or a steak and salad and I just ask that they not put any butter or oil on the steak.

then she orders her delicous food and i pick at it... u know just to make sure it isnt poisoned

 

[Dusty Hanshaw]

agreed, me and the GF go out to eat all the time.

if its during the day i get baked chicken w rice and veggies

if its at nite a baked or grilled chicken w salad or a steak and salad and I just ask that they not put any butter or oil on the steak.

then she orders her delicous food and i pick at it... u know just to make sure it isnt poisoned

I would never eat out when in contest prep. I don't trust anyone making my food but myself or the wifey. I will go out but won't eat.

 

[njpooldude]

Like marilyn said its really nice to see you put your family first. It seems ALOT of guys dont and it tents to really screw up relationships ( check the counsilers forum lol) Ive never competed but always wondered the same as you.. Must be really tough... If you Plan to make this a new hobby im sure the more shows you do, the more used to it your family will get. Just a thought.. i could be wrong, like i said i dont compete.

Good luck at your 1st show though.. post some pictures when you get them!

 

[aeliop]

I would never eat out when in contest prep. I don't trust anyone making my food but myself or the wifey. I will go out but won't eat.

This is true, they always put butter on the steaks. It's a real easy way to enhance the flavor.

 

[njpooldude]

My gf is 8 months pregnant and due a week before my first show. Talk about hormones. She's crabby, I'm crabby. Just make sure they know you still love them and that this is important to you. do A LOT of reassuring. We both know why each other is crabby so we just talk about how crabby we are and were we laugh about it.

Not to hijack simeons thread, but good luck on your first show and congrats about having a baby!

 

[robot]

This is true, they always put butter on the steaks. It's a real easy way to enhance the flavor.

There is a really cool trick to this. You ask them not to put anything on your steak, no butter and dressing on the side for the salad.

 

[simeon]

Not to hijack simeons thread, but good luck on your first show and congrats about having a baby!

All good bro, actually I believe Buzzkill and I are doing the same show as first timers so that is cool. And yes congrat on the baby bro!