Glamour can get ugly; the negative driving forces behind fitness modeling

When the glitz and glam and all the spray tan wears off, reality sets in. I start to think about my true motivation for this sport and what drives me. As I have stated in a previous post, I've never been a part of something and stuck with it. This sport allowed me to take what I or others may have deemed awkward and weird (my body) into something beautiful, inspirational and glamourous. But just like everything else, there's a dark side.

What I've learned from competing this year (my first year) is you're either all in or you're not.  Point, blank and the period.  No one is going to spend countless hours prepping their body and minds for a sport they have no interest in.  You have to stay committed to your diet, your body, your coach (if you have one), your training or trainer (if you have one), and the goals you've set.  There are competitors whose driving force is obtaining a pro card.  That's their motivator, that's what keeps them in the game.  Some are in it just for the sport itself, to stay active, fit and have fun and that's enough for them.  Absolutely nothing wrong with that.  But whatever the motivator is, you have to make sure you stick with it.  Either you're in or you're not.  Last thing anyone wants is their time and money (HELLO!!) wasted. 

The ugliness to all of this is the factor behind the driving force.  Some competitors in this sport for the pro card get so consumed with that motivator that nothing else matters.  They're so hungry for it becomes a lifestyle change.  Suddenly, they're gymrats, trainers, life coaches, vegans, nutritionists and their whole world is about peanut butter, spinach, sweet potatoes and fish.  Now, I'm not saying anything is wrong with this but when you get so wrapped up in something and what's considered the "it" thing in that sport, you become that sport instead of just letting the sport be what it is and just fitting into your role as competitor. 

When I first started, I was in all the way.  I was a gymrat, I thought about being a trainer and tossed around the idea of a nutritionist.  But I quickly realized it would be more of a job than just being what it is, a hobby.  I wanted to have fun with this sport, not let it consume my everyday life.  I wanted to be able to take a break from it and come back with that same fresh adrenaline pumping energy as I did with my 2nd show (I wasn't all that enthused with my 1st show). 

My motivation to continue competing is to enjoy my body the way it is now, have a story to tell and to say to someone, yes, I competed in fitness body building competitions and had a blast.  Do I want a pro card?  Yes, someday.  But I'm not going to kill myself if I don't.  I'm going to factor in what needs to be done, get back in the lab and get it done.  Point, blank and the period.

The brace-face year; prepping for a stage worthy smile and didn't even know it!

Last year, I had adult braces and they were cute all of ten seconds before I got tired of them.  Not only did I sound like a 12 year old with my voice but strip off the makeup and I was a lean mean tween. 

I remember the consultation I had with my orthodontist and he asked me what kind of smile I wanted. I told him I wanted to keep my original smile, just straighten my bottom teeth. He said ok. We went on with the consultation and he took a few photos of my teeth and  smile for my records. He asked me again what kind of smile I wanted. I couldn't decide whether he was hard of hearing or just trying to make a point, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and chose the latter. I told him I wanted a dazzling smile that would shine brightly across a crowded room or on a stage. I wanted it to be noticeable, big, bright and beautiful. I also threw in, like how it is now but straighter. I assumed by his much more satisfied disposition that this was the answer he was looking for. We went the long way around the bush but finally we had gotten somewhere. I didn't know from that consultation that I was speaking light into what I was in store for in the future with fitness modeling. My braces came off just in time for my first show and I couldn't stop smiling. I was like a grinning fool. Licking my teeth and showing off my choppers every chance I got.

I was in my element. I could not only show off my body that I was working extremely hard for but I was showing off my perfectly straight and pearly white teeth that I paid a grip for. I was proud, and knowing the outcome and what it took to get where I was and knowing what I had ahead of me made me smile even more. So even when I don't feel like it, when I'm not on stage and when it's just me in the room, I smile. There's too much to frown about so why not?