Female Body Builders

I just finished watching a documentary about female body builders. I dont think I would want that much muscle myself, but their focus and dedication to exercise and nutrition is incredible!! There was a psychiatrist on the show who kept trying saying that most female bodybuilders have some type of psych issue like being obsessive about exercise as well as nutrition. Felt kind of funny because I am kind of like that about exercise myself. I schedule my life around it in a way and count calories even though it drives me crazy- I start get frustrated, stop and feel guilty and the cycle continues. I'm wondering if the way I feel about exercise is normal?

So normal! I go over new routines all the time and currently am working on setting up a 6 week (2 wk by 2 wk by 2 wk plan). I organize my food the night before so that I don't stray from foods and macros that I need to have for that days workouts. I am always on line educating myself on everything workout related...I go to about 3 different boards in a day besides this one for new information. What this commentator should have said is that the woman push them self harder then most men..control there macros better.. and usually have more heart put into it. It is a lot easier for a man to put on muscle vs. a woman and we also have to deal with estrogen in our system trying in every way shape and form to screw us over. We are made to produce offspring no to be body builders. I do love the transformation though...

em just to respond to the above "SO NORMAL"..

its not so normal actually. food plans the night b4, and 3 different boards, straying from macros......these are not normal behaviours. they are not. they suggest to me that ther's something huge missing in ur life if thats all you do. only world class athletes need be sooo consumed with their consumption and my guess is that they are not that consumed with it.

i dont think you should portrey to others that ur lifestyle and mindset is healthy coz its not.

i think women especially have a tendancy to be uber obsessive, so while its common, its not normal

It is normal for those of us who are trying to achieve a goal we have set for ourselves.  How do you make sure you stick to your plan for the day?  By arranging everything the day before so you are less likely go grab cake, biscuits, whatever is lying around because you can't think of something healthy to eat.  Besides, some of us have to rush off to work and don't have time to plan meals in the morning.  I don't see this as any different than packing a child's lunch the night before-- it has to be done, so you should do it when you have the time to think about what you're putting in there.

 

Same with exercise.  If you schedule it, you are more likely to do it than if you just say you'll exercise when you feel like it (maybe).

 

That said, you shouldn't be so tied into your plans that you can't change them if need be (you get asked on a hot date and have to eat out, or you do what I did today and skip going to the gym in favour of cycling 14 miles round trip to a craft fair!)

I agree, I plan my meals and lunches. I pack a lunch for work everyday. If I did not plan I would probably end up eating out and eating a bunch of crap. Same with my workout. I have a busy life and if I did not plan that into my day I would not do it. Nothing wrong with being scheduled and having a plan.

Thanks guys..just seen what fidget84 wrote.

I am a very detailed orientated person and don't slack...I go out to eat when ever funds are available for me and my husband to. **** yesterday we went to Joe's Crab Shack and ordered about 3 $5 appetizers to share, along with a mahi-mahi sandwich (I took the bread off and brought the fries home to the dogs) I ate a lot of the appetizers and needed to get enough protein for the day! He had his own meal. We both workout total bodys so to keep muscle levels good we keep protein high.

I go on other boards because this board is primarily made up of people either losing or educating themselves on working out. My level of dedication to working out is apparently a lot different than yours fidget84, If you ever got to my level of training or routines you would understand my routines and adopt them also because that is what most all fitness athletes do. When is it ever not wise to be educated...you apparently need some education yourself.

Everyone is different in personality and in workout, eating types. Ton's of different reasons people are here. I am more like you. I am not just here to loose/maintain my weight but I live a healthy lifestyle overall. I want to be fit, tone and healthy. I am also a very organized type A person. If I did not have order and schedule in my life it would be a mess. Not just in how I eat but almost everything. My bills are always paid on time, my house is organized, laundry done, don't miss work, car always has gas in it, dishes are washed. I like order in general.

Some people fly by the seat of their pants and get by others are in between. Just do what is right for you. Don't worry about what others think. I know I have had people comment to me about how organized I am, how much I workout, how I pack a healthy lunch everyday and don't sanck on the donuts and crap at work. But most of them are the opposite of me so I think they just don't understand or don't want to be healthy and that is ok. Their life go live it. I only have a problem when they make my business their business.  Keep up the good work.

 

it depends what your goals are. i am putting in the same dedication towards achieving the best possible body i can (for once in my life, since im not getting any younger) as i did when i went to college to get my b.s. while working full time. that took a lot of planning & sacrifice of some things, tho not as much as my classmate who was a single parent at the time. i did then & still do make sure i have some fun tho.

but as far as dedication, well im not so heroic with my exercise as some people think. sure in the beginning getting in the habit is hard, but now i exercise because it makes me feel good, some times even like the world is in a perfect place. ok that's an exaggeration, but you know how it is on those endorphins/dopamine, hormones, etc.  good food & some wine do the same things for me too (moderation is key for that tho).

some times i wish i could be more organized. it lasts for a couple of weeks, then i start to slack & my inner brat comes out. but i've come up with a way to have that work in my favour. i make sure to schedule in & change things up (my eating habits & exercises) every 6-8 weeks.

but being organized can also free yourself to do other things as well & to be able to focus on the important things. without good health you just won't have as much energy to do that.