Transforming My Life: The Impact of a Bodybuilding Competition on Nutrition, Lifestyle, Exercise, and Mental Health

Embarking on the road of a bodybuilding competition was a decision that not only sculpted my physique but transformed every aspect of my life. It also revealed parts of myself that I needed to work on. In 2012, I was inspired by a friend of mine who just competed and she had a good experience. As a business owner at 23, I was being discriminated against by my age, ethnicity, and gender. Which pushed me to collect as much evidence as possible that I knew what I was doing. I was looking for a challenge to prove to myself that I belonged in the fitness industry. I felt defeated at times because I didn’t move or look like the people I was working with. I was faced with so much pressure from people to look, speak and be a type of way and unfortunately, I let the opinions of others get to me. It was completely the opposite of who I was however I let that fuel my desire to prove to myself and others that I had the skill to do anything I put my mind to regardless of how they perceived me. Is this healthy? Debatable. As I look back, I see it now as a necessary lesson to become who I am now. Regardless, I reached out to her coach, began my training in late 2013 and made my debut on stage in November 2014. At the time, I was still a part-time business student at Capilano University, President of the Capilano University Marketing Association and co-running DyerFitness (overachiever problems we can talk about another time). By adding the preparation for this competition, it hands down became one of the most challenging experiences I had ever endured. Fortunately, the intensive training I did for classical ballet with Goh Ballet Academy for over 7 years in my youth set a foundation for me to transfer my discipline to train to perform. Through it all, it has become another proud accomplishment in my life. The changes I experienced in nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, and mental health were far beyond what I could have imagined. In this blog post, I’ll take you through the profound impact this endeavour had on my overall well-being.

Nutrition
Before stepping into the world of bodybuilding, my relationship with food was more about convenience than conscious choices. The competition, however, demanded a meticulous approach to nutrition. I learned to view food as fuel and recognized the importance of a well-balanced diet tailored to my specific goals. The precision required in tracking macronutrients and adjusting my calorie intake forced me to become intimately familiar with what I was putting into my body. I found myself food prepping every week to ensure I could meet the nutrition demands. This newfound awareness not only enhanced my physical performance but also laid the foundation for a more mindful relationship with food.

Lifestyle
Committing to a bodybuilding competition meant restructuring my entire lifestyle. Meal prep became a non-negotiable part of my routine, ensuring that I had the right nutrients at the right time. Sleep became a priority, recognizing its crucial role in recovery and overall well-being. Social outings were reevaluated, and I found myself making choices that aligned with my fitness goals. The discipline required for bodybuilding spilled over into other areas of my life, fostering a sense of control and purpose. I was very fortunate that my coach included a support system in place with regular check-ins with myself and other girls competing.

Exercise
Training for a bodybuilding competition meant pushing my physical limits and embracing a variety of exercises. The focus shifted from general fitness to targeted muscle development, with a meticulously designed workout plan. Each session became a step closer to achieving the physique for the stage. The commitment to regular and intense training not only reshaped my body but also instilled a sense of resilience and determination that carried over into other aspects of my life.

Mental Health
The mental aspect of bodybuilding proved to be just as challenging as the physical. Facing the challenges of training, dieting, and the pressure of competition required a strong support system and self-regulation. My coach at the time did a great job of reminding me not to compare myself to others and to focus on the experience. Her prioritization of my mental health kept me away from having a negative experience. I learned to appreciate the journey, celebrating small victories along the way and strengthening my self-esteem. Another complexity of bodybuilding is this method of bulking (increasing in size) and leaning out (shedding fat off the body). In the process, I started to have a hard time processing the normal process of weight fluctuation and changing body measurements. This revealed unhealthy beliefs and unprocessed trauma around my relationship with my body. I was pre-warned about how mentally tough this would get and fortunate to have people I could lean on. Determined to move through this, I had to get comfortable trusting my coach and the process. Overcoming self-doubt and pushing through mental barriers became a part of my daily routine. The confidence gained from sculpting my body translated into increased resilience to face life’s challenges. I am very thankful to my romantic partner at the time who supported me with food prep, ensuring I went to the gym, and holding space for every breakdown I had. For all the members in my gym who cheered me on when I was having a hard day and for my peers at University who carried me when I needed support with my academics.

Participating in a bodybuilding competition was more than a physical endeavour; it was a life-changing experience for me. While it was incredibly challenging, I have no regrets. From a shifted perspective on nutrition and lifestyle to the discipline cultivated through rigorous exercise and impacts on mental health, the experience shaped me into a stronger, more resilient individual. I would not recommend doing a bodybuilding competition unless you have a good understanding of how you self-regulate as a person, are cleared by a mental health professional, and have a good support system. The hard truth I faced with this experience was recognizing how harmful the fitness industry can be. I witnessed people competing become obsessive about their bodies, constantly looking at other people’s progress on social media and terrible coaching from other trainers. This contributed to how I designed my next business venture, Unfold Movement, where I focus on sustainable health habits with a focus on mental health. The lessons learned on this journey continue to influence my choices and have changed the way I approach health and fitness with myself and my clients.