Lifting-Fairy: Behind The Scenes Of A Contest-Prep

Everyone has to start somewhere... For some athletes it's the first competition-preparation that starts their journey into Fitnessland. Some people, just like me last year, are unsure of the process of such a preparation or what to expect, therefor I wanted to list up the most essential things you are going to experience.

In my first 'post-competition' post, I wrote how heavy a contest-preparation is. It will challenge you not only physically but also mentally. So don't expect it to be easy because the first preparation will be the hardest thing you have ever done in your life. If you consider it easy, go harder because that's what makes the difference afterwards on stage.

Once you start your prep, you will see your body change from one day to another, especially the last two weeks are just mind-blowing. During my first competition-prep (and also now) I take pictures at least once a week to remind me how far I have already gotten. But don't only look back on your progress, you also have to look forward and focus on your goals and what you want to achieve.

There will be A LOT of sacrifices. You don't see me in a restaurant during my prep, rarely in the cinema and even less in a bar. When I decide to go to the movies, I always have my Renee Tote at hand with the meals I need, because planning meals is the key and it will keep you from getting anything at the candy shop. I never stay out too long in the evenings during that time, because I have to get up early the day after to hit the gym, or simply because my body has adapted to a regular rhythm (more about this soon). Plus, I left a lot of people behind, because negative words are something you don't need during a contest-prep, especially from people who don't even want to understand your lifestyle or who eat pizza,pasta and burgers all day long and want you to do the same. They have not the slightest idea of what you are going through. (If you need some positivity, have a look HERE) So be aware that you might lose some of your so-called ''friends''.

You will be amazed by your own results. Even if you have been a very sporty person before, I am sure that you will be in the best shape of your life because you pay much more attention to your eating habits and training routines. You have to put everything in your preparation and knowing that you will look the best you could possibly look is just an amazing achievement.

Sometimes you will be hungry and want to do a table-flip with your whole diet, which is totally comprehensive because you are slowly cutting carbs and at the same time training even harder. So yes, you will be hungry and damn tired, but in the end it will be totally worth it.

The mirror is going to be your best friend and greatest enemy. It shows you how far you've come , but at the same time it plays very dirty mind-games with you.. You will NEVER see yourself like others do. If someone else tells you 'oh, you look great!', you will be like 'naahh... still not satisfied yet...' The further you get in your prep and the closer the D-day comes, the more you will start to freak out and worry that you are not lean enough already and that you won't be dropping fat fast enough etc. But let me tell you one thing, there will ALWAYS be someone who is 100% honest with you, the process.

There will be that kind of people who will tell you that 'you are going too far' or ' you are too skinny and muscular, eeerrww...' . BUT there will also be the positive people who support you with simple words or tiny actions like 'wow , you are really inspiring' or 'because of you I started to hit the gym and watch over my eating habits more'. You are going to experience great support from people you never ever expected any motivational or supporting words.

Most of your thoughts will be dedicated to FOOD. Because the only thing that matters during your prep is the right food. I am convinced that you will find yourself looking at other competitor's food-posts to see what they are eating. And you will be spying 'food-porn'-pictures because you have enough of chicken, broccoli, tomatoes and turkey-steaks.

Try not to follow your opponents on social media, it will drive you crazy. You can't control what other athletes are doing or how they are training to get their physique. Focus on yourself and on your own preparation to achieve your personal goals. If it motivates you to get it on, go ahead. And while following those athletes you can also leave a positive comment to cheer them up, because it will cheer you up as well.

The week prior your competition-day will be the most exciting week of your entire preparation because you are doing something different every single day. You will have to decrease your water intake because you start the water-depletion, as you want to get freaky lean and then the last few days you will carb up again. Your final preparations are going on, like showering, shaving, scrubbing, and putting on the tan (HERE some tips for your first tanning). Depending on your preparation, you are allowed to go grocery-shopping and get yummy food like gums,sweets,chocolate or whatsoever to get a little pump before the show or simply to devour post-contest. Believe me or not, you will look like a little child on Christmas when you are buying all those delicious foods.
The big day will be so much fun and thrilling. The time has finally come to be paid for your hard work.You can put on as much make-up as you want because the big spots will make it look like nothing and style your hair the fanciest ever. But the best is yet to come... the moment you line up backstage, you will be so jazzed but still, you won't be thinking about anything else than stepping out on that stage and rocking your banging body. That moment on stage is the best and most thrilling feeling ever, and you will always remember it. Even if you didn't get the ranking you wished for, you can be damn proud of yourself that you didn't gave up and that you hold strong through your preparation.

I wish every new athlete best of luck for their first preparation and competitions, may the chicken be with you. Enjoy your season!