The holiday season is a good time to reflect, and the sport of physique training/ bodybuilding certainly offers more than enough aspects to reflect upon.
Bodybuilding is a never-ending quest for perfection, but since there has never been a perfect physique (Even though Bob Paris does come to mind), you are essentially chasing the rainbow.
Of course, this is fascinating to some but it can also be dangerous because it is very easy to let the chase consume you. Bodybuilding is a strange sport since you cannot measure your performance as in basketball or swimming. So you must be constantly aware of the fact that you are only competing against yourself. It is critical that you do not worry about what other people are doing. Just create the best you there can be. The journey is the end!
From time to time, I find it helpful to look back in order to appreciate how far I have come from where I started. This does not mean you should kick back and eat Doritos (It never means that), but it is a good idea to keep things in perspective and to be able to see the bigger picture. I have met too many guys and girls whose lives evolve solely around training and eating… needless to say that this is a ticket to unhappiness.
The main reason why I love bodybuilding? The element of control. When my mother was very ill, the gym was my sanctuary. No matter what went on in the outside world, 100lbs was always 100lbs. Once you have created your own physique, you realize that anything in life is possible!
So, take some time to reflect on what makes you keep going. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and FroehlicheWeihnachten!
Until next time,
Maik Wiedenbach