Fitness Models

posted May 17th, 2013 at 9:50 AM

I know several women who decided to compete in these fitness model competitions. They are not like the totally ripped male-like bodybuilding models, but more like bikini fitness models. I think it is good to have something to help drive your fitness goals and to be in a setting where you are held accountable by others. However, these women go through a rigid exercise and nutrition plan and cut for competition day, when they parade around stage covered in so much spray tan their skin looks orange. It seriously looks like a circus to me, or American Gladiators on acid. All this in the name of health and fitness?! How does eating diet food chalk full of aspartame/Splenda and chemicals, depleting oneself from an ACTUALLY healthy diet and adequate hydration, all while doing two-a-days at the gym constitute as healthy? Sorry, but I don't see the bikini division of a fitness model competition as a SPORT, and the only reason why people should cut weight to make a weight class is for competitive sports. From what I've seen and heard, it just seems like a socially acceptable way to engage in eating disordered behaviours. In response to the defense I always here - "how can it be an eating disorder if I eat 6 times a day and have muscle mass?" There is a wide spectrum of eating disorders and they are not just limited to anorexia/bulimia. All I can say is when taking things to one extreme, you will inevitably experience a backlash and go to the other. More yo-yo'ing, instead of just adopting a healthy lifestyle and attitude towards exercise and food. These competitions look like those child pageants but for adults. The chicks look awful and the whole thing is absolutely insane!

3 Comments

RUK

May 17, 2013 at 11:10am

Well, yeah!

Bodybuilding (and fitness models are bodybuilders, they just don't roid out for mass) is a fringe sport because it IS pretty hard for the mainstream to figure (no pun intended) out why it is interesting.

I admire those folks because of the work they do.

Like, I am considered relatively fit. I bike to work, lift weights, play sports, haven't changed pant size since college, do cardio, and so on.

And I have no chance of ever, ever doing what those people do.

It is a full lifestyle commitment. Training heavy to get muscle means double split sessions in the gym, hours a day, six meals a day, almost unimaginable pain -- and that is the fun part. Competition shredding is hardcore dieting, something that I and probably you just could not do.

Now, I don't really care for the results, they look cartoonish, but they have my admiration for the fanatical amount of effort it takes.

As for long term health, bodybuilders are some of the smartest people you'll meet. They know about the risks. They don't stay on peak (it's not even possible to do the diet stuff year around). They take care of their injuries. They get it.

So, I dunno. It is a circus, but they obviously want to do it. And circuses are kind of fun.

annon

May 17, 2013 at 2:56pm

it is indeed another branch of self-destruction/self-hatred. there are some who don't suffer from this. but the majority clearly do. there's no shame. we all have fears/insecurities. mental health needs to have no more stigma attached to it.

i hope these girls find their inner peace one day.

this girl says

May 17, 2013 at 6:01pm

Op I agree with you! That's NOT healthy! Taking things to one extreme then another, they are screwing up their body's metabolism. The more often they yo-yo back and forth up and down all and fake paint their skin with toxins all for the "look of the sport" is harming their body and sending the wrong message. Instead they could be real and healthy by simply adopting a balanced healthy lifestyle and attitude towards exercise, food and their body. Of course these competitions look like those child pageants but for adults. The chicks look fake because they are (remember Little Miss Sunshine movie?) and the whole thing is absolutely insane just like a circus! That's not healthy to me.