Saber Disciplinar

April 9, 2013

Looking back to two years after my first show and five months following my last show, I see that I was guilty of doing what so many other women do: I was focused on maintaining a ‘show’ physique that, realistically, could not be maintained. I was set on keeping the body I had because I worked hard for it and enjoyed the attention I received because of it. I had the idea that I needed to continue to do whatever it took to stay as lean as possible, for as long as possible. However, there was no need to restrict myself anymore; the show was over. I had new things to focus on, and I could set my priorities to something more important, like work or school. I did not want that, I just kept thinking that I had the ability to maintain the body that I saw in the mirror, regardless of the cost. I was falling victim to the ‘fit beauty myth’.

At this point, my body was already exhausted from the four months of dieting, the hours of cardio, and the lack of carbohydrates. The loss of physical strength (I was down 15% on all my lifts) and the absence of my menstrual cycle140 were both indications that

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Benson et al. (2013). “Conference Proceedings Nutritional Aspects of Amenorrhea in the Female Athlete Triad.” International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise. 6(2). Human Kinetics, pp. 134-145.

I needed a break. My body was ready to go back to a healthy state, but my mind was focused on continuing on the path I was on regardless of the negative impacts it could have had on my body over time. I had already made it this far. It wouldn’t be that hard to maintain, I just wanted to look like the women I saw on the magazines. Why was I willing to place my health secondary to my appearance? What was the force behind my desire to stay lean?

Magazines, websites, and bodybuilding shows (among others) are all visible media outlets an average person could look to find information on how to be ‘fit’. Within these various sources, there is a substantial amount of content and information on how this ‘fit’ body or lifestyle can be achieved. When looking at the fitness industry today, two factors should be examined. The first is the influence of the media.

As previously stated, magazines like Shape and Fitness (see Figures 7 and 9) can be beneficial to help women become active.141 They are ideal for those who do not have a lot of money to spend on personal training or have a substantial amount of time to research weight loss strategies for themselves. These magazines are full of information, a lot of which is scientifically based and is useful for quick, efficient workouts alongside healthy, creative recipes. Women, like myself, are often inspired while flipping through the pages as they read stories of women with similar backgrounds that were able to transform their lives and giving hope to those looking to do the same. They create a potential kind of community support group for women to learn, share, and grow in fitness.

On a broader scale, fitness and bodybuilding websites are able to accomplish a similar goal but to a larger, more profound degree. As information technology expands, websites are the new ‘go-to’ for advice on any subject, particularly fitness. Because they have the ability to reach an international audience (more so than magazines), websites are

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also ideal for women looking for programs that cater to their unique health and fitness needs. Bodybuilding.com142 is one of the largest online fitness communities for both males and females in North America143. The website is laden with articles from the most popular fitness gurus and each page is overflowing with every workout program you could imagine. From old-school bodybuilding to HIIT training, there seems to be a workout that can fit any body or lifestyle. Workouts are not the only resources they offer; the site also contains a large variety of meal plans and recipe ideas, as well as a

supplement store where you can buy almost any brand/type/produc.t144 With the click of a mouse, you can find, view, download, and print off your favorite workout routine to bring with you to the gym, post your new meal plan on the fridge, and stock up on your favorite protein powder. This can be a crucial resource to women who are just starting out and have no idea where to begin, or for those who are looking to try something new. Many of the authors and contributors to the sites are fitness and figure icons, who often post their own workout plans for their readers to follow. Women can look up their favorite figure competitor and follow their workout plan to help get them on the path to a ‘show’ physique.

Additionally, bodybuilding and fitness shows can be a strong motivator for potential competitors to pursue the idea of competing. While sitting in the audience and watching as fitness and figure competitors line up on stage, each female competitor is lean, defined and flawless under the bright lights that beam off their dark tans. From head-to-toe, each body represents months (and sometimes years) of diet and training, compliance, and routine. When looking at these women, may give others hope to believe, “If she can do it, so can I!”

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Bodybuilding.com is one the largest online supplement stores and workout resource sites in the world. It is founded and based in the United States.

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Based upon the amount of daily and annual hits to the website.

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With the number of magazines, websites, diets, workouts, trainers, and resources available, it becomes easier to actively seek out information on training, eating, and find coaches willing to help achieve the fitness bodies that are seen on magazine covers and on the competition stage. While competing in a show seems like a natural and positive course of action for those in the fitness industry (and for some it is), this is only one part of the equation. The fitness community-at-large glamourizes these types of bodies and the people who possess them, through supplement endorsements and modeling contracts. However, little attention is placed upon what happens behind the scenes, or what happens when the show is over.