Post competing

**moorey** · 02-15-2008, 05:09 AM

I have just been writing about the psychology of competing, but I failed to mention, the post competition period and I hope that guys who are competing for the first time can gain some insight into the psychological aspects into post competition and also guys who are seasoned competitors like Kaboon please add to anything I miss.
The lead upto competition you are often surviving on the adrenaline rush, the competition is an amazing experience, you are on stage in front of your peers, friends and family who are applauding and cheering your every move. If your successful, people want to know you, you may be in the papers and in bodybuilding mags. In short youre on an high. You may do a number of comps through the season, but like everything in life, the season ends. Then its back to the everyday stuff, reality bites, a number of psychoilogical aspects can hit you at this time, you can be elated and ready to train harder, youve tasted success and you want more or you can experience as many guys do, a post depressive state, youve come down from the high, your body and mind are tired and all the media, friends and family attention have toned down. Now its back to the mundane everyday training without the excitement of competition. It can be a difficult time, reactive depression can present itself and some people even stop training altogether. The reason I write about this is I and others have experienced this, but if you have pre knowledge of this possibility, you can negate the worse elements of it by preparing yourself for this eventuality. Being aware that many people experience this and its not you just "cracking up" assists to overcome the worse elements of psot competition In My opinion.

**robbyybt** · 02-15-2008, 08:41 AM

Another good thread moorey, this is relevant to most sports not just bbding

**Kaboom** · 02-15-2008, 09:59 AM

Great Great post man.This is so so true.At first I thought this was only me.After the contest were over and a few days of congratulations and riding on the high of either winning or just competing was over I almost felt there was no reason to workout.I wasnt preparing for anything so why go through all the trouble.Its not a mindset i usually have but it set in and I couldnt get rid of it.I talked a little about this in another post.I had to set myself ssome smaller goals.A few examples would be to up my bench by 50 lbs by a certain time or up my squat.I felt the biggest goal that helped me the most was to reach 200lbs from 156 in 3-4 mos with the least amount of fat possible.Since I had never tried this it was as hard of a goal as competing.This kept my mind constantly thinking and brainstorming so eventually i got back into it.I actually went a little over a week w/o working out at all because I didnt see the purpose.I was confused over feeling like that because I love working out so much.Its all about motivation for me I just had to find out where to get the extra push from.
Awesome post Moorey!!
Reps!

**moorey** · 02-15-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaboom

Great Great post man.This is so so true.At first I thought this was only me.After the contest were over and a few days of congratulations and riding on the high of either winning or just competing was over I almost felt there was no reason to workout.I wasnt preparing for anything so why go through all the trouble.Its not a mindset i usually have but it set in and I couldnt get rid of it.I talked a little about this in another post.I had to set myself ssome smaller goals.A few examples would be to up my bench by 50 lbs by a certain time or up my squat.I felt the biggest goal that helped me the most was to reach 200lbs from 156 in 3-4 mos with the least amount of fat possible.Since I had never tried this it was as hard of a goal as competing.This kept my mind constantly thinking and brainstorming so eventually i got back into it.I actually went a little over a week w/o working out at all because I didnt see the purpose.I was confused over feeling like that because I love working out so much.Its all about motivation for me I just had to find out where to get the extra push from.
Awesome post Moorey!!
Reps!

Thanks Kaboom, the way you got through it is similar to me, I had quite a few people fired up wanting to train with me cos I had some success and I couldnt train with them cos I felt so low. The guys new to competing probably are not aware of the emotions involved in competing, you give every ounce of you and the depression what follows is often hard to escape from!

**Kaboom** · 02-15-2008, 11:25 AM

Its crazy how it drains you in so many ways.The highs the lows and the in betweens.But in the end for me its all worth it.I have found my calling and I wont stop until I reach the top!

**moorey** · 02-15-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaboom

Its crazy how it drains you in so many ways.The highs the lows and the in betweens.But in the end for me its all worth it.I have found my calling and I wont stop until I reach the top!

Absolutely agree the lows are superceeded by the incredible feeling that being on that stage in the best shape of your life give you. Its infectious as hell and I love being one of the diseased! Kaboom, I am sure your desire and drive will take you to the top!

**under construction** · 02-15-2008, 12:21 PM

great post its good to have competition vets here that post regularly. Its like a cyber PT and psychologist and coach all in one so if you havent heard it in a while THANKS MOOREY AND KABOOM for sticking with us.

**mr_bhana** · 02-15-2008, 02:12 PM

moorey and kaboom, what are your competition histories like? moorey you should apply for bidyuilding.com's over 40 bodybuilder of the week competiton

**moorey** · 02-15-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_bhana

moorey and kaboom, what are your competition histories like? moorey you should apply for bidyuilding.com's over 40 bodybuilder of the week competiton

I started competing in 1996 won the mansfield classic first timers and over thirty fives. In 97 qualified for the nabba intermediate British finals and finished 2nd, also did the wabba brits and finished 2nd again. 1999 finished 2nd in wabba British and won the EPF. was going to compete in 2002 but suffered brain trauma in car accident, In 2005 won the nabba british at brierley hill and NAC british at middleton. Finished 15th out of 33 competitors in the NAC universe in Aarchen ,Germany. I have done numerous other shows, but these are the majors.

KM · 02-15-2008, 06:47 PM

Once again...

Thanks again moorey. Bookmarked this as well. Awesome information, especially for people like me- preparing for their first show. I'd rep you again, but can't.

Tripower · 02-16-2008, 02:17 AM

As always, moorey has posted a relevant and often neglected topic that all of us have dealt with, or are yet to deal with. Awesome moorey.