recovered , loss of structure and routine , loss of their sponsorship ( s ) causing financial strain , as well as a very real uncertainty about their future in bodybuilding .
The injured bodybuilder ’ s mind games begin and they mostly start with 2 deadly words … what if ?
* What if I can ' t fully recover from this injury ? * What if I lose muscle mass during my recovery ? * What if I don ’ t heal in time for my upcoming important competitions or events ? * What if I fall behind on my training schedule ? * What if I lose motivation to continue training ? * What if I need surgery ? And if so , what are the risks , complications , and recovery challenges ? * What if I have to change my training approach or goals ? * What if I re-injure myself when I return to training ? * What if I lose my sponsors or endorsement opportunities ? * What if this injury affects my long-term health and well-being ? * What if I can ' t compete anymore and I ’ m forced to retire ?
These " what ifs " are conditional statements that trap many injured bodybuilders in negativity and hopelessness . Not only do these statements affect their emotional state , they can interfere with their recovery process .
And then there ’ s also the injured bodybuilder ’ s mindset , which tends to lead to pessimistic thinking . This type of thinking increases stress and anxiety as well as elevates stress hormones within the body , further interfering with their body ' s ability to heal .
Even when the injured bodybuilder finally returns to competition , their high stress levels cause a " bracing effect ," where increased muscle tension can lead to re-injury .
So what does an injured bodybuilder do ? It is vital for the bodybuilder to CHOOSE a positive mindset , which will flip the script and dramatically improve their chances for a quick and successful recovery from injury .
A positive mindset is where you focus on a successful and speedy recovery rather than negative " what ifs ."
Every bodybuilder will experience an initial adverse reaction to injury , but moving forward from injury requires that you PROCESS your circumstances and then FOCUS on your mental and physical recovery 1 day at a time .