CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE March/April 2020 | Page 79

how to avoid
burnout and dropout
By Lesley Timbol (Adapted from Patrick Cohn at Peak Performance Sports, LLC.)
Have you ever been so frustrated with a lack of
improvement that training and following a competition
diet doesn’t seem worth the time and effort?
At times you feel like walking away from competing
because you feel so burned out or have a lack of
enthusiasm?
Bodybuilding is demanding but some athletes increase
those demands by putting excessive pressure upon
themselves. These athletes can become too focused
on results that they heap unrealistic expectations upon
themselves.
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THEY EXPECT TO WIN FIRST
or overall in all competitions
THEYEXPECT THAT THEY HIT
certain standards in each
competition, best poser or PRO
STATUS
THET EXPECT THEY SHOULD
beat certain competitors
THEY EXPECT PERFECTION
THEY EXPECT TO ACHIEVE THEIR
personal goals every year despite
unfortunate circumstances
THEY EXPECT TO NEED A
perfect physique to step on stage
THEY EXPECT EVERYTHING
to be perfect to win their category
When bodybuilders fall short of their expectations,
frustration ensues, doubts creep in, confidence drops,
mental and physical energy wanes, performance
suffers, injuries are more likely to happen, passion
dwindles and burnout can start to set in.
Many bodybuilders try to ramp up efforts when they are
not seeing results. They train harder. They train longer.
They enter more competitions. They seek out more
coaching. All which ends up being counterproductive.
all you want to do is move on from the anxiety and
frustration you feel when you experience burnout. The
physical and mental efforts no longer seem to make
sense.
70% of children quit organized sports by the time they
are 13 years old. Burnout, not having fun and losing
interest are some of the culprits of sports dropout.
Many professional athletes, Olympians and elite
athletes experience burnout. They become too focused
on winning that they forget why they compete and lose
their love for their sport.
To avoid burnout you need to let go of high
expectations and demands for achieving excessive
standards.
How to Avoid Burnout and Dropout:
Results will follow when you feel rejuvenated.
Step away from competing to develop a renewed
perspective and regain your passion for competing.
Obsessing about how far you are from reaching your
goals only instills a feeling of failure.
Find the right fuel to drive your passion. "Why do you
do what you do?" the late Ken Ravizza would ask his
athletes.
Understand why you compete and having the right
motivation to compete will keep you in the game.
Be mindful of striving to meet expectations, worrying
about what others think about your game, and being
motivated by fame or popularity. These are not good
motivators.
If you need help managing your expectations contact
me at [phone] or email me at lesley@timbol.
ca to learn how to avoid burnout and dropping out of
bodybuilding.
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