CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE September/October 2020 | Page 47

And if things do get worse, more serious things can
start to happen:
• Mental health issues such as depression and
anxiety
• Cardiac distress such as high blood pressure
• Hormonal disruptions such menstrual cycle
cessation
• Skin problems such as hives
• Thinning hair or hair loss
• Digestion difficulties such as new food
intolerances
• Musculoskeletal injury
Do not get me wrong - I am all for being resilient
and perseverant and will always encourage you to
push to your limits. But there comes a point, which
is different for everyone mind you, that the suffering
and sacrifice become too much. No title or trophy
is worth harming yourself to that point!
• Your close friends and family support you
• You have the time to get all of your workouts
& food prep in
• You have the mental energy and constitution
to dedicate to the process
• You are healthy enough to start an intense
training & diet regimen
Now, after reading this, if you realize it may not
be your time yet, do not worry - the shows will
always be there for when you are ready. As well,
if you are currently preparing for a show, and you
are experiencing some of the symptoms I’ve listed
above and you have come to realize, this may not
be your time, do not worry – there will other shows.
Above everything else - health, family, and finances
must always come first – before any contest prep.
Trust me – if you wait until you are ready, I promise
that you will enjoy the process so much more, and
the result will be so much better! If you are destined
So I want to put things in perspective for you right
now.
For you to consider starting a contest prep, I implore
you to make sure that as much of your life outside
the gym is stable, balanced, and secure.
Please make certain that:
• You can financially afford to compete
to win your next show or become an IFBB Pro, it
should not matter when that happens. All that
matters is that you know it will happen when the
time is right for you!
Darren
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