Fitness and bodybuilding comps

[trinitylove]

Hi-I am new here, just found the board this morning.

I have a question that has been on my heart for some time now.

I'm an avid weightlifter and have considered entering a fitness competition next year, once I reach that standard.

Anyway,

One of my obstacles is being hesitant because of the skimpy suits one wears, which is necessary for the judges to view what's being judged!

I know the Lord is mainly concerned with our motivations behind things, and my motivation for the competition is not to incite lust, jealousy, or pride in myself or others.

It is display the hard work and results of weightlifting and disciplined "clean" eating.

Would this be looked at any differently than other competitions such as swimming, dancing, etc. where the suits are minimal?

[thechild]

Hi-I am new here, just found the board this morning.

I have a question that has been on my heart for some time now.

I'm an avid weightlifter and have considered entering a fitness competition next year, once I reach that standard.

Anyway,

One of my obstacles is being hesitant because of the skimpy suits one wears, which is necessary for the judges to view what's being judged!

I know the Lord is mainly concerned with our motivations behind things, and my motivation for the competition is not to incite lust, jealousy, or pride in myself or others.

It is display the hard work and results of weightlifting and disciplined "clean" eating.

Would this be looked at any differently than other competitions such as swimming, dancing, etc. where the suits are minimal?

there is nothing wrong with the human body - no shame there. our society has sexualized everything so it is hard not to stir some perversion in somebody somewhere with practically anything.

the problem i have with body bulding is that it is very unhealthy. your body will become quite addicted to it and as soon as you stop, all of that extra muscle will revert back to the undigested food it actually is. you cannot add extra human cells to your body, and nothing you eat becomes a human cell. the things you are doing is for looks only and will do physical damage to you in the long run. the strongest man in the world was quite skinny. look at samson. it is obvious from the way the philistines looked at him, he appeared that he couldn beat his way out of a wet paper sack.

you simply have chosen a very dangerous hobby. everything we do that goes against what god has intended in nature will have a price built right in.

[trinitylove]

i can agree with the first part of what you said regarding the oversexualization of the human body, but not the rest as far as the "undigested food...."

the body CAN build new cells-that what increased muscle mass is-new muscle cells. they muscles are microscopically torn and then repaired and made bigger with the addition of protein to the diet.

once you stop working out with heavy weights, the muscle simply becomes smaller and weaker. it doesn't turn into anything. muscle is muscle. undigested food is passed through the colon as waste-it doesn't stay in the body.

yes, bodybuilding can be unhealthy if the "on-season" diet and workout is sustained for too long (i.e. amenhorhea in women). but, that season only lasts a few months, and once it is over, more body fat and water is retained to regulate the body.

thanks for your spiritual input, but the rest is far from accurate.

[thechild]

i can agree with the first part of what you said regarding the oversexualization of the human body, but not the rest as far as the "undigested food...."

the body CAN build new cells-that what increased muscle mass is-new muscle cells. they muscles are microscopically torn and then repaired and made bigger with the addition of protein to the diet.

once you stop working out with heavy weights, the muscle simply becomes smaller and weaker. it doesn't turn into anything. muscle is muscle. undigested food is passed through the colon as waste-it doesn't stay in the body.

yes, bodybuilding can be unhealthy if the "on-season" diet and workout is sustained for too long (i.e. amenhorhea in women). but, that season only lasts a few months, and once it is over, more body fat and water is retained to regulate the body.

thanks for your spiritual input, but the rest is far from accurate.

i am giving youthe benefit of a lot of research and self experimentaion. i know the convention wisdom. i am speaking to you from a different paradigm of human physiology - one more in tune with nature as god has created it.

i am not condemning your activity, simply answering the question as best i can. you will pay for the stress on your body from what you are doing. i know for many, they think it is worth it. that is as valid as any other choice, so long as it is made using as much information as you can gather. it is a good question coming from you and i hope you get other points of view as well. just remember, what passes for science tody is a charade. it is also bereft of any notion that god has had anything to do with it.

i wish you the very best.

[trinitylove]

thanks for your advice and concern. yes, i am using my knowledge of the human body based on tons of accurate, basically PhD level research, from several trainers, competitors, doctors, and dietitians.

the mainstream media distorts and perverts the truth behind weight training and eating right. otherwise it wouldn't be a multi billion dollar industry. the more misinfomation they provide, the more repeat customers and $ they get.

that's getting a bit off-topic.

my point being, i'm highly educated in the physiology of weight lifting and eating right, and simply need some input on the competition aspect of it all.

thanks again!

[Sadat13]

Hello Trinitylove,

We all enjoy different things in life and obviously weight lifting is something you enjoy. I understand about your concerns with the skimpy suits that need to be worn for competition, but anyone who watches those competitions knows that those suits are worn to show all the work that you have done on your body. If anyone looks on you with lust during a competition "they" are the ones with the problem. I would say that so long as you remember that God gave you the ability to do what you do and give Him the glory you can step out on that stage with your head lifted high.

[Guest LadyC]

well i'm of a whole different train of thought here.

personally, the undigested food part in the response you got from someone kinda leaves me speachless.... the skimpy pieces of string that you have to wear for competitions really isn't the issue either. at least not in the sense that you're concerned about... God created the human body, nothing shameful about it.

here's where i would have a hard time with this, if i was in your shoes. the whole premise of a competition is to show off your body (lacking modesty) and hopefully attain the goal of having the best body (pride goes before the fall). i wonder if we even have a right, as humans, to compete against others in this arena? after all, our bodies may be developed by us in the sense of hard work, but our bodies are all a creation of God. in a round about way, it almost seems like competitions are about 'God blessed me more than He blessed you'... or at the very least, a form of self-idolatry.

please note i'm not attacking you personally, i'm just musing about the industry as a whole and sharing the thoughts that are rattling around at the top of my head.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

trinitylove,

Having been a bodybuilder at one time. Not competitively though. It think it really depends upon your motivation sister. Many atheletes give all the Glory to God. I was reading recently of Coach Joe Gibbs using his fame to spread the Gospel. His motivation in all things is Christ. Of course he wants to win. Who doesn't? Does that make him evil? Naw, he's just competitive. Yet when he wins, he uses this platform to speak of the Lord. He speaks to disadvantaged kids groups about overcoming obstacles in their lives. He Preaches the Gospel to them with his whole life.

I would speak to the Lord about it in prayer. It seems to be bothering you slightly. Ask the Lord to reveal the reason why. Is it conviction or just nervousness. Ask the Lord to examine your motivations.

Peace,

Dave

[Rober H]

I love pumping iron and have been doing it since I was 13 years old.

I have personally never competed but I know some fine upstanding people who do. I think you should let your conscience be your guide.

Many of my friends are into bodybuilding and power lifting and one of my son's has competed in three or four competitions. He took first in his class and second over all in one of them. The area I live in has a lot of competitive bodybuilders and power lifters.

Fitness is a hobby I really enjoy.

I don't know if this has been helpful or not. Just sharing my opinion.

Keep the faith,

Robert

[Constant]

Hi-I am new here, just found the board this morning.

I have a question that has been on my heart for some time now.

I'm an avid weightlifter and have considered entering a fitness competition next year, once I reach that standard.

Anyway,

One of my obstacles is being hesitant because of the skimpy suits one wears, which is necessary for the judges to view what's being judged!

I know the Lord is mainly concerned with our motivations behind things, and my motivation for the competition is not to incite lust, jealousy, or pride in myself or others.

It is display the hard work and results of weightlifting and disciplined "clean" eating.

Would this be looked at any differently than other competitions such as swimming, dancing, etc. where the suits are minimal?

I am very active in body building and have done a fitness pagent before. The outfits are the only way you can show off your muscle without being naked. It is the sport.