My Plan to Avoid Post Contest Blues



I am going to be competing in my very first bikini competition in less than 4 weeks!! I am actually pretty excited to put on my sparkly bikini, false eyelashes, and heels!!! I have worked extremely hard for the last 6 months for this. I have been hearing a lot of people talk about post-contest blues. I've been told that it can actually be a serious issue. Most people go into their first competition not even being aware of it. Throughout my training and prep, I have gone through the process of anxiety/excitement which has gotten me through the good days and the bad days. I have built up such great anticipation for what it will be like. I have seen myself go through a transformation that few will ever experience. Each and every week I have seen more and more changes in my body. Changes that I never even thought were possible. It is difficult to think about the fact that the day the competition arrives, regardless of the outcome, at the end of the day, IT'S OVER!

I know that the next day when I wake up, my first meal or my morning cardio session is not going to be a "must" anymore. I will not have a "deadline" and a plan to get there. To be honest, this does scare me a bit. I want to try my best not to feel lost, unfocused and overwhelmed. I know that when I will have all of that freedom, it will probably feel kind of scary and I will have no idea how to spend my new found free time. Also, I know that all of my clothes will probably begin to fit tighter, and my abs may even disappear for a few days.

I want to do everything I can, so that I do not let myself slip into post-contest blues. So I have made myself a little plan. I am going to keep my diet clean, in order to avoid retaining a dramatic amount of water. I may even go back to my pre-contest diet, and just add in a few extra calories and possibly some different healthy foods for some variety. I want to get right back to the gym as well, at least a week after my competition. I know it will be good for my body to take a short break and recover, but I feel like if I get back into the gym to do some active recovery workouts it will allow my body to recuperate while still activating my muscles. I will probably do the treadmill or the bike and do some light cardio as well. I am hoping this will get me back into my pre-contest routine and help me to keep a positive frame of mind.

I also want to maybe try a new activity with my free time, so that I can keep my mind and body active, and allow myself to experience an entirely new form of fitness. I am also planning on spending a lot of time with my family and friends. During my prep, most of my time has been spent preparing food, training and doing cardio. I have had to put my family and friends on the back burner. I know that my loved ones will appreciate being able to spend time with me again.

I've been told that it is completely normal to feel a bit let down after a show. I have spent so many months focusing on it, and when it is over, I will need to find a new place to focus my energy. I know that my contest body is most likely not attainable or healthy to maintain year-round. I need to just keep my focus on staying healthy and active!!