A BODYBUILDER'S DIARY: 2 WEEKS OUT

by KRISTYN LIA

Today I woke up at my best. The best I have ever looked in my overall physique as a whole. Is it better than every single other girl that will be competing across Australia - unlikely. Will it be in two weeks time? Also unlikely. Does this bother me? Nope.

I now look like I belong on that stage, I am at my physical best, and that is what I had hoped to achieve this prep.

I have competed a long time, but I am a newbie to the IFBB. And this federation is certainly next level!

I have walked on stage 14 times. I have placed 13 times, and only won 3. I have posted dozens of pictures of each event regardless of the placing. Because each time I have been so fricken' proud of myself! In fact my proudest moment I placed second, after going on stage happy to not place at all.

Competing would be a very unhappy sport for me if I only competed to win. I work hard, but I am not the biggest, leanest and I am not willing to undertake the extreme preps that some elect to do.

Everyone says that they will do what it takes, but I have a limit. I will work as hard as I can but I will never starve or jeopardise my own physical and mental health.

At the end of the day my body is mine for the duration of my life, I have to live in it and ultimately as a personal trainer and nutritionist I advocate health. In saying that I am by no means criticizing the more extreme preps. My hat goes off for those girls who endure them, sacrifice so much and many certainly look sensational.  But for me competing is about the journey. I've tried extreme preps before and was so miserable I almost withdrew from the show. I simply will not compete if I hate the process, regardless of the results.

I think I look pretty damn good regardless.

I’ve hit a sweet spot in which I can easily transition back into my life with my gorgeous soon to be husband and I am happy this way. There is always another show and each and every time I prove over and over that I am capable of getting better. I might never win a show, but as long as I have passion to prep and the love of the stage I will persist.

I have one more week left until the qualifier and I am looking forward to challenging myself these next two weeks. I am very very excited to see what I put up on that final stage.

SEE THE NEXT ARTICLE HERE

AS PART OF OUR FOCUS FITNESS THIS SUMMER, STING ATHLETE KRISTYN LIA WILL BE PUBLISHING "A BODYBUILDER'S DIARY" ON HER ROAD TO THE ARNOLD CLASSIC 2018 IN MELBOURNE.