Is Fitness Modelling Changing the Health of Women for Better or Worse?

Fitness modeling or bikini body competitions are fast becoming one of the most sought after weekend events.

Women of all ages are turning to competing against one another on stage to prove their body is better than another women’s body.

INBA competitions are held all over Australia and have been for many years. But in recent years these competitions have become a Mecca for young women, fresh from birth mothers, and more mature women needing to prove something to themselves.

These tanned, excessively lean women train very hard multiple times a day, adhering to carefully planned out diets religiously. And as the time to ‘get on stage’ gets closer, body fat is stripped so low, only caffeine, dehydration, and vodka can help them win that coveted ‘Bikini Body Champion’ title.

These women are dedicated, highly motivated and have a high need to prove themselves which are all excellent traits.

I personally have a great fear for these women and their future bodies and minds, though. In recent months as I attend my local gym and I have seen these women and men come in and out of competition shape.

This ‘competition body’ is phenomenal, to say the least. They are lean, ripped, tense, focused and driven. However, their eyes are dead, hurting, fearful and hungry of the ongoing worries of being in peak competition shape all year round.

They are worried they haven’t lifted enough, worried the lights will not show their muscle definition. Worried about the other people on stage, hiding their secret supplements, worried their tan is not dark enough. Worried their shoes are not high enough, their bikini not sparkly enough. Or they ate too many carbs, and /or they drank too much water.

I believe this industry is ruining women’s bodies and minds. Days after competition they look in the mirror at themselves and realize that the competition is over and the water retention will begin soon. They feel unsatisfied and depressed due to not looking like they did on stage only days ago.

They go back reminisce with pictures and hope that one day they will get back there. However, in reality, it never happens again because each competition becomes harder and harder to get leaner.

Dysmorphia

This is where “Fitness Model Dysmorphia” begins. Hormones go haywire, creating bad skin reactions, water retention, excessive muscle bulk. Which turns into body parts looking larger, excessive hunger and trying to get back your pre-competition lifestyle of ‘normality’.

More dangerous body functions problems can also arise. Hormonal imbalances creating mood swings, irregular periods, stress, eating disorders and other medical conditions. I feel saddened for these women!

Many women have simply been given incorrect advice, and have therefore created a total body imbalance and destructive stress disorder. Many women post competition have come to me for help and advice. I have lifted many of my close friends up from the inner pain caused by these competitions.

I want to tell you it is possible to be lean fit and healthy, all year round, without stripping to this extent. With very similar principals but without the excessive body stress.

After years of experience in the health and fitness industry and education also being heavily involved in high-level sport – triathlon, cycling, surf life saving, fitness model preparations.

I believe I have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help women become the best they can without torturing their delicate bodies.

My goal is to help women to find their best bodies for life, with realistic and healthy training and eating. Not following excessive patterns, or following a diet designed for men.

If you would like more information on my b.live.wear programs that rebalance and reinvigorate bodies, contact me or visit my Instagram profile for how I do it.

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