Competing 'naturally'???

[TNeuf]

Am I naive to think that there are women competing that are 'natural' (sans aas)? I must confess that I once thought that anyone that ever did any aas ended up looking huge and masculine. Now I see women that look great - hard, ripped and athletic. Anytime I ask this question, people just beat around the bush. Even the women that I know that compete tell me that aas isn't needed by anybody and that any woman using it is doing so for "nothing". I guess what they mean is that it's not necessary?? I don't know, nobody wants to give me a clear answer.

I don't give a rat's buttooski what anyone does with their life. Hey, live and let live. I wouldn't use anything because I'm a big ole' Mrs.Tree-Lovin', Earth Mama, but that's ME. I just want to know how realistic it is to get to those higher levels of competition without it. When I open up my Oxygen mag and cut out pictures to paste on my wall, I want to know if what I'm looking at is seriously achievable for me. Like Beth Horn and Monica Brant - what is the deal?? When I train to compete in a "natural" event, am I TRULY competing in a natural event on an even playing field??

(Please don't think I'm dismissing any of the hard work and dieting etc... that these women have to do. I'm in this lifestyle too and I know how hard it is!)

Thanks!!
Tara

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Totally unrealistic unless your a genetic freak and there aren't many out there.

 

[Optimus B]

my training partner is 100% natural and he's doing his first contest on saturday. with that said, i've witnessed firsthand that a flawless diet (his pre-contest diet) coupled with hard training can get you into ridiculously good shape. in the same breath, he is taking a pretty big beating in terms of strength and energy. getting into contest shape can be achieved naturally, totally. but, at big shows and when sponsorships and big money are at stake, nobody is going to be natural.

 

[TNeuf]

REALLY!!???? O.k., I have to say that my husband is on his second to last day of dieting and he looks AMAZING!! He's completely natural (just diet and training - ZERO supplements) and yes, he is a genetic freak!! (I wish I could post pics of him but the board keeps telling me they're too big and I'm not savvy enough to shrink them).
Anyway, I was referring more to women that compete in Figure or Fitness events.
Thanks again!
Tara

 

[superqt4u2nv]

REALLY!!???? O.k., I have to say that my husband is on his second to last day of dieting and he looks AMAZING!! He's completely natural (just diet and training - ZERO supplements) and yes, he is a genetic freak!! (I wish I could post pics of him but the board keeps telling me they're too big and I'm not savvy enough to shrink them).
Anyway, I was referring more to women that compete in Figure or Fitness events.
Thanks again!
Tara

Some people are just lucky and work dam hard at it! There are some all natural guys on this site that I have seen pictures of that would blow your mind. It is not impossible just highly unlikely especially in national competitions as Optimus B said.

 

[PBR]

I personally do not know of any women in COMPETITIVE form that are totally natural...I dont know any men who are either...for that matter, most sports that require elite performance/appearence have been introduced to the world of chemical enhancement...the list could go on and on.......

 

[fitistic chick]

Tneuf,
I totally agee with you on that subject. I couldn't even get much out of the trainers at my gym when I approached the issue. Whole different story if I was the one who started the convo about non-natural products, their eyes lit up and they would tell me all about them.
I would like to compete in NANBF someday but there are those awesome women at the gym that are really ripped and I would love to know what it was that got them this way.....i am sure hard work is involved but they are loosing fat at a rather quick pace. I just want to know what they are taking??? If someone asked me I would tell them.....

 

[Daisy_Girl]

It is unlikely that the women in the IFBB (Fitness OR Figure) are natural. Especially the big name ones. AAS talk among women is very taboo, you will probably never hear a female competitor talk openly about drug use.....especially Fitness and Figure. Female BBs sometimes do.

These women have amazing genetics and a work ethic that is above and beyond most people. But that alone does not a champion make - not in the fitness world. Most of these women probably take or have taken Anavar, Primo, Winstrol, possibly Test or Deca. They likely use an Anti-E at contest time. Some may even take GH. This is their LIFE, how they make money. How they perform dictate their income...so I complete understand the choices they make.

In a natural comp, it only means the competitors are drug free at the time of the comp....the winners are drug tested. It often also means that you have been drug free for a year before competition. SO you may be competing against people who have taken AAS in the past.

You can get lean ore gain muscle without drugs. This is done through diet. It may take more time (especially the muscle-gaiing part), but it can happen. Will you look like Monica Brant? I doubt it. Again, she makes her INCOME off her body. Don't use her as the goal to look like - you'll only be disappointed. There is nothing wrong with being motivated by those bodies - but don't compare yourself to them.....you are a totally different person inside and out.

 

[TNeuf]

There is nothing wrong with being motivated by those bodies - but don't compare yourself to them.....you are a totally different person inside and out.
__________________
I know, I know, you're so right. Sometimes I'm pretty happy with how I look and at other times.... well, I'm sure we all have our bad days. Thanks to all for all of the awesome replies!

 

[PBR]

There is nothing wrong with being motivated by those bodies - but don't compare yourself to them.....you are a totally different person inside and out.
__________________
I know, I know, you're so right. Sometimes I'm pretty happy with how I look and at other times.... well, I'm sure we all have our bad days. Thanks to all for all of the awesome replies!

basically backing what Daisy said...remember there is a price to pay for bodies like that...most have no concept...again, that is their life-they go to work to make their bodies marketable and get paid for it...however, it costs them too...alot...risk-time-effort-money-their life is not condusive to the norm...hence, they are above normal in features and performance...I have said this before in other posts, here and on the AB board...there is a very dark side to this world...stepping into it, is a life changing experience...to say the least.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

basically backing what Daisy said...remember there is a price to pay for bodies like that...most have no concept...again, that is their life-they go to work to make their bodies marketable and get paid for it...however, it costs them too...alot...risk-time-effort-money-their life is not condusive to the norm...hence, they are above normal in features and performance...I have said this before in other posts, here and on the AB board...there is a very dark side to this world...stepping into it, is a life changing experience...to say the least.

You know, that is so true. We see the "good" in magazines, we don't see the sacrifices, the health issues, the long-term effects, etc. It is easy to want to look like a picture, but if we lived their lives - we might think differently.

I recently started Fitness Modelling, and at first I was SO gung-ho about it. I was ready to immerse myself in the fitness world totally. I have been doing that for about a year now, and recently have realize how detrimental it is to ME. For basically a year, I have felt worthless - I will never be good enough, thin enough, muscle-y enough, fit enough, etc. It is really hard determining your worth based off OTHER PEOPLE'S perception. Psychologically, it is not easy....let alone physically. What they do to their bodies to make money is NOT worth it, IMO.

I have now had to go back and TOTALLY reevaluate what my goals are....

 

[fitistic chick]

Very good points!
I assumed that NANBF comps were totally drug free.
Here is a clip from the NANBF site: Competition in the NANBF is limited to bodybuilders who have not used any form of strength or growth enhancing drugs, hormones, or other substances including legal pharmaceutical substances intended by the athlete for strength or growth enhancement not medically prescribed. All athletes must be free from the use of these substances for a period of eighty-four months preceding the date of the contest.

Now I have ben to these comps and some of these people look natural and some look like they have had a bit of help. Just wondered how strict these comps are....guess it just depends??
I have no problem at all with people using or not using. Just wanted a straight answer

No matter what, they have worked very hard to get that awesome body!

 

[FitFossil]

That's the problem - there IS no straight answer. It's like lying about not taking drugs is somehow better than telling the truth about taking them. Wanting to compete doesn't mean you have to take drugs, but at the higher levels and in certain federations, depending on the "look" they promote, there's a higher likelihood your competition might be taking them.

Even in the drug-tested competitions, there will always be some cheaters who try to fool the test and get away with it. But that's like life in general - there are always going to be cheaters out there no matter where you are or what you do. So, as long as you understand that and don't get disillusioned by it, don't let it stop you from doing what you want.

 

[PBR]

You know, that is so true. We see the "good" in magazines, we don't see the sacrifices, the health issues, the long-term effects, etc. It is easy to want to look like a picture, but if we lived their lives - we might think differently.

I recently did some Fitness Modelling, and when it started I was SO gung-ho about it. I was ready to immerse myself in the fitness world totally. I have been doing that for about a year now, and recently have realize how detrimental it is to ME. For basically a year, I have felt worthless - I will never be good enough, thin enough, muscle-y enough, fit enough, etc. It is really hard determining your worth based off OTHER PEOPLE'S perception. Psychologically, it is not easy....let alone physically. What they do to their bodies to make money is NOT worth it, IMO.

I have now had to go back and TOTALLY reevaluate what my goals are....

Daisy it took me years to re-program myself to not want to be 285# @ 6% BF and compete...Very Good post BTW...Its like an onion-you start peeling the layers away to find out what the truth behind the matter is?? There are so many questions to be answered when this road is come upon...Its like you finally realize after all this "WTF is this for?"....does it really matter? who really cares? where is this going to take me? who is benefiting from it?...dont get me wrong- this life style has many great aspects to it...its when it becomes all consuming and an obsession (narcistic) that you must stop and think of all that is involved...

 

[TNeuf]

You know, that is so true. We see the "good" in magazines, we don't see the sacrifices, the health issues, the long-term effects, etc. It is easy to want to look like a picture, but if we lived their lives - we might think differently.

Everything you said in your posts is so true. I constantly find myself battling it out for balance. I put a lot of effort into eating right, planning my meals, and training. I also put a lot of effort into my family, my three daughters, my education etc... I sometimes find it hard not to equate my self worth with what I see in the mirror! Anyone else?? I put a lot of effort into my phsyical appearance (not just for appearance, but for all the other good stuff I get out of it) so it's sometimes hard to separate myself from this wrapping. Of course, it's especially hard to not be consumed by it for me because I'm also studying to be a nutritionist and this lifestyle really is my biggest interest. For me, I find it can be a double edged sword. Of course, I can rationally look at a picture of Beth Horn (or whoever) and say, "Look, she's had no kids, this is her lifestyle, her income etc..." but really, there's a little voice in the back of my head whispering.... It doesn't stop me from trying to be the best me I can be. For the most part, I'm happy with what I see, but sometimes I don't feel too happy with having to like what I see to be happy - ha ha, try and figure that one out!

 

[PBR]

Hmmmmmm....trying to "settle" for who you are and what you have...we constantly compare ourselves to everyone around us...we all do it...and as BB's we do it excessively...thats a daunting task and one that will never be fulfilled...some ZEN; "Comparison must be an ego device, for love makes none. Specialness always makes comparisons. It is established by a lack seen in another, and maintained by searching for, and keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can percieve."

 

[vinylgroover]

You don't have to win a trophy to be a winner. If you are constantly improving and continually bettering yourself in whatever field you choose, that is really all that matters and that is what should give you the inspiration to keep going and to find satisfaction from within. How can there be a winner in this sport, the judging criteria is totally subjective anyway.

Drug tested or 'natural' federations are a joke. Most of those organisations barely have enough funds to run themselves let alone have the necessary funds to devote to meaningful drug testing.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

You don't have to win a trophy to be a winner. If you are constantly improving and continually bettering yourself in whatever field you choose, that is really all that matters and that is what should give you the inspiration to keep going and to find satisfaction from within.

Nice post....well said and very mature.

 

[TNeuf]

Hmmmmmm....trying to "settle" for who you are and what you have...we constantly compare ourselves to everyone around us...we all do it...and as BB's we do it excessively...thats a daunting task and one that will never be fulfilled...some ZEN; "Comparison must be an ego device, for love makes none. Specialness always makes comparisons. It is established by a lack seen in another, and maintained by searching for, and keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can percieve."

"...maintained by searching for, and keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can perceive." So very true! I like that. Thanks for sharing it.

If you are constantly improving and continually bettering yourself in whatever field you choose, that is really all that matters and that is what should give you the inspiration to keep going and to find satisfaction from within.

I totally agree. I guess for me though, it's that "constantly improving" and bettering of myself that makes me never feel quite settled with where I'm at. That's the part that I find difficult. I want to be better all the time. I try to remember where I came from instead of where I have not yet been, but it doesn't always work that way.
Funny, I was looking at a picture of myself taken about 2 years ago, before I got pregnant with my last daughter. I was in incredible shape - hard and cut. At the time, I really thought I was in decent shape, but nothing amazing! Now, as I'm working on getting that body back, I can't believe I didn't see it then! Just too hard on myself I guess.

 

[OnMyWayBack]

I competed naturally about 2 years ago. If you enter drug tested events this evens the playing field a little (although there are ways to beat drug tests). I won my novice division, came in second in the heavyweight class and overall. Then my second contest was an NPC show which is not drug tested. I came in second being beat out by an obvious heavy steriod user (back zits, square jaw, etc). So, as you move on and move up it becomes almost impossible for a natural person to win over a steroid user. The choice for me was do a cycle and take it to the next level or stop. So I did a cycle and I have been struggling ever since trying to get the cycle weight off of me. I would have not done the cycle because I think it really altered my metabolism.

I do know of a girl who is 100% natural and who has beaten the steroid women. But, she is genetically gifted and now she faces a national level show where she can go pro. She won't be able to stand next to the woman at this level and win. She is now faced with doing a cycle or staying stuck at her current level.

I also know a few girls who compete naturally in figure and do very well.

Sure you can compete naturally but in my opinion the pro's probably all do cycles so a natural vs. a steroid user is not going to stand a chance.

You can get in phenominal shape naturally and win the lower level shows but to progress your going to have to do a cycle, or stay in the natural circuit of competition.

I'd post some pics of my natural competition shape if I coud figure it out....