Jul 11

Written by: Ali Herreygers
7/11/2008 11:02 AM

 

'Socially awkward'. A term that easily describes life in the physique game. In a society where most social events revolve around practices that go against what we train so hard for, we become the abnormal. We become the sociall awkward. While our friends are going out boozing it up for 16 hours, we are making sure we are getting in our frequent, good quality food, keeping up our water and getting plenty of sleep.

Most athletes I have spoken with that are serious about bodybuilding or figure seem to go through the same stages with their 'normal' friends. When you take those first steps towards becoming a serious athlete and not just someone who wants to look good in a singlet, short shorts or have killer guns, you find yourself making changes to what you do when you go out with your friends. You start to always volunteer as the designated driver. You bring protein shakes with you, in case of a protein 'emergency'. You make good choices when going to restaurants, or discourage your friends from going to places where you know you will have no choice but junk.

As you continue in this lifestyle you gradually get more and more dedicated to your sport, you realise that too many of these outings are slowing you down. As hard as you may try you miss more sleep on the weekend, and can't catch up on it during the week due to work. You have just a few drinks, or sneak in a burger here and there. Coming to this realisation you start to say no to your 'normie' friends. In turn they start to resent your rejections, as they take it as a personal insult. The initial reaction causes some tension, but in time you both come to an understanding. But it doesn't stop there. You decide to compete. You all but sever your old life in an attempt to be a winner and not just 'that guy or girl who did a comp a couple of years ago'. You begin to socialise with like minded people and become good friends with people in the physique world, further decreasing time spent with 'normies'. Life in these circles further affirms your physique lifestyle and leads to a completely different way of thinking. You are no longer the person who didn't have that 12th drink so you wouldn't throw up, or that 4th pill so you might get some sleep over the next week. You are the person who won't drink, and won't go a night without at least 8 hours sleep.

We love our friends and family, and will never want them out of our lives. We can only hope to get them to realise that we are living life as Abbey Normal. Of course we know better then 'normies'. We know you should be eating 6 meals a day, avoiding simple carbs and saturated fats. Ever heard "comon, have some cake, a bit of fat is good for you!". In a world where 'cake is good for you' we will continue to be the socially awkward.

Times are changing, watch this space.

Tags: