Bikini competitions are exciting, giving you a thrill when you step on the stage. But they are also very challenging. Without a plan in place, it’s easy to feel lost and let things slide, which can lead to poor decisions and frustrations.
This is why we encourage athletes to prepare for the transitions before competing.
Tips For Bikini Competitors
1. Know your desired maintenance look – As your competition approaches, you will notice some big changes in your body. Your muscles will have more definition, they will pop more, and (if you worked hard enough) your abs will look amazing. But remember, this super lean look you created for the stage might now stay with you forever. You need to start thinking about what your body will look offseason.
Your real goal should not be to hold onto an unsustainable stage look, but to aim toward a healthier and fit physique that makes you feel good in the longer run. Whether you are all glammed up in your micro bikini competition suits or going about your day, it is about creating balance.
2. Set personal goals – After extreme training and months in the gym, it can be hard to know what next once your competition is over. This feeling can lead to feeling down, common for a lot of athletes. However, setting up new goals can help you stay motivated and move forward easily.
Whether you plan to compete again, it’s important to have a new focus in life. You can try learning a new skill, like calisthenics, or gymnastics. Keeping your mind focused on progress will help you avoid feeling stuck.
3. Avoid vacations right after the show – We understand, that after months of hard training, your family or partner might want to take you out on a vacation, But we recommend waiting at least four to six weeks before planning for a trip. Yes, seems like a long time but here’s why you should wait: right after your show, your food and sweet cravings are all out of balance.
A lot of first-time competitors think they will be fine and can control their hunger but those feelings won’t be reliable for weeks (sometimes months). We know competitors who come back from a week-long vacation with 10-15 pounds of weight gain because they couldn’t stop their cravings. And the worst part is, it’s not only water weight.
So, if you have even the slightest feeling that you won’t be able to control your food intake on a vacation, it is best to rest for a couple of weeks and let your body adjust over time. This way, you will be more in tune with your body and avoid binge eating.
Trust us, your dream vacation can wait a little longer, but your cravings won’t.
Conclusion
Your bikini competition journey is just as important as the prep journey leading up to it. And just as confident as you feel wearing your bikini competition suit and jewelry on stage, you need to remember to keep a healthy balance after your show also. Start planning for the transition beforehand, set new goals, and don’t rush to go on a vacation anytime soon.
If you follow these steps carefully, you will be able to enjoy the journey in more ways than one.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck, ladies!