Participating in a bikini competition isn’t for the faint of heart.
I mean think about it – you have to get up on stage, in just a bikini (and stripper heels) and strut your stuff.
Maybe you walk around in a bikini and heels at home all day long, so it doesn’t seem like a big deal. Go you!
But if you’re like the rest of us, posing in an itty bitty bikini on a large, elevated stage is a far cry from our yoga pants and hoodies. And if you’re not 22 and have a couple of kids at home like me…
Even so, at 33 (I’ll be almost 34 on show day) and with a four and six year old at home (that gifted me some solid stretch marks ?), I’m going to go for it.
You can get started with my step-by-step guide and if your still wondering if you should give it a try, here are five reasons I think you should consider a bikini competition too:
1. Having a Goal and a Deadline Will Increase Your Odds of Success
Committing to a bikini competition on a specific date gives you both a goal (getting into amazing shape!) and a deadline to achieve said goal.
You could totally shoot for fitting into a bikini you have from before kids or a smaller size than you have now before the start of swimsuit season next year (this also provides a goal and deadline), but it’s a bit more nebulous than a competition with a specific standard and date.
Either way, you’ll be most successful if you have a stake in the outcome. Sure, there’s wanting to look good and be healthy in both scenarios, but investing the money to compete (hint: it ain’t cheap!) might give you the extra motivation you need to actually see your goal through.
2. You’ll Learn a Ton About Fitness and Nutrition
You may already feel like you know a lot about fitness and nutrition.
Or maybe you know very little. Regardless, you’ll become so much more educated by working with a trainer, nutritionist or just researching and putting together workout and eating plans on your own.
Plus, everyone’s body works a bit differently. So not only will you become more knowledgeable about fitness/nutrition overall, but you’ll also get to know how your body reacts to different strategies as well!
3. Growth Happens Outside of Your Comfort Zone
I’m a huge fan of challenging myself to do things wayyyyyyy outside of my comfort zone.
Why? It causes immense personal growth and teaches me that I can accomplish much more than I ever thought possible.
This was true when I ran my first half marathon. And even more so when I ran my first (and only) full marathon.
It was also true when I started my own business. And when I spoke at my first conference. (Some days I think that strutting my stuff on stage will be easier than public speaking. ?)
Competing in a bikini competition will serve as a HUGE personal growth opportunity for me and I bet it will for you too. You’ll have to overcome numerous thoughts of wanting to quit, if it’s really worth it and question why you decided to do it in the first place.
But you’ll also realize immense benefits from the journey and the culmination of it all by competing on stage. Even if you don’t win!
4. You Can’t Half-Ass It
One thing I like about the idea of participating in a bikini competition is the fact that you can’t half-ass it.
It’s like running a marathon – you can’t just decide you want to run one, not train and then show up on race day able to finish one. I mean you can, but it won’t be pretty!
And likely you won’t finish. Or if you do, it’ll take you a lot longer than your trained counterparts and you’ll probably have a fair amount of blisters and experience other race day woes that you wouldn’t have if properly trained.
The same can be said about a bikini competition. If you don’t train, if you don’t lean out, if you don’t practice posing, if you don’t find the proper suit and accessories, if you don’t get your spray tan on… you won’t be ready for game day.
And trust me, it’ll show.
You’ll stick out like a sore thumb. And you won’t feel that great about the experience.
You (and I) will have to significantly change our diets and fitness habits. We’ll have to get creative, practice self-control and make our nutrition and exercise a HUGE priority.
5. You’ll Get Into the BEST Shape of Your Life!
This is probably the best reason you should consider a bikini competition.
It’s my main motivation by far! I want to challenge myself to get into the best shape of my life – including prior to having kids.
My weight has fluctuated a bit over time. I’ve never been too skinny by any means, but I’ve been a healthy weight and a bit above that.
The kid thing didn’t help and neither does spending most of my waking hours sitting at a desk behind a computer screen. But I’m not going to let my lifestyle choices (which my career technically is) limit me from getting into the best physical shape of my life.
Because I want this – and not just in some vain, “I want to look good” way either. I want to look and feel good, but I also want to challenge my current habits, become as healthy as I possibly can and be a good role model to my kiddos.
Are You Considering a Bikini Competition Yet?
If you’re motivated by having a specific goal and deadline, enhancing your nutrition and exercise knowledge, challenging your comfort zone, having to significantly change your lifestyle and get into the best shape of you life, then a bikini competition might just be for you.
I get it, it won’t be for everyone. And that’s okay. It just needs to be for you if this is what you really want to do.
Hopefully this post has enlightened you to the top reasons why I’m looking forward to competing. And if they resonate with you, I hope you join me on this crazy journey!
