Metabolic Damage - An Example of the Real Deal

I thought I'd pull one of the many comments from the Metabolic Mind Games article from a short while back to highlight just how real a phenomenon this is. The following falls right in line with what I've been observing more and more in the world of female compettiors. So much feedback has said the same thing - "wow, did you write this about me?" That's a pretty scary thought.

This stuff is the real deal. Do what you can to stay OFF this road. Recognize anything? Anything? Like contest preps getting harder? It requiring more cardio than it used to? Less calories than it used to? Less carbs than it used to? And still, for less results? A big rebound?

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Wow Erik... how did you hear about my situation? LOL! Your article is so bang on, it could have been written about me. Three contest preps in 3 years. Hours of cardio, 7 days a week. A constant lowering of calories, especially carb calories. No fat allowed. No dairy. No fruit. No salt. Drugs? Yes... combinations of fat burners, diuretics and other unmentionables. Each contest prep was 20 to 24 weeks of this.

Year one went pretty well... the weight and water came off. Year two... much harder... my body did NOT want to respond to the diet, the cardio or the drugs. Year 3? Complete refusal. No amount of dieting/cardio/drugs worked. I actually started GAINING weight on 1100 "starch free" calories a day, doing 3 hours of cardio, 7 days a week plus weight training and posing practice. I dropped out of that contest prep... feeling like a complete failure.

That was 3 years ago. In that time, I have employed various trainers, none of whom really understood the problem. My weight kept of creeping up. I am now 50 pounds heavier than I should be and HATING it. I no longer entertain dreams of being on stage again. I no longer tell people that I "used to compete", because most people would not believe that this chubby middle aged woman could ever look lean and athletic. Now, my goal is to be able to eat healthfully and get NORMAL responses from my body.

I have recently been seeing a naturopath in Calgary who is trying to help me improve my thyroid and adrenal functions. Last week, I was perfect on my diet and never missed a workout. For that effort, I was rewarded with a 1 pound loss. I have never been more pleased with 16 little ounces.

This is a REAL problem and I agree with Erik that the word needs to get out. To all ladies who are involved in the sport and are still dieting like this, take heed and learn from my situation!!

Posted Jul 07, 2010 by Erik Ledin.
This entry is filed under Contest Prep, Rants, Fat Loss, and
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Comments for This Entry

GravatarSandi Stuart12:24PM on July 07, 2010

Wow. So, so sad. Thanks so much for sharing.


Best of luck to you in getting back to 'normal.'

Hugs!!!

GravatarDanny-J07:46PM on July 07, 2010

I think the problem with even hearing some of these stories, is that, sometimes it takes awhile for you to notice the changes in your body... and its easy to justify, that "oh I'm getting older, or I need more sleep"
I just used to think all those "off season": figure girls got fat, and I wouldn't be like that... I thought they were just like bodybuilders and did it on PURPOSE!
Oh hell no!! I get it now!!
BUT unfortunately, even if word gets out, there will be people out there, like me, who think that it doesn't apply to them;(

GravatarSohee Lee10:32PM on July 07, 2010

Here here!!

GravatarJulia11:08PM on July 07, 2010

You have, extremely helpfully might I add, identified some of the factors that contribute to metabolism wrecking. Any tips to repair? (ugh, I hope "time" isn't the answer :).....but I'd even take a sincere "just give it some time" response over news that when it's gone, it's gone)

GravatarJeanne02:28AM on July 09, 2010

I think I commented on this comment before, but it pretty much sums up ME in the past 7 months. I did 5 shows a year the past 2 years, and 3 the year prior. I have rebounded worse than I ever feared, and that is with a clean diet and normal workout routine. I have been working with Erik for almost 2 months. My NMD diagnosed me with severe adrenal exhaustion (hmmmmmm I guess 14+ hours of cardio per week and 7-10 hrs in my offseason was not a good idea), among other things. I have yet to see any changes. But I know girls who have made it to the other side and some who are in the process. Having a coach who truly values the athlete-coach team and who makes time for you, when the need is there, is what tells me I am in the right place. It seems time is the answer, and that time will vary with each of us. The good news is, we are learning the right way to go about it and when we finally see our way through time rough times, it will be the sweetest victory to date. I appreciate everyone who shares their honest struggles and successes along the way. Cheers to getting through Metabolic Hell. I know if I can do what I did in the past, I can beat this too.
I just wish I would have listened to my body so long ago vs. the keep going, keep pushing, you are so close attitude.
I cannot wait for the Post Party Celebration... it has GOT TO BEAT the 1 night post show binge :)

Gravatardriven04:41AM on July 18, 2010

@Julia... Unfortunately, time is a factor... but, what else do you have? I am slowly starting to recover... other than having a trainer who understands the issue, you can also consider seeing a Naturopath. This has been the key for me. My regular doctor had no idea what to do for me and no interest in finding out. He said to me, "Weight loss is hard", and walked out of the office. This is after looking at days worth of carefully documented food and workout logs, as well as looking at test results that clearly showed elevated cortisol levels.
Another wise trainer one told me that the metabolism is like a beaten dog... with careful handling it will begin to respond, BUT... it will not take much to have it shrinking away again. It must be handled with care...

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