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"Suddenly I thought: I want that too!"
by Roxana Fröhlich
"I want even more. Let's go into battle!"
15.5.2017
Translation: machine translated
Roxy works at Galaxus and is a bikini athlete. Today you accompany her on her journey to becoming an athlete; the decision and the starting shot.
I never actually intended to become an athlete and perform on stage. Initially, I didn't like the bodies at all. Too drained, too defined, too thin. I also didn't know my way around this world. The bodybuilding scene was completely new to me. I started this sport and this lifestyle because I wanted to be fit first and foremost.
But as time went on, I wanted more. I wanted to set myself goals, achieve them and fight for them. In my case, that was only possible with a bodybuilding competition. And as luck would have it, I had one of the best competition coaches from Switzerland at my side. The more we discussed it, the more I wanted to have this experience. A year later, I decided to take to the stage. I tend to be a quiet person and prefer to observe other people rather than take centre stage. Nevertheless, I love the stage. Even when I was in the theatre, singing or dancing. Performances were always great for me.
The right class
I had a vague idea that the path to the competition stage would not be a walk in the park. Preparations began in spring 2014. My coach developed a precise schedule. We met more regularly for the measurements (body fat, circumference, muscle build-up) and focussed on the ever-closer goal: the IFBB Swiss International Cup and the Swiss Championships - both competitions in Switzerland. To clarify: the IFBB is a bodybuilding competition organisation. There are several other associations, but I decided to go with this one.
As far as the class was concerned, it was clear to me right from the start: the bikini class. A beautiful, feminine class. Requirements for this class according to the IFBB association: Symmetry, proportion, slight muscle development as well as definition, stage presentation, overall impression, charisma and attractiveness, even tan and skin tone, make-up and hairstyle.
I personally found and still find this class beautiful; it is elegant and not too muscular. Due to the slightly higher body fat percentage than the other classes, she looks correspondingly feminine. I myself can identify very well with the bikini class. I have an elegant, graceful appearance, fine muscle definition and bring a nice "package" to the stage. Anyone interested in the other classes is welcome to enquire on the web (otherwise my report won't be a blog, but a book).
Diet
The start of my diet began during my summer holidays in Croatia. The competitions were planned for the beginning and middle of October. This gave us enough time to avoid stress. Because stress is devastating when you're on a competition diet; the body then retains more water, and that's exactly what you want to avoid.
Before I introduce aspects of the diet, let's start with my physical starting point: I was and still am a rather slim person, at 164 cm I'm a minion.
When I started preparing for competition in 2014, I had a body fat percentage of 16 to 17 per cent - and I was in the middle of a build-up phase, not on a diet! I was already quite lean (which means I was already quite lean and lean and had a low body fat percentage) and you can already see muscle definition in the pictures. So I already had a nice starting position and my coach and I reckoned I'd be ready for the stage in two to three months. That's very little time! Other athletes prepare for half a year, if not longer!
In any case, I was able to eat what I liked at first. The only thing we had to adjust step by step was the macros. But this time downwards. This allowed my body and my metabolism to slowly adapt and get used to the lower food intake. You won't believe me, but at the beginning I was happy about the diet kick-off. It was summer, hot and humid and I was used to eating a lot from the build-up phase. So the diet was just right for me. Of course, it got tougher from time to time, the hunger came up more often and the "not being allowed" was a mental thing (more on that later). As far as I can remember, there was a so-called "joker meal" once a week. You may know this as a "cheat meal": despite being on a diet, you were allowed to eat whatever you wanted at this meal.
Adieu social life
The diet only really took off for me in the last month before the competition. From then on, it was no more Jokermeal and only selected foods such as lean meat and fish, green vegetables, potatoes or rice. The positive thing is that the body gets used to it; the stomach shrinks and hunger is limited. A bigger challenge was to prepare myself mentally. Working at Galaxus made the diet easier for me: I had a regular daily routine and plenty to do. However, the weekends were harder. I missed the social life like never before. I missed cinema nights with sweet popcorn (I love the cinema!) or a lively evening of Iranian food with my family. I simply didn't have the energy for it. Eating without weighing things up beforehand and watching every gram. Normal things, such as listening to the feeling of hunger or fullness and eating something for pleasure, were forbidden. Everything was measured out precisely and planned for the day ahead (so-called meal prep).
I promised to tell you more about a generally healthy diet. There's actually not much to consider. It's just important to eat a balanced diet and avoid processed foods as much as possible. I don't really believe in diets at all; by that I mean crash diets. Our bodies need carbohydrates - especially when we are very active. It also needs healthy fats and proteins. Many people have asked me whether it isn't totally unhealthy to go on a competition diet. I don't think it was any worse than the eating behaviour of the average person. During my preparation, I ate everything - just in bulk and in smaller quantities. Of course it picked up in the final spurt, but the time span was clearly limited and I had a tangible goal in mind. What I didn't do and still don't do today: I don't have sweets every day and I don't enjoy a glass of wine every evening. But is that the case for you?
Anyone who can judge me a little by now will realise that I really like strength training. Of course, there are also training days when I can hardly get myself together. But I had to deal with a few personal crises during my preparation for the competition. More on that next time. Thank you for being there!
Missed part 1?
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Roxana Fröhlich
Marketplace Specialist
roxana.froehlich@digitecgalaxus.chI like weight training/fitness, have a weakness for pandas and am a serial junkie. At work I am responsible for the watch and jewellery purchase. Glitter, glamour, fashion and trends- my world! If you want to know more about me, check out my Instagram "roxyslifestyle" and my blog site www.roxyslifestyle.com.
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