A woman disclosed that her most surprising part in becoming a bodybuilder competitor was hearing the negative comments made by others.
Having spent most of her early-thirties bed-bound due to chronic fatigue, Erin Rhone, who lives in Brisbane, turned to the sport after deciding to get in the best shape of her life during lockdown.
However the Mamamia writer explained that she was inundated with comments from people giving their views on her attempt to become a bodybuilder while claiming they couldn’t commit themselves to the activity.
The woman admitted she didn’t anticipate being judged by strangers. She added: “OMG, ewwww” Are you going to become one of those super-tanned girls who look exactly like men?””‘.
Erin Rhone, pictured (below), is a Brisbane resident who claims she was bombarded with “passive aggressive” comments while training as a bodybuilder.
Erin stated that she made the decision to be in her best physical shape after being chronically fatigued and spending most of her early thirties on the couch. Image left: The 30 week before the competition. Picture right: Three Weeks before the competition
Other comments included: “Oh, I could NEVER do that – I have too much of a social life,” or “Wow, you have to weigh all your food? It seems too restrictive. My personal favorite is ”
Erin grew up in a family of three brothers and said that she enjoys working out and doing exercise in unconventional ways.
Her bizarre adventures included running the half-marathon up The Great Wall of China, jumping from bungy in New Zealand, and canyoning in Slovenia.
Erin shared that she had hired a personal trainer to transform her body within six months.
The woman began exercising up to 6 times per week. She split her workouts between three days of leg and upper body, as well as one with her trainer.
Erin (pictured), admitted she had lost track of how many’self-loathing comments’ she got online, and even from strangers at local shops.
Erin (pictured) says that competing as a bodybuilder gave her the ability to recognize insecurities.
Erin tracked her steps, workouts and diet and found that she used outdoor and home workouts to lose body fat, and show off her muscles just in time for the competition season.
She said, “We live in a bizarre paradox. We put people who have impossible bodies on pedestals and tear down those who try to achieve them.”
“All passively aggressive and super-loaded, reflecting an utter lack of empathy for me.
“Why do we have to tear down things we don’t know?” Erin agreed.
According to bodybuilder, despite her commitment to the sport and reaching her goal of competing in the event, she has still the same fears as she did when she started training.
She stated that her skin is still affected by cellulite, stretchmarks and has saggy patches.
Also, she confessed to once fearing being judged in the gym by other fit individuals. She was also left “mortified” after injuring someone else at the gym.
Erin said that the experience of receiving negative comments as she got competition ready made her realize that everybody has insecurities.