When we become active in the fitness community, a world of opportunity unveils itself. Megan used BodySpace as a doorway into the great hall of fitness and she is now on her way to a full-blown career in the field.
BodySpace exists so people like Megan (and you!) can share stories and inspire one another to change lives. For her efforts, we congratulate MissMegan as this month's BodySpace member of the month!
I've been an athlete my entire life, so I was already accustomed to a lifestyle of fitness. I grew up playing many different sports, competing at the national and collegiate level in fast-pitch softball. Because of my love for athletics, I initially got into weight training for the challenging aspect of it, rather than for aesthetic or health reasons.
As I progressively learned more about weight training, nutrition, and as my physique began to change I became more aware of the importance of my diet and training routines. Now, four years later, I look and feel better than I ever have!
My lifestyle has changed drastically since becoming more serious about my body and health, especially with my diet. I pay attention to the macros I consume (grams of protein, fats, and carbs), and eat only whole foods (lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts). Changing the way I eat has done wonders for my physique.
When I really became serious about weight training, a friend suggested that I create a BodySpace account on Bodybuilding.com. I checked it out, joined the community, and have been a fan ever since!
To earn my IFBB Pro Card would mean more to me than I could describe. It's a moment that I picture in my mind, as if I already know it's going to happen. At this time in my life, competing in Figure is where my passion lies and I'm eager to see just how far I can go with it. I'm a dream chaser!
I think that BodySpace is fantastic in many ways. I love that I can log on at any given point and be surrounded by like-minded fitness enthusiasts who are constantly encouraging and motivating others. It's just the pick-me-up I need at times.
My favorite feature is the progress tracker, which allows me to backtrack to my starting point so I can see how far I've progressed with my physique. I find it especially useful now as I train for figure competitions, in that I can compare my progress from show to show.
Setting goals is how I stay motivated. I feel the need to constantly challenge myself; I'm lost if I don't have something to work toward. With each goal I set, I raise my standards higher. In my mind, there is always room for improvement. I can always be better.
My daily motivation:
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
I don't remember making mistakes with training as much as I did with nutrition. Since I began weight training, I've increasingly learned the importance of nutrition, and just what kind of impact it can have on your training.
Gone is the mindset that I can eat what I want because exercise will negate any bad eating habits. I am more careful now than ever about what I nourish my body with, and as a result, I've never felt better.
I'm not. In my mind, anyone who feels the need to pass judgment on bodybuilders (or anyone for that matter):
- Has some insecurity within themselves, most likely relating to their physical appearance.
- Knows that they don't possess the drive or dedication it takes to do what it is that bodybuilders do.
- Has no idea what they are talking about.
A combination of training, nutrition, supplementation, and rest are all extremely important for muscle growth and recovery. Nutrition and supplementation are essential to support and maximize results from training. Sleep is a vital part of the recovery process, as muscle tissue repairs and grows during that time.
Virtually all of the music on my iPod is trance or house music. A few of my current favorites are Tiësto, Kaskade, and Benny Benassi.
My favorite way to spend a rest day is at the beach! Even on my rest days I remain fairly active, so you can usually find me biking, swimming, or paddle boarding at the beach with my husband. The beach and the gym are my homes away from home.
BodySpace is such a great support system for anyone involved in fitness, from beginners to advanced. This community provides many fantastic tools that you can utilize as you track your progress throughout your fitness journey.
In addition, you have access to some of the best information regarding training, nutrition, and supplementation through BodyBuilding.com.
Actually, yes! Through profile comments, photo comments, and private messages, I receive constant positive feedback and encouragement from many BodySpace members. I am incredibly thankful for that support; their positive words mean so much!
I constantly vary my training to avoid hitting a plateau in my progress. A few of the ways I do so is by: switching up my rep scheme, using cables versus free weights for a specific exercise (or vice versa), or even just altering my hand placement to hit the muscle from a different angle. Variety is the spice of life!
If it is important to you, you learn to make the time! Training and taking care of my health are priorities in my life. I don't mind making sacrifices to live a fit lifestyle, because it is something I love to do. I am blessed to have met and married someone who shares the same passion for health and fitness, so we enjoy it together.
Sure, there are times when I am feeling tired or unmotivated, but I still make myself get to the gym and train. I know that once I'm there and beginning a workout, I'll start to get pumped up. And those are usually my best workouts! Just remember: mind over matter.
I want to thank Bodybuilding.com for selecting and featuring me as BodySpace Member of the Month. I love the Bodybuilding.com company and everything that they represent!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MeganDonnelsonNPCFigureAthlete
BodySpace: MissMegan