How do you juggle competing in the sport of bodybuilding while having a family?

[bsm1985]

I seriously wish I had a couple pros to ask this question to. How do you put in the time necessary to build a competitive career but also keep your family together? I have a wife and an 11 month old baby girl. So I am always being pulled in multiple directions. I know that I can do a better job of being tuned into my family when I am with them, but it always seems that I am training, prepping food, or eating that food. In order to get in that many meals in one day time has to be spent just eating. If any of you that have competed for a while have any advice on this from experiences with your family, help a bro out!

 

[Chris250]

Its hard, to do both. My daughter is 7 and my step daughter is 12. I help coach the oldest basketball team, so im at pratice 2-3 times per week, then we have tournaments on the weekends. I just pak my food, bring my shakes, and do the best I can. Every family is different, and you need to approach each family differently. Mine helps me out alot, as everyone in the family is pretty supportive. So im pretty lucky. But, yes, its hard to do both at the same time.

 

[nuknuk]

It is hard. You have to take advantage of every min. of the day.

 

[big in vegas]

I don't know about a family, but I know it was hard on my ex because I was constantly a dick from the strict diet and she'd piss me off by having me go pick up fast food for her since she didn't have a licenses

 

[eswol]

Yep it's tough. I have a 15 yr old and a 3 yr old so getting pulled in a thousand directions like you said. Nuk is right, you have to take advantage of every min of the day. To help balance my marriage and kids I train at 530am and back home before they even get up so I can help the wife with the kids. I cook my meals Sunday night for the week (BBQ chicken, steak and fish) put all my meals in seperaye bags in my own frig in the garage. This way I am not scrambling around in the mornings before work trying to pack my meals for the day. My wife is great and knows what I need to eat and when so she helps prepare my meals separate from hers and the kids. It's a tough balance but this is what works best for me and my family.

 

[IronJulius]

not saying i know what all is going on just something you might think about. how does your wife really feel? any possible postpartum depression? any insecurity? you are a attractive young man that probably gets females attention. maybe she needs some time for herself or some time with you. i would try and make her feel as comfortable about things and make sure she understands this is a goal/dream of yours that you dont want to look back and have regrets nor do you want to regret not spending the time with family. i can see the effort you are putting forth to balance things but does she? i know for my relationship communication is huge and be willing to share with each other and feel comfortable to share whats really going on. relationships are hard work like bodybuilding but the results are well worth it.

 

[bsm1985]

not saying i know what all is going on just something you might think about. how does your wife really feel? any possible postpartum depression? any insecurity? you are a attractive young man that probably gets females attention. maybe she needs some time for herself or some time with you. i would try and make her feel as comfortable about things and make sure she understands this is a goal/dream of yours that you dont want to look back and have regrets nor do you want to regret not spending the time with family. i can see the effort you are putting forth to balance things but does she? i know for my relationship communication is huge and be willing to share with each other and feel comfortable to share whats really going on. relationships are hard work like bodybuilding but the results are well worth it.

Great advice. Appreciate it! The biggest think is making sure that I spend quality time with them and not just time.

 

[Buffalo]

A lot of planning and learning how to time manage very well.

 

[eswol]

Team work, goes both ways, my wife is very supportive, prepares my food most of the time for me, wakes me up for cardio if I sleep in, helps with coats of tanning but I always make sure I do all I can for her, little things like wash her car if its getting dirty or needs a good vacuuming from the devastation of having a 3 yr old, and make date nights with her a few times a week.