IFBB Bikini Pro Ali Rosen shares her thoughts days out from the Bikini International. Her blog helps us all remember the big picture and what’s important in life.
For the past two weeks, I have come to realize so much about my journey to the Bikini International and how competing has helped me appreciate and realize all the blessings I have in my life. I’m approaching the final few days and feel overwhelmed with so many emotions. Feelings of elation, gratitude, pride and determination are just some of the many from my extensive list of emotions.
These feelings brought me back to a time when everything I had known and strived for came to a brief stop: The off season. After Olympia, I picked up a new book titled ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz, which at that time played a very important role in my life. Coming from a very strenuous season full of hard work, traveling and full out discipline I needed something to center me, to bring some balance into my life. All I’d known was EAT SLEEP TRAIN repeat. I got so used to that regimen that when it was over I felt lost (personally) and very out of touch with the support system I had chosen to surround myself with. This book helped me appreciate my self, my loved ones, and my purpose at that very moment.
I bring this up because yet again I have realized how important it is to show gratitude and appreciation for the ones who take the most beating throughout my competition prep: My family and closet friends. It is so easy to forget how your behavior during prep can affect those around you. I can get so caught up in my routine that I literally turn into a machine. It wasn’t until 3 weeks ago (my 3 week mark) that I had to stop and smell the roses. After some good solid cry(s), self talk(s) and constructive criticism from the ones I love, I came to realize that part of my journey and growing within the sport is to be able to be aware. Awareness in ones self, actions, feelings, training and most importantly your support system are the key ingredients to my contest prep. At that moment I went to my bookshelf picked up my extra copy of The Four Agreements and re-read inspiring parts. One of which states, “Always be your best,†which is defined as: “Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.†The other line that stuck with me is, “be impeccable with your word.†Being impeccable with ones words was defined as: “Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.â€
Being aware of my actions and behavior was one thing, but changing the way I was being perceived was another. On the inside I was so proud of myself for reaching my goals for the Bikini International. I was so happy to be a part of a wonderful team, to have loving parents who give all their support and great friends who listen for endless hours about any and everything prep related. But on the outside, there were moments that the machine took over and changed my support systems view of my love for the sport. Once I started to become aware of how my actions and behavior needed to change, it became easy to “just do it.†Awareness of my attitude and subsequent actions allowed for me to naturally correct and re-direct my energy else where. I was able to embrace the not so great moments and cherish the amazing ones every day thereafter. I have come realize how important it is to include my support system throughout my journey and how together we make a great team
Coming into my final week, I would like to send a big ‘THANK YOU’ to my support system: My parents, my closest friends, my coaches and my fans, thank you for helping me be the best ME!
Train Hard & Stay Positive
Ali
The Four Agreements is one of my favorite books. Those of you who have been visitors of this site might recall mentioning it a few years ago. It’s a book that is worth picking up every few months. Thanks for the reminder Ali! Here are the four agreements the author mentions, if you haven’t read the book it’s worth a read.
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
