Advice on post show weight gain
Hi guys I was just looking for some input on how you guys adjust mentally to post show weight gain. I competed in my first show about 2 weeks ago. My coach didn’t give me any reverse plan or anything so safe to say I went off the rails. I gained about 15 pounds in two weeks, I’m not too mad about it because it doesn’t look like huge fat gain, my muscles filled out and my lifts have been so strong. I’m eating at maintenance a slight surplus some days like on my really heavy leg days and a slight deficit others when I’m not pushing too hard. I’ve been keeping up with my cardio and tracking my macros but I’m still struggling mentally with not being stage lean anymore. I’m natural and for some context my coach prepped me the way he would prep a 35 year old man on steroids so my body stopped responding at the end hence the blurriness in my midsection (i also just genetically have an apple shape and a wide waist). I personally don’t care too much about weight gain because I’m 10 pounds heavier that pre prep and look better and more athletic. The mental battle is coming from knowing how many people prefer me smaller. I used to powerlift and my mom told me that my step dad was really happy I switched over to bodybuilding because I was getting “too big” meaning I was getting bigger muscles and I had a higher body fat. I know no one meant any harm by telling me how good I looked and I want to grow and I’m happier in this body, less cold, finally getting dopamine from things again, to be honest when they said how good I looked my response was always “I wish I felt as good as I look”. So I was just looking for some input on how you guys tune out outsiders opinions no one has said “GOD YOU GOT FAT” but it still bothers me knowing they loved me more when I was 8% bf. I want to go into a growing season because you know the judges almost always say “bigger and leaner” and I’m so so excited to grow, but at this point I’m a little scared to at the same time. Any input would be nice from anyone who can either relate or have any advice thank you guys ❤️❤️❤️ also I am happy to report I placed first in novice true novice and open class b!