Two years ago,Brooke Spencerwas an avid competitive bodybuilder.
She rocked bikinis and full makeup at bodybuilding competitions.
Incompetition photos, Spencer plastered on a big smile.
Brooke Spencer / Instagram
“If the number went down, Id have a great day and I ‘loved’ prep.
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Spencer first decided to try bodybuilding when she saw other women participating in competitions on Instagram.
“Though I knew it would be hard, it seemed so glamorous and fun!”
“What I didnt take into consideration was that I was only seeing one-second frames of their days.
All of these pictures on Instagram convinced me to excitedly and blindly dive into prep.”
Not only was prep emotionally challenging, but it was tough on her body.
Spencer heavilyrestricted her food intaketo the point where her body was not always gettingthe calories it needed.
“I was beyond an emotional, hormonal mess.
All I wanted was to eat without weighing my food first.
(Specific daily caloric needs vary from person to personyou can find tips on calculating your ownhere.)
To be clear, IIFYM is not inherently harmful for everyone who adheres to it.
It’s also important to ensure you’re getting all the macros you need.
As Spencer continued to dedicate herself to prep, she held onto hope that she would love herself someday.
Did I ever find happiness throughanyof this, even though I had abs and was ‘lean’?
She knew something had to change.
“I knew there must be another way.
I didnt want to feel as if I had to consistently venture to diet and change my body.”
Along the way, she documented the experience on herblog.
Then, Spencer began journaling regularly and focusing on positive self-talk.
“I remember the first day that I actually said it and meant it.
Next, Spencer vowed to rid her life of anything that triggered disordered thoughts about eating or her body.
She deleted old photos on her phone from the years she’d spent restricting food.
She also unfollowed social media accounts that focused on bodybuilding competition or dieting.
“I made that decision based on what was personally best for me.”
“Now, I dont mind my stomach rolls or my cellulite,” she says.
“I dont cringe when I look at my love handles.
Most importantly, I no longer wish to look like societys expectation of the ‘perfect’ woman.
This is my body and to me, it is perfect.”
She hopes her experiences will help others love themselves as she does.
“Body positivity is freeing.
It is the most wonderful feeling, and it is for every one of us.”
Congratulations to Spencer on her incredible path to self-love.
Below, take a look at some of Spencer’s most candid and encouraging Instagram posts.
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