| You don't need to be muscle-bound to get along with | | | | life needs to share at least a few of their interests. In |
| a bodybuilder; you just need to learn what their life is all | | | | this lifestyle, it's not about "opposites attract." You may |
| about. Male and female bodybuilders are watching for | | | | bike, jog, dance, or just walk your dog, but - male or |
| people who look like they take care of themselves. | | | | female - you certainly don't sit and watch TV all night, |
| Fitness is first priority in a bodybuilder's life, so it's | | | | eating a bag of chips. You must have some sense of |
| important to have family, friends and partners who | | | | a healthy lifestyle if you hope to get past the first date. |
| understand and support their goals and activities. | | | | Bodybuilders don't want to apologize for their |
| One example of this is NGA & IFPA natural pro | | | | dedication to nutrition or make excuses for missing |
| bodybuilder Layne Norton's fiancé. She goes to | | | | social events because they are working out. It's no |
| all his contests and wears a tee shirt emblazoned | | | | different than if they held a very demanding job that |
| "Layne's #1 Fan." Another good example is the wife of | | | | deprived them of the company of family or friends. |
| Mr. Olympia, top IFBB pro, Jay Cutler. He has publicly | | | | Men and women who diet and train strenuously every |
| acknowledged how he appreciates her support. She | | | | week are "self-contained" packages - not part of a |
| works out with him, cooks for him, runs his business, | | | | team, not a player who gets "up to bat" once in a |
| and travels around the world with him. Neither women | | | | while, but a solitary athlete, secure enough in |
| are bodybuilders but they appreciate and endorse the | | | | themselves to be determined and disciplined to follow |
| lifestyle. Then there is Monica Brant, considered one of | | | | their personal goals. You can't eat for them or train for |
| the most important figures in the women's fitness | | | | them but you might go to the gym together and enjoy |
| movement. Her husband looks after her, making sure | | | | tanning, or a sauna or swim together. It comes down |
| she gets proper rest and nutrition before competition, | | | | to priorities; find something that will make both of you |
| traveling with her and helping coordinate her schedule. | | | | happy. Be secure in yourself and have your own |
| He is not actively competing but certainly shares her | | | | interests as well, and don't be clingy or jealous of the |
| lifestyle. | | | | time they spend away from you training. |
| Some women are intimidated by the idea of dating a | | | | Most bodybuilders will be upfront about their priorities if |
| bodybuilder and think they will be "judged" on what | | | | it looks like the relationship is warming up. They have a |
| they eat and drink when he's around. (Not a good way | | | | lot to explain; about their need for special foods, about |
| to start a relationship!) | | | | the water bottle they carry constantly, about the |
| Or they see a handsome, muscular guy | | | | importance of daily workouts, and other idiosyncrasies. |
| approaching,and think to themselves, "Gee - I hope he's | | | | Just realize this is not a fad, so don't think they will |
| not DUMB!" Let go of that stereotype: Layne is finishing | | | | change later. If you care - you'll understand and |
| his Doctoral thesis! | | | | support him or her. |
| If you think that muscular guy across the room walks | | | | What's most important in the life of a bodybuilder? |
| with a certain kind of strut, it's because he has worked | | | | Having familiar food available at all times, getting a |
| hard to look the way he does and he is proud of his | | | | good night's sleep and maintaining a regular schedule |
| body. He'll be attracted to you if your posture is good, | | | | every day are critical. It is vital for them to schedule |
| your skin is clear, and you look like the healthy | | | | workout sessions, and incorporate their meals around |
| girl-next-door. What do you say if he stops to talk to | | | | their work or school schedules. |
| you? You might ask him questions about what got him | | | | Most bodybuilders won't want to start a long-term |
| started on a quest to conquer body fat and build | | | | relationship if it poses a risk to their regular routine. To |
| muscle. There is nothing more engaging to a true | | | | him or her, it's just not worth taking a chance of |
| bodybuilder than to talk about fitness and nutrition; you'll | | | | scuttling the progress they've made - as much as they |
| see a spark in his eyes and passion in his voice, as he | | | | would like to add someone special to their life. |
| shares what he knows and practices every day. | | | | If you're not bothered by a pile of sweaty gym clothes |
| A female who competes in figure or fitness | | | | and the constant smell of broccoli in the kitchen, then |
| competition has an even tougher time finding someone | | | | you might be ready to date a bodybuilder. Just make |
| to date, because the average guy doesn't understand | | | | room in the fridge for five dozen eggs, and a five |
| her need to become lean and sculpted, and most men | | | | pound bag of chicken breasts. Hide the cookies and |
| won't want to keep up with her rigorous diet and | | | | ice cream. |
| training. If you're interested in a woman who is | | | | Like taking turns using a piece of equipment at the |
| especially fit and you're not, what better way to open | | | | gym, if they can "work in with you" and still keep the |
| a conversation than asking for advice or suggestions? | | | | commitment they made to themselves, it will work out |
| Anyone who is going to be a part of a bodybuilder's | | | | fine. |