“Aerobic exercise can be very high, two to three hours a day, and meals can be very low,” she said.
“Being raw food is a mental game, a mental game. When you’re hungry, do you want extra food or do you want to win? If you have extra food, can you win?”
And the question is, is that craving worth it?
“You pay a lot of money to compete, to achieve your goals…so if you eat it to sabotage yourself, you want to sabotage yourself that way.” And are you going to have regrets on a show day that doesn’t look good?
This is especially tough for athletes who enjoy eating.
“The most interesting thing is that a lot of people think that people who compete don’t have to eat. That’s why they can compete and they can’t eat. said Lee.
“The problem is that most of the competitors I know love food.”
While “getting ready”, Lee often fails to fully participate in meals with family and friends.
“I went to dinner with my friends and I can’t eat at all and I struggle when everyone is eating. I sit there like I have my own food and even after I’ve finished eating a little bit of food, they still eat.” I’m still eating
But she has a strong support system, Lee said.
“My husband, he was always with me. He was my main support system for all preparations.
Some people ask why she does it, given how difficult it is to pursue the sport, Lee said.
“For some of us, it’s something we can focus on, something we can focus on. For some of us, the gym is our ‘me time’ and[it]Helps our mental health.
“When you’re struggling with other aspects, you can focus on this and it’s yours. No one can take it away.”
Lee added that having a specific routine to follow is also something she enjoys.
