The Crazy Unhealthy Things Fitness Models Do Before a Photo Shoot by Nick English (read me!)
Before we get into the frightening rituals you'd have to undergo to get the look of a model representing "health", let's gather some intel on what the physical characteristics of the health standard should look like.
Apparently, before you even book your shoot, "you need to achieve a very respectable level of leanness" (Romaniello). If for some reason the terms "respectable leanness" are too vaugue for you to recreate, John Romaniello - who in his free time also writes articles about being basic at The GAP and draws parallels between mythology and masculinity - clears it up for you with a simple: "you should look damn good". Ah, it all makes sense now. But wait, there's more! John has recommendations for each major part of your body. He doesn't take into consideration (or even mention rather) different body types or fitness levels, but why should he? If you're a man you can look like any other man you aspire to. If you're a woman, same thing.
Taken from RomanFitnessSystems.com:
ABS – for guys, very visible six pack. For ladies, the outline of your abs should be visible.
ARMS – for both men and women, there should be noticeable delineation between your shoulders and your arms.
BACK – very well defined. You don’t need to be able to see your infraspinatus, but separation between superficial muscles like the traps and lats should be obvious.
LEGS – They should look at least a bit defined, but don’t need to have clear delineation between each head of the quadriceps.
I write articles about The Gap, so you can trust me
*warning possible side effects of prepping for a fitness photo shoot is emergency room admission. healthyezsweet.com is not liable for any major health disorders you may develop*
One week to your shoot: A dinosaur's paradise!
Channel your inner Littlefoot AND inner ravenous T-rex during this exciting stage of your prep. All your meals should consist of green, leafy vegetables and lean protein. Imagine yourself in The Land Before Time munching on dry, flavorless growth. Then switch gears and enter the mindset of a carnivorous predator: chomping down on unseasoned, bland meat and never being satisfied.
Four days to your shoot: It's not the flu, it's the FIT life
If you find yourself feeling drowsy, irritable, lethargic, pained, or weak don't worry you're not getting sick (yet). That's your body's way of telling you that you're almost ready to take some "damn good" photos. You'll be in a state of ketosis from living like Littlefoot and his buddy the T-rex with few carbohydrates, but hey, dinosaurs are tough. And so are you. Just think of how well things panned out for their species and you'll find the motivation to keep going. Don't forget to be drinking dandelion tea at least 4x a day so you can dehydrate yourself (English). Carrying a port-a-potty with you during this week is highly recommended,
The day/night before the shoot: Depleted? definitely ready.
It may seem contradictory to ban water, without which our bodies could not function, and encourage consumption of processed, chemical laden junk foods, but remember: this is science. You don't have to be smart enough to understand it; your friends on the internet have got you covered. John Romaniello, our faithful buddy from The GAP, was kind enough to share his go-to night before test to ensure that he's ready to look his best. According to Romaniello, he knows he's ready if he can only do a fraction of the push ups his body is normally capable of. "This is just to test how depleted I am," Romaniello explains. And if he's depleted then he's definitely ready to pose as a role model for how young men should aspire to look.
The day of the shoot:
Here's what you've been waiting for...that moment when you arrive to your photo shoot in your ripped (apart inside) body and feel like a million bucks. Let's hear from some fitness model alumni on how their big day went...
"I had no energy, I was really dehydrated, I felt very close to cramping, and it was basically very uncomfortable,” (English).
“It makes a mockery of [the health and fitness industry] that to get into that condition you have to be incredibly unhealthy,” (English).
"In their day-to-day lives, these individuals are fit, sure. But the process that takes them from fit to “photo-ready” is dangerous, and perhaps worst of all, deceptive. This just isn’t how these people look." (English).
Feeling shocked?
STOP liking it on Instagram
STOP tagging it #fitspiration
STOP buying programs and meal guides and services from people who are promoting a lie
STOP comparing yourself because what you can achieve is far more impressive anything artificial
Sources used:
http://greatist.com/connect/truth-behind-fitness-photo-shoots
https://traineatgain.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-fitness-photoshoot/
http://romanfitnesssystems.com/articles/ready-for-your-closeup/
Thanks as always to Nicole, The Fit Foodie Mama, & Michelle