That's the unfortunate thing about bodybuilding, it's a 24 hour a day game. There is no off season unlike typical sports. After a tough season a athlete decides to relax a bit, heal his injuries and get himself feeling 100%. Even baseball players take a off season and they eat whatever they want all year round, most hardley train and practice involves some short drills and batting practice...actually I think they just play games during the season. Same with Football players, some drills, light pad pratice and a film day before the game. Of course their 1 month prep is more challenging, but still they don't gotta think about what they eat and during the season they only train moderately if at all.
As a teen (around 19) I got completely burnt out from the 4 hour workouts, constant diet, general wear and tear with no off season since age 13-14. I went through a time when I ate 1 meal a day, trained for fun and without pressure and for the first time in my teen age life spent time with friends and ate Thanksgiving dinner with my family. No one understand this ACCEPT real bodybuilders. Even lots of real bodybuilders that are new to the game (95 and up start) won't understand because they came into it when things like "cheat meals" became customary and the 4 hour workouts turned into 45 minute HIT workouts. I use the term "HIT" lightly.
Anyway, to Bob, I hope after all your competitive success you may decide it's on to another chapter of your life. Obviously you can still compete and do very well (being your best last year), but with the health risks involved in BB today it just aint worth it. Be healthy, live long and happy and let the body and mind rest I say.
To anyone that automatically sees a BB not as big as they ordinarily are, it probably isn't simply the drugs. There is a whole entire ridiculously draining (mentally and physically) lifestyle that goes along with bodybuilding at a high competitive level and lots of times a bodybuilder just has had enough and takes a TRUE "off season".
