Stanislava Konstantinova: “I didn’t have a period for three years (from 18 to 21) because of constant diets and stress. But coaches didn’t care. For them, at that time, my extra kilogram and a half were critical.”
Stanislava Konstantinova spoke about the problems with weight control during her competitive career.
source: sport24
Stanislava Konstantinova: Because of constant food restrictions, I began to have problems with weight. It was a very busy season, I was not allowed on the ice because of the extra three hundred grams. An indicative moment: when you monitor the weight, not to make it easier for you to jump, but when you transfer control to this problem.
When you put your heart into it, when your mood depends on the number on the scales. You think that if you put on 500 grams you won’t be able to skate. I was told that if I gain 300 grams, I don’t jump. I was told this so often that at some point I got on the scales, saw +300 grams there and didn’t even want to go to training.
We have such a sport. At the age of 20, you realize that no matter how hard you push yourself, you won’t look like a teenager. No matter how much you want to be light and jump high, the body still changes. This is logical, a person grows. But it pressurs when you go to the competitions. All the girls are younger than you, they are lighter. In the photo, when you are standing on a pedestal, you can see: against the background of little girls, you look bulky. Both coaches and judges constantly told me about this. There was no chance not to dwell on it.
For three years (from 18 to 21) I did not have a period because of constant diets and stress. According to the analyzes, it was clear that something was wrong, but coaches did not care. For them, at that time, my extra kilogram and a half were critical. The coaches were against pills and hormone therapy, they said that it was all because of the stress.
It’s just a vicious circle when you lose weight and realize that you are losing weight in vain. It is not right. I could eat on Saturday after my morning workout and not eat for a day and a half again. Naturally, on Monday I came thin. I couldn’t keep the weight stable any other way. For the body, this is stress in which you forcibly keep it.
Any motivation will not help you eat if you have anorexia. The “eat” advice doesn’t work. I had moments when I could only eat protein bars and coffee. And that’s it. When feeling of empty stomach is comfortable for you.
Working with a psychologist is the most important thing that helped me get out of this situation. At some point, I realized that I would be skating for another five or six years. But how will I live further if my body doesn’t get better? And what about family? I won’t be able to have children. I do not yet have a goal of becoming a wife and mother, but if I don’t pay attention and continue to lose weight, I simply will not have a choice.
The doctor told me, and I realized that I need to aim to be healthy. Figure skating is the love of my life. I would give anything to skate at the same level again. I would give a lot, but not my health.
The most important motivation: you are the most precious thing you have. You will live with your physical condition all your life.
Related topics: Stanislava Konstantinova
Poor girls. No sensible adults around them to help them to prioritise and see the bigger picture..
True. Health is more important.