BLOG 28 STEROIDS

BLOG 28 STEROIDS

When we look in the mirror, the reflection we see does impact our emotional well-being. Our physical appearance is a topic we face daily. Decisions are involved as we prepare each morning and decide what we will wear, how to do our hair and makeup, and where will be today so that we know how to look for the occasion. When it comes to physical appearance and wanting to lose weight and be healthy, we know that the only solution is to eat right and exercise. But the patience, discipline, and will power on our fitness journeys can be tempted by “quick fixes” and infomercials that claim immediate results. Steroids are an example of doing something unnatural to ourselves in order to improve physical appearance in a less time consuming and quicker fashion.

Let’s take a look at what steroids are. By definition, “Anabolic steroids” is the familiar name for synthetic variants of the male sex hormone testosterone. The proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids (abbreviated AAS)—“anabolic” referring to muscle-building and “androgenic” referring to increased male sexual characteristics” (http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids). Let me begin by stating that steroids can be helpful under certain circumstance and can be used for reasons such as building lean muscle mass after a battle with cancer or AIDS. Some doctors prescribe steroids for hormone deficiency purposes too. Yet, what we more commonly see are steroids being abused by athletes and body builders to enhance appearance or improve performance. For example, a bodybuilder might take ten times the recommended medical dose of steroids to seek results. This can be done orally, by injection, or there are creams.

Like any addiction, the use of steroids can get out of hand and become unmanageable. One discovers their tolerance and a popular method is to “cycle” steroid usage by taking them for weeks or months at a time then stopping and restarting in order to avoid certain side effects. Some users like to “stack” different types of steroids combined with certain supplements to heighten the affect. Steroids don’t cause the same type of high other drugs do, but one can become addicted to the results they see or worry that if they discontinue usage then whatever gains they achieve will be lost. A lot of time and money is put into developing a lifestyle that involves the use of steroids. There are also withdrawal effects from stopping  which include: “mood swings, fatigue, rest-lessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and steroid cravings, all of which may contribute to continued abuse. One of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms is depression—when persistent, it can sometimes lead to suicide attempts. Research has found that some steroid abusers turn to other drugs such as opioids to counteract the negative effects of steroids” (http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids. In males, acne is a common side effect as well as baldness, shrunken testicles, and breast development. In females, facial hair can develop and deepening of the voice can occur.

Professional athletes and the use of steroids has become a controversial area. It’s called a “cat and mouse game”: “They try to time their steroid injections, so that the drug is out of their system if and when they are drug tested. Sometimes masking drugs are also taken to try to "beat" the test by making the test negative. Designer steroids are being continually developed to again prevent their use from being detected” (http://www.medicinenet.com/anabolic_steroid_abuse/page2.htm). Fair play isn’t exactly taking place any longer.

In the fitness industry, I have been surrounded and pressured to look a certain way. Yet, I know that I truly do practice what I preach, perform the same workouts my clients do, and lead a healthy lifestyle that I want to last forever. There just isn’t a quick fix that is safe or lasting. Having known people who have done steroids, I have seen the side effects in full effect. And I believe the risks outweigh the benefits. Body image is important, but not that the cost of one’s health.