Triathlete turned Bodybuilder says, 'I'm a Bigorexic'

Rene Campbell once enjoyed swimming, cycling and running to keep in shape but not anymore.  Today she benches, squats and curls her way on stage in the world of professional bodybuilding.  Campbell has completely transformed her endurance physique into a bulky bodybuilding champion. 

I had been doing triathlon and long distance running for years and at the suggestion of a friend decided to train for a bodybuilding show. I reasoned with myself that if I didn't like it I could walk away. I was tired of the hours of cardio each day and wanted a new challenge.

According to her website, ReneCampbell.net (check out her photo gallery), Rene says she always pushes forward in life and believes in never giving up.  I think most endurance athletes can relate to that.  What many endurance athletes may not be able to relate to is trading a functional body for one that's just for looks. 

According to a recent article in the dailymail.co.uk, Rene describes herself as a 'bigorexic'.  It's basically the opposite of anorexia.  An anorexic has an obsessive fear of gaining weight while a bigorexic believes that no matter how hard they try, their   body is never muscular enough.  It's quite serious. 

The 35 year old single mother of two says she consumes 4,200 calories a day to maintain her massive frame.  Rene says she weighs about 13 stones (182 lbs) and would like to look more like the bigger guys in the gym.

I look at the 20-stone guys in the gym and think I want to be that big. I love the muscular aesthetic - looking like a Greek God. It's a form of art.

Personally, I can't imagine what 20 stones (280 lbs) would look like on Rene and I don't want to.  I can appreciate always pushing forward, believing in yourself and never giving up but there comes a point when 'enough is enough'.

Here are some of the comments left below the dailymail.co.uk article.

I think she might not quite get how big 20 stone is. Arnold Schwarzenegger was 'only' 18 stone when he was competing, and you can't have a body building story anywhere without mentioning the Austrian legend!  - Sam, London

That has got to be one of the most disgusting things a woman can do to her body. - Madge, Modena,  Italy

The sticky out veins make me feel sick, yak! And Im not a fan of women with such muscular bodies. I, however, would absolutely love to have a body like in her 'before' picture... absolutely stunning!  - Sas, UK

She should get work as a model for anatomy classes, muscles in particular, better than diagrams in medical books. But yuk.  - Nicky, France

That's not very attractive , but you have got to give it to her , the hard work and commitment that has gone into that , I wish I had that kind of determination ? Not bodybuilding tho :)  - Jen, Birmingham2

OMG, I know her. She goes to my partners gym. Rene is actually a really lovely person. Good luck to her. Its extremely difficult to be that disciplined and good with food. Better to see someone who's healthy rather than obese.  - Anonymous, West Sussex

What are your thoughts?

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