A bodybuilder has crushed the “myth” that intense workouts can ruin sex lives – saying her exercise regime only increases her libido.
Graciella Carvalho spends three hours every single day working out, but while that would be enough to tire most people out, she says her gym antics haven’t slowed her down in the bedroom.
Despite other bodybuilders reporting periods of abstaining from sex altogether, the 39-year-old says exercise has the opposite effect on her.
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“One of the most common myths is the idea that heavy training reduces libido,” Graciella told Need To Know.
“But I strongly disagree.
“My diet, training, and competition prep don’t affect my sex life negatively at all – in fact, they only make it better.
“I’m extremely healthy, full of energy, and I always make sure my testosterone levels stay high, so my libido is always strong.
“Many people think that women who lift heavy weights lose their sexual desire.
“But it’s the opposite.
“Training increases circulation, releases hormones, and boosts self-esteem.
“My sexual energy is actually stronger when I’m training hard.”
However, Graciella, who is in a relationship, says she does avoid sex in the week leading up to be 100% focused on her body.
She said: “Often I avoid intimacy so it doesn’t interfere with my preparation.
“But it’s temporary — it doesn’t mean the sport takes away my sex life.
“I also see a hormone specialist who monitors everything closely, and one thing I always ask is to keep my libido high.
“So I’m able to maintain a very healthy sex life, usually two to three times a week.
“For me, training only makes me feel more confident, more alive, and definitely more sexual.”
Graciella started bodybuilding almost 10 years ago and has since created a strict routine, including daily workouts.
She said: “I like to take my time at the gym, without distractions.
“In total, I usually spend between two to three hours a day with training and cardio.”
And her nutrition plan is designed by a nutritionist from her team.
Graciella said, “I actually prefer a simple diet without too much variety.
“I like eating the same foods every day and doing the basics well.
“At the moment, I eat six meals per day.
“A typical day looks like this: breakfast with five eggs and some fruit.
“Meals with chicken, rice, broccoli, salad, fish, Brussels sprouts or potatoes.
“And then my last meal at night is five eggs with avocado.
“Right now, I eat about 10 eggs a day, five in the morning and five at night.
“Nothing too unusual – just very basic and clean foods.”
And for Graciella, bodybuilding goes far beyond aesthetics – it’s a way of life.
The athlete, from São Paulo, Brazil, but currently lives in Miami, Florida, US, added: “It involves body, mind, and even intimate life.
“The truth is that bodybuilding is about health, discipline, and passion, but it also involves tough choices and impacts on intimate life.
“I want to show that it’s possible to live this sport with intensity and balance, without giving up femininity, health, and pleasure.”
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