I'm glad I found this thread.
For years I followed a bodybuilding routine in the gym and kitchen. I never competed - no way I would have gotten on a stage in a bikini and smile LOL - but I probably could have, at least in natural shows. When that got old I switched to triathlon and cycling. I wasn't fast in tris but could hold my own in a road race, crit or time trial. After I did Ironman WI in 2009 I felt like I had accomplished my goal, and shifted to bike racing.
When I hit my mid forties I realized I was really sick of spending 1-7 hours training for something, 6 days a week. Instead of looking for moderation I just quit. Fast forward 4 years and 20 pounds. It is no coincidence that I found reefing in that time, and it was so much more interesting than the gym!
I'm still looking for a comfortable balance. I'd like to lose some weight (I was super lean before, so though 20 pounds sounds like a lot I'm not really overweight now) but it isn't my focus. My knees have decided that running distances is no longer an option, so I limit myself to 3 miles twice a week. I've started doing Bikram (aka "hot") yoga and I love the new challenge.
Still looking for a healthy balance when it comes to my diet though.