Lads...do you really worry about your body image??

Irish Al

Had lunch with a friend who is very fit (lots of running & gym etc) and he was saying that since the docs told him to stop running due to back problems he's really worried about putting weight on...this got me thinking about how men view themselves...now lets forget the lads on the cover of mens health etc and focus on the men that walk around your town etc everyday...do they really care about having a few extra pounds or a six pack??

I dont know, I know there are days I kinda go...jaysus I wouldn't mind having the 6 pack back or more defined chest arms blah blah blah...but then I obviously dont want it enough to stop drinking or eating the foods that I like...so maybe I shouldnt worry about it. I am fairly fit and generally happy...and I just wonder is people worrying about their weight actually telling them something about how they feel about their life in general??

I dont know where I'm going with this but I was just curious how the lads in the pit really felt about their body image

Horos

I never care about it. 42yo and have developed a bit of a stomach but otherwise I'm pretty trim. Not doing anything to take away from the gut just adding with beer and fat foods.

Irish Al

Horos wrote:

I never care about it. 42yo and have developed a bit of a stomach but otherwise I'm pretty trim. Not doing anything to take away from the gut just adding with beer and fat foods.

I suppose thats my point, the media would have us believe that men are now becoming obsessed about having the "perfect body"...but I feel the reality is really different...but younger males (I work with teenagers) are being fed this stuff and are really struggling and eating disorders among young males are on the up...(I know women have been having these pressures for years and I'm not trying to get into a gender debate BTW )

Phantom Pain

I worry about my body more in the sense of being healthy not really about how good I look naked :P

There is definitely a double standard when it comes to how a woman and a man "should" look

Its more of a woman feeling better about herself the better she looks..men don't seem to care as much...imo

i worry more about my paycheck and providing a nice place to live and having great vacations

soulsinging

Irish Al wrote:

Horos wrote:

I never care about it. 42yo and have developed a bit of a stomach but otherwise I'm pretty trim. Not doing anything to take away from the gut just adding with beer and fat foods.

I suppose thats my point, the media would have us believe that men are now becoming obsessed about having the "perfect body"...but I feel the reality is really different...but younger males (I work with teenagers) are being fed this stuff and are really struggling and eating disorders among young males are on the up...(I know women have been having these pressures for years and I'm not trying to get into a gender debate BTW )

I think it's true that men are finally catching up to women in terms of body image. I think advertisers for a long time believed they couldn't manipulate men the way they do women. But now they've realized they were wrong and are doing the full court press.

I don't obsess over it, but I am aware of it. I'm at the age where the metabolism that always kept me effortlessly skinny no matter what I ate has slowed down. I'm starting to be concerned with my body... I notice the second chin creeping in, the start of the man boobs, the paunch developing. I don't feel the need to have a body like David Beckham's, but I would like to avoid that pudgy, pasty middle aged white dude look. So I've been trying to eat better and get to the gym more. I can't run either, so I do elliptical machines or rowing machines or swim. But I'm not married yet, so I'd like to be fit enough to land a smokin hot wife, and I'm not going to do that looking like a flabby, pasty white middle aged honky.

mfc2006

soulsinging wrote:

But I'm not married yet, so I'd like to be fit enough to land a smokin hot wife, and I'm not going to do that looking like a flabby, pasty white middle aged honky.

priceless. simply priceless.

intodeep

I'm almost 31 and overweight. not like 200 lbs overweight but i could stand to lose about 30 lbs.

I care because diabeties runs in my family and i want to try to get healthy. That is honestly the driving force of what started me working out and eating better.

megatron

i go through fluxuations of caring.
i'll be ripped..then put on 10lbs on then lose it..or put on 10 more. usually if someone mentions something it bothers me.
i like being quick for sports and running so it just bothers me in general to be fat.
plus i really do feel better when i watch my intake.
i dont eat fast food and other junk to make up for my alchohal intake
if i quit drinking i prob would be mr universe

Back_Pedal

I do worry occasionally. I have a little bit of a gut and I've been trying to eat a little better and work out more than I do. (Which is not at all) Even if you aren't concerned about how you look, keeping yourself fit and healthy can only improve your quality of life.

milarso

I don't really care about body image, per se. I guess I don't really care what other people think about how I look. But I do like to feel healthy. And running and eating right help me feel that way. I guess looking fit is just a bonus to living that lifestyle. But I do it for me because it makes me feel good, not because I want to look the way somebody else thinks I should.

Indifference71

I definitely pay attention to eating healthy a lot more than I used to. I've always worked out regularly, so that really isnt an issue. But like the guy who started this thread said, I try to stay fit but I'm not at the point where I'm wililng to stop drinking and stop eating foods that I enjoy that may not be healthy for you.

halszka123

I pay attention to not feel hunger:)
I worry about my weight as much as I can still put on my clothes - now I have about 4 kg more than year before - I feel bad. Ok. I think a little how people see me, but more I care about clothes - just because they don't fit me, i have to buy some new, spend cash for stupid things.


I would be a lier if I would say - I don't care at all. But I grew up some time ago, I don't need people acceptation of my body to feel good.

I wear 40 in Europe size (170cm hight) - i wish i have 38, but do nothing for this, which means - it doesn't bother me.

youngster

For me, once I got married and settled down, all that eating right shit went out the window. I have spurts where I jog and work out. But not enough to get me ripped. I am 6' and weigh about 215lbs and I am happy.

Brisk.

Yeah, i'll admit i do. But i just don't get how some people allow them selves get to some sizes..

FinsburyParkCarrots

Nope.

norm

i could give fuck all about what people think about the way i look

pjfan31

Yeh, I worry about it. It is stupid I know but I am always conscious of my self-image. I'm starting to kind of see this girl, and ever since I felt that something could be brewing, I've been hitting the gym up massively.

As for your friend, One of my best mates had a really promising Rugby League career where he represented all these rep teams, and played with and against many of the top players in the game today. HE injured his back severely getting tackled in a match one day, Problems with his disc and his spine. Told he could never play again (which totally derailed his future cause he definitely would of made it) he was told he could never run again, but he remains as fit as a fiddle. He even has 6-pack. There is one stomach exercise he can do and he does it without it hurting his back. I'm sure your friend will find away, just a bit of hope perhaps with my mate

Thoughts_Arrive

I know I am never going to have a six pack, biceps, pecs and a nice tan which 90% of chicks want.
But I am happy with my body.

MayDay10

Absolutely.

Nobody should have to stand there and look in the mirror all the time, put on the fake tans and obsess about the perfect hair placement etc...

However, to look good is correlated to feeling good. Nice clothes fit right, you know everyone else percieves you better = you have greater confidence. You have more energy... you typically might participate in more activities etc...

Men and women all should care. People should strive to be happy with themselves as they are, yes.... but if a 250 pound man or woman says they are 100% happy and comfortable with the way they look, they have put some blinders on.


Im a 30 year old male. I have been in extremely good shape before, and I have been in bad shape. There is a huge difference in living life in both situations, with better shape being more positive.

South of Seattle

I do. But I like to be active therefore the better shape I'm in the easier it is to perform. I'm getting up there in age (34) so I have to work out 4 times a week just to maintain.
I'm overweight for my frame, but am not fat. I could lose 15 pounds and I'd be the ideal size.

Nothingman54

i have always been obessed. i was a fat kid. 212 pounds when i was 15. i waspicked on by my brother and sister and kids in school. then i got down to 135 in 8 months. but it didnt matter how small i got, i always saw that fat kid in the mirror and i still do. im 29 now and im 180 good shape. i swim with my shirt on,i hate shorts, i dont have a bad body but all i see is that fat boy from almost 15 years ago.

Irish Al

Nothingman54 wrote:

i have always been obessed. i was a fat kid. 212 pounds when i was 15. i waspicked on by my brother and sister and kids in school. then i got down to 135 in 8 months. but it didnt matter how small i got, i always saw that fat kid in the mirror and i still do. im 29 now and im 180 good shape. i swim with my shirt on,i hate shorts, i dont have a bad body but all i see is that fat boy from almost 15 years ago.

Have you ever thought about talking to a professional about this, am not taking the piss but its clear you decent shape (unless you're 4ft tall!) but you obviously have never dealt with the underlying issues...just a suggestion. My bro is the same, he was overweight as a kid and got picked on and is now stick thin but still obsesses over his weight. I suppose I would be conscious of my weight also and dont like to take my top off... :roll:

ajedigecko

yes.......my hobbies require me to be in shape and i have never seen an old fat person.

i want to be old someday......spend as much time on earth as possible.

pearljgirl2010

interesting thread...I've often wondered about what men thought about their own body image. I mean, in the past few years, I've definitely noticed a change in mens' advertising with diet and this stuff, and wondered if it's easy for you to ignore. as a woman, i've tried to not let all of the crap about the "perfect" body/skin/face/hair affect me, but it just gets thrown at us from all sides.

decides2dream

ajedigecko wrote:

yes.......my hobbies require me to be in shape and i have never seen an old fat person.

i want to be old someday......spend as much time on earth as possible.

do you really consider the desire to be in shape for your own enjoyment of hobbies and the desire for a long life...the same as being 'worried about your body IMAGE'....? while linked to some degree, i don't think necessarily the same.

and clearly, you've not met many old people. i know, and have seen....many, many overweight old people, some downright obese. i have an 83 year old aunt who has always been grossly overweight. she is just one of many examples. however, i hear ya....and agree with ya. being overwieght is very unhealthy, can and does shorten lifespans....and even more importantly, can considerably lower quality of life. to me, that is of the utmost of importance. i too want to be old someday.....and i want to enjoy as much of my life, for as long as possible, on this earth.


i am working on both my overall physical health, and my body image...since both need some work. however, i am female. my husband and i were both blessed with bodies in our younger years of requiring very little effort nor watching what we ate, to remain thin, proper weight, looking good. sadly, not the case for me anymore :oops: ....efforts are now required. :? my husband is a couple years older, and sure....he's put on some weight, but overall...he is still thin and fit.....but i do see his body image, and overall image of himself, canging with age.....and i do think he too wants to get in better shape.

dcfaithful

Phantom Pain wrote:

I worry about my body more in the sense of being healthy not really about how good I look naked :P

There is definitely a double standard when it comes to how a woman and a man "should" look

Its more of a woman feeling better about herself the better she looks..men don't seem to care as much...imo

i worry more about my paycheck and providing a nice place to live and having great vacations

I think I could agree with you the most...

I just like to keep myself presentable and looking attractive. After all, there is really only one person I'm looking to please. I go to the gym occasionally, but I involve myself in other forms of exercise (basketball, racquetball, hiking, the occasional skating. Although I'm thin as a rail and only 20, I have a feeling that will change sooner or later. But when that time comes, I'll probably only put forth the effort to say healthy.

A six pack and chizzeled body isn't what I need to see in the mirror to be happy. Plus, I like spending my time doing other shit than just being stuck in a gym with a bunch of egos.

ajedigecko

decides2dream wrote:

ajedigecko wrote:

yes.......my hobbies require me to be in shape and i have never seen an old fat person.

i want to be old someday......spend as much time on earth as possible.

do you really consider the desire to be in shape for your own enjoyment of hobbies and the desire for a long life...the same as being 'worried about your body IMAGE'....? while linked to some degree, i don't think necessarily the same.

and clearly, you've not met many old people. i know, and have seen....many, many overweight old people, some downright obese. i have an 83 year old aunt who has always been grossly overweight. she is just one of many examples. however, i hear ya....and agree with ya. being overwieght is very unhealthy, can and does shorten lifespans....and even more importantly, can considerably lower quality of life. to me, that is of the utmost of importance. i too want to be old someday.....and i want to enjoy as much of my life, for as long as possible, on this earth.


i am working on both my overall physical health, and my body image...since both need some work. however, i am female. my husband and i were both blessed with bodies in our younger years of requiring very little effort nor watching what we ate, to remain thin, proper weight, looking good. sadly, not the case for me anymore :oops: ....efforts are now required. :? my husband is a couple years older, and sure....he's put on some weight, but overall...he is still thin and fit.....but i do see his body image, and overall image of himself, canging with age.....and i do think he too wants to get in better shape.

correct......i stay in shape for life quality reasons. when i was young, i watched a commercial and there was an 80+ year old man barefoot skiing.......right then i knew what i wanted to do with my health.

i have been around many fat people......my first attempt at college, i worked in medicine and found the common denominator to be fat/diet as to nearly most diseases.

as for your aunt being 83 and grossly overweight.......wow, she is lucky. how is her quality of life, if you do not mind sharing.

decides2dream

ajedigecko wrote:

decides2dream wrote:

ajedigecko wrote:

yes.......my hobbies require me to be in shape and i have never seen an old fat person.

i want to be old someday......spend as much time on earth as possible.

do you really consider the desire to be in shape for your own enjoyment of hobbies and the desire for a long life...the same as being 'worried about your body IMAGE'....? while linked to some degree, i don't think necessarily the same.

and clearly, you've not met many old people. i know, and have seen....many, many overweight old people, some downright obese. i have an 83 year old aunt who has always been grossly overweight. she is just one of many examples. however, i hear ya....and agree with ya. being overwieght is very unhealthy, can and does shorten lifespans....and even more importantly, can considerably lower quality of life. to me, that is of the utmost of importance. i too want to be old someday.....and i want to enjoy as much of my life, for as long as possible, on this earth.


i am working on both my overall physical health, and my body image...since both need some work. however, i am female. my husband and i were both blessed with bodies in our younger years of requiring very little effort nor watching what we ate, to remain thin, proper weight, looking good. sadly, not the case for me anymore :oops: ....efforts are now required. :? my husband is a couple years older, and sure....he's put on some weight, but overall...he is still thin and fit.....but i do see his body image, and overall image of himself, canging with age.....and i do think he too wants to get in better shape.

correct......i stay in shape for life quality reasons. when i was young, i watched a commercial and there was an 80+ year old man barefoot skiing.......right then i knew what i wanted to do with my health.

i have been around many fat people......my first attempt at college, i worked in medicine and found the common denominator to be fat/diet as to nearly most diseases.

as for your aunt being 83 and grossly overweight.......wow, she is lucky. how is her quality of life, if you do not mind sharing.

cool.....that's what i wanted to clarify b/c i think body image is vastly different from quality of life desires....tho as i said, they definitelky can be linked.


and yes...i agree......fat/diet IS most definitely linked negatively to oh so much, least of which is body image.....thus why working on it for quality of life issues, to me, IS the most important aspect of it for us all.


as to my aunt, quite honestly, her quality of life is pretty damn good. no, she obviously isn't skiing...but nor does she want to be....but her health is in pretty damn good shape, for her age and her weight. however, i attrbute a lot of that simply to good genetics. my mother's family, hell, even my dad's....all lived pretty long/healthy lives.....at least into 70s, some into 90s....with only a few exceptions. however, with that...i still believe her life would be far better w/o all that weight. i was just curious about you saying you don't see fat old people. granted, the vast majority are NOT obese or morbidly obese...but a good number are definitely in the overwieght category, and many in the underweight category. the elderly seem to run in extremes.

ajedigecko

cool.....that's what i wanted to clarify b/c i think body image is vastly different from quality of life desires....tho as i said, they definitelky can be linked.


and yes...i agree......fat/diet IS most definitely linked negatively to oh so much, least of which is body image.....thus why working on it for quality of life issues, to me, IS the most important aspect of it for us all.


as to my aunt, quite honestly, her quality of life is pretty damn good. no, she obviously isn't skiing...but nor does she want to be....but her health is in pretty damn good shape, for her age and her weight. however, i attrbute a lot of that simply to good genetics. my mother's family, hell, even my dad's....all lived pretty long/healthy lives.....at least into 70s, some into 90s....with only a few exceptions. however, with that...i still believe her life would be far better w/o all that weight. i was just curious about you saying you don't see fat old people. granted, the vast majority are NOT obese or morbidly obese...but a good number are definitely in the overwieght category, and many in the underweight category. the elderly seem to run in extremes.[/quote]now that i have given some more thought to the topic.......if someone chooses to be fit for vanity purposes, good for them, i do not think less of that person. looking good may be their hobby.

decides2dream

ajedigecko wrote:

now that i have given some more thought to the topic.......if someone chooses to be fit for vanity purposes, good for them, i do not think less of that person. looking good may be their hobby.

sure...i couldn't care less either, really. i was merely intrigued with your first post, b/c you answered "yes"...but your reasons for such did not seemed linked to body image, and thus why i asked. and hey, vanity or not......the good health is an added benefit, so win-win either way!

josevolution

I like to look somewhat fit specially in summer ...