Body dysmorphia or acceptance of reality

[ChickenRiceRepeat]

Not sure if it’s just me, but lately, nearly every day this happens. I’ll scroll some new up and coming pros on IG before the gym or at work. Then I’ll get to the gym and look at myself in the mirror. I’ll think, man, what am I even doing. I’m a joke.

Then I’ll keep my pump cover on and do some sets. After 2-3 sets when my jam hits good and my pump really gets going, I take off the cover and I’m like, man, maybe I’m getting there. Maybe I really can do this.

it’s a mindfuck sometimes. Y’all feel this or what?

Sorry if this is a lame post.

 

[TrippplePPP]

I always say 5 minutes on the treadmill can make me go from feeling fat to feeling in shape just like that. You're not alone.

 

[buck]

Live in the real world. Look at the average guy in the gym or grocery store.
Set you bar at the correct level.
I am 66 and have felt fat all my life but i did weigh almost 200# in 7th grade at barely over 5'. A 51 year old gay guy today in the gym that was lean muscular and veiny told me i looked good(and didn't even say for your age!). I take that as a win! And tell myself he was showing good taste!!!

 

[ChickenRiceRepeat]

I always say 5 minutes on the treadmill can make me go from feeling fat to feeling in shape just like that. You're not alone.

Thanks bro. I was just coming back to delete this post but I guess it’s too late haha

 

[td]

The internet will cloud your judgment. Consider the freaks here. Check out the "Pic you took today" thread and you'll see inspiring pictures and demoralizing ones. Demoralizing in the sense that there are a ton of spectacular bodybuilders here so it's easy to feel like you don't belong.

Social media is even worse because almost everyone is presenting the absolute most flattering version of their physiques with lighting, angles, sometimes filters. And there really are new, young freaks showing up everyday.

It's an inaccurate sample size. Remember that the internet is drawing from a bank of 8 billion people.

But go to any gym. Even bodybuilding gyms usually only have a handful of mutants. You might have the best physique at a random commercial gym.

If you go to a local show, it's about the same caliber of athletes as always. Maybe a couple destined for the pro ranks regardless of what they do, some will fight to get to a national amateur level and some just happy to be up there at all.

You get to define your journey. Maybe consider some deep introspection. Why are you doing this? Does it serve you? Do you enjoy the process?

And yes, anyone who is honestly critical of themselves deals with these feelings at least occasionally.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

"Don't compare yourself with others. You'll end up feeling jealous or proud. Either way, it won't be good"

That said, social media is ass. Between filters, shop, angles, lighting, lying about using, or what they are using (many fake natties out there) and always posting the most advantageous pictures of the person year round to make it look like they are always peak lean or peak bulk is a cancer. I lift in baggy clothes, it helps. I am not saying it easy to avoid comparison, but brother, for your mental health, and sanity...hood up, head down, headphones in, world out. Just stick the plan, train hard, eat well, keep cardio in, stay focused and disciplined and you will achieve the best version of yourself.

 

[qbkilla]

Just get to having the best quad to waist ratio in the gym...then you are king.

 

[Alzadosghost]

Comparison is the thief of joy

 

[massephase]

Go to the public pool and look at the physiques there in your age bracket.

 

[Tomgrass]

I dont get why you think like that? Let me explain: when I was in my teens i was playing a lot of basketball then i came home and watch NBA. Even for a second i was not thinking- what the hell i am doing. I knew i am not Micheal Jordan or any pro and never will be. I was just a guy who loved to play and in the area where i lived there was a lot of guys much better then me. If you meant to be a real pro - you would be one. Just accept it that you dont have genetics to be the one - and attitude - i will take shit ton of gear and will get there - and then what? How are you gonna progress from there? Just look at this forum- some guys were just BORN to be a bodybuilder- i am not one of them. I realise this long time ago when I was doing a LOT of gear and all i had was sides. I smartened up lowered dosages and enjoy the training. I was not born to be a bodybuilder. When i listen Dorian Yates story it does not remind me my life at all , natural Ronnie was miles better then me on my heaviest cycle. That allready should tell me everything i needed to know.

 

[traininsane11]

Yep everyday so I just deleted IG and magically the problem was solved

You’re exposed to the 1% best of the best on socials because algorithm and it makes you think that’s the norm when it couldn’t be further from it

Social media

If you’re a creator = win
If you’re a consumer = lose

 

[Sectør]

Think 99.99% of bodybuilders have body dismorphia. It just comes with the nature of it. Even if you look great you’ll always look in the mirror and be like “I need to add size here, I need more detail there, I still have a Little fat to lose In this spot”. Which objectively is good, emotionally you just have to find that line where you’re realistic enough to address the underperforming areas without destroying yourself in the process

And like others have said—social media is cancer. The sooner you get off that stuff the better you’ll be

 

[ChickenRiceRepeat]

Think 99.99% of bodybuilders have body dismorphia. It just comes with the nature of it. Even if you look great you’ll always look in the mirror and be like “I need to add size here, I need more detail there, I still have a Little fat to lose In this spot”. Which objectively is good, emotionally you just have to find that line where you’re realistic enough to address the underperforming areas without destroying yourself in the process

And like others have said—social media is cancer. The sooner you get off that stuff the better you’ll be

This is the post here I identify with the most. I don’t know if its possible to take bodybuilding seriously without body dysmorphia.

if you always want to be a lifestyle guy I get the not comparing, but competing literally IS comparing.

Anyways, I love this lifestyle. My e2 is a lil low right now which always makes me feel really shit in the gym so thanks for the support folks

 

[Splitzz]

Deal with this all the time, especially when cutting. Sucks but what drives me to push harder, just have to realize it’s rare to be completely satisfied with how you look. My eyes only see what needs improvement

 

[NaDa]

I dont have body dysmorphia. I just know that no one will ever love me unless I stay above 220lbs and under 10% body fat. Thats normal, right?

 

[chooch]

Bodybuilding is a form of mental illness, you haven’t realized that yet? lol. For people to take all the drugs, force feed gobs of food, prioritize their appearance over everything, and it not be how you make a living…..it’s just crazy. And 99.99% of us don’t make our living from it so where’s that leave us? But I’m as guilty as the next guy so what do I know

 

[Aikman56]

Comparison is the thief of joy

This is exactly what I was going to type… Word for Word.

Objectively, I know that my physique is better than 99% of humans walking the Earth… Unfortunately, I compare myself to people who are miles ahead of me, in terms of genetics, development, structure, etc. I think that’s just the nature of what we do. It’s definitely body dysmorphia, but I accepted that as a matter of of course long ago.

 

[SMOLWARRIOR]

Not sure if it’s just me, but lately, nearly every day this happens. I’ll scroll some new up and coming pros on IG before the gym or at work. Then I’ll get to the gym and look at myself in the mirror. I’ll think, man, what am I even doing. I’m a joke.

Then I’ll keep my pump cover on and do some sets. After 2-3 sets when my jam hits good and my pump really gets going, I take off the cover and I’m like, man, maybe I’m getting there. Maybe I really can do this.

it’s a mindfuck sometimes. Y’all feel this or what?

Sorry if this is a lame post.

Felt like it was myself typing this up when i read it... I look nowhere near as good as most of you all on this forum and often I'm wondering if ill even get a quarter of the way there, but there's something about wanting too see how far i may be able to go.

Like you, ill scroll some IG and get stupidly motivated, only to be in the gym feeling like "damn this does not look like what you saw online." that shit killed my motivation for about 2 years.

It wasn't until i really stopped paying attention to others that i found the joy in my training, someone said hoodie up, headphones in, and tbh i felt like a dumbass most days with no muscle to show for it, but i have better training sessions this way.. again, I'm nowhere near the lifter some of you are (which is why i'm here) and that probably makes a difference but as someone whos miles behind you, from my perspective it looks like you're killing it.

 

[Klax]

I feel this, but I also side with all the replies here. Just yesterday, I was in the gym looking at myself in the locker room feeling small/weak, being critical of myself. After the gym, I went to my local hangout spot, and as soon as I walked in, I heard one of the regulars shout, "Dude, you're FUCKING JACKED! What the hell!?" People were asking me about diet, training, etc. I got really shy and kind of just dodged questions. And yet on here, I'm nothing impressive. Compared to the highlights on social media, it's never going to be a fair comparison. But in real life, I guarantee you're better off than 99% of the population.

 

[gh375]

It affects everyone. There's an interview with Arnold where he says he would just stare at himself in the mirror during contest prep and think "look at this shit body. How could you ever win looking like this?" which is funny considering he probably had the best physique on the planet at that time.