Are you guys ever happy with your body?

[gbrice75]

Short answer - no.

Explanation - in my experience, we always compare ourselves to people better than us, never the other way around. So it's all relative. For example, when I was a 255lb fat ass, my only goal was not to be fat. I wasn't looking at muscle heads and aspiring to that. Of course I would have liked to look that way, but it seemed light years out of my reach and I didn't really even pay it much mind. I'd look at lean guys, even skinny guys who had just the slightest shoulder/bi/tri separation, and that's who I wanted to look like.

When I got lean, I started looking at guys with better physiques. Not bodybuilders, just guys with a bit of shape. I wanted to be like that. And so on, as I progress, I continue to look at guys with better physiques, never backwards. It's a blessing and a curse. A curse because we're eternally unsatisfied, but a blessing in that it's what continues to motivate us to forge ahead.

To put it in perspective, when I was 255lbs, if I were able to look into the future and see my avy pic, I would have shit myself. I would have thought I got it made, this was it, the holy grail. Since that's not possible, and instead it's a slow progression, often progress we don't actually see ourselves from day to day (and because we're constantly looking and scrutinizing), we continue to want more.

[crazy mike]

Short answer - no.

Explanation - in my experience, we always compare ourselves to people better than us, never the other way around. So it's all relative. For example, when I was a 255lb fat ass, my only goal was not to be fat. I wasn't looking at muscle heads and aspiring to that. Of course I would have liked to look that way, but it seemed light years out of my reach and I didn't really even pay it much mind. I'd look at lean guys, even skinny guys who had just the slightest shoulder/bi/tri separation, and that's who I wanted to look like.

When I got lean, I started looking at guys with better physiques. Not bodybuilders, just guys with a bit of shape. I wanted to be like that. And so on, as I progress, I continue to look at guys with better physiques, never backwards. It's a blessing and a curse. A curse because we're eternally unsatisfied, but a blessing in that it's what continues to motivate us to forge ahead.

To put it in perspective, when I was 255lbs, if I were able to look into the future and see my avy pic, I would have shit myself. I would have thought I got it made, this was it, the holy grail. Since that's not possible, and instead it's a slow progression, often progress we don't actually see ourselves from day to day (and because we're constantly looking and scrutinizing), we continue to want more.

Hey my friend that was right on. And I might add you look good. I was in the gym in the locker room two days ago when a guy, huge, who had seen me come in 6 months ago stopped after walking by me,came back with his hand out to shake, I though huh ? When he shook my hand he said " your looking great, I saw you when you came in and you are certainly on your way, keep doing what your doing, I mean that, lookin good man" " Now come on. ya think I'm goin say to myself, I'm there? Nope it makes me train more ...crazy mike

[gbrice75]

Hey my friend that was right on. And I might add you look good. I was in the gym in the locker room two days ago when a guy, huge, who had seen me come in 6 months ago stopped after walking by me,came back with his hand out to shake, I though huh ? When he shacked my hand he said " your looking great, I saw you when you came in and you are certainly on your way, keep doing what your doing, I mean that, lookin good man" " Now come on. ya think I'm goin say to myself, I'm there? Nope it makes me train more ...crazy mike

lol... feels good to have one of the 'big guys' compliment you though, eh?

[crazy mike]

lol... feels good to have one of the 'big guys' compliment you though, eh?

Don't you know it. And I was minding my own. Not lookin in the mirror or anything, when he did the double and stepped back. Caught me off guard. So anyway yea it feels good. Progress not perfection ...crazy

[< <Samson> >]

Just like all the rest.

NO

I was 145 until the age of 20. Jumped to 220, said I am fat but being buff is plain out retarded. Dropped to 160. Then started getting more "toned". Felt way weak compared to people I seen around me at the gym. So, I started lifting little by little. Got to about 175-180, stayed there near forever, still lifting here and there.

Then something just popped. I seen someone huge or something(I really can't remember) and I decided I needed to get bigger.

Started researching juice, but could never self inject and the ex wife would have wigged out. Figured out oral only cycles were garbage. So, I naturally got myself to like 185-190. Still had no idea on how to get bigger.

One day I found this place, asked my Gf. She said go for it, I'll do your shots. And we're off- - -

Now, I am solid 20+ pounds heavier and still feel like I did when I was 160. When will it stop, I have no idea.

But now, I look at the guys I first seen at the gym that I used to think were just huge and I am bigger and stronger. It's interesting to say the least.

A few weeks back I was doing the same curls this other fool was doing. When I started I thought he was huge and I would never get there. I throw on more weight and lift more than him. Cool shit

[GirlyGymRat]

I feel skinny

I want to feel like Marcus.

[gbrice75]

But now, I look at the guys I first seen at the gym that I used to think were just huge and I am bigger and stronger. It's interesting to say the least.

Me too... this is an awesome feeling! I also notice I often have the best body in the gym at any given time. That's not saying much considering my gym is filled with gimps, but still... I couldn't have said that years ago.

[Back In Black]

I want to feel Marcus.

Fixed that for ya GGR

[evander87]

Happy, yes. Satisfied, no.

This.

[GirlyGymRat]

Fixed that for ya GGR

Nice!

[kelkel]

I want to feel like Marcus.

You can. Put on a skin-tight red latex suit!

[kelkel]

Me too... this is an awesome feeling! I also notice I often have the best body in the gym at any given time. That's not saying much considering my gym is filled with gimps, but still... I couldn't have said that years ago.

Me too! But I train alone in my basement......and it's getting old...

[Lunk1]

Me too! But I train alone in my basement......and it's getting old...

You need to get outta the basement big guy...there is a whole new world out there. The sunlight is good for you lol!

[GirlyGymRat]

Me too! But I train alone in my basement......and it's getting old...

But how's parking at your gym???

Monday Tuesday there r no spots recently and ppl making spots. I was a little ticked. Person pulled so tight to my driver side could barely squeeze my body between opened door. You my friend would have been SOL. I would have liked to watch tho.

[gbrice75]

Me too! But I train alone in my basement......and it's getting old...

So you and your basement have something in common!?

PS - I don't even know what I'm looking at in your avy anymore. All I see is mountains and trails... awesome.

[< <Samson> >]

Me too... this is an awesome feeling! I also notice I often have the best body in the gym at any given time. That's not saying much considering my gym is filled with gimps, but still... I couldn't have said that years ago.

That is exactly the case here too.

But, when I started I thought those gimps were super studs. Now, I wonder WTF are they doing and not growing.

[gbrice75]

That is exactly the case here too.

But, when I started I thought those gimps were super studs. Now, I wonder WTF are they doing and not growing.

^^ exactly. Most of them still look the same... as I reached their level and then put them in my rear view.

[crazy mike]

The thread "are you guys ever happy with your body?" well no, except for that complement I got , see my previous post.
Hey but I'll tell it straight up, I was happy with GGR's pictures with her bod....crazy mike

[crazy mike]

What a bicep !!!. Wow, I mean that's it. I would be happy with that ya think really cool my friend ...crazy mike

kelkel's Avatar

[crazy mike]

As you can see, not happy and you know it is a never ending journey, but I am trying to get some gains. The only thing I can say, being unhappy where I'm at of course, is that this is progress, not perfection. If you all had seem me 6 months ago you could at least see the progress. I might keep this pic up. I've been feeling like a fake with the old pic from 86' gota get honest, ya think. ouch!! ...crazy mike

[Zodiac82]

nope....I was just thinkin about this the other day....how a person is never satisfied with themselves....I was thinkin how we give props to ppls avis all the time but that person probably looks at themselves as needing much more done....crazy brain lol

[jasc]

As you can see, not happy and you know it is a never ending journey, but I am trying to get some gains. The only thing I can say, being unhappy where I'm at of course, is that this is progress, not perfection. If you all had seem me 6 months ago you could at least see the progress. I might keep this pic up. I've been feeling like a fake with the old pic from 86' gota get honest, ya think. ouch!! ...crazy mike

You say you were 60 something? You look great man!

[jasc]

Happy, never fully satisfied

[crazy mike]

You say you were 60 something? You look great man!

61 1/2 yep all of it, thanks for the comp. ...crazy mike

[Flagg]

I've been training with a mate of mine lately who is as big as an ox. The good thing about this, is he pushing me to ridiculous levels. Even after two weeks I think im starting to look better.

I'm trying to look the dogs bollocks for the beginning of May and so far, im enjoying the progress. Just got back from doing arms, and they are just pumped and full of blood.

[< <Samson> >]

61 1/2 yep all of it, thanks for the comp. ...crazy mike

For sure old bro, my neighbor is the same exact age you are. The difference is insane, he looks straight enchant.

You and the other old schoolers is what gives me hope for longevity.

[boz]

Finishing up my 6th week of Tren . Went up almost 30lbs. I look at myself in the mirror and go "Pffh, still a long road ahead."

I used to be a fat kid in my early teens. Now, I am one of the biggest and strongest guys at my University gym.

But I still don't feel satisfied. There is a hole that never gets filled no matter what I do. I definitely know that bodybuilding is a marathon and not a sprint...been doing it for 8 years now.

Just this sometimes makes me wanna give up. I think "Okay...so what if I become 250 lbs at 8% b.f.? I will still be unhappy!!".

The only thing that gives me much joy now is powerlifting. I am definitely happy with my strength.

Or this could just be the Tren just fcking with my mind.

So, what's your story? What weight, bf, etc did you start at? Where are you now? Are you happy with your body? How long do you see yourself doing this for? Ever lost motivation along the way?

- My story is i started my first cycle in 2009 test cyp 400mg
- I was a very skinny ectomorph, weighing in at about 65kg - 68kg my bf was always low
- I am now 95kg im normally in the very low 2 digit bf end

Overall i am very happy how far i have come, there are muscles that need work and are lacking for example my calves and quads, and as my upper body looks better everday i do notice how well out proportioned my body looks.
I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life, maybe not as consistent as times, but definiely on/off to try and work around work and other important parts of our life.

Motivation will always be lossed imo, my loss of motivation is minor though, soon as the mirror starts telling otherwise i pull myself into gear and make sure i look as good as i did before the loss of motivation. In other words i have to cut out the crap food im eating ahah.

Than again i can understand where some members are coming from, when you happy with your body and you see other massive blokes and does make you want to get bigger and bigger, you have to do what is right for you no one else.

[kelkel]

So you and your basement have something in common!?

PS - I don't even know what I'm looking at in your avy anymore. All I see is mountains and trails... awesome.

Don't want you to think I missed that. Smart ars......unusually funny for you though!

[< <Samson> >]

I will stop trying to get bigger when my bi's look like kel's avi


That is intense

[RoadToHuge]

Muscle dysmorphia (or more informally bigorexia) is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that they are not muscular enough.^[1] Those who suffer from muscle dysmorphia tend to hold delusions that they are "skinny" or "too small" but are often above average in musculature. Sometimes referred to as reverse anorexia nervosa, or the Adonis Complex, muscle dysmorphia is a very specific type of body dysmorphic disorder.
In this disorder a person is preoccupied with thoughts concerning appearance, especially musculature. Muscle dysmorphia is strictly connected with selective attention: individuals selectively focus their attention on perceived defect (too skinny body, underweight etc.). They are hypervigilant to even small deviations from perceived ideal and they ignore information that their body image is not consistent with reality.
There is also a hypothesis that individuals repeat negative and distorted self-statements concerning their appearance to such extent that they become automatic. Muscle dysmorphia influences person's mood often causing depression or feelings of disgust. This is often connected with constant comparing of a person's body to unattainable ideal.

Muscle dysmorphia can cause people to^{[citation needed]}:

• Constantly examine themselves in a mirror
• Frequently compare themselves with others
• Want to increase muscle mass
• Dream of lifting weights and exercise
• Become distressed if they miss a workout session or one of their many meals a day
• Become distressed if they do not receive enough protein per day in their diet
• Use anabolic steroids, sometimes unsafely ^[2]
• Neglect jobs, relationships, or family because of excessive exercising
• Have delusions of being underweight or below average in musculature.
• In extreme cases, inject appendages with fluid (e.g. synthol)
• Suffers from constant mood swings
• In extreme cases, being grumpy and short tempered

A diagnoses of muscle dysmorphic requires that a person exhibit symptoms of the type and degree outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for body dysmorphic disorder, and not merely appear over-interested in physique or engage in behaviors other people would find unwise. Muscle dysmorphia is becoming more common as societal pressures regarding male body image become more prominent to today's youth, but is not just a simple obsession with working out.
Muscle dysmorphia is most common in males and often starts in the late teens, although sometimes, they can be older. Olivardia and others found in a 2000 study that the average onset age was 19.4 years. It most often occurs in those who others already consider muscular, and is often accompanied by depression.

[Shol'va]

Short answer - no.

Explanation - in my experience, we always compare ourselves to people better than us, never the other way around. So it's all relative. For example, when I was a 255lb fat ass, my only goal was not to be fat. I wasn't looking at muscle heads and aspiring to that. Of course I would have liked to look that way, but it seemed light years out of my reach and I didn't really even pay it much mind. I'd look at lean guys, even skinny guys who had just the slightest shoulder/bi/tri separation, and that's who I wanted to look like.

When I got lean, I started looking at guys with better physiques. Not bodybuilders, just guys with a bit of shape. I wanted to be like that. And so on, as I progress, I continue to look at guys with better physiques, never backwards. It's a blessing and a curse. A curse because we're eternally unsatisfied, but a blessing in that it's what continues to motivate us to forge ahead.

To put it in perspective, when I was 255lbs, if I were able to look into the future and see my avy pic, I would have shit myself. I would have thought I got it made, this was it, the holy grail. Since that's not possible, and instead it's a slow progression, often progress we don't actually see ourselves from day to day (and because we're constantly looking and scrutinizing), we continue to want more.

Not only am I happy with my body, but I'm happy with some of yours as well...

[MuttonChop]

Some very insightful posts here. Thanks.

I would like to extend the conversation. If I may ask, what got you into bodybuilding in the first place? Did it come from a place of "Oh hey, I seem to have good genes, let's take them far!" or "I don't want to be in the body I am right now."?

[bdos]

I was always into sports and had a fairly lean build but i got older and started getting annoyed of the whole team sport thing so i got into bb so i would be left alone and just make it personal

[Java Man]

Lol. No. I've had bigorexia. No matter how big I got I looked small to me. Know what you mean! I think if I wa ever happy with my body I would lose the desire to keep improving... And I love the pump too much to quit!

[Java Man]

I got into it because I was so skinny that I looked sick. 135lbs at 6ft. got sick of being called toothpick, stickman, slim, "big guy", etc. mostly though, I personally just didn't like being so thin.

[Twin]

I was happy with my body over the summer. there were always room for improvements but i was pretty happy. Any chance that i had to show off my body i would... (Tank tops, pool parties, beach, paint parties) But not anymore due to my injuries. Now i am the opposite and feel so small and soft and even wear hoodies to the gymfor my physical therapy exercises...

[crazy mike]

I was happy with my body over the summer. there were always room for improvements but i was pretty happy. Any chance that i had to show off my body i would... (Tank tops, pool parties, beach, paint parties) But not anymore due to my injuries. Now i am the opposite and feel so small and soft and even wear hoodies to the gymfor my physical therapy exercises...

Man I'm always to embarrassed to wear a tank top in public. Ya know who is this guy trying to look like ? He might lift weights but what the fvck, he is trying to show off and he doesn't look like anything. Not cool . huh ...crazy

[The Bear 79]

I was happy with my body over the summer. there were always room for improvements but i was pretty happy. Any chance that i had to show off my body i would... (Tank tops, pool parties, beach, paint parties) But not anymore due to my injuries. Now i am the opposite and feel so small and soft and even wear hoodies to the gymfor my physical therapy exercises...

What the fvck is a "paint party"................?

[Shol'va]

What the fvck is a "paint party"................?

What? You've never been to a paint party? DSM was the originator of the paint party...And you wouldn't believe what gets painted, on second thought yes you would...

[The Bear 79]

What? You've never been to a paint party? DSM was the originator of the paint party...And you wouldn't believe what gets painted, on second thought yes you would...

Pics or it didn't happen.............................JUST KIDDING, JUST KIDDING!!! ....................Seriously............just kidding.................PLEASE don't post pics.............