Body image and AAS

[BenT]

Someone close to me has recently voiced their dislike of my AAS usage. I was told that I'm not a bodybuilder "type", that I'm not happy with my body and that I have no self-confidence in who I am as a person.

The truth is, I have never had a problem with my body, I have been in reasonably good to excellent shape for the past 8-10 years. You know sometimes you feel a little fat, or like one muscle group is lagging or something - but it has never been something that's made me feel bad about myself, or get depressed or even be afraid to take off my shirt at the beach - I left that behind in my teenage years.

My point is this - just because I use AAS, does that mean I have a body image problem? I don't think it does... I just like the enhanced look :) I was told I'm in denial.

[Redz]

I think I like to use steroids but I dont dislike myself ever. I do however have more confidence when I`m in great shape but who doesnt?

[Ritch]

Shit dude, that person sure was comming down hard on you. Maybe that person dosen`t know your plans and maybe the AAS are part of your plan to help you look like a bodybuilder (Jersey here pulled this off very well), not saying that you don`t... About the body imgage problem. For sure I think we`re all affected by this. Besides the fact eating every 3 hours or so makes you feel good, it`s also an obsession but a good one I`d say. I think the dicipline bodybuilders have intimidates others and is why they critisize and look for negatives in what we do. They will say it`s unhealthy to eat so much protein and the supplements we take are bad for us. I often tell them to stop repeating stuff they heard but don`t understand which can shut them up well. The most annoying is when you`re around family and can`t talk to them like that.

[Ritch]

Bro that person is a ****ing tool, I just thought about this. Why do most people smoke? They smoke because they want to look cool, they suffer from self image problems, they feel like they need to belong... How stupid would you look if you went up to a smoker and told him he took up smoking because he was suffering of self image problems and did so because they felt like they needed to belong? The person who says this to a bodybuilder looks even dumber because they`re knocking him for something he`s doing that is healthy... Plus being jacked looks cool, smoking dosen`t.

[BenT]

The most annoying is when you`re around family and can`t talk to them like that.

He is practically family.

I do want to look like a bodybuilder, and I wouldn't write of the idea of trying a show one day. I would love to see how big I can get, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with my body the way it is right now - ok well I'm a little pasty, I could do with a tan. But seriously, I'm pretty scientific, and this is more like a long ongoing experiment that I really enjoy than an obsession. I think really something that holds me back is other people's negativity - like what people at work are thinking when they notice I need to buy new shirts cuz I'm too big, or what friends think about my mental state when I'm drinking 3 protein shakes a day. Maybe the truth is that judgments like that are more a reflection of other people's insecurity or jealousy in some way.

Anyway, I don't need to justify any of this to people on this board, but just wondered if other people have had similar experiences.

[CanadianIron]

Its more about having a set goal and trying to achieve it, im totally happy with the way I look, but I have an idea of where I want to get and I enjoy trying to get there. I dont think I have a bad body at all and usually body builders look kinda fat with all their cloths on...

Its just a hobby.... for some it maybe a problem, but i think most guys just wanna get jacked and nail pussy, they arent trying to fill some mysterious hole in their heart... getting jacked is sick... simple as that... I do it for cool factor, not because my mommy didnt tell me I was handsome. Its the same thing as wanting a collection of huge guns, a wicked fast car, a gf with huge tits etc... its all about cool stuff.

[Varlover]

The same person probably wishes that they had the dedication to throw themselves into something as you have. As long as you are being smart about it and eating well, there are a lot worse habits out there.

To so many people, what they dont understand is just deemed wrong in their eyes, Unfortunate but true.

"The good things that come to people who wait, are just the left overs from who got their first."

[natenator]

Its more about having a set goal and trying to achieve it, im totally happy with the way I look, but I have an idea of where I want to get and I enjoy trying to get there. I dont think I have a bad body at all and usually body builders look kinda fat with all their cloths on...

Its just a hobby.... for some it maybe a problem, but i think most guys just wanna get jacked and nail pussy, they arent trying to fill some mysterious hole in their heart... getting jacked is sick... simple as that... I do it for cool factor, not because my mommy didnt tell me I was handsome. Its the same thing as wanting a collection of huge guns, a wicked fast car, a gf with huge tits etc... its all about cool stuff.
or for the truly dedicated (you guys know who you are) it's about pushing your body (and mind) further than you ever though possible.

[steve_d]

this whole "love your body no matter what shape it is" attitude is going to hurt society more than help it. Sure, the media is distorting our views of what the ideal is. But its annoying when you see out of shape people attacking people trying to do something positive for their own body and arguing that we have a "body image disorder".

Worse case scenario: I'd rather have a body image disorder and be in perfect shape then love my fat, out of shape body. At least I'll be around longer than them to look in the mirror and wonder if my abs could be tighter.

[ELCANADA]

Designer cloths, Fancy shoes, Bling, Nice car, House, etc.

Its taking what you got and making it better. Breaking though any possible limitations with a bit of help. For most its nothing to with low self esteem or body image.

If it was chick who told you this ask her why she wears makeup...is she trying to be a model? Is she trying to make up for a poor self image? I am certain she will tell you to make herself look better...same as AAS.

[BenT]

Designer cloths, Fancy shoes, Bling, Nice car, House, etc.

Its taking what you got and making it better. Breaking though any possible limitations with a bit of help. For most its nothing to with low self esteem or body image.

If it was chick who told you this ask her why she wears makeup...is she trying to be a model? Is she trying to make up for a poor self image? I am certain she will tell you to make herself look better...same as AAS.

No, it's a dude. And he's done cycles before but loses all his gains because he doesn't do PCT and doesn't eat enough.

[CanadianIron]

If you arent being vocal about it and you're happily on your way to getting huge and he's making an issue, then Id say hes being a douche.

The only time anyone should be concerned with anyone else self image is when they're bitching about it. I dont care if someones fat, as long as they dont whine about it all the time. If you were crying about being skinny all the time, then maybe your buddie would have a point, but from the sounds of it, hes just jealous he lacks your dedication.

Ive gone through a few training partners now and a lot of my friends simply dont have the determination to get to where Im going and usually when they fall off the beef train they bitch about how getting big isnt important and how its bad for you.

[Danger]

People just love to hate on people who actually get up every morning and put real effort into making their life better, especially when they see it working.

I secretly love it when people make snide remarks about going to the gym and eating protein shakes ect it just re-afirms for me the fact that what im doing is working!

[cheesesteak]

No, it's a dude. And he's done cycles before but loses all his gains because he doesn't do PCT and doesn't eat enough.

Ummm.... tell him to **** off and that he's a hypocrit because he's used and had a body image disorder as well. Talk about throwing stones in a glass house.

[CanadianIron]

Technically if hes used gear before and hes not anymore, hes in a good position to give advice on the matter, because hes looking at it from the other side, however. If he didnt put in the effort and lost all his gains, he would look at gear differently than the guy that used it to build and maintain his body.

[JacktheThriller]

self image is different from body image most people would like to improve their bodies but few do because it it not a need to feel secure in themselves this guy is most likely projecting his own failures onto you, **** him, bodybuilding is about improving your body not about getting MASSIVE, if you think u look great now why change that