Right now I am studying to be a certified personal trainer. However, health and fitness weren't always passions of mine. In fact, it wasn't until 2003 that the ball got rolling...
Back in 2000, I was a freshmen in college. At 5 feet 9 inches, I weighed 155-160 lbs. I had a size 32-33 waist, and my best mile time was around 8 minutes. I wasn't in the best shape, but I probably wasn't in the worst either.
It wasn't until 2003 (a year into training at my first school) that I realized that my tests would only be so good if I kept my old habits. I started to slowly phase out inappropriate food and drink. Then I started doing outside conditioning. At first it was simple (pushups, crunches, etc.). Eventually I started saving money and over time bought some light weights. Now I pretty much have enough of the bare essentials when it comes to equipment.
As of now, I put on enough muscle to get to 185 lbs. I maintain a 32-33 inch waist, and my last mile time was 6 minutes and 50 seconds. Of course, I'd still like to improve on some things, but I feel I've accomplished a bit. I'm also happy and somewhat blessed to say that my motivation was never about "getting the girl" or beating up a foe. It was about improving my strength and endurance, or to put it in one word: FUNCTION.
Unfortunately, there are too many people affected by the pressures of body image today. Of course, there are numerous examples for females, but sometimes I feel not enough is said about the male side.
It's a real shame what kind of anchors we chain oursleves to. It got me thinking about what I've read about character vs. personality. It doesn't just go with people who work out or do martial arts. I think part of the change that needs to happen is a re-evaluation of not only all our actions, but all our reasons as well.
Making a choice we believe is right in order to draw external validation or praise will help build personality. However, making the same or similar choice to serve a practical function or greater purpose will do wonders to build character.
Some examples of negative ads and merchandise that may have helped--but of course not solely shape male body image:
The Insult That Made a Man Out of Mac
The Evolution of G.I. Joe
JFK Fights The Communists
Honestly, I think I just found this one funny...
JFK art originally found in Esquire Magazine. Text reads as following:
"Men! Men! Are you in shape to battle the red menace? Have you got the powerful punch to smash through the iron curtain? We'll never beat those rotten commies with scrawny chests and puny arms! What good is a weak grip against the red fist? Act Now! Join The President's Program for Physical Fitness! A bulging bicep means a muscle in the arm of democracy! Start now to follow the President's program and watch those Kremlin creeps run for cover! Men! Women! Children! Flex that arm and make Old Glory wave in every gym! Begin today to exercise for America!
Tags: Body Image Health Fitness
. i no longer have that superflat tummy, but I try to get the stigma of skinny out of my head and realize that i look good and healthy. My heaviest wt. was 170 and I was fat and depressed instead of buying bigger clothes I said NO, and now ive lost about 15 lbs and i feel better. One thing women need to get over is the scale, i got rid of mine when i started to obsses about my weight, i was weighing everyday. now i go by how my size 9 jeans fit me. Now im about 155 and look good and feel good about my body image. i've had to realize that just because im 155 doesn't mean im fat it means im healthy and i have good muscle mass. and ya know i've heard that most guys like a girl with a few curves instead of a toothpick as our society wants us to believe!!!!!!
