Body Dysmorphia and body building

[GoBirds1212]

I always feel like I am the smallest in the gym and it's frustrating as hell. I know I am not, especially when I look in the mirror and I am pumped the F up. Anyone else deal with this shit? How do we get passed it?

I am away for 3 weeks and training at a new spot, I hit two gyms since I was here and I am a gym rat so I talk to people and introduce myself, ask questions yada yada. First gym I went to is straight up bro's gym, fucking loved it. Got to talking to one of the jacked dudes who was in a group (instantly thought they were all bigger than me) he said, "yo, when you walked in everyone said 'who the fuck is that guy?!?'" that felt good.

This morning in a different gym, this obvious bodybuilder who I have seen a few times (again, instantly think he is bigger than me.. he might, but def not as cut) walks by me over and over again. My wife finally said to me, that guy is sizing you up and after you hit that set he looked like you ran over his dog... lol, that felt good too.

On the beach this weekend my 7 year old overheard the lifeguards talking about how jacked I was, and then the one saw my tattoo on my calf for completing an Ironman and they said "holy shit. you think that kid knows how much of a freak his dad is?" --- so that was cool too, not only for me but for my boy.

I am "starting" prep when i get back in a few weeks, at least the cutting part and need to shake this shit, because I don't to want end up "punishing" myself in the gym especially when I am depleted. I don't want to hire a coach, which I know is recommended at least to have another eye on you. I am a coach, and really trying to take my business to a different level, so self-coaching for my first comp is important to me. Actually in the process of bringing on a master's client who will competing for the first time already.

 

[Meetketchup]

The end of the day, most of us have it and the better we look, the worse we feel about ourselves as we are never satisfied. It's pretty sick when you think about it.

Respect for self-coaching especially if you have body dysmorphia. As you know it will be a huge challenge as it's hard enough to be objective on yourself regardless deep in prep. I get you want to do this yourself but at least have someone around you trust that can set you straight when you start bugging out, which will happen.

Good luck.

 

[Bigdaddyjak]

I don’t think I’m any bigger than the average guy , I’m only 235-240 now . That’s pretty average

 

[GoBirds1212]

The end of the day, most of us have it and the better we look, the worse we feel about ourselves as we are never satisfied. It's pretty sick when you think about it.

Respect for self-coaching especially if you have body dysmorphia. As you know it will be a huge challenge as it's hard enough to be objective on yourself regardless deep in prep. I get you want to do this yourself but at least have someone around you trust that can set you straight when you start bugging out, which will happen.

Good luck.

Thanks man! Yea, I have a buddy who used to compete and he is going to help me with the mental aspect the closer I get.

 

[GoBirds1212]

I don’t think I’m any bigger than the average guy , I’m only 235-240 now . That’s pretty average

You look f'ing huge in your profile pic! That's not average my man

 

[Bigdaddyjak]

You look f'ing huge in your profile pic! That's not average my man

That’s our dysmorpia problem !!

 

[Bigdaddyjak]

I agree with Meetck , a coach can go a long way to keep your head on right !! I’m just a gym bro , that works out here and their in my basement . If you’re competing , consider it !! But, you know this already !!!

 

[GoBirds1212]

I agree with Meetck , a coach can go a long way to keep your head on right !! I’m just a gym bro , that works out here and their in my basement . If you’re competing , consider it !! But, you know this already !!!

haha, yea I know. We are our own worst enemy sometimes. We all KNOW the answers... just thickheaded as shit.

 

[ricroc]

We always see our flaws and faults cause we're dealing with ourselves 24/7 and for ever how many years we've been around and yes, we are our own worst enemy, especially if we stay down that rabbit hole too long.

You sound as though you have that awareness about you, aka stop from going into the abyss, and that's a good thing. Keeps us at bay. I think when we go to extremes is when this becomes an issue---we allow it to control our lives instead of us being in control.

Godspeed, amigo and good luck on your upcoming competitions.

 

[GoBirds1212]

We always see our flaws and faults cause we're dealing with ourselves 24/7 and for ever how many years we've been around and yes, we are our own worst enemy, especially if we stay down that rabbit hole too long.

You sound as though you have that awareness about you, aka stop from going into the abyss, and that's a good thing. Keeps us at bay. I think when we go to extremes is when this becomes an issue---we allow it to control our lives instead of us being in control.

Godspeed, amigo and good luck on your upcoming competitions.

Thanks, bro!!

 

[SharpTack]

The only reason I had the confidence to do my first show last month was because I was getting compliments from guys I perceived as more jacked than me. Ended up taking three 2nd place medals in classic physique. Novice, true novice and masters. I could have done better if I had just committed and hired a coach sooner because my posing and conditioning could have been better.

As far as coaching yourself I kinda get it but on the other hand, you can always learn something new from a coach and you could pass that along to your future clients while benefiting yourself as well. I like to coach myself too. It keeps me engaged. But I definitely won’t wait till Im 4 weeks out to bring someone in for next show lol. Mostly it’s a budget thing too.

 

[GoBirds1212]

The only reason I had the confidence to do my first show last month was because I was getting compliments from guys I perceived as more jacked than me. Ended up taking three 2nd place medals in classic physique. Novice, true novice and masters. I could have done better if I had just committed and hired a coach sooner because my posing and conditioning could have been better.

As far as coaching yourself I kinda get it but on the other hand, you can always learn something new from a coach and you could pass that along to your future clients while benefiting yourself as well. I like to coach myself too. It keeps me engaged. But I definitely won’t wait till Im 4 weeks out to bring someone in for next show lol. Mostly it’s a budget thing too.

Great job, man!! Yea, it's pricy. The show(s) alone is expensive enough. It's 2 shows in 1, so looking at like 7 categories total. That expense, the gear, supplements, hotel, the food! It adds up.

 

[SharpTack]

Great job, man!! Yea, it's pricy. The show(s) alone is expensive enough. It's 2 shows in 1, so looking at like 7 categories total. That expense, the gear, supplements, hotel, the food! It adds up.

Thanks, 2nd place keeps me hungry! What does 2in1 mean? Like you’re competing in bodybuilding and classic or it’s actually two different shows?

 

[GoBirds1212]

Thanks, 2nd place keeps me hungry! What does 2in1 mean? Like you’re competing in bodybuilding and classic or it’s actually two different shows?

2nd is great for your first!! It's 2 shows in 1. One show is for the State Championships only, so you need to be a state resident and the other is open to NPC Members.

 

[SharpTack]

2nd is great for your first!! It's 2 shows in 1. One show is for the State Championships only, so you need to be a state resident and the other is open to NPC Members.

Good luck man! That sounds intense! And pricey. Two for one deal on the spraytan tho

 

[balin]

People wouldn't beat the shit out of themselves, get injured continue on , force feed themselves, stave themselves if they were comfortable with how they looked to start with. I have stepped on stages been told by judges my conditioning and proportions were all good and still felt small and fat....... go figure.

 

[Wardamn]

Body dysmorphia is par for the course when it comes to bodybuilding. Everyone has been there.

More days than not you'll look at yourself in a negative light. You'll never be big enough or lean enough, always chasing just a little bit more.

When it comes to competing, especially for a 1st time competitor, a coach can really help. Objective eyes and experience is a good thing to have in your corner. Good luck.

Have pics of your current condition?

 

[Skud008]

I feel it sometimes and I'm not even a body builder, I'm an aging athlete and home gym bro. What saves me is that I'm not comparing myself to pros, I couldn't even imagine what that could do to my payche. I'm comparing myself to the general population and 97% of the general population is in absolute dogshit shape. It's kinda funny when I see another actually fit person in public and we kind of give each other the nod, like a little "hey bro I see you putting in that work" lol

 

[GoBirds1212]

Body dysmorphia is par for the course when it comes to bodybuilding. Everyone has been there.

More days than not you'll look at yourself in a negative light. You'll never be big enough or lean enough, always chasing just a little bit more.

When it comes to competing, especially for a 1st time competitor, a coach can really help. Objective eyes and experience is a good thing to have in your corner. Good luck.

Have pics of your current condition?

This was today while on vacation. Im competing in Men's Physique.

 

[Skud008]

This was today while on vacation. Im competing in Men's Physique.

Lookin' good man, that's a super solid core!

 

[GoBirds1212]

Lookin' good man, that's a super solid core!

Thanks, bro! Yea, looking forward to seeing what happens in the cut... and hoping I won't need to cut the calories too low like planned. Going to take it slow. Still 17 weeks out.

 

[ricroc]

This was today while on vacation. Im competing in Men's Physique.

Looking solid, my man!

 

[GoBirds1212]

Looking solid, my man!

Appreciate it!!