Bodybuilding Dysmorphia is a real issue, it’s the opposite of Anorexia.
You just never feel big enough.
It’s when you underestimate your body while everybody else thinks otherwise. You don’t have to be an 130lb bodybuilder to have bodybuilding dysmorphia either, there are bodybuilders who weigh 275lb+ who still don’t feel secure or big enough. A lot of bodybuilding dysmorphia has to do with insecurity, unrealistic expectations and constantly comparing one’s self to others.
Most of us grow up looking at the media, magazines, television, other forms of media and see people who are extremely muscular. Females look at fitness models on the covers of magazines and want to look that way too. People start training with the hopes of looking like these people and guess what?
That day most often never comes.
The physical standards in the media are just too high and most of the muscular idols swear that to be natural, but they are obviously lying and it makes sense because they have to protect their status. How do we know that they aren’t lying? The reason why most celebrities don’t admit steroid usage is because it would affect their reputation. When the media is putting these muscular bodies in front of you, it makes most people feel insecure. Most commercials are good at making you feel insecure whether it’s because you don’t have the new car or the body of a God or Goddess. They put all of this in your face because insecurity sells. The second you can get somebody to feel insecure is basically the second that you have a hold of them.
The same thing goes for guys, the media makes it seem like you need big arms to be considered a man. I don’t think any of this is true, but it is definitely working and people are more self-conscious now than ever.
During my training, there are strength training phases where I focus on getting stronger. There are also bodybuilding phases where I focus on putting on some size.
I have noticed that when you judge your progress by your looks, it is easy to fall into the body dysmorphia trap and I was a victim of it myself. Here are some tips that I came up with to help you become less self-conscious of your physical appearance.
First off, you have to understand that there is a difference between having body dysmorphia and being content while wanting more. The difference between the two is that the guy with body dysmorphia is never satisfied with where he/she is at no matter what while the other person is content with the progress being made but is still striving to be better.
If you feel like you may have some form of body dysmorphia then check out the tips below.
1. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO STEROID USERS.
I know that some woman are thinking; “steroids”? The truth is that you don’t have to be 260lb of muscle to be on steroids. There are fitness models who are 130lb who take enhancement drugs. They might not be taking huge doses, but they are still on them. You can look to these people for motivation, but don’t start comparing yourself because then you will forever be miserable. If you’re friends with or are around steroid users then try not to look at them for too long.. Remember that high-stress levels can lead to a huge drop in testosterone. This could even lead to depression, you don’t want that. Another good idea would be to try to find something that you have that they don’t so that you could be more at peace with the whole situation.
2. SET A HIGH GOAL, BUT MAKE IT SOMEWHAT POSSIBLE TOO.
Most people put their expectations way too high and just end up getting mad when the final result comes. The truth is that whether you are a male or female, you can get a great body. Although it depends on what you consider a great body.If your idea of a great body would be to be 6’1 @ 225lb with 12% bodyfat then that is definitely possible, but if your idea of the ideal body is to be 265 with 10% bodyfat then that wouldn’t be possible unless if you were on drugs or you were 8 foot 5.
I don’t say any of this stuff to put your hopes down, but only to save you from depression.
Another option would be to do what I do, surround yourself with drugged up lifters, but use that as a way to push yourself even harder!
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, who cares about who is natural or not.
There is so much more out there than muscles and we tend to create an imaginary audience when nobody is even watching. Take care of your body, train hard, eat well, avoid stress and focus on and start putting some emphasis on other things in life. I guarantee you that if you follow these tips then you will be a lot happier in the short and long run. Love your muscles and appreciate your hard work.