Weight-loss. Weight-gain. Body Image. These words are mostly used to discuss the self-image of women. It is no accident that there are NO MALE WEIGHT-LOSS spokesmodels. Culturally, we are 15 years behind in our discussion of male body image. For example, we are just beginning to acknowledge male post-partum depression.
15 years ago, no one there was no term for post-partum depression. It is now a diagnosed illness. Similarly, men are afflicted with the same body image issues as are women, expose themselves to self-exploitation, and become victim to diseases like anorexia and bulimia. Societally, we are not talking about it enough. Why? It is not regarded as a macho conversation. All little boys are taught to hide their feelings and most men become more emotionally disconnected as we mature.
Men are hard to diagnosis for eating disorders and body image issues because we do it differently than women. We are better at hiding it and we talk about it differently. We tie our “manhood” into it. Men endure the cycle longer because no one is watching.
Hearing people’s stories often helps you understand yourself better. Take a look at these these videos that speak to male body image from the standpoint of self-objectification, emotional development and disease.
For example, in the early stages of my fitness education, I would challenge myself to see how long I could go without eating and remain functional. I was really proud of my discipline. I was praised on my work ethic. The usually in the middle of the night, when no one was watching, my mind would snap and I would binge eat. I lost control. My loss of control verified every negative criticism I had of myself and I would tell myself I had to try harder. Then I would feel so guilty that I would go to the gym for three of four hours to try to burn every calorie off. In the gym, my time spent was never looked on as anything other than focused. My negative behaviors were reenforced. It was a vicious cycle. I eventually caught myself spiraling.
How does one measure self-worth?
Interview of Bryan Friedman and Bill Feldman, father and son, whose relationship is shown through the prism of bodybuilding in the documentary The Bodybuilder and I.
Eating disorders among gay men are twice as prevalent as they are among straight women.
How does one measure self-worth?
This video is pretty funny but the truth is quite sad. Men, like women, easily allow themselves to fall prey to objectification and exploitation. Just because you consent to being used as a sex object/slab of beef doesn’t mean you are in control.
Even without outside validation, you still may not be able to recognize yourself.
Interview video clip of a male model who slowly and painfully lost his life to anorexia.
Killing yourself unintentionally while believing you are doing all doing the right things is still suicide.
In this interview a healthy young man shares how he lost control of his life and connection to family thru an eating disorder. I see this in the gym every day.
