Self-image obsession isn't only female territory

I work out from time to time. OK, I obsessively work out. If I am out and about and there are stairs to take, I will. I try to eat healthy, but good ole Rotten Ronnie still makes his presence known. I read all I can and chart out the "perfect" diet. Two days later I’m at the counter asking "Can I get a double quarter pounder with cheese please?"

I know I shouldn't be there, and the worst part is I am most likely to be there after a nice 2 hour workout. All that hard work for nothing.

Don't get me wrong, I’m not fat. Truth be told, I have a few extra pounds but who doesn't? Still, I wake up everyday, flex in the mirror and feel unimpressed.

Could it be my self esteem is low? Well, possibly, but in all reality it is most likely to do with the picture of the 300 pound monster of a human being, on the cover of Muscles "r" Us magazine I just looked at. I know you have heard about young ladies looking through magazines and then picking up an eating disorder, trying to look like the models in the magazines, but what about us guys? It affects me just as much.

I strive to look that way. Like I said before, I read about nutrition; I hit the gym hard; I waste my days trying to look like someone in a magazine.

It starts off simple enough. I made the decision to join a fitness club to add a few pounds of muscle, nothing serious though, because I convinced myself a long time ago I never want to look like those bodybuilder types. The veins and all that muscularity just isn't what I was looking for. Well at least I tried to convince myself of this, but then I start taking it a bit serious and got a few results. That is when all the problems began.

Once I was impressed when I lifted 200 pounds, now 300 is easy and it still isn't enough. I once thought size 36 jeans were a great thing, now 34 is the goal. I just read that Mr. Bigmuscles has a size 34 waist, so I should too, right? I pump out that one last set. I decide 45 minutes of cardio would be a great way to finish off. I hit the elliptical, sweat out some fluids, quickly weigh myself and head home. I flex in the mirror, smile from the nice pump, take a shower, and then hit MacDonald's. Working out makes you hungry you know? Unfortunately lazy as well. Who wants to cook after all that hard work?

I know there are many better choices than MacDonald's but most of the time that would mean getting out of the car to get it, so drive thru it is.

I munch it all down, it has never tasted so good. I get a bit of gut rot and head to the toilet for some relief, pick up Muscle Madness magazine to read while doing my business, then after a few pages start feeling depressed. I can't believe I just ate that. I ate great all day, why screw it up now? How will I ever look like Willy Hugearms now? Maybe I should just give it all up. It is pointless to try now right?

I decide it isn't time to pack it in quite yet. I write down a great diet, I schedule a special grocery trip, I am now more motivated than ever before. I will not fail this time. Oh wait it seems all too familiar, I have said all this before, so what makes me think this time will be any different? I guess I will just cross my fingers.

Tomorrow is another day, another chance to reach my goals, but sometimes I question if the goals I set myself are realistic or not. I wonder if I can ever look like the guys in the Strong & Big magazine I just read. I even wonder why exactly I want to look this way to begin with. I ponder the questions for a bit. What to do? What to do? The answer just never seems to come to me, maybe it never will. Maybe you know the answer I am looking for? Oh wait I found it www.iwillhavetouseamassiveamountofsteroidstolooklikethat.com. Ah it is so clear now.

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