So, I have something that's been bothering me really bad lately. My wife, friends and family all say im in really good shape. I workout 5 days a week for the past 6-7 years. I am 5'11 ft 194 lbs.

However... in the mirror I think i'm fat, flabby and honestly couldn't tell I work out. I had some family take pictures of everyone while we swam in the pool yesterday. I'm looking at the pictures in disgust, I literally look fat af and haven't ever touched a gym.

Yet everyone keeps "assuring me" that I look like a stud. I know about body dismorphia but honestly I'm strugging in my brain. Is it body dismorphia? Are they lying to me because they don't want to upset me? Am I actually just out of shape?

I know without posting a pic of me, I wont get a real answer but does body dismorphia really work like this because right now I feel like I need to starve my self for a week or 2 to get slimmer.

yes

This post was edited by Henchman21 on Jul 17 2022 04:42pm

Post your picture, I’m sure half of JSP will let you know.

I struggle with the same thing. Always thinking I look soft, etc. I’m 5’10 186 but just got off vacation with some friends and people I’ve never met before and every one of them were cracking jokes about how ripped I was. Sometimes you just gotta get a pic into strangers and see what they say

/e also lighting makes one hell of a difference.

This post was edited by Greater on Jul 19 2022 06:26am

It’s real. I was never in shape growing up, I’m in decent shape now. I get lots of compliments and people at the gym asking for tips on diet/training.

Some days you think you look awesome, other days you think you look not so awesome.

I personally just enjoy working out because it feels good/relieves stress. Looking good, subjectively is a byproduct. Enjoying the process helps a lot as well.

Started going to the gym to build muscle and get girls.

Get plenty of girls but now I’m never satisfied with my physique no matter how lean / bulky / strong I get.

Good times

I think there is excellence to never be satisfied with what you have, its part of male nature. Always chase the best version of yourself no matter what it is.
Cheers.

I’m right there with you, brother and I have been ever since I got into fitness.

I’m 5”10” 195lbs and max 400lbs on bench. I lift 4 days a week and play basketball 3 days a week. Still feel fat though lol. Wife says I’m crazy so idk

I feel like, at least for myself, working out triggers something in the brain that makes me less satisfied with how I look and feel.

When I wasn't working out regularly I was quite content with my physical appearance. All the years I've spent working out off and on it always seems like the more I workout the less content I am.

It feels a bit like hitting a goal and then moving the bar. You're all hyped up about a new PR for a day or two, and then it quickly turns to "fuck that number, I can do better!", and the cycle of the self improvement grind continues.

Once you figure out you can lift heavy things you just want to lift even HEAVIER things.

do some pushups before your pictures