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Adonis Complex

tackle

tackle

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I searched the forums to see if this topic has been covered before... I'm surprised it hasn't! (if so, please point me to the message thread)

I'm wondering if people here have heard of the "Adonis Complex"? (book by Pope, Phillips, and Olivardia)

Basically it's a self-image disorder much like anorexia. Big guys think they look skinny/weak so they rarely take off their shirts and are obsessed about becoming bigger.

After reading the book, I'm sure that I fit in this mode of thinking at least a little bit. My self esteem isn't so hot when I think about how small or weak I am, yet my friends tell me how buff I've become in the past few years of lifting.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?
 
I think bodybuilders are just a very critical bunch...they are hard on themselves and this is what fuels their desire to continue to improve.....there is a healthy level of unsatisfaction and an unhealthy level.

i find that by setting goals and constantly acheiving them i build my confidence so that i am happy where i am at yet look foward to the next goal to keep me motivated to move foward and improve.

it is all a mindset and can be changed instantly.....just be sure that however you feel about yourself make sure you dont become a cocky arrogant fuck who thinks that because you workout you are better than everybody else...it is YOUR hobby and YOUR interest...other people have different values, goals, and interests.....(not sure if this pertains to YOU...just throwing it out there so please dont take offense if it doesnt)
 
I relate to this...don't like taking my shirt off much or wearing tanks...I think I have an unhealthy image of myself...BUT it's in the works:)
 
I think I have this to "some" degree, yet I'm usually pretty happy to wear a tank or take my shirt off at the beach. Maybe its just because I was SO skinny before I started working out. Hard to say. I think we could all find some traits of many disorders in ourselves, without actually having the disorder.
 
I have it big time. Dont like to wear tanks, and I would wear sweaters all year round, if it didnt get so fuckinghot here.
 
Not me, man. I wear tanks to the gym and all my t-shirts are a little tight. When it comes to my legs though, I hide them anyway I can. :cry:
 
I just started lifting a few months ago and wasnt aware that this was a studied condition. I've been chubby all my life. In highschool I played sports and kept it under control. In college I put on 50 lbs my first two years. This past year I got down to my goal weight, 140 on a 5'6'' medium frame, which I admit I needed Stacker 3 to help me acomplish.

I've been hitting the gym hard for the last 3 months and sticking to my diet religiously, and have seen great gains across the board. But honestly, when I look in the mirror, I see nothing different from when I was 190 lbs with no muscles. I still to this day think that I am fat cause I dont have 6 pak abs (yet!).

It took me a while to learn that the tape measure doesnt lie, and thats the positive reinforcement I use, cause it's the only one I can see. Even the notice I've gotten from friends and aquaintances I didnt beleive until I started measeuring my gains.
I still wont wear anything thats tight around my midsection, cause of my pre existing hang ups.

I wish you the best, and I hope you find what you want to find. It helps to remember that everyone is self-conscious. Some just hide it better than others.
 
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Getting older helps a lot with this. Eventually you'll reach an age where you dont give a rats ass about how anyone thinks you look...........take care.........Rich
 
Having a solid marriage helps too, especially once you've been married for a while and you have kids, mortage, etc. You still want to look good, but you know you are loved and accepted unconditionally.
 
Rich46yo said:
Getting older helps a lot with this. Eventually you'll reach an age where you dont give a rats ass about how anyone thinks you look...........take care.........Rich
Click to expand...
it is about how you think you look to others, not what they think of your present physique. it's all about self-perception and being the best "you" andthat you can be not about comparing yourself to others. a lot of people here could stop lifting weights today and still look better in 10-15 years than 99% of the worlds poplulation on their best day..

I don't think I have worn a tank top in 15 years because of it. I hate when people make comments about my body/physique. but deep down inside I know I can't possible be small at 240 lbs with single digit bf. however I just don't see in the mirror what everybody else sees. I shower and get dressed in the dark alot so I don't have to look at myself in the mirror..I need help ! :nanner:
 
LAM said:
I can't possible be small at 240 lbs with single digit bf. however I just don't see in the mirror what everybody else sees. I shower and get dressed in the dark alot so I don't have to look at myself in the mirror..I need help ! :nanner:
Click to expand...
I don't know if you're married or have a girlfriend, but if you don't I would recommend hooking up with someone who is totally unimpressed by the fact that you are a muscle-head. That way you will never be working out to impress her, knowing she loves you for other reasons. Years from now you will be working out for good reasons: your health and fitness.
 
My fiance is exactly like that, she couldn't care less if I have muscles or not. In fact she'd like for me to have a nice belly like I used to, before I took charge of my health and fitness. Perhaps that's why I don't seem to have these problems with my self-image like some of you guys have. Or, it might be cause I haven't been working out as long as any of you have. Maybe it'll hit me when I start to get really big (if ever). Or, maybe I'm just such an egotist that I'll never have to face this particular problem. :flex:
 
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