Beefcake: it's not what women want
By Lisa Snider 11/13/2008
What’s the least favorite part of your body?
No, ladies, I’m not talking to you. For once, I’m asking the men. It seems that men have their share of body image issues, too.
Never mind the objectification of women. Open up any magazine and you will find a strapping young buck with tanned washboard abs, a full head of hair and a smoothly waxed chest. My husband can’t even buy a pair of chonies without being visually assaulted by an image of an unreasonably happy half-naked muscular guy with an overly well-endowed groin area.
Funny, I don’t really know anyone like that in the real world. If he’s not all sweaty, has a clean shirt on and doesn’t smell, then he’s not a cave man, which gives him entry into this real world of men I speak of.
We always thought men had it easy, but at least we can pretty ourselves up with makeup and a curling iron. And can you imagine having to drag a razor across your face every single day? We can simply throw on a pair of pants when we forget to shave.
A 2006 study by university professors of both sexes found that while in the company of other men, men with body image issues eat more following exposure to ideal-body images (while women eat less).
Another university study, in 2002 of elite male athletes, found that about 1 in 5 believed they weren’t sufficiently muscular and wanted to gain weight. The study further revealed that about 1.1 percent of male athletes may suffer from muscle dysmorphia. More compelling were the number of athletes with body-image issues found to have depression, eating disorders, feelings of inadequacy and/or to be abusing performance-enhancing drugs. And these guys have perfect bodies!
So what’s a fella to do?
Quit comparing yourself to the guy on the cover of Men’s Health for one. We don’t expect you to look like that.
Turn off the television and get a good look at real-world men. They don’t wax their chests.
Talk to women and listen to what they look for in a man. I guarantee you won’t hear “washboard abs.”
Eat real food. Carb-loading is fine if you are looking to run a marathon, but not if you are doing three miles on the treadmill.
Exercise, but don’t obsess on it. Workouts in moderation are key. Don’t overdo it.
Talk to your doctor. He or she will give you a real-world point of view so that you know what a healthy weight and muscle tone is for you.
Now, instead of answering that first question I asked, answer this one: What’s your favorite body part?
Lisa Snider is a local freelance writer. For more, go to www.LisaSnider.com.
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Thats a real nice story. But it only works in Romance movies, now we have all seen There's something about Mary. In the movie she dated a few guys and fell for the little sweet puppy dog guy. But in real life, Cammy D was dating Matt Dillon. And who pray tell has she dated as well, that fabulously good looking Nsync kid?
Every woman in hollywood who is young and hasn't had a baby yet has dated Derek Jeter. But you can't say the same for Gary Oldman now can you. Why is this?
Because this above story is total BS, in today's America women want SUVS, Large Abbs and 13 inch well you know, and it has nothing to do with a mans mind or that it's whats inside you crap.
I college I had this scenario play out a few times, that was when i still belied in that movie nonsense.
But when the women you think you love bypasses you for well defined Beefcakes over and over until you finally have a nervous breakdown, well then I want you to write this story again, but leave the crap and BS out of it.. you have to be gay or a virgin to believe ANY of that.