The "Ideal" Male Look/Fitness Goal Update

Hello, ducklings. Today is a Friday, so of course I will be posting a Friday Fitness Goal pic. Here I am, in all my awkward shirtless glory.

To be honest, I’m having mixed feelings about my workout. It’s been a month—I’ve been working out/running steadily; I think I took a three-day-hiatus but that was my only lapse—and outwardly, I see hardly any signs of progress, at least from these pictures. Perhaps there is a tightening and flattening in the abdominal region, but knowing me that very well could be wishful thinking.

However, I am happy to say that I have been running my daily 5K faster and a few days ago, I added 100 more sit-ups and a few more push-ups to my workout. So, even if I don’t have the body of Adonis yet, I know for sure that I am getting stronger and fitter. It’s just taking longer than expected.

I had really thought that a month would show more significant difference. I’m no fitness expert, so I could be dead wrong, but I hoped that after even three weeks, there would be more noticeable changes. I have a very lean body type and the metabolism of a freaking hummingbird, so it could be that I just take longer to develop muscle, but I am not sure. My diet could have something to do with it—I’m vegetarian, after all—but I take protein supplements and generally eat well. Plus, I feel absolutely fine, and I haven’t even had little ills like the occasional cold. In terms of how I feel, everything is splendid. It’s just…I wanted to look better, you know?

It’s not hard to see that women and girls are constantly being bombarded with images and media that portray the “ideal female look.” They are told by TV, radio, magazines, Internet, etc. that a woman should look this way, smell this way, dress this way, blah blah blah. However, it is important to note that men are not let off the hook, either. Just walk into an Abercrombie & Fitch store (or any other store like it, essentially). Look at the male models in commercials for shaving cream, razors, shampoo, soap, and of course fitness machinery. Just as women are commanded by mass media to look a certain way, so are men. And men are told to look like Greek gods. We might be able to get away with having little muscle mass if our faces are pretty enough, but the “ideal male look” generally involves shapely pectorals, bulging biceps, and the ever-present perfectly symmetrical six-pack.

Am I a conformist for striving to meet this standard, at least partially? Am I a hypocrite for telling others to do whatever makes them happy (provided they don’t harm people), yet spending two hours each day working out and running? Am I a fool for trying to achieve this look?

I’m not sure. I could be completely blind to my own idiocy (and it wouldn’t be the first time, unfortunately). But here’s the thing: I like being healthy. I like looking good. I love running. Sit-ups, push-ups, wall-sits, and planks may not be quite as invigorating, but I do absolutely love to run. My workout doesn’t make me sick or unhappy. My life doesn’t revolve around my fitness or self-image. I am not involved with steroids or any kind of detrimental supplement. Maybe I’m a moron for trying to look the way society tells me I should look, but what if I like that look?

Ultimately I think you have to do what makes you happy. If you are trying to achieve a certain look because it will make you happy, and you are putting your own happiness before the happiness of others, then I think you’re probably on the right track. Things start getting murky when you try to achieve a certain look (or anything else, for that matter) in order to appease other people.

And with that last nugget, I’m out! Enjoy your weekend!