MESO-Rx Exclusive Which strategies do you use to manage muscle dysmorphia?

[DavidGoodmen]

You have a way with words my friend. The thin skinned will withdraw but the strong at heart will get off their butts and do more than they believed they were capable.

I do get off my butt, how about that? I also spend much of my time studying things and thinking them through.
I am not, however, required to like what I have become physically, and I do not. Regardless of what others think, I still want what I had made my first time around—and I still work at getting that. I am only slowing a loss, but better that than giving up.
In any case, I have an appointment with my endocrinologist to determine why total T is good, but SHBC is high, and bioavailable T is on the ground. In the meantime, I will look through Williams’ book on endocrinology—there are fifly pages on thyroid alone—to see what I can find in regard to my low-T situation.
My dysmorphia does not greatly affect my life, but other problems do. Those are what are giving me trouble. I do try to determine what the dysmorphia does, because I am always woking to solve a puzzle when I find one. The most challenging puzzle is the puzzle one cannot see…

 

[Methyl Mike]

I do get off my butt, how about that? I also spend much of my time studying things and thinking them through.
I am not, however, required to like what I have become physically, and I do not. Regardless of what others think, I still want what I had made my first time around—and I still work at getting that. I am only slowing a loss, but better that than giving up.
In any case, I have an appointment with my endocrinologist to determine why total T is good, but SHBC is high, and bioavailable T is on the ground. In the meantime, I will look through Williams’ book on endocrinology—there are fifly pages on thyroid alone—to see what I can find in regard to my low-T situation.
My dysmorphia does not greatly affect my life, but other problems do. Those are what are giving me trouble. I do try to determine what the dysmorphia does, because I am always woking to solve a puzzle when I find one. The most challenging puzzle is the puzzle one cannot see…

My apologies the comment I.made to him had nothing to do with you. In fact I gave your post a like until I could think of something better to say.

 

[Methyl Mike]

I do get off my butt, how about that? I also spend much of my time studying things and thinking them through.
I am not, however, required to like what I have become physically, and I do not. Regardless of what others think, I still want what I had made my first time around—and I still work at getting that. I am only slowing a loss, but better that than giving up.
In any case, I have an appointment with my endocrinologist to determine why total T is good, but SHBC is high, and bioavailable T is on the ground. In the meantime, I will look through Williams’ book on endocrinology—there are fifly pages on thyroid alone—to see what I can find in regard to my low-T situation.
My dysmorphia does not greatly affect my life, but other problems do. Those are what are giving me trouble. I do try to determine what the dysmorphia does, because I am always woking to solve a puzzle when I find one. The most challenging puzzle is the puzzle one cannot see…

One need not see a puzzle to solve it.
The hardest puzzle is one which you can not solve obviously.


View: https://youtu.be/ZZ41gWvltT8

 

[DavidGoodmen]

One need not see a puzzle to solve it.
The hardest puzzle is one which you can not solve obviously.


View: https://youtu.be/ZZ41gWvltT8

What is truly hilarious—in a sense—is the fact that with all my brainpower, physical puzzles and games are beyond me. A thirteen-hundred page endocrinology book phases me not at all, but the simple “lateral thinking” puzzles are impenetrable to me.

It has always been that way. Ten years before my first training period, I studied all the technologies behind color television. I wanted a high-quality receiver, and in those days none were available. So I decided to learn to build my own.
It took four thousand hours, requiring two years. I got papers through inter-library loan—hundreds of papers—often thirty per week—and a few books. I made hundreds of pages of photocopies from journals obtained a whole year at a time. This sounds tedious, but I loved learning things—I still do.

I apologize for my response. I have been subjected to excess criticism over most of my life, and I still tend to take offense at apparent criticism. This is a known defect, one I apparently still need to calm.

I have known of my body-image problem since nineteen eighty-five, and have seen it at work again, just last year. If it is caught unaware, the process which operates the body-image filter takes about five seconds to become active. During this period, the true image can be seen. The first time this happened, I saw the image—it is in a mirror, of course—then I watched the image degrade. I told people about it, and a shrink said it was bad body image.

 

[Methyl Mike]

What is truly hilarious—in a sense—is the fact that with all my brainpower, physical puzzles and games are beyond me. A thirteen-hundred page endocrinology book phases me not at all, but the simple “lateral thinking” puzzles are impenetrable to me.

It has always been that way. Ten years before my first training period, I studied all the technologies behind color television. I wanted a high-quality receiver, and in those days none were available. So I decided to learn to build my own.
It took four thousand hours, requiring two years. I got papers through inter-library loan—hundreds of papers—often thirty per week—and a few books. I made hundreds of pages of photocopies from journals obtained a whole year at a time. This sounds tedious, but I loved learning things—I still do.

I apologize for my response. I have been subjected to excess criticism over most of my life, and I still tend to take offense at apparent criticism. This is a known defect, one I apparently still need to calm.

I have known of my body-image problem since nineteen eighty-five, and have seen it at work again, just last year. If it is caught unaware, the process which operates the body-image filter takes about five seconds to become active. During this period, the true image can be seen. The first time this happened, I saw the image—it is in a mirror, of course—then I watched the image degrade. I told people about it, and a shrink said it was bad body image.

You sound like @janoshik a bit. Too damned intelligent ha. Thats a compliment.

 

[MFAAS]

I greatly liked having my muscles both feeling worked hard and, later, sore. The feeling made them bigger, and thus seem stronger. Completely wrong, but it did make me feel good!
Now, when I exercise, I feel nothing, so feel lacking, and I do not improve. Now I feel only anger at what my life has become!

It seems obvious to me that your anger/apathy/dissatisfaction is not solely gym-related. Observe other parts of your life and try to determine where you are unhappy. Make a list of those things. It doesn't have to be super robust, just take the top 3 or 4 things that seem to be bothering you and write them down. Then over the next week or so, try to brainstorm some actions to make improvements in those areas. It won't be easy, but it WILL be worth it. Take it from someone who has been there. It is vital to recognize what the true causes of your issues are.

Check out the thread I made about non-fiction books. There are a ton of books in there that can help you. I would STRONGLY recommend picking up The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck literally today. Order it on kindle or order the hard copy from Amazon. Or get the audiobook. Whatever you do, just buy it and read it. After that I'd recommend reading/listening to: High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard; Lifeonaire; and The ONE Thing. In that order.

My opinion, not sure how others feel, but I bet if you made a thread saying "Hey guys I need some help with life" and shared the list I recommended making above, there would be several folks here that would be willing to chime in. Or hell, feel free to PM me. I am always open to share advice. I was an addict, living in a homeless shelter. Now, ~8 years later, I am buying a gorgeous property on 22 acres in the Appalachian mountains and am on track to retire way early. It is always possible to turn your life around, though for some it may be harder than others...regardless, most often we are the ones who hold ourselves back due to years of mental conditioning and issues that need to be worked through.

Good luck my man! Wishing you the best.

 

[MairUnderwood(Researcher)]

Yeah, everybody who knows anything knows that it's all a bunch of fake bullshit. Every photo is planned, down to the pose, the lighting, the minor (or major) edits they make in photoshop (or have someone else edit for them!), the clothes they wear. Hell, often times body builders will do a quick pump workout before taking photos so lets say they are posting a chest pic, you better bet they are gonna go pump up their chest quick before the photo.

Awareness of something being fake means nothing. Because our primal mind will still see it and compare ourselves--even if only subconsciously.

The really interesting thing is that a study found that when men understand the fakeness of social media it doesn't effect how much the image impacts on them, but it does for women - spin out!

 

[MairUnderwood(Researcher)]

And regardless of my pontifications, @MairUnderwood(Researcher), wonderful job on your article! I love the work you do and you are also looking fabulous! I look forward to seeing more of your work and appreciate you sharing it on our platform here

awww thanks mate!
But I haven't posted a photo in a while because I am getting old and fat! I'll have to get myself back in better shape and post some more

 

[MairUnderwood(Researcher)]

I just accept the fact that I will always be a skinny kid in a grown man's body. It is what it is.

well that sux Mike! I hope that can change for you

I really hope that researchers can help to design some strategies to help people to manage muscle dysmorphia. I have just submitted my paper on this for publication in an academic journal - fingers crossed it inspires research in this area. I would also like to follow up on this in my own research in the future

 

[Methyl Mike]

well that sux Mike! I hope that can change for you

I really hope that researchers can help to design some strategies to help people to manage muscle dysmorphia. I have just submitted my paper on this for publication in an academic journal - fingers crossed it inspires research in this area. I would also like to follow up on this in my own research in the future

That is awesome and I surely hope your paper is well received in academia. I fear it will be too little too late for my generation but you are giving me at least some hope for the future.

 

[Methyl Mike]

awww thanks mate!
But I haven't posted a photo in a while because I am getting old and fat! I'll have to get myself back in better shape and post some more

Our outward selves as seen by others are merely projections of how we think we look. This is why they say beauty comes from within. I have never dated women who wore makeup (my mother never did) and personally I found them all very beautiful. Its all about how you feel in your own skin. No amount of lipstick or muscle tone is really required. Just be fit and feel good about yourself and know how to have a good time and enjoy life. At least for my taste anyway.

 

[MFAAS]

awww thanks mate!
But I haven't posted a photo in a while because I am getting old and fat! I'll have to get myself back in better shape and post some more

Life priorities change and the life of a researcher is among the most difficult for keeping lean. What matters most is how we feel (which is why I stay off social media). I am a big guy, but not near the biggest at the gym. I am lean, but definitely not the leanest. In the end, if YOU decide you want to lean out, just remember: baby steps if you decide for your own reasons you want to trim down, you know we are all always going to be here to help you if needed!! If not, that is NOT a problem, simply redefine your identity and perception of your success, well-being, and life fulfillment to be based off of the quality of your research and your home life and whatever else is important to you. (Note: I same "simply" ironically, because that is not actually an easy thing to do, but I would recommend meditation and gratitude journaling as a start) There's no need to be bodybuilder jacked. You aren't competing. The community here wholeheartedly loves you regardless of your bodybuilding status. You add more value than most to the community with your tireless work and by sharing your studies! All the best to you!

 

[MairUnderwood(Researcher)]

Life priorities change and the life of a researcher is among the most difficult for keeping lean. What matters most is how we feel (which is why I stay off social media). I am a big guy, but not near the biggest at the gym. I am lean, but definitely not the leanest. In the end, if YOU decide you want to lean out, just remember: baby steps if you decide for your own reasons you want to trim down, you know we are all always going to be here to help you if needed!! If not, that is NOT a problem, simply redefine your identity and perception of your success, well-being, and life fulfillment to be based off of the quality of your research and your home life and whatever else is important to you. (Note: I same "simply" ironically, because that is not actually an easy thing to do, but I would recommend meditation and gratitude journaling as a start) There's no need to be bodybuilder jacked. You aren't competing. The community here wholeheartedly loves you regardless of your bodybuilding status. You add more value than most to the community with your tireless work and by sharing your studies! All the best to you!

fuck mate, that's made my day that has! I am so glad you can welcome this middle-aged and not shredded researcher into your midst.
Yes I am trying to move my definition of self away from my body especially as my body seems to be getting less and less controllable. I do a shit tonne of exercise (weights, kung fu, boxing and I teach zumba) but I can't seem to shed the 'menopause middle' as they call it. maybe is houdl try some clen or dnp

 

[MairUnderwood(Researcher)]

Our outward selves as seen by others are merely projections of how we think we look. This is why they say beauty comes from within. I have never dated women who wore makeup (my mother never did) and personally I found them all very beautiful. Its all about how you feel in your own skin. No amount of lipstick or muscle tone is really required. Just be fit and feel good about yourself and know how to have a good time and enjoy life. At least for my taste anyway.

wise words mate. yes nothing makes you more beautiful than knowing you're beautiful.
It is amazing how my projections of myself onto my body distort how I see it. Some days I think I look so hot and others I gross myself out

 

[DavidGoodmen]

'menopause middle' as they call it. maybe is houdl try some clen or dnp

DNP? Dangerous!
Watch this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLtRan2qFx0

or this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tKIrucCt8

 

[MairUnderwood(Researcher)]

DNP? Dangerous!
Watch this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLtRan2qFx0

or this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tKIrucCt8

just jokes, i would never use dnp, or even clen, I would rather be fat than take the risk (not judging those who do though - everyone has their own ideas about what is an appropriate risk to take)

 

[DavidGoodmen]

fuck mate, that's made my day that has! I am so glad you can welcome this middle-aged and not shredded researcher into your midst.
Yes I am trying to move my definition of self away from my body especially as my body seems to be getting less and less controllable. I do a shit tonne of exercise (weights, kung fu, boxing and I teach zumba) but I can't seem to shed the 'menopause middle' as they call it. maybe is should try some clen or dnp

Clen is less bad, but still difficult. Sorry to be a kill joy, but I have been checking these things out, along with other PEDs, to determine their cost to benefit ratios. I do not know, but I do know a few things which are trouble.

 

[DavidGoodmen]

It is amazing how my projections of myself onto my body distort how I see it. Some days I think I look so hot and others I gross myself out

Yea, I go through this, too. As I said above, I am studying various drugs/chemicals. Also, as implied way back, I am studying up on endocrinology. Luckily it operates much the same as a large electronic control system, so all I need to learn is tons of new ideas, and new words. Easy as learning electronics engineering from scratch was, when I did it.

At times, “Yep, not bad—not good, but not bad.”
“Ya know, it is going to get better.”
“Who am I kidding, this sucks!”
“Right, like some chemicals are going to help me get strong before I die!”
“Hope is a four-letter word, and a dangerous one, at that!”

Well, in my case it IS a race!—I expect I will not live to see eighty. The emotional roller-coaster is a very debilitating ride! This is why I am logic-powered. Emotionalism is a killer, I think.
There are even more comments, thrills, tears, and feelings. As they say, it is what it is. The feelings come and go, but I am still here.

 

[DavidGoodmen]

I can say, though, that I changed my Dumbbell Benchpress process, a couple weeks back. That required going down another step, to thirty-five. But the muscles then felt worked, and were sore—first time in forever, it seems. Now I have it back up to fifty, and I got more reps the second time.

My endocrinologist ordered a set of labs for my low-T, and the blood was drawn Friday. The report should arrive late this week.

The 131I dose was delivered Wednesday, last week, and a whole-body scan will be done Thursday to finish it off. There will be another scan a month or two later. I see the kidney surgeon next week, to discuss the prostate biopsies taken a MONTH ago—and, maybe, the kidneys?

So there is progress, it just seems glacially slow, most of the time.