Do you ever feel that society doesn't seem to understand the aescthetic difference between muscle and fat?
No, I'm not a size 00, but I'm also not chubby/fat/obese. I have muscle. Yes, my butt sticks out and creates a nice C shape. Yes, my hamstrings pop. Yes, my triceps and biceps bulge when lifting something. But no, I'm not fat.
Sometimes I feel like the standard for women is just skinny and frail and no one can understand what a fit, muscle-bound, loves to lift heavy woman looks like.
Really, sometimes the only place I feel welcome, understood, and comfortable is the gym. :-)
Can anyone relate?
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05-06-2012, 06:37 PM #1
Society's view on women with muscle ?
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05-06-2012, 06:57 PM #2
The only women I find attractive are those with a bit of muscle on them.
"I have muscle. Yes, my butt sticks out and creates a nice C shape. Yes, my hamstrings pop. Yes, my triceps and biceps bulge when lifting something." - Checked your gallery, you look good, def not fat.
Here in NZ we have this thing at the moment where the fashion/clothing/fitness/modelling industries are really cracking down on underweight models, I think the bell curve has been skewed too much.
Why the vent thread...someone call you fat? (not trying to be a dick, gen ques)Last edited by dyuv001; 05-06-2012 at 07:12 PM.
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05-06-2012, 07:15 PM #3
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not sure if srs...maybe you need a new group to hang with.
chick at my gym named renee is an absolute monster makes me look like a 12 year old school child...constantly asking her for advice and shes always happy to give it. so shes cool in my books
edit: and as far as physical appearance its not so much the muscle thats a turn off as it is the facial features for me at least...as long as theres a nice booty and a cute face im goodLast edited by Kemo1990; 05-06-2012 at 07:23 PM.
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05-06-2012, 07:21 PM #4
I feel like society frowns upon female bodybuilders with crazy muscles, but most men I know would prefer a girl with a bit of muscle and a trim body rather than all bones. As a distance runner, I get a lot of mileage in which helps with my physique a TON on top of my heavy lifting which is just icing on the cake. From the body you are describing, it sounds like you have it right
Make a map of what you see, direct pain effectively.
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05-06-2012, 07:23 PM #5
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05-06-2012, 07:30 PM #6
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05-06-2012, 07:31 PM #7
Pretty much no one in real life understands why I like lifting, including my boyfriend and most friends BUT I really don't care!! I like that its my own thing that I do and it makes me feel independent, strong and different from other girls! I'm so glad to have found something that fits my personality cause I'm so much not a girly girl and don't fit in with what most girls like. Eg. shoes, make up, dresses.
Who cares what other people think. Don't worry! If you enjoy it just keep doing it
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05-06-2012, 07:37 PM #8
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05-06-2012, 07:43 PM #9
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05-06-2012, 08:01 PM #10
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05-06-2012, 09:21 PM #11
Definitely.
Some of my friends are Asian... Like reaal Asian so the guys are like "Why would you lift weights at the gym? You should do more cardio"
They don't seem the comprehend that weights are good for you! Weights are good for your bones! And that little Asian girls should stay looking like..well.. little girls.
But hey you're looking good and feeling good so it's you who's laughing ey.
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05-06-2012, 11:11 PM #12
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I think every normal person on the planet (who isn't blind) can easily tell the difference between muscle vs fat.
Then again maybe not. We have tons of women who start threads around here claiming they build muscle easily, they have too much muscle, etc...when the truth is they hold more body fat then they think and constantly confuse the 2.Last edited by kimm4; 05-06-2012 at 11:19 PM.
National Level Competitor (Female BB)
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05-06-2012, 11:23 PM #13
I think there's still considerable global, or at least widespread, fear and loathing of strong women and girls, in terms of both physicality and mentality. That's one thing.
Another is that [most] people have a lot of ignorance and misinformation they be heftin', when it comes to the effects of heavy lifting. Expecially on women's bodies. Even on men's, actually, as well (disregarding 'roids in both cases), but that's not directly relevant here.
Oh, and then you also have the fashion world being... er, the fashion world. Right proper retarded, IOW.
Not to mention the damn media...
Still, some of these things are changing. Maybe all. It takes time. Waaay too much time, IMO. :/ Even so.
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05-07-2012, 02:20 AM #14
These are two excellent points.
I'd add in that the whole bodybuilding community isn't really helping the cause -- look at how it portrays itself via the magazines and supplement ads that are so readily accessible. The connection has become "weight lifting = mutant mass-centric monster", and that has spilled over into the idea that women cannot and should not lift weights because they'll become gargantuan freaks.
I do think that you'll see a progressive change, with the starting of the backlash toward the popular portrayal of the 'ideal' woman as wafer-thin with zero curves. Look at the response that the "Jennifer Lawrence is too fat" comment prompted -- it's a positive change, albeit a small one for now. With figures like Jillian Michaels and Jennifer Nicole Lee promoting the idea that fit, firm, and healthy is sexy you may start to see a more receptive society.forum rule
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05-07-2012, 06:29 AM #15
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For some reason making a comment to someone who is overweight about their size is taboo, yet it's acceptable for people to weigh in (pun totally intended) on someone they deem to be too thin, too muscular, etc.
I think that regardless of someone's size or shape, it's just rude to make negative comments that are unscolicited about their appearance.Owner, JS Fitness Solutions
www.jsfitnesssolutionsllc.com
Magnum Nutraceuticals Athlete
hardmagnum.com
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05-07-2012, 07:18 AM #16
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05-07-2012, 08:02 AM #17
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I think this speaks to "healthy" actions as well. Making healthy choices is often criticized, in my opinion, as well. I was rebuked twice at work on Friday - once for turning down a donut in the break room and then again for taking the stairs. I understand that it makes the other person feel bad about their choices to eat the donut and use the elevator but that is not my intent. It is sad that these things stick out in society....just my opinion.
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05-07-2012, 08:22 AM #18
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Yep, all of these things:
1) a Western society that claims to be equal rights for all but still harbours feelings of ill will towards women who choose not to have children, choose to work when they have children, choose to have sex with any man they want to have sex with, chastise women who have affairs with married men etc
2) a fashion industry that creates clothing that isn't designed to be worn by women, with breasts, hips or butts but is designed to be draped over walking skin and bones.
3) a society that, in general, is obsessed with youth and, since most pre- to early teen females aren't muscular and haven't had the hormonal shift which prompts breast growth, fat retention etc we look at "skinny" and lithe as being youthful and more attractive.
4) press and media misinforming it's readers with unresearched and rehashed drivel regarding nutrition and exercise.Update your grey matter, 'cause some day it may matter
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05-07-2012, 08:26 AM #19
I think society understands the difference, it just doesn't like it. The media message is that we're all supposed to be spindly, delicate flowers with improbably large breasts, and you're either thin and desirable or fat and unwanted. Women with muscle break those neat little categories and the mainstream doesn't know how to deal with it.
So, it turns out you can't kill a tumor with vodka...
10/22/13 - BP: 120 x 4, 104% BW. Bwaha.
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05-07-2012, 09:10 AM #20
the real issue is steroids. I think women can be very muscular and still be considered beautiful and feminine if they just stay away from the steroids
Jaime Koeppe, Myria Pedro, Natalia Inoue, etc... are all very muscular and could easily be actresses in Hollywood because they're so beautiful and have perfect bodies that are equal parts strong and feminine. I think the issue is that image does not exist in Hollywood and the general public's mindset enough - the only females who are muscular that exist in the general public's mindset is hulking she beasts on the cover of magazines that are clearly a result of steroids
You guys should start a revolution - women with muscles are extremely beautiful as long as they stay natural because they will retain their femininity that way and still be able to kick butt
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05-07-2012, 09:35 AM #21
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05-07-2012, 09:42 AM #22
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05-07-2012, 09:48 AM #23
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You have to train your mind the same way you train your body. You must protect it against the negative and feed it with the positive. Be mindful of what you watch, what you read and who you allow to influence you. Learn to consider your thoughts emotions and actions. Trust your gut face your fears head on and never quit. AJ Roberts
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=143102443
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05-07-2012, 10:29 AM #24
Do you honestly think the look of roided up female fitness models and bodybuilders is normal, healthy or attractive?
Look I'm all for women who workout with heavy weights. I think every woman on this planet should lift very heavy weights and do so 5 or more times a week. The issue is when female lifters are so obsessed with being muscular that they take male hormones in order to satisfy their obsession. What do you have to gain from looking unnaturally large and muscular? Why can't female lifters just be happy with their genetic peak in terms of muscle size? That's what nature intended and there's a reason why you can't get any bigger
If you want to take steroids to satisfy your size obsessions, go ahead, just don't blame the rest of society for calling it how they see it. Unnaturally large = freakshow
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05-07-2012, 10:35 AM #25
I find the hardest thing for people to accept is the lifestyle I live, not soo much the way I look. I eat 6 meals a day, about 3 hrs apart. If I go out to the movies I bring my meal with me. Pretty much anywhere I go I bring all my meals. My bf doesnt touch weights or eat healthy at all, so he has a difficult time understanding how I can be lean and eaat so much food. His family jokes a lot about my eating and sometimes it does make me feel self conscious eating so frequently in front of them and then not eating when they are at a resteraunt. To clarify my bf likes me for me, muscles or not Do any of you guys experience similar things with you eating?
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05-07-2012, 10:43 AM #26
It'd be a good thing if society's views on women muscles was changed slightly (and I think slowly it is a little bit). There's too many women out there think just because they pick up a weight they will become the Incredible Hulk (obviously if becoming the Hulk is a women's goal she probably knows she needs to pick up the weights).
I could go on about what guys prefer but what guys prefer shouldn't be the basis of why a women works out. One should be working out for themselves and their goals (not for anyone else). Ignore the detractors and the haters and do it for yourself and your goals. If need be, surround yourself with like minded people. As long as you're happy, things will work out in the end.
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05-07-2012, 10:44 AM #27
Easy solution to this - stop believing the nonsense that the muscle magazines have taught you
I eat pretty much the same way as regular people eat - 2-3 meals of whatever I want for the most part (though I still eat mostly healthy and keep high protein amounts). I used to eat perfectly healthy 6 meals a day with perfect carb/protein/fats in every meal...my results haven't changed an ounce since I started eating normally
Bodybuilding folks (both male and female) have been brainwashed into believing that they need to have some sort of a bizarre lifestyle where they alienate themselves from the rest of society in order to call themselves real "lifters". The fact is that you can eat normally and have a normal lifestyle and still get the same results as you're getting now - the only thing that matters is that you workout hardcore, eat the right amount of calories, get high protein and have enough micro/macronutrients
I'm 5'10 210 LB bodybuilder and nobody ever knows that I lift outside of my appearance. I eat pizza when I'm with my buddies, I eat regular meals with my family, I drink once or twice a week and I never worry about that 6 small meals a day nonsense. This stuff is more fun in moderation rather than worrying about every little detail and torturing yourself for perfection
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05-07-2012, 10:44 AM #28
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You know what? I don't think those women give a crap what you or I think, so who cares? I look at IFBB pros and think "mass monster," and I bet if I told them they'd take it as a compliment.
But oops, I don't lift 5 or more times a week. Guess I'm not doing it right.
I notice how you haven't said anything about male lifters who use the same enhancements...... pretty sure that's not what nature intended either.
Then again, I can't say I've ever gone hiking and come upon a wild barbell in the bushes either...
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05-07-2012, 10:50 AM #29
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05-07-2012, 10:52 AM #30
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