Body Dismorphia Phenomenon, and my new found gains?!

[CobraUTAH]

I saw a program about body dismorpia years ago, and I feel that I'm experiencing it a little right now. It's a condition where what you see in the mirror isn't truly what you look like. It's mainly associated with eating disorders like Anerxia (spell), but is sometimes common amongst body builders. Anyway my situation is that over the last 8 weeks I've gained 25 pounds. A personal record for myself and my strength has also gone way up. My problem is that when I look in the mirror, I don't see myself looking bigger, I just think I need more work. When I used to weigh only 200-205 at 6'3" I was more cut and I looked bigger than I do now. I'm currently 225.2 as of last night and 13% BF. I know that I have more muscle mass now and that the BF is hiding the new gains, but I still feel that I haven't made enough progress, and I have a desire to keep growing and gaining weight. My goal was originally to get to 220 and then it was 225, but since I've already shattered both those goals I want more weight. I'm shoting for 230 now. I'm giving myself one more full month until June first to bulk, and at this rate I know I'll get there as well. I'm concerned that it will be more difficult than I think to shed the fat when the time to cut comes, and I'm worried that when I do cut I will lose my new muscle and in the end I'll be right back to where I started. What can I do to stay positive, about the end result.

 

[CobraUTAH]

ttt

 

[Scotsman]

Yes sometime people refer to bodybuilders as having bigorexia, The opposite of anorexia, where no matter how big you get you think you are small. My advice is don't look at the mirror daily. When you do you can't see the subtle changes in you body. Take pictures at regular intervals, like every two weeks. Then compare them to the last set. Also listen to people and what they say, though you need to filter different peoples responses differently. Like when my parents tell me I look good I know I am getting small and need to pick it up in the gym.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[jeremys]

i know exactly where you're coming from. do a search..there's a thread i started about half a year ago that ended up being a couple pages long. explained everything. lol

 

[Dirty Workout]

Oh yeah I definately realized I had this awhile ago

I always feel like I dont look good in mirror constantly weighing self

ALways feel like I need that "10 more pounds"

Hey there are alot worse mental disorders to have

 

[Kurtz2]

yeah man, sometimes its referred to as 'muscle dysmorphia.' i suffer from this. at 5'9" 204lbs with arms just about 18", i still refused to wear a short sleeved shirt. all summer long, even when it was high 90's low 100's, i still wore a long sleeved shirt. its a pain. im trying to figure out how to beat it.