posted February 09, 2000 02:28 PM            

John works in construction, but he still gets up at 5am and works out for over an hour. After work, he sometimes works out for another hour. Lately, his boss said he has missed work as he has been taking longer lunches than usual. John tells me he needs to work out at lunch now as he feels he is still too weak and small (he's 6'4" 345 lbs and has arms over 20 inches)

Small no, but especially not weak! One day, we were fooling around in front of my garage. He told me to take the car out of gear and release the brake. He puts on his workout gloves and then grabs the backend of my Honda Prelude and lifted the wheels at least three feet off the ground. He even pushed it a good distance forward into the garage! Although I thought he was crazy for nearly hurting himself (he got a bloody nose from this), I must admit this show-off display really turned me on. (Needless to say, he was late again for work that morning!)

I asked him about steroid use and he said he never did any until three months ago and now does "a cycle in a very low dose." I'm glad he is honest with me, but he also takes hundreds of dollars of supplements including ephedrine. I knew there was no way he can work out that hard, come home and still have the energy for me.

John is a very kind and generous man to me. What is funny is he did this strongman act for my kids last week. He bent this thick steel bar over his shoulders and their favorite..broke four baseball bats (tied together) over his thigh. Now if that is not "strong enough" then I don't know what is.. He said he needs the strength for his job.

My worry is that he may have what someone told me is called Bigorexia. Does anyone else know of this condition? Does it get worse? Can a man have this and remain gentle and balanced? Or does this condition require treatment?

Again, I'm not sure what to do since he's neither violent or mean. My concern is that he is spending too much money on many "useless" supplements (some are probably good), taking steroids (even low doses)since he was big and strong as an ox before them, and his problems at work..

posted February 09, 2000 02:40 PM            

As for bigorexia I have not heard of it personally, but yes we guys look in the mirror and think we are too small, have a photo of him next to a friend and show it to him. I think he will see the difference.

Be supportive.

posted February 09, 2000 02:52 PM            

It sounds to me like you've got a great guy who has size that some of us can only dream about. I think you're talking to a lot of people here who all suffer from bigorexia, if that's what you want to call it.

I think it only becomes to much if it seriously interferes with the rest of his life, missing work and so forth is the only thing i see wrong with it. he seems to be spending time with you and with the kids he sounds like a really nice guy.

You have to understand that this is a passion for him, something that i think means the world to him. That's why he spends so much time in the gym and so much money on supplements(in both senses of the word).

I don't think this new claimed disease Bigorexia, will make him violent or unbalanced. I don't think he requires treatment until the point is reached where his working out is all encompassing. When it no longer is a passion but has become an obsession.

The only thing i can say is talk to him about it. You seem like a very nice person and your relationship sounds very pleasant. So voice your concerns to him, let him know how you feel and that you're a little worried about him.

You have to understand that steroids are not as bad as you believe them to be. We've spoken a lot about this subject on this board. The general public has a very negative view on steroids, and i must say wrongfully so. If he knows what he's doing, and he takes care of himself then the steroids aren't going to turn him into some raging uncontrollable bull, like many people believe. He's still the man you love, so i say let him know your concerns and be completely open with him. I'm sure you'll feel a lot better.

I would try and get him to get a doctor to monitor his health though. That bloody nose is not a very good sign. Nothing very severe i don't want you to worry, but he might have high blood pressure, but hey we all do.

E2

posted February 09, 2000 03:13 PM            

I totally respect those guys who really go for it! A passion is a passion. Today, there is too much media attention on our "fears" and "faults."

Also, I do find some of us gals to be too hypocritical on this issue.. We always desire more intimacy with our guys, but want them to be happy (and in my case as well as many others) desire a beautiful, strong athletic guy.

You all convinced me! I'm going to get John to train me. I just paged him telling him I'll meet him at the gym tonight... His reply was simply, "Great!"

posted February 09, 2000 03:25 PM            

THOSE WHO REACH FOR THE STARS MAKE THEMSELVES WELCOME TO THE HEAVENS.

posted February 09, 2000 03:29 PM            

Let me tell you something. 6'4" @345Lbs Thats is a FUCKING MONSTER by my standards.

Now get this. Your hobby is controlling your life. Are you strong enough to get your hobby under your control, answer me hulk man?

What will it take to make you realise that you're going over board? Loosing your job for missing out time? Loosing your girlfriend because your obsession is out of control? Or dropping dead while messing with those "low dose streroid" Yeah right, if you're that obsessed I'm sure you're not just doing "low dose roids"

Regardsless, What are you trying to prove? How much is enough? Dude, I'm not in a position to tell you what to do but I think you should take a step back and look at the big picture. If you can't control it I'd advise you to seek medical or psychological help before you collapse and do an irreversable damage to your self or your social well being.

You proved your point, you the man, You're a stud! You a very strong. You have accomplished the mission, now cool down before you burn out!

Good luck. I think you need it.