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Since the start of 2011, I estimate that I have lost about 35 pounds. I'm 5'11" and my peak of heaviness was probably 215 lbs. back in 2004. At the beginning of last year, I weighed 205, and now I'm at 170 and content to stay there.
I'm 38 years old and, for the first time ever, I have felt really good about how my body looks. I was this weight back in high school, but never felt great about my looks at all. Then, in college and graduate school, I put on weight and it stayed until I got serious about diet and exercise last year.
Despite all of this, I'm not as comfortable in this body as I want to be. Last weekend, my wife ran in a 15K. I went there to support her and didn't run the race. I felt that the other runners (particularly women) were looking at me as if I was unattractive, unfit, unhealthy, etc. And, trust me, I'm not any of those things.
I recently bought some cool new workout gear and joined a gym. When I go to the gym and wear my new stuff, I feel alive and attractive - and these are new feelings to me. I can't live in the gym 24/7, so I need to find a way for these good feelings to be sustained.
I've looked online for body image affirmations and thought they were fairly okay. But, I'm interested to know what I can figuratively feed myself in order to have a healthier self-esteem. I've been trying to self-medicate in other ways but I know that's not a solution.
You're in search of good feelings--do some distance running. Just start out slow and short & work your way up in distance and speed. There is no good feeling like just having run a 15K at a tough pace. Of course you'll have to go through some pain to get there, but isn't that how life works?
Next time run the 15K w/ your wife and you will be fine.
If you are interested in running you should try it. If that isn't your thing find something else that you do like - bike riding, swimming, etc. If you would like to run but are nervous about being judged by the other runners, train for your races beforehand. Focus on your performance, doing the best that you can.
Last edited by springfieldva; 03-29-2012 at 03:44 PM..
How can a man have self-esteem issues? I've never heard of this. 5 11 and 170 is great weight. Fat boys will kill for that kind of body weight.
Try new clothes and fashion. At that weight, you could potentially look good in any type of clothes.
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