Gym Culture, Bodybuilding and Eating Disorders

Christy92 · 28-03-2014 10:37PM #1

The whole fitness culture has been growing in the last few years in Ireland thanks to the internet, and it's by no means a bad thing, to an extent...

The whole bodybuilding culture has also gotten massive but I really believe it's not for everyone considering that more often younger people who are more susceptible to what others think are developing extremely unhealthy habits. I've friends who won't eat at certain places if the menu doesn't specify calorie amounts, won't drink on a night out in fear of 'putting on fat' and losing their physiques and just generally fixating on their appearance by instagramming bodyshots after workouts and putting quotes about dedication and other crap up on facebook.

I fell victim to this and became obsessed with being 'ripped' that if my bodyfat went over a certain percentage I'd crash diet, this got to the point that I was constantly moody, missed out on a lot of good nights and put my body under such strain I was advised to stop excercising temporarily under doctor's orders! This was very hush-hush and behind closed doors and it's been coming to light more that I'm not the only one who went through this. 20 years ago younger people didn't have the insecurities they have today and the false perception of 'ripped' pictures, fitness ads and before/after shots on the internet has a huge part to play on this.

I still go to the gym but only to keep fit. I can honestly say I'm a lot happier this way, I've hardly gotten fat as was perviously my biggest fear but counting calories and restricting certain foods is no way to live your life for the sake of looking good if you're not a professional athlete. When I see younger lads pushing themselves to the point of near-exhaustion in the gym I can't help but feel sorry for them. Fitness is something to be enjoyed and not take over someones life but the body is only a minor part of it and IMO if your doing it for looks your setting yourself up for a lot of misery.

Everything in moderation as they say! What are people's opinions?

TL;DR Do you think that the growth of the gym and fitness culture in Ireland is contributing to a rise in eating disorders?

Holsten · 28-03-2014 10:49PM

Anything that curbs the overweight epidemic in this country is a good thing in my view.

2 out of 3 adults in this country are fatties.

I admire people who put that much dedication into their bodies and the gym, it's certainly not easy.

martyoo · 28-03-2014 10:53PM

Do you think that the growth of the gym and fitness culture in Ireland is contributing to a rise in eating disorders?

Possibly but I would be much more concerned about our growing obesity problem.

Links234 · 28-03-2014 10:54PM

Everything in moderation

PizzamanIRL · 28-03-2014 10:59PM

People pushing themselves to the limit in the gym could be the equivalent to working hard at a project for your job or whatever.

They could have goals they want to reach, strength wise. I don't see it as a bad thing. It's their choice and it's a good road to go down as it can lead to a better overall lifestyle.

The One Doctor · 28-03-2014 10:59PM

I'm over weight, I don't care and neither does anyone else. Except the magical self-typing keyboards connected to the internet.

28-03-2014 11:01PM

Any obsession can be destructive
getting fit is good and not drinking so much isn't that bad. Taking it to extremes can still be ok if they're happy

Christy92 · 28-03-2014 11:02PM

No doubt we have a problem with obesity, and like I said the growing interest in fitness is definitely not a bad thing!
I think the issue is not so much working out, but rather the standards set by the fitness industry that distorts what people perceive as fit and healthy!
From personal experience I think that the way it's sold to people is focused too much on having an unsustainable bodyfat, particularly below 8% which is what a bodybuilder would be when perparing for a show. A lot of people think this is meant to be a standard which can trigger this obsessive behaviour but in reality anything below 21% is considered healthy. Even the professionals aren't that lean all the time!

Zamboni · 28-03-2014 11:07PM

The gym is the new temple in a post theistic-world.
Where one can get away from the stresses of everyday life.
Enjoy the positive mental health benefits brought about by self imposed discipline.
Enjoy the satisfaction of achievement regularly on PRs.
Have true personal responsibility.
Embracing failure, accepting limitation and then progressively, slowly, defeating those limitations and gaining ground in a constant battle between you iron and gravity.
Understanding patience.
Finding comradery from fellow lifters.
But really...you don't even lift.

Stavros Murphy · 28-03-2014 11:12PM

There's a lad at work who is a bodybuilder and spends ages in the Gym. I mention as often as subtly possible that he's looking a little fat lately. Drives him up the wall. One day he will snap and pull off my arm and beat me with it..but i get a lul out of it.

Spunge · 28-03-2014 11:13PM

bluewolf wrote: »

Any obsession can be destructive
getting fit is good and not drinking so much isn't that bad. Taking it to extremes can still be ok if they're happy

A lot of it is based on insecurity though. And it doesnt really solve the problem.

Fudge You · 28-03-2014 11:14PM

Holsten wrote: »

2 out of 3 adults in this country are fatties.
.

Where did you come up with this???

Stained Class · 28-03-2014 11:22PM

Christy92 wrote: »

The whole fitness culture has been growing in the last few years in Ireland thanks to the internet, and it's by no means a bad thing, to an extent...

The whole bodybuilding culture has also gotten massive but I really believe it's not for everyone considering that more often younger people who are more susceptible to what others think are developing extremely unhealthy habits. I've friends who won't eat at certain places if the menu doesn't specify calorie amounts, won't drink on a night out in fear of 'putting on fat' and losing their physiques and just generally fixating on their appearance by instagramming bodyshots after workouts and putting quotes about dedication and other crap up on facebook.

I fell victim to this and became obsessed with being 'ripped' that if my bodyfat went over a certain percentage I'd crash diet, this got to the point that I was constantly moody, missed out on a lot of good nights and put my body under such strain I was advised to stop excercising temporarily under doctor's orders! This was very hush-hush and behind closed doors and it's been coming to light more that I'm not the only one who went through this. 20 years ago younger people didn't have the insecurities they have today and the false perception of 'ripped' pictures, fitness ads and before/after shots on the internet has a huge part to play on this.

I still go to the gym but only to keep fit. I can honestly say I'm a lot happier this way, I've hardly gotten fat as was perviously my biggest fear but counting calories and restricting certain foods is no way to live your life for the sake of looking good if you're not a professional athlete. When I see younger lads pushing themselves to the point of near-exhaustion in the gym I can't help but feel sorry for them. Fitness is something to be enjoyed and not take over someones life but the body is only a minor part of it and IMO if your doing it for looks your setting yourself up for a lot of misery.

Everything in moderation as they say! What are people's opinions?

TL;DR Do you think that the growth of the gym and fitness culture in Ireland is contributing to a rise in eating disorders?

That line caught my eye.:D

Over 20 years ago I bought a Bullworker. Remember them?

For 20 minutes a day you could have a really good muscular body & all that...

Well, the schedule started out at 20 minutes alright, but as the weeks & months wore on it took up the whole evening.

I stuck to it religiously for a year or so. Result?

Well I started out as a skinny bastid & by the end I was a really strong skinny bastid!

Guess you cant fatten a Thoroughbred!:D:D

On topic though, people have long had insecurities about themselves. The difference I find between now & the '80s is that there is a polarisation in peoples attitudes to weight diet & fitness.

Back then there were nowhere near the amount of obese people around the place & conversely, the gym was somewhere you went to do Boxing.

Zamboni · 28-03-2014 11:24PM

Fudge You wrote: »

Where did you come up with this???

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/243304/Ireland-WHO-Country-Profile.pdf

Mully_2011 · 28-03-2014 11:30PM

I'm into bodybuilding and most of it comes down to common sense. Balanced diet and leave your ego at the front door shouldn't have any problems.

I think part of the problem is people aren't willing to go off and do a bit of research or they expect to much from there supplements.I eat 3-4 balanced meals a day and I only supplement in creatine pre workout,whey protein post workout you dont really need anything after that.

Stained Class · 28-03-2014 11:30PM

Stavros Murphy wrote: »

There's a lad at work who is a bodybuilder and spends ages in the Gym. I mention as often as subtly possible that he's looking a little fat lately. Drives him up the wall. One day he will snap and pull off my arm and beat me with it..but i get a lul out of it.

I work with a fair few Eastern-Europeans & some of them are into bodybuilding.

Whenever they stop from injury or whatever reason, the weight piles on.

I sometimes wonder if bodybuilders are trapped in some sort of cycle. Once they start into it, they have to keep going or else it's Fatsville.

Stavros Murphy · 28-03-2014 11:48PM

Stained Class wrote: »

I work with a fair few Eastern-Europeans & some of them are into bodybuilding.

Whenever they stop from injury or whatever reason, the weight piles on.

I sometimes wonder if bodybuilders are trapped in some sort of cycle. Once they start into it, they have to keep going or else it's Fatsville.

The lad I wind up is Lithuanian, and possibly the hardest fcuker ever to walk the earth, almost literally. He's so used to people being terrified of him that when I go "jasus, you're after really gaining a bit of a belly there this weekend" he is so used to people fawning that it is a total mind-fcuk and he heads off to the weighing scales. Getting beyond the hard-as-nails outer though, he's actually sound as a pound. Ish. With me. I do lul though.

Little fat fcuker.

Sound of Silence · 28-03-2014 11:48PM

Stained Class wrote: »

I work with a fair few Eastern-Europeans & some of them are into bodybuilding.

Whenever they stop from injury or whatever reason, the weight piles on.

I sometimes wonder if bodybuilders are trapped in some sort of cycle. Once they start into it, they have to keep going or else it's Fatsville.

Everybody's body reacts differently.

I imagine the weight piles on because they haven't altered their diet to suit their level of activity, choosing instead to continue eating high calories in the hope that they can maintain muscle mass and fight off atrophy.

Naos · 28-03-2014 11:50PM

What height and weight were you when you were ripped Christy? (Just curious)

I suppose it's a 'better extreme' than being an alcoholic.

longhalloween · 28-03-2014 11:53PM

Stained Class wrote: »

Whenever they stop from injury or whatever reason, the weight piles on.

Probably because they're eating habits don't change.

When you're working out and eating/burning 3000 calories a day everything is fine.

When you stop working out the weight inevitably increases.

I found the same when I was exercising, where I'd eat everything in sight thinking "sure, ill work it off later". When I stopped exercising, I gained a few stone just because my diet was the same.

Now, I don't even bother with supplements, just eat healthily. My view now is that I don't care about muscle. Just feeling healthy is good enough for me.

Stained Class · 28-03-2014 11:55PM

Sound of Silence wrote: »

Everybody's body reacts differently.

I imagine the weight piles on because they haven't altered their diet to suit their level of activity, choosing instead to continue eating high calories in the hope that they can maintain muscle mass and fight off atrophy.

Or is it the case that the weight they've gained thru bodybuilding, has just gone south?

I dunno. Just asking questions.

I outlined my own ameteurish effort at it many years ago. I just could not bulk up enough to make it noticable.

Mind you, I must have been the strongest skinny bloke in Europe!

Christy92 · 28-03-2014 11:56PM

Naos wrote: »

What height and weight were you when you were ripped Christy? (Just curious)

I suppose it's a 'better extreme' than being an alcoholic.

Was 160, 5'10. Not the bulkiest I know

Which was kind of my point, there was such an emphasis on being lean and ripped amongst the lads I trained with, the people I talked to that I was so afraid of being less lean I actually dropped another stone or so. Stupid I know! I still train but just focus on strength progression, any image goals are very low priority for me now.

Matt_Trakker · 29-03-2014 12:00AM

gym culture=dopes who watch geordie/jersey shore

Stavros Murphy · 29-03-2014 12:06AM

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

gym culture=dopes who watch geordie/jersey shore

Naah, going to the gym when you're young and strong is just sharpening the saw. I'm still trading off all the lodgements I made in the bank of gym. Don't regret even one rep.

SEPT 23 1989 · 29-03-2014 12:14AM

No benches, No wenches

Sound of Silence · 29-03-2014 12:16AM

Stained Class wrote: »

Or is it the case that the weight they've gained thru bodybuilding, has just gone south?

I dunno. Just asking questions.

I outlined my own ameteurish effort at it many years ago. I just could not bulk up enough to make it noticable.

Mind you, I must have been the strongest skinny bloke in Europe!

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "gone south", but generally atrophy would imply that the body has begun to break down the muscle.

When someone fails to exercise for a long period time they tend to experience muscle loss, as the body begins to pretty much ditch what it considers to be an unnecessary drain of energy - unutilised muscle mass.

This can, however, be slowed down a bit when you continue to eat a high calorie and high protein diet. But, as you would expect when an inactive person consumes a high calorie diet, they are pretty much guaranteed to put on some fat. So in that sense, yeah, the progress they've made has "gone south" in some respects. But it's not lost!

Also, you say you couldn't bulk up significantly when you went to the gym? Do you think you were eating enough at the time to allow for muscle growth?

Voodoomelon · 29-03-2014 12:19AM

To be honest, a lot of the calorie and point counting is done by those trying to loose weight in an endless cycle of one diet after another, with failure after failure. Instead of making a conscious decision to change their lifestyles permanently.

As mentioned above, being fit or into bodybuilding doesn't mean ruining your social life or nitpicking at menus. Its about consistency and persistence at training, and some basic will power and common sense when it comes to nutrition.

If you trained or weight lifted consistently for just 45 minutes 4 times a week with even just 4 balanced healthy meals on those days and relatively healthy the others, you'd be in fantastic shape in a very short time, with little to no interference or sacrifice to your social life.

Stained Class · 29-03-2014 12:20AM

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

gym culture=dopes who watch geordie/jersey shore

Easy generalisation.

I'm 45 & have a 32" waist. That's not a real boast BTW.

I'm uneducated & as a result have always been in jobs that have involved manual work of some description. Also,I love walking & encourage this with my kids too. It's good for you & it's free!

I look at telly sometimes & see strapping young lads working in call-centres & offices & the like.

50 years ago these lads would have been footing turf, or mining coal with a pick or driving an AEC lorry with no heating & Armstrong steering.:D

I can see the need for Gyms for these lads cos they're not getting the exercise that they might have had if they were doing the 'real man jobs' of yore.

longhalloween · 29-03-2014 12:24AM

Voodoomelon wrote: »

If you trained or weight lifted consistently for just 45 minutes 4 times a week with even just 4 balanced healthy meals on those days and relatively healthy the others, you'd be in fantastic shape in a very short time, with little to no interference or sacrifice to your social life.

And it's a shame that people choose dangerous diets and spending huge amounts of money over this simple piece of advice.

Flippyfloppy · 29-03-2014 12:25AM

Stained Class wrote: »

I look at telly sometimes & see strapping young lads working in call-centres & offices & the like.

.

Aren't they just actors on tv?

orangesoda · 29-03-2014 12:27AM

i think it caused by severe addiction to orange soda

Gym Culture, Bodybuilding and Eating Disorders

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