Oh no! People are trying to eat more protein and build muscle! Whatever shall we do?!
Read this: https://studyfinds.org/social-medias-obsession-with-muscles-new-disordered-eating/
Now, in fairness, yes, some people get obsessed and take things too far, but in a world of increasing fatness, this is a silly thing to focus on (and diagnose).
Your thoughts?
I think we’ve seen this before. Those who lack self discipline will accuse those with it of mental problems. Remember orthorexia? Remember diet culture?
Sure, there’s a point at which hyper-vigilance over food can become detrimental. But just like everything else, this comes down to personal responsibility. And a lot of this faux-concern is coming from people who are just jealous or embarrassed about their own bodies.
Maybe some of them are genuinely concerned because they can’t imagine making a dramatic positive change to their own diets. For instance, people who don’t know what it’s like to not crave junk food think that those who happily avoid it are living in a state of denial and suffering.
This sentence (from the article linked above) really rubbed me the wrong way:
“Having a muscular physique is no longer confined to elite athletes and body builders – it has become a widely popular aspiration.”
Um, yes everyone is allowed to look their best. Kind of like how makeup is no longer confined to movie stars and models. And the only people mad about it are the ones too lazy to put effort into their appearance.
Don’t want a fit body? Cool. Nobody is forcing you to be hot. Don’t want others to have a fit body? Okay weirdo, go cry about it.
Here’s another aspect of this whole thing: there will always be social contagion. Even before the internet, super models and magazines inspired women to strive for stick thin bodies. This caused a rise in anorexia and a glorification of skinny bodies.
Since then, we’ve seen waves of all sorts of body-related social contagions… including obesity. HAES (health at any size) was just obesity propaganda. And in comparison to the other trends, the pursuit of muscle has a lot more positives, even though chasing the extreme end of it can lead to detrimental outcomes just like anything else.
I like how “extreme eating habits” includes “the daily use of protein supplements.” As a society, I think we need to worry more about the extreme use of Sour Patch Kids.
Good for them for not doing “frequent muscle checking” or chasing after “unattainable body standards.” (Actual terms used in the article.)
One thing I see people who think this is dangerous or unnatural often say is “Your body can’t store protein.”
The problem is they don’t realize that protein is stored in the body in a functional manner, not in reservoirs of reserve chemical energy such as adipose tissues do with fat.
I have nothing worthwhile to add but good topic,article and conversation.
I actually was “that guy” ages ago, a pain in the ass to those who socialized with me. Super rigid, didn’t have a cheat meal if one had already been eaten in a week, ordering something specific that was different to those around me (eg, “Order me a salad with grilled chicken,” when pizza was ordered in or steamed chicken and broccoli off the “diet menu” for Chinese takeout). I hardly drank alcohol for years.
I think there are some people who this works for. If I have it right, I think former T-mag author Eric Cressey one wrote he didn’t have some off food for over a decade. It was detrimental to m personally.
It’s cool that you learned from it and adjusted your behavior.
One thing I’ve noticed is that what one person perceives as overly-rigid, another may perceive as comfortable and easy. Some of the men here on T Nation have diets that I admire, but personally don’t have the discipline to do. So for me, it would be overly rigid, but for them it’s perfectly satisfying.
On the other hand, I can’t remember the last time I ate anything fried and the thought of fast food turns my stomach. Many would say this is an eating disorder. But it’s enjoyable to me.
They want us fat lazy and stupid… they’ve done a good job so far.
I eat “clean” foods nearly all the time. So in the rare cases of going off my diet, I feel very uncomfortable after
I had Burger King for the first time in ages (I think eight years) a few weeks ago with my kids. It was awesome while I ate it, not after.
“In one study, male bodybuilders who followed an extreme, muscle-focused diet reported they felt guilty and disappointed in themselves if they deviated from their lifestyle – with their dietary needs affecting their work.”
Trash article. God forbid someone is disciplined and feels shame for breaking it. And the vague “affecting their work.”
What’s weird is that people look at you funny for wanting to better yourself , especially as we get older I’m 47 and get so tired of people asking why I try so hard . I personally believe the older we get the more important our diet and exercise routines become . I don’t want to age gracefully, I’m going down fighting!
And the worst quote I have seen for a long time
Q. The fitness industry should also be held to greater account for the products and lifestyles they promote.
I guess that puts it behind about 10,000 properly dangerous industries.
A seriously bad article from a bloated education system.
Way too many syllables to be legit.
Now lets be honest… does those issues mentioned in the article exist. Sure, lets not lie about it. But indviduals who become overly fixated and go to extremes, Is it the fault of the actual " muscle culture" or the fault of the indvidual?
Its just a weird dynamic starting to form. So we are going to start demonizing indviduals who are persuing a goal? In this case being muscularity. While at the same time pushing fat acceptance?
This isn’t a conspiracy thing, but think of how much easier it is to manipulate a person who believes they’re a victim. People start accepting their bad choices, moral relativism, and live according to their base urges. It’s much easier to sell shit to someone like that.
Like ozempic?
You know those brown sugar ones are delicious
