[quote]Otep wrote:
Professor X wrote:
I really don’t see how they are able to hide this from their parents.
This is why I also take offense to people relating bodybuilding to this insanity.
Hyper-awareness of diet,
Frequent, intense exercise,
Hiding the habit from close friends (okay, this one’s a bit of a stretch, but a common reason for these forums is that regular people don’t ‘get it’, why we lift)
I was reading the ‘Diary of a Juicer’ article series, in a number of articles the writer draws connection between anorexics and bodybuilders. ‘Body Dismorphia’, I believe it’s called, where you’re never ___ enough.
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=459317
I think there is an uncomfortable degree of fair comparison.[/quote]
Anyone successful at bodybuilding probably shows some degree of obsessive compulsive traits, however, comparing this to a physically destructive activity with no upside that leads to death would be a mistake. Mind you, most elite activities (like the extremes in any sport from football to baseball to hockey) involve a level of self destruction over time even if most won’t admit it. That is why comparing anorexia to it doesn’t make much sense unless someone is truly getting nothing positive in return for the sacrifice.
There is no positive upside to acting like these girls because they will still see themselves as fat.
Most large bodybuilder KNOW they aren’t tiny even if they claim to want even more size or state that it isn’t enough.
The only direct connection would be if someone were gigantic and ripped yet saw someone small and obese staring back at them in the mirror.
Lumping us all in that boat would be the same as degrading anyone who strives to be the top at whatever they do…including doctors and scientists who sacrifice personal lives for their career. Yet we never hear that connection, do we?