According to mental health experts, men may have a harder time accessing communication tools to express their insecurities and work through them. While there’s recently been more cultural celebration of a diverse range of body types for men and women, for men to communicate openly about body concerns still carries a stigma.
In an effort to demonstrate that men of all ages and sizes struggle with body image, HuffPost Women photographed 19 men, from those in their 20s to their 60s, without their shirts and spoke candidly with them about their body hang-ups.
READ THE WHOLE STORY & 19 photos HERE @ HUFFPOST
“I’m realistic about my body. I take care of myself and exercise vigorously and regularly, but know that I’m not 30 anymore. I see a lot of guys my age whose bodies look, well, sad, and I am determined not to let that happen.
This is embarrassing, but I will sometimes press my fingers on the side of my stomach to try to convince myself my abs are ‘tight.’ I don’t talk to my friends about body concerns very often. I do notice that most of my friends are married and overweight — not sure if there’s a correlation between those two facts, but as a result, we don’t talk much about body issues.”
“Being 59-ish years old, things aren’t as firm as they use to be or even in the same places, but I have no problems about my body now or ever. I do chat with friends about how I should get back to a gym and get more exercise, just because I’m not getting any younger.”
“I typically feel like no one can tell I have a belly when my shirt is on, so I feel like I’m exposing a secret when my shirt comes off. I don’t remember a moment in my life when I felt totally comfortable with my body. It’s been especially bad since leaving college, possibly because of the insecurity that comes with new friends, new living arrangements and living in a new town. However, in 2015, I’ve started to become more secure with my body and more confident.
I rarely open up about it unless it’s with close friends. The handful I do talk to always give me the same reaction: Oh, you’re not fat! It’s nice to hear, but no matter how often I hear it, I don’t believe it. Some friends even tell me they think of me as ‘athletic.’ If anything, I think these responses confuse me, because I still can’t comprehend how I would look like I don’t have a big belly. It’s not that I’d rather them say, Yeah, you could stand to lose a few, but it makes it more difficult for me to process my insecurity against friends’ reassurance.”
READ THE WHOLE STORY & 19 photos HERE @ HUFFPOST pics by Damon Dahlen, editorial by Tyler Kingkade
The two guys that are gay, I wouldn’t say no to.
I’ve had huge body issues for years. Some of the things I’ve had said to me have left me very upset or in tears later on. My issues go so deep, even jacking off on a warm summer night, I’d leave my shirt on so as to not see myself. Only recently have I found the courage to get beyond that. The damage has been done that deeply.
I’ve skipped meals, blotted grease from foods, drank so much water I get the…yeah, those. Done pills, shakes, you name it. I’ve beaten myself up so bad at times it’s not funny.
I literally don’t know if I could ever get beyond my own issues enough to settle down. Far, far too many people have hurt me verbally through the years for one reason or another. Staying single is the last way I guard myself. I really don’t care who reads this and laughs. It takes a lot for me to be this open, this honest. I can admit I have body issues and beyond just weight, too. But I’m me and I’ll do my best to get me where I want to be….for me.
When I was a lad I fantasized about a body-parts exchange factory where I could turn in my overly wide hips in exchange for a deeper and broader chest cavity etc etc. But there’s nothing to be done about such things, and I’ve been able to find partners who are willing / able to overlook such “imperfections” in exchange for a good time *blush* including some long-lasting, ummm, Friendships. Now in my early 60s, I’ve long realized that there are things I cannot change, and that men’s tastes vary wildly … there are some guys who’ll never give me the time of day, and others who think I’m the hottest thing on toast since melted cheese, despite (or maybe because of??!?) those aspects of my body that I find less than desirable.
nice selection 🙂
there’s a market for everything in this world…what I may think is an awful aspect of my body could well be a huge turn-on for someone else…there are things I would probably change if I could, but as long as there are guys out there who feel the urge to “woof” at me I’m just fine…a hot guy I was involved with a long time ago said it best, I said that I felt that I had a fucked up body, he said, “yeah, but you’ve got a pretty face and a big dick, and that’s all it takes!”…thanks…I think…lol…
Sicilianmikey has nailed it bang on. I can totally relate to what he is saying. I struggle with body image issues and have so for as long as I can remember.
It doesn’t help though honestly that even Squirt site itself panders and caters the well toned muscled ones – it’s obvious that sex sells. We all know this.
The men featured here in this article are in my eyes very handsome men but the same issues and thoughts go even deeper if you ask and feature men even heavier than these guys posted here. Ask them and see their response.
MMMMMMMMMMM
Yes I agree with what Sicilianmikey confessed however never forget that the bigger the body the lovers will have more to play with and fondle so do not bother with guys who comment on big bodies. There are plenty who appreciate a sexy body. So have fun…..