Battle of the Bulge

When it comes to aesthetic aspirations, women aren’t the only ones with great expectations.

By Heather Lehman

Women envy men because they don’t have the social pressures to look good. My male clients would disagree.

It is common knowledge that being a woman in our current society is brutal. Women are inundated with pictures of beautiful female celebrities with shiny teeth, perfect bodies and a suspicious absence of cellulite. But nobody seems to appreciate that men are bombarded with similar images. Let’s take a look at the male odies to which the common man compares himself: Gerard Butler in 300, Brad Pitt in Troy, Russell Crowe in Gladiator and Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia.

Although most men don’t bring it up, they too watch the actors and think, “My abs will never look like that,” “My pecs are concave compared to that guy,” and, “My love handles would hang over the edge of that gladiator skirt.”  

It shouldn’t be a surprise that men want to look good for themselves and for their significant others. There are reasons your guy refuses to tuck in his shirt and declines jumping in the pool with the kids at the neighbor’s barbecue.  

I recently went into Calvin Klein with a male friend and was greeted by a gigantic photo of a swarthy, dark-complected, six-packed, supple-lipped, broad-shouldered model. My friend asked, defeated, “So, I can’t look like that guy?” I was shocked that he admitted to feeling envious of the professional model. Most likely, that guy lives at the gym, eats only oatmeal and egg whites, discusses his favorite protein powder at length and, most importantly, probably has really lean parents.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that guys also compare themselves with completely unrealistic images. So while I spend my time trying to convince my female clients that there is more to life than trying to have Demi Moore’s body, perhaps I should remind my male clients that being confused for The Rock may be an equally unrealistic goal. As with everything else, just because men don’t talk about their physical insecurities, doesn’t mean they aren’t bothered by them.

Pecs, arms, abs. Pecs, arms, abs.
These are the most requested areas on which men want to work—the “mirror muscles.” As men age and hormones change, it is harder to maintain muscle mass. Pecs get flatter, arms get smaller and bellies get rounder. Women face the same issues as men but are generally more focused on hips, thighs and waistlines. But no matter your sex, it is well worth the effort to battle the aging process by focusing on these mirror muscles.

Along with strengthening exercises, it’s critical to address diet and cardio. No amount of upper body and core work can transform your body if your diet is terrible and you don’t do any cardio. Clean up your diet by trimming out processed foods and excessive sugar, and by counting calories. Doing at least one-half hour of cardiovascular activity with high intensity bursts three to fours days a week will help trim the fat so you can see the muscle you’re building.  

Perform strength-building exercises as part of a full-body workout two to three days a week. Remember to keep your body balanced so you don’t fall victim to the chicken leg” syndrome. Pay attention to the pecs, arms and abs, but do not forget to work your back, legs and glutes. Your body functions optimally in balance.

Balance also involves keeping perspective between your body’s natural shape and the Photoshopped, spray-tanned, hormone-injected images you see in the media. Work hard to reach your goals, but cut yourself some slack when you feel like you don’t measure up.

For a step-by-step guided workout to help you beat the bulge this summer, pick up the latest issue of Generation Health AZ, available now.