Out of Shape
I’m getting out of shape.
I’ve been keeping a semi-constant (though changing) workout routine ever since I was 15 years old. Initially, I just took weightlifting classes in high school each semester, and when I started college I went to the collegiate gym some during the school year and hit it hard during the summers/weekends. However, with my move to Athens, I’ve been more strapped for time and, although there is a free campus gym, it’s 30 minutes away, and there’s really no way I could devote over an hour to working out 4 times a week. So, lately, I’ve pretty much stopped working out entirely, after 7 years of doing it pretty consistently. Probably not a good idea, I know.
Yesterday morning, I decided that I should at least do something to try and maintain my health/conditioning/physique and decided I’d just hop down and do a set of 50 push-ups quickly. Traditionally, when I do push-ups I do about 3 or 4 sets of 50. So, imagine my alarm when that morning I only managed to do 40 before having to stop – and then nearly had to vomit afterwards!
So, as I stated at the beginning of the entry, I’m really getting out of shape. I’m sorta alarmed/disappointed in myself for allowing myself to get this out of shape this quickly. I bet I can only bench press something like 150 pounds now, whereas I used to bench 200. Which, I realize 200 is a pretty small amount too, but I’m a scrawny kid, so I actually had a pretty decent physique when I was lifting that amount.
Anyway, luckily I have a diary readership that is very strongly slanted towards the female demographic, and now I turn to you for advice. Just how important is a male’s muscularity to you? Is it really worth my time to start going to the gym again to build myself up? Or should I be satisfied with my regression until I can’t even do a push-up anymore, because girls don’t really care much about that anyway?
My body is in your hands.
Number one! ~I’ll be
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If you can lift me, I’m good. Then again, I’m only ninety pounds, so if the same is true for other girls, then…you know, do the math. Mr. Math Nerd. ~I’ll be
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I think you should try to keep in shape because I know I don’t work out and I am skinny but typically unhappy when I put on a bikini. I’d much rather have worked out when I was younger and continued into my life so I would have a flatter, more toned body. So, get back into the habit of working out, stay in good shape and keep yourself happy and healthy. I don’t care if you get flabby but you may!!
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honestly, the way a guy looks has never determined whether i will go out with them or not.
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Muscularity has never been really important to me. I like guys who are generally in shape, but that doesn’t mean they can bench X lbs or do Y pushups. It’s more about being healthy and not gasping for air after a short walk. I like guys who are athletic (maybe because I’m looking for someone to make up for my lack of athletic genes) but not super muscular and not super skinny, if that makes sense.
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200 lbs is no measly amount. I like the exclamation mark at the end of paragraph 2. RYN: I have scrutinized my survey and have no idea what you are refering to. However, you are great as well.
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Re: last line: oooh-er… I wouldn’t worry about being muscular. You are fine as you are. You worry too much about how you look! (Please don’t turn that back on me!)
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Hmm. For me, the muscles are just a bonus. It’s definitely not a deciding factor. I don’t carry around a measuring-tape and wrap it around guys’ arms (or other parts, heh). I had bigger muscles than one of my exes. For real. LOL. However, that being said – if working out and building the muscles makes you more confident in yourself, then do it. Because confidence is extremely sexy. *hugs*
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Sounds like you’re officially in college! Pretty soon you’ll be living on Top Ramen and macaroni and cheese from a box. I jest. But seriously, I concur with whoever posted before me. If you don’t feel good about yourself, you’ll be even less willing to approach girls.
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Wow. I can only do 7 push-ups. Haha. I have no idea what I could bench-press, but considering even at 150 you can bench-press me, that’s pretty impressive. However, to answer your question, muscularity isn’t important to me. It’s nice, but by no means necessary. My boyfriend isn’t really muscular, but he’s strong. He complains about being out of shape all the time, and I’m just like “whatever”.So yeah. I guess it just depends on the girl. But to be honest, the ones that REALLY care are probably superficial and not worth your time anyway. TTFN and have fun, ♥ Andrea
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ryn: #1 Why does it bother you that no one else has asked me about my divorce? #2 It’s not just the Mormon community. Actually the people that have stopped talking to me completely are mostly not Mormon. I just think that a lot of the time people don’t know what to say and they don’t want to say the wrong thing. So instead of saying the wrong thing they just don’t say anything at all.
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It’s not about being attracted to muscles or a toned physique. It’s more about being attracted to someone who takes care of themselves – even if it doesn’t show by way of bulging biceps (which is actually preferrable).
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Muscular physique? Whatever. I am for some strange reason turned off by muscles. Normal is just fine.
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The women have spoken. Most don’t care about physical apperence. I have been trying to tell my mom this! For me, the aesthetics of a woman is low priority. I care about personality and intellegence!
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so are you southern? i know you’re in athens, but your FAQ didn’t say anything about where you’re from originally… and personally, i’ve always been attracted to tall, skinny guys. muscularity isn’t very important to me.
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The fact that you can bench press 150 pounds is impressive, because in my head it seems like a lot. Honestly in my own relationship I care/worry if Mike is unhealthy, it doesn’t really matter if he has gigantic muscles. Just do what’s best to keep you in shape, women will follow as long as you are confident.
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Start working out again, but do it for you 🙂 My boyfriend is nothing but muscle (he’s not big either)–has a wash-board stomach. Most girls I know love that! But you know it’s whats inside that really counts 🙂
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Staying in shape is important, Matty. You don’t have to be a perfect dude with a six-pack, but it is admirable that a guy works out because it shows he cares about himself. I think you should just start working out at home, whenever you can. Go running (or walking) and make that your new workout. You could always take up dancing, that helps more than anything. 🙂
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i’m not much for the muscularity either, since i can’t seem to find time to go to the gym any more myself. i like to run though, and can always squeeze in a half an hour or forty minutes on most days. you could take up running and perfect the super skinny physique. i hear girls like the skinny emo types.
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I don’t think being skinny stops you getting laid. it just gives everyone free rein to mock you during sex.
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I think working out is important to one’s HEALTH in general. Without even worrying about physical attractiveness, your health should come first and working out on a regular basis is very important to maintain that health. If it came down to a Matt with no muscle mass and a Matt with some muscle mass, which do you think I’d pursue? C’mon man, common sense. You know better than that.
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Also, in response to Michael’s note… Sure you can be skinny and get laid but don’t forget how socially awkward you are! You need all the help you can get!!!
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