Would You Die Early For The Perfect Body?
By: Scott Ragan
1.8.2012
It might not seem so shocking to think that most gay men would sacrifice certain things in their lives—like indulgent eating or attending certain types of social gatherings— in exchange for what's considered to be a perfect body. But a new study found that some gay men would also agree to die more than a decade earlier if they could have their ideal body now.
PinkNews reports that a UK study on almost 400 gay men found that 48% would subtract one year or more from their lives for a better physique, and that 10% would agree to die more than 11 years earlier if they could have a ripped gym bod now. In comparison, only a third of straight men said they would give a year or more of living for the ideal body shape, which continues to reinforce thinking that gays are consistently more affected by body image concerns than straight men. The study also found that gay men talk more frequently about their body issues, with a constant desire to look tall, lean, and muscular with clear skin and a full head of hair.
We're willing to bet this new research follows closely with many other gay men all over the world. That is of course, those of us gays who have the luxury to preoccupy ourselves with these types of body issues. So, you tell us...
Comments
Perhaps the question needs to be clarified a bit. What they're really asking is: "Would you give up years off of your life to have the perfect body tomorrow morning without having to get up off your lazy butt and work it to the bone like most people who have a "perfect" body?" Don't workout to look good, workout to be strong and healthy. I don't go to the gym 5 times a week so I can hit the bar immediately after, I go because I promised myself that before I'm dead I'll be able to bench 250 lbs ( a lot for a small guy like me)
(Stands up and claps alone). This is well-stated man. I too workout, but it's for the benefit of myself. The results are amazing, but my self-worth is also!
I don't believe it is a matter of wanting the body; the real problem is that there are so many men out there who have been brain-washed into believing that sex with such a body will always be perfect. Also, many are so lonely or have such low self-esteem that they are willing to give in to that attitude. If more men would walk away from these bastards, there might be more acceptance of a person's physical appearance.
This mentally is set forth by the Hollywood & Modeling media and our community, which is so very sad............
Wasn't a similar study done involving Olympians who also were willing to give up 10 years of life for a gold medal? People make deals all the time. Not that I would; but to me, these sorts of studies are, candidly, a bit boring.
I hope this gets read.
I have read all the comments here and its sad to think how many gay men are so shallow and there are many who are not.You have to kiss alot of toads before you find your so called Prince but all of us whether gay or straight go through this. Just keep on looking. Yes the perfect body to me is just taking interest in yourself on the outside, but I have worked on the inside for sometime and I am happy and comfortable with whom the man I have become. I am of average weight , 5' 5" and I wouldnt change it for anything. oh yes I am 59 and because I do take interest in myself I am not bad for my age. WE are all going to get older and acceptance is the key to a happy life. I work out every so often just to keep toned and excercise is good for all your body organs , thus you may live longer, but in the end its in the genes. I had a good friend that had a massive heart attack at 40 yrs he worked out, didnt smoke or drink...so you tell me. I am single at the moment but I know I will find someone one day for whom I am. Looks fade but what within the heart and mind lasts. I could go on with this subject but I know long opinions may get boring. By the way if you are the kind of guy I am look up my profile and give me a holler. Its Paolorp Thanks for taking the time to read my few cents.
At 59 I would like very much to have the body I had when I was 19; alas that is not going to happen.
So to get an almost perfect body I do weights and swim, I try to watch what I eat and drink.
So just how perfect should an almost 59 gay male desire his body to be like?
You said it all, great comment. You look 19 only once, you look 30 only once. Take care of yourself and learn to enjoy the process of life.
what a stupid question ?!
wonder how many women would do the same
And straight men...
Something to remember. Suppose you can have both. Suppose you can have a great body, handsome looks and be a "14" on that scale of 1 to 10. Suppose, now, that you make it to old age. Believe it or not... you'll never look like you did when you were 17 years old. In fact, everyone, who makes it past their early 20s will no-doubt age. When they say 5, 10 or a few more than that off your age, you'll still probably live to be in your 50s, maybe your 60s. Are you going to then focus that much more trying to still look like your 17 when you get older? How truly sad that gay men are so utterly focused on looking super hot when there is so much more to life then that! Looks aren't always everything. And not everyone of us gay men are attracted to young, super built, handsome men in the sense that they are portrayed here on Gay.net. As they say, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and many gay men are still very much handsome, even when they don't look like the super hot, underwear models you see here on Gay.net. Be proud of who you are. Love and except yourself for who you are. Love will still find you and it could be very rewarding.
so true im in my 50`s and i dont look like i did when i was 18 and my husband love my for the guy on the in side as well as the me on the out side and theres a 24 years dif in our age. so there is some one for every one out ther
For all of you that say beauty is on the inside or perfect bodies are not all that, you must be an average John Doe to begin with. I am an almost average John Doe and super great person on the inside. No one wants that. That is why I am alone now. I would give anything to have that perfect body and looks right now so I will be found attracted to most people. Plus find and hold on to a partner for life. Being a below average guy all my life has not made for a very happy life, especially in the gay world. And no partner.
The only way one may have a perfect body is when it is healthy in every way. Not only "looking" utterly gorgeous but healthy on the inside as well. This way of having a healthy body will never decrease your life span; moreover, it will increase it! Stay healthy, live longer, enjoy your life, and be happy!
Guys,
I 'had' a perfect body. Worked hard for it for 30 years, and in the process, I wore out joints (shoulders mainly) to maintain it. So here I am, at 50, taking a hard look at what I did to have that body.
It's just not worth the sacrifice. Think about the needless waste of cartilage to do that. Light weights, body-weight exercise, with good form and attention to posture... is all you need to look hot, with your genetically pre-determined muscle.
Having worn out my shoulders to have that hot torso...I've found myself barely able to do body weight exercise now...
If you need to do more than that to put on and maintain muscle that requires massive weights at the gym, you will be asking yourself the same question I have..when you get to 50 (or sooner).
Take care.
Just do the work/eat healthy, not only will you get the results, but trust me the sense of accomplishment is awesome. You took control of something you wanted to change and changed it for the better, its a great feeling. :)
This is a false choice.
Those who have the discipline to eat in a way that results in low body fat tend to live longer, healthier and more youthful lives as shown by all of the calorie restriction studies. While exercise is beneficial, it is calorie deficit that gives most of the health and longevity benefits.
The problem is finding a calorie restriction lifestyle you can stick with. I admit failure leading to type II diabetes and severe weigh problems. So I don't have the answer. But I continue to try, at the moment with intermittent fasting, which some find the easiest method for fat loss (http://www.leangains.com/ - great pix too).
I've read that calorie reduction does nothing to help you lose weight. It's what you eat, not how much. In fact, it was stated that trying to starve yourself only causes your body to become defensive and try its hardest to store whatever fat you have..
At 68 I'm 5' 11", 162 lbs, cholestral around 150, 120/70 most of the time, thinning hair (like I really care). So why would I change? Why would I give up any years? Yeah I could workout and maybe cut my waist size a notch or 2. It's too much work to do something I really don't need to do. Besides, I love pizza and homemade ice cream (yeah I make my own). What's your favorite flavor??? evil grin. Right now, there's nothing I'd change. Besides my beard is all grey and damn good. Sorry twinks, no daddy person here.
it's a silly topic. You are who you are. I stay away from those so self involved. What kind of relationship would that be anyway?
Our adulation of "body" has reached a ridiculous stage...no wonder so many say Gays are shallow. From what I see here, we are! I know of no one who, if 55 or younger, cannot get a good body by weight lifting the correct way. NO ONE! All these Abs, 5% body fat..just silly. Hell, I don't even like the look of the artificial body. Give me a nice, well maintained one any day..far sexier and sensuous looking (and acting, if my experience is any judge.)
I'd give up some of my life for a perfect body.
Sadly, I am just average.... at best. And being in my 40's now, I'd rather loose a decade just so I don't die alone. The Gay culture is cruel. If you don't have the look, no one wants you, no matter how nice a person you are.
So.... yeah. Sorry to say.
First, you need to establish a loving relationship with yourself and accept yourself for who you are. I think "average label" is all in your mind; people fail to accept themselves for who they are and victimize themselves for no good reason. Once you start accepting yourself and love yourself just the way you are, you will see how the world will change around you and people will reach out to you miraculously. After all, beauty is very subjective. And my advise, socialize with people who are less concerned with their outer shell; not always but most of the time they are empty on the inside. Cheer up!
I do love myself and care for myself. But I live in Dallas, Texas, perhaps the hardest, coldest, most brittle place I've ever lived including NYC and LA.
Here in Dallas, unless you are young, beautiful, very rich, very well endowed, or very well connected, you are not even considered friend material, let alone boyfriend material. It's crazy, I agree. Yet most everyone here has a "laundry list", some longer than others. Unless you match that list EXACTLY, the first item that doesn't fit, that's the end of even something so simple as eye contact.
All the ads on this website are about people who are a 14 on a scale of 10. You'll have to admit that. You'll also have admit that they are young, beautiful, gym-buffed, perfect hair and teeth, and certainly just fine in the endowment department. Unfortunately, this is the hand we've been dealt and if we don't match the pictures in the ads, we're flat out of luck. And alone.
Dear listentoyourselves,
I well know what you mean about living in Dallas. As I am a former "Dallasite". Dallas can be cold, cruel and everything pretentious. I came to Dallas alone in my early twenties and lived there 11 years. I learned the only way to survive is to start with my own self first. The next is that if I don't speak up nobody will notice or listen. So speak up with what you got. Speak up with what is your best traits. They will notice and they will hear you. Stop going to S4 thinking that anyone there will even care... It's too much of a place where straight people go to see gays or are "straight" but don't want anyone to know it go. Try the "Eagle" or some of the others off the beaten path from the "touristy" cruising the crossroads. There are real people in Dallas that are not into only the super rich, gorgeous body types.. This all coming from someone who knows the scenes there all too well. I know about those Dallas girls! But I know better about the Dallas MEN!
Besides that, from what I have found, many of the so called "buffed and gorgeous" that I have found in the Dallas area only worked out to compensate for other lacking areas such as face, intelligence, and/or size. Or should we say lack there of? LOL!
I can say this because I have been there, done that, wrote the book, and bought the t-shirt! Through it all I left Dallas loving Dallas in many ways.
It's interesting that so many of us measure ourselves against that kind of icon of physical perfection when the vast majority of us won't reach it, either because we're unwilling to devote a big chunk of our lives to being gym bunnies or because our genes are so stacked against achieving that look that it's almost impossible. I think I've met maybe one or two gay men in my entire life in person who actually had a body that chiseled.
But I'm still here beating myself up and looking into alternative diets because over the last 10-15 years, I've gone from a size 29/30 waist to a size 31. I'm a 42-year-old with a 31-inch waist and I feel like a slob because I can't fit into jeans designed for walking skeletons anymore. When you actually say it out loud, it sounds kind of crazy, doesn't it? Surely we've better things to do with our lives than being the gay male equivalent of shallow, pretentious Miranda girls from "The Devil Wears Prada?" It would be nice if we could all just stop it, or at least dial it back. That is called wishful thinking.
Enjoy your darn life by being beautiful from the inside.
Gays worry too much about superficial and materialistic bull crap!
Treat others with dignity and respect and you'll be treated the same.
Most gay people won't even speak to another gay person walking down the street,
But they want the world to recognize them. Recognize your own first.
You don't have to have a perfect body people.
If you would give up ur life early... All I can say is that it doesn't say much about u as a person.
Nuff said.
Agree!
All of the beauty in the world is only skin deep; but eye candy is great.
This simply boils down to a quality of life vs quantity of life argument. And who would deny that with a great body your quality of life wouldn't increase even a bit? Of course, physical beauty is important, but it's not the only thing. So it internal beauty of course. But, it seems that there is a bias against the physical because people tend to think that just choosing it means that somehow you're ignoring other kinds of beauty. Not necessarily so. I think the deeper question is- Why are we so biased against the body?
biased against the body? what remote island are you living on? it's just the opposite. and you talk about beauty, but as the quote goes, it's in the eyes of the beholder. but most importantly, it's not static. we tend to act as if what's beautiful is absolute and unchanging, yet our aesthetic tastes are more malleable than we like to admit. we'd just hate to acknowledge that we are pawns of the visual media - tv, camera, internet...ironically enough, if such technology was never invented, we'd probably not be having this discussion because (a) we wouldn't be susceptible to shallowness and (b) we'd all have *naturally* healthy bodies more than likely as we wouldn't be bombarded with McDonald's commercials followed by a Bally's commercial. why, in the 20th and 21st centuries did/do we as race have to "work out" as it understood today? we didn't before. a really deep question is why are we pro-consumerism, which would include coveting a "perfect" body, and anti-values ie. what's really important in life?
I would not do it by someone who thinks the body has to be a certain way or has to look a certain. Its too judgemental for peopel to think that. Your just hurting yourself if you push to extremes like steroids and diets. Guys, its all in time and the natural way is the really good way to go in fact will add a longer life for you to live. Dont listen to what people have to say do your own its stress free too.
I already have a penis. What more could I want?!
We're all perfect actually, that's just a matter of looks and NOT everyone thinks that the guy in the pic has THE perfect body, I believe that one should be happy with their body and not take extreme measures to change themselves. I personally like that kind of body but I wouldn't want mine to look like that because I'm happy with the way my body looks, and I don't think I'd feel comfortable looking like that.
Bravo,well said
Na minha opinião vcs deveriam botar fotos de homens pelados de pau duro gozando....
English please.
Its unfair to assume that like most people; Gay People do not have body issues. We all have body issues. Some of us wish we were taller, thinner, hairless, hairier, blonde, full head of hair, blue eyed, you name it; from the time I could remember i wanted blue eyes and a different nose. In fact I did do many things to change who I was; I did get the contacts to make my eyes blue, in fact green, lavender, and shaphire blue. It was inspiring and cathardic. I changed my name to create a new me. again all things are a process to evolve and learn who we are.
this perception of beauty and perfection is fuqked up....being fit and healthy is one thing but I'm sorry but to have to live up to that (the body in the pic) this perception of perfection is just narcissistic. we are already perfect....bodys come in all shapes and sizes and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For most gay men that fall into this category i would go as far as to say that it's more of an obsession with sex and the overwhelming need to be desired then it is to be excessively physical. not mention the riods and E diets and sex addiction ...opps I think some baggage just fell open :-/
Completely agree,... the constant push (particularly on this site) to be some successful lab experiment is shallow of the metaphysical. Of course only human, we all want someone that we are attracted to in some way. However, these shown eye candies, sadly border superficiality, temporary youth, and obsession- requiring anyone less than these to be considered substandard.
I think the topic of beauty and body image is way to complicated for the simple question of would you give "1 year off your life for a perfect body". If it was one year off the extended life I'd have by being fit and healthy, then of course I would...
Healthy people (aka "ripped" or "pretty") tend to have much more extended lives than those of us who are frump and lazy. For all those people that are saying that they are 100% happy with the way they look and are hating on those who are agreeing with the article, you need to ask yourself this: When is the last time you watched a "movie" that made you aroused that had people in it that were less then perfect.
- This is life's ultimate cruelty. It offers us a taste of youth and vitality, and then it makes us witness our own decay.
We all already have perfect bodies.
It's not like I'd be missing much anyway...
I would give 5 or 10 years of my life earlier to have a better body, I think the cost is acceptable. In case I suffered of Alzheimer or other sickness that does not allowed me to live in shpae I shure give more years. Meanwhile I would like to have a better image of myself to the world, more shape, more hair in my head, less gray hair, jejeje, more power and better health.
I guess it depends - five years of "life" in a coma or with Alzheimer's not knowing who or where I am - SURE! Five minutes of an active, involved life - NO WAY. If I want to have a perfect, sculpted body - I'll buy a museum piece.
I already have the perfect body. No one's body is like mine, therefore making it unique. Only shallow ppl want perfection. I wouldnt even change my "size". I'm happy the way I am.
You've only got 1 life!!!! Live your life to your standards and not the standards of what other make out to be "Perfection".
Hell no LOL!
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