When the mirror deceives you

[jacobspender]

Do any of you still see a scrawny guy in the mirror? I look in the mirror and can see some progress, mainly in my arms and lats, but that’s about it. One of my goals was to develop my shoulders (love the look of big shoulders), but no matter how hard I work, I don’t see any gains.

This weekend I was with some friends and someone took a pic of a few of us (I was in a t-shirt). When I looked at the picture I was really impressed at my shoulders (they looked big and round - like I wanted them to be). I asked my gf if I really looked like that and she said “yes, your shoulders are getting big”.

But then I got home and looked in the mirror, and nope, still don’t see it, but they are really obvious in the picture. Ever experienced this? Why does the mirror lie to me?

 

[ForgotMuhName]

Welcome to body dismorphia/bigorexia, enjoy your stay!
There’s a thread here from a few months ago on the same subject with some members chiming in on their experiences though generally this forum seems to be populated by people who don’t have this issue.

All I can say is learn how to properly pose and take pictures at good angles, maybe install better lights in your home near the mirrors so you can see yourself in good lighting (Most bathroom lighting is shit for seeing muscularity) and take progress photos every few months in the exact same spot/pose/conditions for references. Measurements help a lot too; Pretty hard to argue with a measuring tape that says your arms are 18in and then 6 months later it says 20in.

 

[cmryan]

jacobspender" pid='82147' dateline='1581968783:

Do any of you still see a scrawny guy in the mirror? I look in the mirror and can see some progress, mainly in my arms and lats, but that’s about it. One of my goals was to develop my shoulders (love the look of big shoulders), but no matter how hard I work, I don’t see any gains.

This weekend I was with some friends and someone took a pic of a few of us (I was in a t-shirt). When I looked at the picture I was really impressed at my shoulders (they looked big and round - like I wanted them to be). I asked my gf if I really looked like that and she said “yes, your shoulders are getting big”.

But then I got home and looked in the mirror, and nope, still don’t see it, but they are really obvious in the picture. Ever experienced this? Why does the mirror lie to me?

The mirror doesn’t lie to us but we can sure convince ourselves it’s a lying mofo lol. For me, it’s delts and how lean I am lol. My friends have commented a number of times how lean I am and I’ve even been stopped by complete strangers remarking about the vascularity in my arms and such. But when I evaluate how I look I always need to get leaner lol. I know this but it’s a struggle remember it sometimes. Being a ridiculously fat kid and teen has probably cemented that point of view in my head.

Best of luck man. Body dismorphia (of all kinds) are a mofo. Just remember that what we do is a hobby (unless you’re a competitor and it’s your livelihood) so to keep it in context as well.

 

[keoking]

There isn’t enough gear in the world to stop me from seeing a weak pathetic failure in the mirror. If you’re the only one in the mirror, it only shows your weakness.

You have to steal your moments. Walking by a window at night with other guys? Scan everyone in the glass, and compare yourself to them. Your brain won’t have time to sabotage the image, and you’ll see the truth … your truth. Work hard and be vigilant. Every once in a while you’ll catch a guy you admire checking you out and wishing he were as big as you. Those are the goal moments.

 

[Jbhulk58]

Body dysmorphia is a bitch. Wife tells me how big I am and people call you things like “Hercules” but you don’t see it. Then I stand next to someone and I’m double the width of them and they are pretty big. Feeling like I’m on top of the game. And 20 minutes later I see the complete opposite. And then I get back on the rollercoaster again. Enjoy the ride is right.

 

[EpicFlash]

I also get tripped up with the whole mirror thing. One of the reasons is symmetry. I would guess that most on this forum train properly and grow symmetrically. So we see the same person but just a larger version. The scale and waistline tell another story. Waist size still the same…same definition in ab area. But scale up 30lbs(for example) that can really only be good solid gains…

 

[BlackBroly]

Man I went from 175 soaking wet to 245-250 pounds and I still feel small some days. It’s terrible.