difference between men and women...this "wonders" me

Some background info...my husband's done triathlons for a few years. He's lessened his training due to a bad shoulder and, hence, has gained some weight - not much, but the difference IS noticeable.  Being a "good wife" (I try) I haven't mentioned it.

Anyway...we finally got some nice weather here so my husband pulls out a pair of shorts (from last year) and puts them on - they're too tight.  So he says, "These stupid shorts shrunk!"  I had to leave the room so he wouldn't see how high my eyebrows shot up my forehead. It totally reminded me of this:

http://realityme.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/ 08/mirror-image-perceptions.jpg

Why is it that we women are so hard on ourselves and men (in general) are not? In most species it's the male that does the preening, puffing, chest-pounding, etc. to impress. Why isn't it like that with us?

hahaha... love that link!

I think it goes back to how on TV the ugly, nerdy guy getting the hot chick.  I think because women are so hard on themselves is why they typically age much better than men.

Isn't that classic!

Of course, at least for my husband, it also means he doesn't really notice my weight, either.

I hate to stereotype but it's so true, right?  Men don't criticize themselves the same way women do.

At my smallest, I was about a size 8 and I thought I was HUGE (I wish I was that size now).  Meanwhile, my husband wore a 46 jacket and 38 pant (not skinny by any means) - he NEVER talked about losing weight.  Oh well...

after 10 pairs of ripped pants and 7x of me (grr) having to resew buttons - mine FINALLY admitted he might need to slim down a little.

"it's the male that does the preening, puffing, chest-pounding, etc. to impress."

And yet the women that spend an hour in the bathroom smearing whale vomit on their faces.

Beauty is pain.

Original Post by dnrothx:

"it's the male that does the preening, puffing, chest-pounding, etc. to impress."

And yet the women that spend an hour in the bathroom smearing whale vomit on their faces.

 typical male attention span.

the REST OF THE SPECIES IN THE WORLD - the males are the ones out-beautying the others. Only HUMANS do the women preen for the men.

and you obviously don't know the benefits of whale vomit. Hmmph.

Women do the preen for other women, CDC, as much as for men.

Original Post by kathygator:

Women do the preen for other women, CDC, as much as for men.

 very true!

My (admittedly sweeping generalisation) experience of a lot of men is that they can only function if they believe themselves to be near enough perfect.  Or at least succesfully put across that image outwardly. Weight-gain is therefore a trifling inconvenience, a mystery, or better still... an enhancement!!!! 

Although when men decide to lose weight they seem to be more successful because they approach it like they would any other project.... Do X, eat Y and get result Z.   Or - more accurately - Do a LOT of X, eat NOTHING but Y and get result Z.  If you're going to do something, do it to extremes.

On other health matters I'm always struck at how, on the one hand, the trivial illness, the heavy cold for example, becomes 'flu' requiring round-the-clock nursing and copious amounts of drugs ....  and yet they find a nasty lump in the testicle and wander around for months hoping that it'll just go away by itself.  Now there's a science project in that somewhere.

Hehehehe...I like this thread.

Being a man rocks!

I do envy men their ability to take the emotion out of weight loss and fitness.

Original Post by runyourlife:

 

Anyway...we finally got some nice weather here so my husband pulls out a pair of shorts (from last year) and puts them on - they're too tight.  So he says, "These stupid shorts shrunk!"  I had to leave the room so he wouldn't see how high my eyebrows shot up my forehead.

My husband once accused me of shrinking his pants in ... length.

He didn't realize it was possible to grow taller in your twenties. I suggested/accused him right back of growing taller. It wasn't until after he was measured reality seemed to hit him.

However: When we went to purchase new pants/jeans for him....He still tried on the same length pants at the store first. Lol. To double check! Before he finally caved in admitting he'd simply grown taller. Hilarious,imo.

God, I must be the only one who has a man more concerned with appearances than me.  He's in good shape (little bit of a belly, but not much) but fusses about being fat.  Then he goes on these stupid diets he creates (the last one was the beer and apples diet.  Yes, he had nothing but beer and apples for a week).  He spends more time getting ready in the morning than I do.  He actually cares if his shoes match his outfit.  He's real good with the "Aren't you going to put makeup on?" or "oh, you're going to wear that shirt?"

Meh, my husband is somewhat concerned about his weight.  He's healthy and strong, but he wants to lose a few pounds. 

It doesn't help that he's short and big boned.  Literally!!!!  The wrist measurement thing on him is a joke.  He went to the ER one time with a broken hand and they were worried about his wrists as they are so large.   So all the calculators try to put him at a weight that would be ridiculous for him.

He eats well, I just wish I could get him to lift weights with me, and give up some of the calories he gets from alcohol.  He loves to have a beer or two or a glass of wine in the evening.  I've tried to tell him if he could limit that to every other night he'd likely lose a pound a week easy. 

Original Post by karozel:

Meh, my husband is somewhat concerned about his weight.  He's healthy and strong, but he wants to lose a few pounds. 

my boyfriend is the same way. apparently before we met, during his time in the airforce, he was in REALLY good shape. he used to spend a lot of time in the gym, eat really healthy, etc. he also is a carpenter so his work is strenuous.

he broke his arm at work a few months back and gained some weight because he wasn't working or lifting. i still thought he was HOT, and he knows it, but i know he didn't feel as comfortable as he wanted to. i wouldn't want a guy who primps and preens more than i do, but i also don't mind the fact that he is trying to get his old body back, since it makes him happy.

plus it helps me stay on track being with a guy who orders salad with his sandwich instead of fries and loves when i make egg white omelettes for breakfast.

runyourlife, i think it's hilarious, but awesome that your hubby blamed the shorts for shrinking! i could probably use a little dose of that kind of confidence in my life!

Clothes do shrink you know.

Original Post by trhawley:

Clothes do shrink you know.

Lol! In length?!

Original Post by trhawley:

Clothes do shrink you know.

yep...and foreheads get longer

Original Post by runyourlife:

Original Post by trhawley:

Clothes do shrink you know.

yep...and foreheads get longer

 haahahaha