Narcissistic or not?

NerdyFlex
NerdyFlex Posts: 1,672 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Why do some individuals perceive one to be a tool for posting a physique picture? I am proud of my own progress and most people are supportive. However, some people always think I’m egotistical or arrogant for doing so. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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Replies

  • NerdyFlex
    NerdyFlex Posts: 1,672 Member
    I was referring to social media, particularly Instagram.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Why do some individuals perceive one to be a tool for posting a physique picture? I am proud of my own progress and most people are supportive. However, some people always think I’m egotistical or arrogant for doing so. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

    I completely avoid posting anything in regards to my physique any where such as Facebook just to avoid that. I have very few of my actual friends on my Instagram and non on here so I tend to limit the pictures to these two sites.

    But I agree. It's generally the people closest that have something to say regarding arrogance. I truly just believe it's them being petty and envious. Or maybe we just do come off narcissistic. Who knows.
  • NerdyFlex
    NerdyFlex Posts: 1,672 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Why do some individuals perceive one to be a tool for posting a physique picture? I am proud of my own progress and most people are supportive. However, some people always think I’m egotistical or arrogant for doing so. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

    I completely avoid posting anything in regards to my physique any where such as Facebook just to avoid that. I have very few of my actual friends on my Instagram and non on here so I tend to limit the pictures to these two sites.

    But I agree. It's generally the people closest that have something to say regarding arrogance. I truly just believe it's them being petty and envious. Or maybe we just do come off narcissistic. Who knows.

    I agree with you, I would even take it a step further and say that it’s usually those who don’t workout that hate. The majority of my friends have better physiques than my own and always encourage me. Appreciate the feedback!
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    DeadliftsAndSprinkles wrote: »
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    You're a narcissist whether you post pictures or not no matter the platform. So, why care? Why validate their biases?

    What

    You are if you do. You are if you don't.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Are you seeking wise and balanced feedback from the Instagram crowd? That’s your mistake right there.

    No narcissism displayed there.
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    DeadliftsAndSprinkles wrote: »
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    DeadliftsAndSprinkles wrote: »
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    You're a narcissist whether you post pictures or not no matter the platform. So, why care? Why validate their biases?

    What

    You are if you do. You are if you don't.

    I disagree, I don't think that people are automatically narcissistic.

    You are a healthy individual viewing a friend's Instagram page. People who tend to criticize, will do so, whether you post fitness, family, food, peppy gifs updates or not. They will turn the Instagram page owner into a narcissist. The page owner is a narcissist to that individual, regardless.
  • NerdyFlex
    NerdyFlex Posts: 1,672 Member
    edited May 2018
    Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work! I was just curious as to what the general consensus was on a physique picture.
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work!

    I know you don't@validation. Caring about their nonsensical thoughts in relation to your progress puts far too much emphasis on their negativity. My 2 cents.
  • NerdyFlex
    NerdyFlex Posts: 1,672 Member
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work!

    I know you don't@validation. Caring about their nonsensical thoughts in relation to your progress puts far too much emphasis on their negativity. My 2 cents.

    I completely agree, I just never had the intent of displaying arrogance and it kinda makes me disappointed that my picture could display. I was just curious as to what someone generally thinks of a physique picture
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work!

    I know you don't@validation. Caring about their nonsensical thoughts in relation to your progress puts far too much emphasis on their negativity. My 2 cents.

    I completely agree, I just never had the intent of displaying arrogance and it kinda makes me disappointed that my picture could display. I was just curious as to what someone generally thinks of a physique picture

    Some people cannot contain themselves where "the jealousy virus" is concerned. Your physique change is remarkable. You have the right to be proud enough to share it with your friends. Congratulations!
  • Zodikosis
    Zodikosis Posts: 149 Member
    edited May 2018
    Some people find emphasizing physical appearance in any way to be immodest/vain. Could be an insecurity thing, could be a religious thing, could be a cultural thing. They are the same people who dislike it when people post a lot of selfies or care "too much" about fashion/hair/makeup, even though those are perfectly fine interests to have. Can't say I relate to that attitude, but there it is. Decide for yourself if you even care enough about those people to even do anything about it. Everyone's values are different.
  • jseams1234
    jseams1234 Posts: 1,219 Member
    edited May 2018
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work!

    I know you don't@validation. Caring about their nonsensical thoughts in relation to your progress puts far too much emphasis on their negativity. My 2 cents.

    I completely agree, I just never had the intent of displaying arrogance and it kinda makes me disappointed that my picture could display. I was just curious as to what someone generally thinks of a physique picture

    It depends. I'm into lifting. I personally like seeing them as I know what kind of work goes into it. I'm on several forums besides MFP that are bodybuilding/fitness related. I don't post physique pictures anywhere else because I'm aware that if you don't share my hobby and interests then you probably won't care about my cutting progress or want to see constant pictures of me half naked. ;)
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    If someone's main fitness goal is to improve their appearance, that tends to come across differently in photos than someone who's more concerned with functional improvements (strength, health, sports, etc). I'm usually more impressed with non-mirror victories.. but i don't say anything negative about those who glamour-pose in a different cute outfit each workout. I just don't follow them. :+1:
  • Misty_1375
    Misty_1375 Posts: 759 Member
    Narcissism isn't just based on if you post a pic of your body. Trust me I know. I have first-hand experience with narcissism. It would depend if you have the other traits of a narcissist.
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  • ChaelAZ
    ChaelAZ Posts: 2,240 Member
    Just do you pard.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    I suspect a lot people don't actually want to see most people they know (or don't know) in various states of undress just for the sake of showing other people their body. It's one thing if you were going swimming with someone but that clearly isn't the case here. Also I agree with what Cherimoose said:
    If someone's main fitness goal is to improve their appearance, that tends to come across differently in photos than someone who's more concerned with functional improvements (strength, health, sports, etc).

    I'm someone whose goals who has very functional goals. I want to bike faster, go up steeper hills, and bike for longer. There are people who I will talk to about cycling stuff and there are people who I won't. There are also people who I will talk to about classical music and people I won't talk to about that. If I were to tell my friends who don't care about cycling about some really awesome thing that I accomplished on my bike on a regular basis I can't imagine it would go over super well.

    I think too that a lot of people don't actually care what other people look like. I only follow people on instagram as opposed to posting things, but I know I would quickly unfollow someone if they posted pictures of their physique on a regular basis.
  • Carnhot
    Carnhot Posts: 367 Member
    It would depend: if you were an arrogant twit in the rest of your life, I would think, "There's x being an arrogant twit again." Otherwise, I would be likely to think "Oh, x is doing well. "
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    You are posting a shirtless pic so people can see what you look like. I mean. To me that screams “look at me look at me!” But then again I guess Instagram is like that in general. It’s promoting a very narcissistic culture. Ps I have Instagram so I’m not trying to make it seem like I’m better than anyone.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    777Gemma888 wrote: »
    NerdyFlex wrote: »
    Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work!

    I know you don't@validation. Caring about their nonsensical thoughts in relation to your progress puts far too much emphasis on their negativity. My 2 cents.

    I completely agree, I just never had the intent of displaying arrogance and it kinda makes me disappointed that my picture could display. I was just curious as to what someone generally thinks of a physique picture

    I have noticed if you post a before fat picture then you can post any physique picture you want and people will only praise your success. It's when you just post physique pictures that people start criticizing. Isn't that weird/interesting. So my answer is post a before picture with every physique pic and you will only hear good things lol.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    You are posting a shirtless pic so people can see what you look like. I mean. To me that screams “look at me look at me!” But then again I guess Instagram is like that in general. It’s promoting a very narcissistic culture. Ps I have Instagram so I’m not trying to make it seem like I’m better than anyone.

    Social media is narcissistic in general. It's about seeking/getting attention, be it through drama, controversy, shirtless pics, whatever. It's the crux of the Look At Me mentality.

    Very true. Makes me want to delete all social media because I don’t want to be a part of it and so I can focus all my attention on more important things in life. but it does have its benefits like sharing pictures of my kids with family who don’t get to see them often.
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    I personally think it depends on the site on which you post it. On this site I think it's good. It can be motivational for others and everyone wants to celebrate each other's progress. I think posting it on other social media sites may come across as arrogant and "braggy" but do what you do and forget those that don't think you look great :)

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