I hit my goal, but could use some feedback

unendingstruggle

Hello MFP world, I originally was 210lbs and 5'9, and found this app and have been after it now for several years, and stayed faithful. My original goal was 180, and then about 5 months ago I decided to try for 165 to see if I could reach 15% bodyfat. My other goal was to look good enough without a shirt on that I would warrant at least a second look. I'll find out my BF% next week, but would appreciate some feedback. Do I still need to get leaner to get a second glance if you saw me on a beach? More muscle? You won't hurt my feelings, but I don't feel comfortable asking this to people I know IRL. Thanks for your help!

https://flic.kr/p/2hzw79W
https://flic.kr/p/2hzv6nM
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https://flic.kr/p/2hzsjgk

Cherimoose

If i saw you on a beach, i'd tell you to put on sunscreen.

You're at a healthy weight, so unless your career requires a certain physique, like modeling, i'd be less concerned about the opinions of irrelevant strangers and more focused on performance goals, like how fast you can run 100 meters, how much you can deadlift, can you do 1 arm pullups, reach a basketball rim, etc. Athletic pursuits tend to automatically produce a good physique.

Congrats on the weight loss.

cupcakesandproteinshakes

To answer your question, you DO look good enough without a shirt to warrant a second look’

But I’m just a random stranger.

Why is it important what other people think? We all have different tastes and you are never gonna please everyone.

Be happy in your own skin.

Oh and if you want to look more muscular, which is usually what most guys are meaning when they say they want to look good shirtless, then head on over to the weight gaining and bodybuilding section.

gentlygently

Another random stranger here - sure people would already look twice.

(I doubt you’d look at me tho - I have a few decades on you...)

Going forward, speaking personally I’ve never liked the over(?) muscled, gym look (makes men look vain in my humble opinion!). Other random strangers would feel differently.

Why not focus on heart health (excercise that will keep you healthy and hopefully living a long, illness free life)? Running/swimming/team sports - whatever gets your heart rate up (and resting heart rate down) and that you enjoy. Beach volleyball perhaps?!

Well done on the weight loss. Please feel good about it. My advice would be to find enjoyable fitness goals that are not about ‘vanity’ or ‘appearance’ but ones that suppprt you to be healthy - and most probably meet new people, and tone your body, build your confidence (incl. body confidence), and help create a way of living that supports you to keep the weight off.

Good luck.

HoneyBadger302

Congrats on the losses and reaching your goal!

My blunt honesty? Shave lol. Not even kidding there, but that's just a rando on the internet giving her opinion LOL.

Otherwise, you're doing fine. If you want to trim up a bit more, go for it, if not, don't. Looks like a healthy place for you. Maybe start a recomp to slightly trim down and build a little more muscle?

amy19355

unendingstruggle wrote: »

...My other goal was to look good enough without a shirt on that I would warrant at least a second look.[/url]

I think you are limiting yourself, unless you spend most of your time shirtless.

Also, once you achieve your goal of "good enough for a second glance" , then what?

mom23mangos

Attraction is such a highly individualized thing that there is no way you get people to agree looking a certain way warrants a second glance. If you are looking for that classic beach body appearance, then yes you could stand to put on a bit more muscle and lean out a bit more. The classic beach body is ~10% BF for a male from what I've read. But I also agree with other posters, that sometimes it is better to concentrate on athletic goals and the body shape will come naturally. Like I've heard you will never see someone that can do a front lever or planche without a six pack. The reason is it takes a crazy strong core and being lean because the lighter you are the easier.

gemiller87

I'm always intrigued by responses to these types of questions. I find it perfectly acceptable to have a goal of being more attractive as part of your weight loss goals. Obviously health comes first, but if you're in a healthy place and want to become more attractive I don't see an innate problem with that. I'm guilty of it being part of my final goals. The first step is to get healthy, then fine tune for a few reasons one of them being aesthetics.

That said, if you dont have excessive amounts of "grabable flab" i'd agree with the above post about pick an athletic skillset your interested in and pursue it and you'll probably find yourself getting closer to the aesthetics you may be after with or without really losing any more weight.

Good luck on your journey!

steveko89

Another vote for needing to decide this for yourself than relying on us internet randos.

Personally, I started lifting in 2015 when I finally realized that losing more weight wasn't going to get me where I wanted to be from a strength or physique standpoint. A few years later and I get a variety of differing comments and opinions. At 6'1" 175lb some bros are quick to comment I should try to gain 25-50 lbs in an effort to increase my strength even more and that I still fall into the Do-you-even-lift? category. Simultaneously, I've had a coworker caution me to "not get too bulky" and when helping a friend move was jokingly told by a mutual friend that they "hope they can be as big and strong when the grow up" (from another 30+ year old guy).

CardinalComb

You’ll get a 2nd look only for the beard your belly button seems to be growing.

giancarlov1191

When it comes to bodybuilding, we're never really "done", we're always going to be working towards more muscle & less fat. Think about the long game. If you're ready to stop cutting, then go ahead and switch into a bulk/strength phase. You can cut again afterwards to take off some of the fat you will inevitably gain while bulking. Either way, be proud of your hard work, you're looking great.

Bedazzled35

Manscaping goes a long way

psychod787

I'm straight, but if I wasn't, I'd give ya a go! 🤣

psychod787

Bedazzled35 wrote: »

Manscaping goes a long way

Oh, that's all according to the culture you live in. From experience, some women from say Asia, eastern europe... think body hair is a sign of virility....

Bedazzled35

psychod787 wrote: »

Bedazzled35 wrote: »

Manscaping goes a long way

Oh, that's all according to the culture you live in. From experience, some women from say Asia, eastern europe... think body hair is a sign of virility....

He asked for opinions, he got my British one 😁

COGypsy

Bedazzled35 wrote: »

psychod787 wrote: »

Bedazzled35 wrote: »

Manscaping goes a long way

Oh, that's all according to the culture you live in. From experience, some women from say Asia, eastern europe... think body hair is a sign of virility....

He asked for opinions, he got my British one 😁

This American seconds your British opinion! I’m guessing the OP is in decent enough shape, but hard to tell with all the hair.

corinasue1143

My first look is always the face. You didn’t show me enuf to say if I’d give you a second look.

kshama2001

I recommend spending more time shirtless so you lose the "farmer's tan"

RunStart34

mom23mangos wrote: »

Attraction is such a highly individualized thing that there is no way you get people to agree looking a certain way warrants a second glance. If you are looking for that classic beach body appearance, then yes you could stand to put on a bit more muscle and lean out a bit more. The classic beach body is ~10% BF for a male from what I've read. But I also agree with other posters, that sometimes it is better to concentrate on athletic goals and the body shape will come naturally. Like I've heard you will never see someone that can do a front lever or planche without a six pack. The reason is it takes a crazy strong core and being lean because the lighter you are the easier.

I totally agree. Different people like different appearance. I always take a second look when he is lean a just a bit of muscle while another friend likes men with muscle on muscle. However, sometimes you never know when you already gotten that second look.. I don't make it obvious when i am checking a guy out or i will have my shades on so you really won't know.. Don't sell your self short. You probably already got that second look and you didn't even notice.

unendingstruggle

Well, thank you everyone! I really appreciate all the feedback, it was so very rewarding. I'm not living and dying based on any polls, I just wanted to get some feedback.
I laughed so much about the need to manscape and lose my farmers tan . I'm actually very content with where I am, but you gotta have goals! My goal was to get to the 15% body fat, so next week I will see how I have done. I'm hesitant to lose any more because my size 32 pants are already too loose, but that's a good problem to have.
I've been lifting weights now for a long time, but still eating at a calorie deficit, so I can't wait to see how things go when I add a small surplus of calories.

Also, I think I may try to do the front lever, thanks @mom23mangos for that suggestion!
@cupcakesandproteinshakes thank you so much, too!

Also, I do have strength goals, and I'm taking care to focus on heart health, but I do love all you who were concerned that I was overlooking those things.