Are there any dudes here that take this seriously...

I take it all very seriously but you gotta have a laugh while you are doing it. I don't post half naked pics of myself flexing either. Even if my body was fit for that purpose it just isn't my thing.

Yeah the ab guys are the worst about it but unfortunately the women here are horrrrrrrficly shallow and go nuts for them.

Hey, I don't even have that many "ab guys" on my FL. The ones I do have almost all (if not all) added me. Maybe we aren't all shallow or maybe it's just because I'm married (and he isn't an ab guy either).

There are a few ab guys on my list. Some added me, I added some of them. But I didn't add a single person because of his or her body. Every person on my FL is there because he or she is witty, intelligent, funny and down-to-earth. I have men of all shapes and sizes on my FL and in my life. Personality means a lot more to me than looks.

(Apologies to the OP for a little hijack. That statement was just too much to let go.)

Agree! There are a few men on my friends list- some of them are pretty hot, but ALL of them actually like and respect women. ETA there is a reason that guy isn't getting bombarded with female friend requests and it has nothing to do with his appearance.

Haha! Yes I take this seriously.

And no I don't take the self taken mirror shots. I've seen way to many of my friends get ridiculed on facebook for it. I'm not going to knock the people that do though. We're on a fitness sight. People should be proud of the hard work they've put in.

It's not like they're walking down the street like "HEY LOOK AT MY ABS", they're posting their ab shots on myfitnesspal.

I suspect a certain percentage of MFPers actually do that too...

...not that there's anything wrong with that.

Be proud of what you have accomplished, and remember how you got there. There is nothing wrong with posting “muscle” photos. Would the OP belittle a parent who has an “honors student” sticker on their car? I for one am inspired by all the photos.

I have been posting shirtless pics through my entire weight loss progress. (Which I take pretty seriously) This site is the only place where I felt this this would be the normal thing to do. I would not post these pics on my Facebook page. The pics have been an invaluable tool along the way to realize progress when the scale was not a help and to keep motivation which is one of the most valuable tools in being successful. The attention, compliments, and requests for help that I get from my pictures mean a lot and keep me going.

I went to the coast for the holiday weekend and took my kids to the pool. I can tell you that going shirtless in public after years of being over weight and having issues with body image is still a challenge. Sometimes I am still a fat guy in a more fit body. Dont be so quick to judge.

I am confused. Showing progress pics = not taking seriously? Most of the guys that have them have pretty much had to take it seriously to be able to look that good while doing it.

Also, I eat more than half the guys on my FL. The other half eat way more than me - does not bother me at all.

It's not like they're walking down the street like "HEY LOOK AT MY ABS", they're posting their ab shots on myfitnesspal.

I suspect a certain percentage of MFPers actually do that too...

...not that there's anything wrong with that.

only on the beach.... and while in the shopping mall lol.

It only matter if you are taking this seriously. Good luck

Yeah the ab guys are the worst about it but unfortunately the women here are horrrrrrrficly shallow and go nuts for them.

yup my thoughts exactly

Yeah the ab guys are the worst about it but unfortunately the women here are horrrrrrrficly shallow and go nuts for them.

I see abs (or any obviously trained muscle group) and I see dedication, self-control, self-discipline, commitment, seriousness, goal setting and achievement skills, long term planning, personal pride, determination, willpower, work ethic and victory.... and I get a little flushed.

This makes me horrifically shallow.

I am horrifically shallow. Yes. Absolutely.

...but don't take pictures of themselves flexing in the mirror?

Plenty of females here but they aren't ideal to discuss the process with because I always feel bad for being able to eat way more.

What's wrong with taking pics of one's self in the mirror to document and show off progress? A picture is worth a 1000 words.

And I didn't use to do this, but after a couple of years of training/dieting and discipline I can be proud of where I am.

You can't possibly understand how good it feels to finally show off your body when you have been previously/ horribly ashamed of it what it used to look like.

When I was fat, I wouldn't even look at myself in the mirror when I got out of the shower I was so ashamed.

If I had the abs that these ladies and gentlemen flaunt, you bet your *kitten* I'd be posting pics of myself. I've been hiding my six pack under a layer of fluff so long, the last time my ab muscles were exposed to daylight probably involved teased hair, bad pop music, and cuffed pant legs.

No one should be judged for taking pride in their hard work and accomplishments.

I feel a lack of man abs in this thread. Please post more.

And THANK YOU for showing us your washboards

Aw well if you insist....