We’re collectively working as a society towards making the world more comfortable for people who aren’t conventionally attractive, by societies often unrealistic standards. More men are learning to love the bodies they are in. As part of the conversation to normalise body positivity, I spoke to six men about their bodies and what they felt insecure about and how they’re learning to embrace it.
Abdul Azeez
My ass is quite soft. Imagine a soft bubble butt on a hairy greek statue. That’s me. One time, a girl playfully slapped my ass and she was instantly hooked. Another time, during sex, a woman held my ass while I was pummelling her and didn’t stop until the end. So I’m usually insecure about bringing attention to my ass.
Anthony, 30
I’m not exactly insecure about it, but I’d like to reduce my belly. Not like I’m looking for six-packs, I just understand the health challenges that come with obesity. Other than that, I have accepted my status as a grizzly-chubby-cuddly-fluffy bear! Sometimes, it gives people an upcoming-sugar-daddy vibe. Other times, it means I can’t readily go topless.
TTA, 23
I feel insecure about my chest and arms. I’m six feet tall and thin, so I always feel a need to “buff up.” It makes me very uncomfortable exposing my chest in public.
It makes me feel weak and people tend to call me lazy when I avoid lifting heavy stuff, for example. I’m strong. I just don’t have the biceps to show for it. I’m trying to accept my body but it’s still a struggle for me.
Feyi, 26
I didn’t think I was insecure about anything until recently. A girl I was with wanted to eat my ass but I just couldn’t let myself do it. I had never felt so insecure before. I immediately understood why some women were reluctant to sit on people’s faces.
Michael, 27
When I was 18, I was quite fit as I worked out regularly. I started to decline academically and depression set in. I lost all motivation to do anything. Now, I’m struggling with belly fat and gynecomastia (sometimes referred to as “man boobs”). I stopped wearing tight clothes because they became uncomfortable. I’m stuck with wearing big shirts and polo shirts.
I first noticed my hairline receding when I was 24 and there was nothing I could do about it. My hair used to make me feel good. I went from carrying a mohawk to carrying inconspicuous hairstyles. People suggest I wear face caps or skin my head but I think trying to hide it just make people focus on it.
Rotimi, 29
My stomach is slightly big and I’m pear-shaped. Even when I tried working out, I was just getting muscular but the belly didn’t reduce. I’d like to wear more revealing stuff but I’ve given up on that. When I have a date I’m going to be naked at, I start to bother about it. I let them know before they come that they shouldn’t expect me to have a six-pack. I’ve resorted to being a sugar daddy-type.
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