Do Your Insecurities/Body Image Hold You Back?

[xAsh]

I mean, what holds you back, and if it doesnt what kind of mentality do you have to overcome this?

I'm a 20 year old normal male, however i dont wear shorts ever or go swimming or water parks with my mates as when i was born i had tallapese (sp?) in my left leg meaning it was twisted, they had to cut muscle out and as a result with no scarring my left leg is a lot smaller in muscle and general size than my right leg, that's it, just the size really. You could say my right leg is that of an 18 yr old yet the left leg is a 14 year old leg in size!

I dont tell any of my mates my insecurity, but im wondering what people would think? I mean, if i went to a pool would you notice and stare and really care?

Ive been invited to a water park tomorrow but am thinking about doing it and not give a tosh about what people think.

Any advice / encouraging words appreciated and any of your problems/successces too!

Thanks a lot guys

P.s I'm off out for a bit but will be on later to respond etc!

[Velvetee]

You could try to build up the smaller leg a little at the gym, doing single leg presses, leg extention and leg curl. It probably will never be the same as the other side though.

Your leg probably doesn't look as bad as you think, but because you're conscious of it, you think it looks really noticeable. Knee length trunks might make you feel more comfortable and once you're in the water, no one will see anything.

[zingara]

Hi Ash, you know what? you only live once! go to the water park and enjoy yourself and don't give a second thought to what you think that other people might be thinking. I bet that there will be very few people who would even notice. However what they may notice is a 20 year old having a great time with his mates. If any one does happen to notice your leg then they may be thinking , I wonder what happened to his leg? ( 'cause us humans are nosey arn't we?) then they'll say to themselves, Good for him he's enjoying himself with his mates.
have a nice time, the only thing you need to be insecure about is the weather.

[butterflies]

We all have something we're self concious about and when we're young even more so. People are so taken up by their own lives and problems they don't look out for anything different in others. Those who might say something would say it out of curiosity or just because they're jealous you don't seem self concious (that's if it is that noticable!)
Forget your legs, put on a big smile and enjoy yourself.

[xAsh]

thanks a lot guys, we're going on monday now!

Thanks a lot for your advice and kind words, really helpful!

Take care