food thing*

[emchy]

I was talking with pantryslut last night about the food blog
and how - it isn't a diet and it isn't a gender thing and yet
i am only seeing female identified people taking part
interesting

most of the guys i know work to not fall into gender stereotypes and such
but is there something about the food logging that seems especially gendered?

a way of being vulnerable around food, around how women are more used to watching their food, having other people watch their food and the knowledge of how it's socially accepted to judge and watch the food that women eat. is there something scary about logging what you eat and exposing it for a male person who wouldn't be used to it? i mean i know men do watch what they eat and judge it and have body image issues etc etc. but the fact that there are so many women on my flist doing it and no men - it does make me pause and wonder.

so maybe instead of theorizing i just ask - hey guys - why aren't any of you jumping on the bandwagon?


* i want to say there are women on my flist not doing it as well. i know this. i don't think people should or shouldn't do the project, this issue just struck me in conversation and i wanted to open it up for you smart people to talk / think about

Comments

[expanding-x-man.livejournal.com]

Interesting question. Amy has brought up doing this before, as a helpful thing, and like some of the other guys here - I just thought it was "too much bother". Now, I do like to list, and list daily usually what I want to accomplish that day and that week. It helps me a lot. So, why is food different?

I didn't even pay attention to the fact that it was all women doing it, in fact - I haven't even looked at it but only know of its existence from my friends page. It just wasn't something I care to do or read.

I do have body issues, although I am lucky in that most of my life, I have largely conformed to the weight that is expected for one's gender. I was a slender female, and for many years, a slender male. I am now, a middle-aged guy, turning fifty in three months, who is about 25 pounds overweight by my own estimation. Some see it, other people laugh when I say I want to lose weight. But, believe me, I know very well the difference in look and feeling between my best weight (140-150 somewhere) and THIS, which is -- 175 lbs. on a 5'9" (almost) body. No, I am not obese, but I want to look my best. So, yea I got "body issues". I want more muscle too, of course, but I don't want to look like Hulk Hogan.

It would probably be helpful to journal food, but it seems so boring! Just boring! It feels painful to keep track of every freakin' thing I eat and then -- write it down!

I am not sure that has anything to do with being a guy, but frankly, I just eat and think later. I am not big into reading or thinking about food. I just eat it.

[expanding-x-man.livejournal.com]

That said, I've noticed that many FTMS at least, have workout journals. I also am considering one.

Not sure why that is different than chronicling my food intake, but yea - maybe it is more "manly" (I guess) except it does leave one open to ridicule as well, and scrutiny. After all, writing about one's attempt to become fit and buff often reveals all too acutely one's lack. All of sudden, in a workout journal, one's body is subject to scrutiny publicly. And, to being exhibited publicly as to one's progress or lack thereof.

Still, it seems more compelling and interesting than a food journal. I would not do it due to it's manliness, but I would for it's effectiveness. Also, it is more inherently of interest to me than food. I hate reading about recipes too ya know, and I dislike cooking. Although I am not a big sports fan, I admit I would rather watch boxing than a cooking show.

So, is that more info toward an answer? I don't know.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

Interesting comparison re: workout journals. I work out, but I have no interest in keeping a workout journal, none.