Manliness — one of the least criticized and most superficially distorted products of the media. If you’re a man who’s ever consumed any sort of media, this one’s for you (women are welcome).

I raise my finger to the world of “gender stereotyping” and what we define as “manhood”.

For most of my life I’ve been a victim of it all, of society’s over-simplified definitions of a “real man”. These definitions are measured by cosmetically-centered musculature or the ability to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, rather than the attainment of optimal and functional physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Functionality over cosmetics

If you’re like a lot of guys putting the time at the gym, instead of trying to stack as much muscle on your skeleton as possible without toppling over, aim for that prime point in your physique that is functional and healthy.

Weight-lifting is a powerful fitness tool, but as the saying goes, ‘variety is the spice of life’ — and fitness is no exception. Try new things which strengthen any weaknesses. Try yoga, rock-climbing, cycling, pick up a new sport, etc. — the weight rack won’t miss you for a day or two. In a practical sense, we don’t really need to be able to curl 120 pounds, of course there are exceptions. Functionality and balance are too often neglected over mass and pure power.

I promise you will get far more from life with optimal health then excessive muscularity and the unhealthy bits that may come along with it.

The following is a chart for finding your biologically ideal body fat percentage by age group:

Not reaching your ideal weight is not the be-all and end-all of being healthy. More importantly you should feel good, have lots of energy, and be able to do the activities you want to do.

You can find out more information this WebMD

article on “Happy weight vs. Healthy Weight”.

Wings, hot dogs, and beers? How about a salad.

It’s not “girly” to be able to make a badass meal in the kitchen. Somehow gender roles have hampered men’s desire to hone their culinary crafts. Don’t neglect your nutrition by going along with what many of the other guys are eating — steaks, hamburgers, beers, and whatever processed crap they put in those nukable “Hungry Man” frozen dinners.

Google a recipe for your favourite dish. Try a goddamn salad! Eat more vegetables and fruits. It’ll only make you healthier.

Unleash and explore your own true passions

It seems as though the measure of a man is weighed more heavily on the number in his bank account, and how closely he resembles George Clooney than the merit of his passions and charities. Your interests shouldn’t be clustered by the classifications of society: cars, guns, sports, manual labor, how many numbers you can get, the number of people you have seduced/slept with (the qualification of them), and for the love of Mangos, all things “camo”. Go learn how to knit if you want to, I’m sure your grandma would love to knit with you.

Old-fashioned is exactly that — old and outdated

You are not any less of a man because you didn’t pay for the entire restaurant bill, pull out your date’s chair, or “do things the old-fashion way” — courtesy and polite social conduct are great however they shouldn’t be expectations set by your gender. You are not any less a man because you cried or showed vulnerability at a funeral or when watching a movie or shared your emotions with other men. You’re not any less a man because you are not dominant enough, physically, emotionally, or otherwise — or “a girl beat you” (unless it’s physical abuse, then you probably should be concerned). You are simply, you. These expectations are outdated and we as men and women should cease to perpetuate them.

You are simply, you.

“Manliness” is misleading

This societal pressure on men having to prove their “manliness” in the most redundant and superficial ways is misleading and there needs to be a shift in values in order for a more unified, compassionate, and fulfilling community. These pressures, more often related to women, are not discussed enough for men, and by men.

A real man defines himself

I am a real man (whatever that means), and my worth as a HUMAN-BEING will be measured by how I treat my self and others. It will be measured by how I respond to the adversities and tragedies of my life and how I overcome them. It will be measured by my social conduct, moral compass, my contributions to the community, and work ethics.

Challenege your influences, become self-aware, and love yourself for who you are.

Thank you and feel free to share this.

Be the change.