new thread
(Repeat of the one posted below- I meant to post it as a new thread, not as a response to my own post)
Hey, I know that 99 out of 100 guys out there have a simple short haircut and now I'll probably "blend in with the crowd." But you know what? I don't think I will. When you guys look at those pictures, you focus on the hair and the beard. However, that's not the only thing that isn't there anymore.
Along with losing the hair and the beard, I've also lost about 45 lbs of fat and completely transformed my body into that of a chubby couch potato into one of a competing athlete. I run at least six miles a day, I'm so close to a six pack that I can't even believe it, and I feel better than I ever have.
I've switched my attention from growing my hair, which takes no skill or ability, to becoming the best athlete I can possibly come, which takes more hard work than most people can imagine.
I've absolutely worked my butt off for the past 9 months to get into shape, and I'm proud to say that I'm going to be running a marathon in January and feel 100% confident that I'll be able to finish it in a respectable time for it being my first one.
So yeah, I don't see myself as being "average" one bit. I'm still the same person I was before I cut my hair, only now I'm more comfortable (physically) and I'm proud of the body I've earned with loads and loads of hard work.
Good for you man. I completely agree. I grew my hair without trying.....my playing disc golf every day so I can become the best I possible can is where the work is.
You have lost nothing and gained the world!
peace
clayton
Outstanding work on getting back into shape! Maybe cutting your hair was part of your catharsis. I'm actually going the other way. I've been road cycling for the past 3 years and love it. I've lost a lot of weight, am feeling great, and since March have been regrowing my hair from a buzzcut. I congratulate you on your success and wish you and everyone else here health and continued happiness, whatever your hair length is. Cheers!
--
Splat
Yes, I agree, congratulations are in order! Your physical health is #1 and losing the extra weight and getting in shape is a great accomplishment. Some guys who had long hair and cut it may have regretted it, while some don't, but look upon the past journey as one that was good while it lasted. You have to do what makes YOU the happiest, not anyone else! Congratulations on that happiness and good luck in the future.
Bruce
whatever makes you happy =)
* I exercise and have long hair... don't know why you had to cut off your hair to get into shape... eh, but whatever works for you.
hope you are happy with your dec.
Weston,
While it is true that several of the MLHHers have deemed your new look to be average (myself included), you asked us for our opinions. We gave you them. You should have expected some of the opinions as you should know the usual opinions of the MLHHers around here.
I admit exercise is good and am glad you are happy with your physical condition. I however do not see the connection between hair and abs.
I understand with the hair growth issues that short may be better. Perhaps this is the better choice in light of a threat of baldness.
Perhaps a more in-depth explanation of my comments on the other thread. You look like many of that 99 percent crowd. You look like one of those short haired men but along with that you have the appearance of someone obsessed with fitness and the appearance of a 21st century new-style businessman. It seems like this look matches your reality. It may be unfair but people often compartmentalize people and classify people. People see someone with long hair and depending on other elements of personal style, the person is now a "biker" or a "rockstar" or a "hippie" or a "fantasy/renfaire nerd" or "river rat" or whatever...because that person knows people who are hippies or bikers who appear like the stereotyped image. And I have seen people who look like you who all fit into a mold which is obsessed with fitness and the new professional etiquette.
Either way, people will judge you for your looks. And you looked nicer and friendlier and happier and actually healthier as the longhaired individual and would rather meet the old you than the new you. Humans will be human. But you make your decisions and I'll make mine.
~David a.k.a. "Antesse"
Is it wrong that I'm comfortable with how I look? I've always struggled with my weight, but now that I have it under control and actually love running, you make me sound like I'm some jerk who spends every waking moment in the weight room. Believe me, I don't. I guess long hair just isn't as important to me as it was three years ago. It was a lot of fun having it, but not everything lasts forever. I lost interest in it, and before I knew it, it became more of a chore than anything else. I know I asked for everyone's opinion, I just wanted it to be known that I've had short hair for three months now and I'm totally happy with it. It's comfortable, easy to manage, and it just makes life that much easier. And I'm not obsessed with my abs or anything like that- I've just always been fat and it's nice to actually be in shape. And I'm still a nice person- cutting my hair didn't make me any less friendly- and I haven't lost any of my intellect or anything like that. But yeah, it really feels good being happy with how I look- I hope you understand that :).
I was not trying to say you are obsessed with fitness but rather that the stereotype is of a person who obsesses over fitness. Personally I cannot run...but I love to grab a paddle and go out in a canoe or grab a stout stick and hike along trails. And knowing that I can move the boat where I wish and knowing that I can carry what I need on my back and carry it for the whole day is a good feeling.
I'm sure you are still friendly as well but the stereotype strikes again...
And I know how you feel, being happy with your appearance. I've gotten to that place by letting my hair grow and losing weight and living happily. You've gotten there by losing weight and cutting your hair and living how you choose to live. Same destination, different routes.
Why must we assume being happy is having loing hair?...apparently its not, just for a few of us ut is. I say we stop arguing about what was done.
Weston....short hair, long hair, no hair, any hair...I dont give a damn what the others say, I am glad you found what works for you. Same thing as last time, if you see me around campus give me a shout.
peace
clayton
It's your hair, Weston, and it's your body. It's your life. Whatever turns you on, GO FOR IT!
Long hair is awesome, and being fit is awesome. A few years ago I walked on back roads across New England and half way across New York, and I did it with long hair. But you only have one life to live, Weston. You might as well live yours!
Wishing you the best through that one journey called "life" that you will be allowed to take!
Bill
Man, that sounds great. It's true that most people here see hair as a goal, or individuality, but to me, it sounds like you just accomplished a huge goal of your own, just not hair length (well, this time =P).
Be proud of it. Working out every day isn't necessarily easy, and takes alot of motivation. I wish I had that kind of motivation.
But don't forget, be proud that you were once a longhair too!
Congrats on getting in shape! I used to work full-time as a personal trainer, so I've seen the challenges working out poses for most people. It takes real dedication and effort to make the lifestyle changes necessary. And to run a marathon takes some major commitment. If you enjoy that, you might try training for a triathalon. The mixture of biking, running, and swimming is great cross-training for the body.
And I wouldn't worry about blending into the crowd. Anyone with the guts to take life by the horns and live their own dreams will never be just part of the herd.
Mouse
I think you look pretty good these days! Grats on the weight loss, I need to lose 20 pounds myself.
Hey Weston...everyone's commenting on your hair or lack of it...but here's my two cents...congratulations on your upcoming marathon in January..I'm 48 and I'll be running my 110th marathon in January at the Rock N Roll Marathon in Phoenix/Tempe. When I was your age, I never even thought about running a marathon---it simply wasn't one of my ambitions or hobbies. Now I average six a year...and dammit, I haven't won one yet...lol....(hey, if I compare myself to the elite runners, I might as well roll over and stay in bed....but I usually finish in the top 25%.....isn't that a lot better than saying I'm a slow poke?..one must always put a positive spin on these things, you know......)...Anyway, Weston, watch out...running marathons is highly addictive....but you didn't mention two things (one, what marathon are you running....Miami and Disneyworld are both in January, and they're both a lot of fun)...and two, how's the training going? ......six miles is certainly an accomplishment, but are you starting to increase your daily mileage? As a general rule of thumb, if you can run twenty miles comfortably, the marathon should not be too difficult.......running the first one will be a memorable event...and if you decide you love marathons, then may I recommend two unbelievably exciting marathons...the Boston Marathon (if you make the qualifying times) and especially, the New York City Marathon. In New York, it is just amazing running on First Avenue...the cheers are deafening and the enthusiasm of both the crowds and the runners is almost surreal.......)..Anyway, good luck to you......completing a marathon is an event that less than 1 percent of the population ever does...and that definitely does not make you average..regardless of your hair length........ And at least you'll be spared the names spectators have called me throughout the years ...Forrest Gump...Jesus...Jerry Garcia..Wolfman...Sasquatch..hippie..Santa`Claus..Mountain Man...Unbelievably Hairy Guy...I'd like to think most of the names are said good-naturedly so that I can acknowledge that they are cheering me on........but occasionally, i do what any old hippie would do ....I flash them half the Peace Sign... (not really...lol...well, maybe once in a while)
Some people on this board are just obssessed about hair. You shouldn't care too much about them.
By the way, you look more ''sympathic''(don't know if it's the good word lol, like ''sociable'')with short hair.
And I don't know for where you live, but damn,when someone has long hair, he's juste another long-haired, as when someone has short hair he is just another short hair.
Some people here think that everyone judge the others by their hair...come on...
Hi Weston,
Congratulations on getting in good physical shape. This of course is very important and quite an accomplishment. The Romans used to say "Mens sana in corpore sano" - "a sound mind in a sound body." Good advice. I think you made your decision based on where you were in your life and that if you are happy with it, whoever isn't happy with it, that whoever has the problem, not you. The whole blending in, following the crowd argument has so many variables either way as to almost become laughable when taken to the extreme of the argument. Don't worry one whit about it, and if you end up looking like Jason Statham, then all the better!
What I always thought was cool was your reddish beard. A shorter, trimmed beard or goatee might be just the thing to compliment your new look. And, a short beard is not hot and presents no grooming challenges except trimming every now and then. Really, it frees up more time since there is no daily shaving!
Yes, of course I do believe that growing hair in adversity does teach its grower things about life, but I also think that in cases where the growth was easier, that fewer lessons are inculcated, removing some of the sweetness and value placed upon said growth for the grower. It's easy to get as philisophical or practical as one wishes with it really. In months and years to come, you will know to what degree long hair was sweet to you and come to find that it may run the spectrum all the way from being good while it lasted with few regrets had to something you might desire to return to in due time with ardor. Either way, if the fates allow, the board and all of us who still maintain and cultivate the long hair will still be out here and welcome you back into our ranks without reservation. In whatever the case may be, remember that you are a part of all that you meet, and that being true to what is inside of you and being honest with yourself is what encapsulates the long hair spirit which really is by transferrence the indefatigability of individualism manifested by the outward growth of hair, but which can also be apparent in someone just like you who has taken up his very own course that is right and true for you.
You don't get it. No one is saying that you ARE average now. What a few of us are saying is that you LOOK average (i.e., like the average, streotypical American, with no special traits one way or the other). What faceless other people think of you is irrelevant as long as you don't care what they think and as long as you're happy with how you look, which you certainly appear to be. Obviously, your hair isn't that important when weighed against your personal happiness, and if it was something that detracted from said happiness, then to the barbershop floor with it.
Nevertheless, it's politically correct absurdity to ask for opinions on how you look and not expect at least one person not to like it. I'm kind of surprised you started a new thread when you consider that the overwhelming majority of posts in your old (and the new, in fact) are positive. If a few people's comments offend you so much, maybe you do worry what others think.
I don't like your new haircut at all--in all honesty, I don't think it suits your face at all, and I'd be warier of talking to you now because you look less friendly in my eyes--but so what? That's just my opinion. Your opinion is the one you'll go to the grave with, so live with that one.
And, yes, congrats about getting in shape. That's a great achievement. I'm trying to lose some weight myself. Man, it's a hard road, but I know it'll be worth it down the line.
Peace
I know what you're saying. I just wanted it to be known that in the time I've been gone, I've been busy with a new goal- I lost the long hair, but I achieved something else. I know that people aren't going to like my new haircut, and that's cool. It's quite true there really is nothing special about it, but whether or not it actually does look good one me, it's a fact that PHYSICALLY it's ten times more comfortable, and one really can't argue too much with that! :) Mainly because of Florida and Louisiana's 90-100 degree heat- know what I'm saying? I know that I asked what people thought, and I guess I just got a little too defensive. I just really wanted it to be known that I have accomplished something else to be proud of, and that was really the point of the second thread.
Hehe, I know what you mean about Florida heat. It's killing me now! Long hair always seems more suited to colder climates, doesn't it? I think that's why many of the ancient Egpytians cut their hair short, and various other people throughout history. There's a point at which hair is no longer about style or fashion, but function, and at a higher point (and heat), it might seem quite functionless. Then again, having no hair at all is probably worse in intense sunlight, what with sunburn and all that. Yikes.
Well, best of luck with the journey, man.
Peace
Hi Weston,
I've been absent from the board for a week or more, so all I know is that you've cut your hair & have lost some weight... Like Bill's response to you, I also say: it's your life!
What you do with your "outside" doesn't matter to me, as I remember liking you on the "inside", --- our exterior bodies go through many changes in life! We are all privileged to pursue whatever makes us happiest. Life is a journey, and you are fearless about going on it, --- so, I applaud you!!
The spirit of being a longhair is to be strong enough to not worry or care about what others say or think about your external appearance. You still have that spirit within you, regardless of whether you become bald, buzz all your hair off to a mili-meter, or whatever. Losing weight and becoming fit are not easy accomplishments, --- and you will be far healthier if you can maintain that goal (I have done so myself; but as of recent, have not succeeded like I did in my 20s & 30s). My best to you! You sound like you're doing GREAT, --- so, as they say in Australia, "No worries, mate!"
- Ken in San Francisco
Hi Weston! Like some of the others I certainly do remember you especially around the time when Hurricane Katrina stuck down there and caused so much devestation.You were just trying to settle in at the time but I'm glad it didn't affect your starting school.
Anyway now onto the subject at hand.At first I was reluctant to respond being I didn't want to sound negitive so I figured maybe I should just not post to your thread at all.But after thinking more about it and seeing other comments I decided to go ahead.In my eyes I always prefer longhair on a guy but only if it looked right for them.I do admit some guys just don't look right with longhair due to various reasons.As for you I did like your longhair very much and thought it looked great!However I admit that I liked your longhair without or at least a shorter beard.However thats my opinion and only yours really matters anyway because you have to live with all that hair and obviously the extra care needed to maintain it.It just is disappointing to see another longhair fall to the barber shears as we are very much a minority still. Reagrdless I believe you gave it much thought and didn't do it on a lark.So anyway thats my two cents for all its worth about the haircut.As for improving yourself physically I think thats great especially during college when its hard to find time to exercise properly.I do pride myself that at my age I'm in the physical condition that I currently maintain.I feel great and am totally at peace with my longhaired appearance.In spite of the extra care and dealing with the summer heat I'd NEVER give it up!
So good luck with you future endeavors and who knows maybe you'll make a longhaired comeback someday:))All the best!Mark
I think there is a certain syndrome where if someone loses a lot of weight they feel like a new person, so they cut off all their hair to symbolise a break with the past. Having realised that this also symbolises a break with MLHH, now you are looking for approval here, but the trouble is that if we liked hair like that we wouldn't be here to start with!