This one hits hard

Harrison Ford after he went on a special diet and exercise regimen he get in better shape for Temple of Doom:

If you are lifting for looks, just buy a nice dress instead. It'll go so much further, with virtually no effort. Lift for function.

it's only a year. Took me like several years and a whole dietary change to see significant growth. And then it took only a few years to lose all the gains after stopping going to the gym

Dude you could just be naturally slim. I've always had about your build and I eat whatever I want. Lifelong woodworker but I've never "worked out," and your ankles look a lot thinner than mine. Maybe it's just the photo. Myadvice is accept who you are - on the positive side, you're not struggling with obesity, and that's a win!

If you're trying to make gains, pumping iron alone isn't going to cut it. You have to make sure you're eating right and watching your macros. Remember the addage "abs are made in the kitchen."

Like I'd hit

Bro you look good take off your shirt

The world is ran off of remote warfare...you don't need to be a gladiator or a dildo for someone who will never actually love you. Love your damn self as is. You look healthy. Get over yourself grow a pair.

Gobble a bunch of MK's/RADs/biohack Chen whatever

Its great to look like a normal guy. Most buff dudes you see in TV/movies have had plastic surgery, steroids, employ intense personal trainers, or all of the above. You look great, keep up the gym routine!

And are dehydrated
- Also I've heard they're usually lit from above when on camera, emphasizing muscle definition.
and started younger

He definitely has bigger arms than most guys.

Also, how much time did he spend lifting?

A year

Pretty good definition in the forearm which is a very looked-out for part of the body
It takes a very long time to get a better physique. In terms of an adult working out 1 year makes you a noob basically.

I also need to look like a normal fit guy

Nah. The roid monster build appeals to men, not women, and even if you're out for the fellas you don't need that body type either.

Guys are notoriously not picky regardless of sexuality. That's why everything from twinks to bears to chubs are popular in the gay community.
- Or people are picky, they just have different preferences.
How do u know he's lifting for other peoples gaze? Maybe he's lifting for himself? Is this the male equivalent of ur just wearing make up for the male gaze?
- How do u know he's lifting for other peoples gaze?
  He's posting on social media.

I dunno, I think he looks good. He has noticeably more muscle than the average guy on the street, and I'd imagine that if he didn't work out he'd look worse with general flabbiness.

I had a similar build in my late 20's. At one point, I had just started dating someone new, and I said something self deprecating or playful about my own body, and she outright scoffed at me, and blurted out "what the fuck are you talking about, you've got an amazing body" and it was just the little jolt of self esteem boost I didn't know I was looking for.

Understanding the difference between bodies one would have working out for a year versus not working out that year is important. It's still a significant difference that people notice, even if there's another significant difference between the one-year guy and the professional fitness model in the magazines.

Thank you, this is the hopium I need to continue the gym habit.

Here's me just lifting to be strong, it's handy, and pleasantly surprising much of the time. :}

I just love the generally healthier feeling when I'm working out regularly. Seeing actual change and improvement in my own body is nice a bonus too

Just wait a few years for the next generation of weight loss and muscle gain drugs to hit the market. The myostatin inhibitor type drugs are not androgenic so there should be much fewer side effects.

Myostatin deficiency can really fuck you up though
- Counterpoint: gorillas are swole AF .
Say hi to Dr Mike for me.

If he dropped like 10lb he would look a lot bigger since his muscles would be more defined.