Editorial: Beauty and the [Exercise] Beast

If you’re anything like me, you’ve declared that this is the season that you are going for the gusto. No holds barred. All doubt out the window. THIS is the season that you will get in shape. OOWWWWW! But if you are even more like me, you have hit more than a few hurdles stoplights on your journey to conquer the bulge. Allow me to offer this word of advice (that I admit I ministered to myself first). Your quest to whip yourself into shape should be primarily an effort to increase your physical condition, not your physique.

We live in an image-conscious society. I get that. And as much as one may try to proclaim that they are not a part of the world-wide image divide, let’s face it. We are all chilling on some spot of the spectrum. Even the biggest advocates of the ‘I love my curves club’ and the ‘makeup is for gypsies assembly’ care about the way they look and how people perceive them.

I personally feel that putting your best foot-manicured or not-forward is great. However, I also feel that the foot that we put forward is often the foot OTHERS have told us looks best. With this in mind I will say that I find it quite disturbing to notice women adopting work out regiments and eating habits to achieve a size society has told them is acceptable.

Reach for and maintain a weight/size that fits YOU. You know by now whether aiming to be a size 4 is unrealistic or not. Reevaluate what weight and size is healthy for your height and weight. Get real with yourself. And while you are reaching, reach for your health first.

I am a big fan of working out. I feel that getting your body involved in some sort of physical activity on a regular basis is what will save us from many ailments we face as we age. Studies show that common ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and even arthritis can be prevented with simple concern for what you eat and how much physical activity you engage in. It is recommended that you should engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week (that means 4 or more guys!). Strength training helps your body fight calories when you’re not working out and stretching helps prevent injuries (can’t really show off those toned calves in a cast!) Also, studies show that extra fat around your midsection makes you more susceptible to weight related health problems than fat around your hips or thighs.

I know very few people who would work out if they didn’t have to. NEWSFLASH: WE ALL (all meaning those who reside in a human shell- not just overweight people) HAVE TO. But it can actually be fun! So don’t lose heart! And remember, do it for your health!