Take it or leave it but the definition of a healthy body depends on who you talk to, the media's definition of a healthy body is the one most people associate with; for women it's slender, flat-bellied, and leggy while still being hourglass shaped- think Barbie. Men on the other hand are to be sculpted through the arms, with broad shoulders and chiseled abs with the perfect V-shaped torso.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Nation Center for Health Statistics, American adult males weigh nearly 25 pounds more than they did in 1965, and the number of overweight and obese adults is growing every year. This means that we as a society are getting accustomed to a new "normal" that's far heavier than what's healthy for most.
Unfortunately most women and about half the men are dissatisfied with their appearance and for many that dissatisfaction turns into rash choices of choosing the knife over a little hard work and exercise. More than half of Americans now view plastic surgery as the best option for achieving perfection, however the effects of cosmetic surgery in most cases does not resolve a persons body-image issues, and in some cases they can make maters worse.
While Barbie doesn't represent a healthy body image, our society does reward those more attractive, from getting a job or being promoted to being picked for a team in gym class to finding romantic partners. So what happens to a person who does not fit into the "ideal" body image? People suffer from poor body image which can lead to depression which sadly leads to weight gain. "If you're overly self-critical and self-doubting you will only exacerbate your efforts to lose weight and get in shape," states Carlie, a medical physician from Florida.
Best body for success is the one you fall in love with, your own body. Take some time and list what you like about your body, then make a mental shift to notice what your body does for you- can you walk, talk, eat...now go back and add to the list of what you like about your body.
At the beginning it is especially important to take note of all your successes big or small, by being mindful of each personal victory even if it's just eating one healthy thing a day, by doing this it will give you the confidence to choose healthy again and again until it becomes a healthy habit that you enjoy. The same goes for getting exercise, when you see that you really can make it to the gym and get your heart rate up for a bit then your body and mind recognizes the energy you put forth and will reward you with more energy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Nation Center for Health Statistics, American adult males weigh nearly 25 pounds more than they did in 1965, and the number of overweight and obese adults is growing every year. This means that we as a society are getting accustomed to a new "normal" that's far heavier than what's healthy for most.
Unfortunately most women and about half the men are dissatisfied with their appearance and for many that dissatisfaction turns into rash choices of choosing the knife over a little hard work and exercise. More than half of Americans now view plastic surgery as the best option for achieving perfection, however the effects of cosmetic surgery in most cases does not resolve a persons body-image issues, and in some cases they can make maters worse.
While Barbie doesn't represent a healthy body image, our society does reward those more attractive, from getting a job or being promoted to being picked for a team in gym class to finding romantic partners. So what happens to a person who does not fit into the "ideal" body image? People suffer from poor body image which can lead to depression which sadly leads to weight gain. "If you're overly self-critical and self-doubting you will only exacerbate your efforts to lose weight and get in shape," states Carlie, a medical physician from Florida.
Best body for success is the one you fall in love with, your own body. Take some time and list what you like about your body, then make a mental shift to notice what your body does for you- can you walk, talk, eat...now go back and add to the list of what you like about your body.
At the beginning it is especially important to take note of all your successes big or small, by being mindful of each personal victory even if it's just eating one healthy thing a day, by doing this it will give you the confidence to choose healthy again and again until it becomes a healthy habit that you enjoy. The same goes for getting exercise, when you see that you really can make it to the gym and get your heart rate up for a bit then your body and mind recognizes the energy you put forth and will reward you with more energy.
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