Body Image - Part 2

Let me get the admin stuff out of the way before I start ranting again!
NO PILATES AT UPHAM On 3RD and 10th APRIL 2010 and 24th APRIL 2010 - You are more than welcome to attend Pilates on Tuesday evening 6-7pm at Hedge End.

2 HOUR CHARITY ZUMBATHON - UPHAM VILLAGE HALL - 2-4pm, SEE YOU ALL THERE

Body image - well I have certainly opened a can of worms based on the feedback I have been getting but reassuringly mostly positive. However, most of you are assuming that this is an issue that only affects women - not true! There is growing evidence that the size of the problem among men is growing at an alarming rate.

Since 1974 GI Joe (American equivalent to Action Man) found that their human equivalent chest size has expanded by 6 inches and their biceps by 10 inches, their waists, typically, have shrunk by 3 inches. (Men's Health Forum MHF)

However, it is not only toys that are being misshapen. We are constantly being bombarded with images in the media (as we are with twiglet women - why I do not know - they have no shape, no curves and normally look gaunt!) and the relatively new male beauty products which seem to always focus on a washboard stomach. So men are being routinely exposed to this when the overwhelming majority of men bear no resemblance to the man on the ad!

43% of men say they feel worse about their own bodies after reading men's magazines. (MHF)

The number of men opting for cosmetic surgery is increasing - male breast reductions increased by 44% between 2007 and 2008.

Muscle dysmorphia is on the increase (where there is a belief that the body is not muscular or athletic enough) and anabolic steroid use is known to be increasing among male gym users.

It is no coincidence that male body image issues are rising at the same time that we are in an obesity epidemic. Most of us (especially men) are getting bigger. Only approximately 13% of men will have a healthy BMI in 2025 compared with around 1/4 of women. (Those of you that know me know my thoughts on BMI but this is still a useful statistic!!!)

As a nation I think it is really important that we tackle both female and male body image issues. Both sexes need to understand the need for a healthy weight and the need to eat well, not strive to be something created in a magazine - remember it is CREATED, tweaked and smoothed with all their computer gadgets.

Many of us do need to lose weight, do need to exercise more and do need to improve our diet. However, it is where the motivation comes from to do this that is important. It shouldn't be coming from a need to feel included in society, it shouldn't come from feeling inferior. It should come from wanting to be healthy, yes that dreaded H word! Our health is what is of paramount importance here and that is sadly what seems to get forgotten in amongst our quest to look ten years younger, to banish the cellulite, to lose 2 inches from each thigh - stop it!

You have to change to prevent disease, joint problems, try not to be motivated by a corrosive self hatred that will end up undermining any of your attempts to make positive lifestyle changes. Change for the long term will make you feel amazing, vibrant, full of energy and positive about yourself - not someone constantly striving to be something they are not.