| Because thin females and
muscular males are seen as the ideal in our society and because
we have come to believe that body size and shape are totally
under a person's control, most people enter diet and exercise
programs with unrealistic goals and expectations. If you
continually strive to achieve a socially imposed ideal, you will
never be free of your insecurities or your self-consciousness.
You must truly realize and then learn to accept that we are not
all meant to be fashion-model size. Our body size and
structure reflects not only our eating and exercise habits but
also our genetics. The role this latter factor plays in
determining weight seems to vary greatly between individuals. We
are all born with a certain body type inherited from our
parents. Although hardly anyone is a pure body type, there are
three different applicable categories: ectomorphs, mesomorphs,
and endomorphs.
Characteristically, ectomorphs have a light build with slight muscular
development. They are usually tall and thin with small frames and narrow hips
and shoulders.
Mesomorphs have a husky, muscular build. They often have broad shoulders, and
their weight is concentrated in the upper body, making them look compact or
stocky.
Endomorphs are characterized by a heavy, rounded build with shoulders usually
narrower than their hips. They have a round, soft appearance and are more often
overweight or obese.
When we understand and appreciate our bodies, we are able to work with them,
not against them. Although many of us are a combination of two body types, we
cannot become what we are not. However, everyone can improve their appearance
and their health and performance levels by implementing the principles of a safe
and effective eating and exercise program.
Even if you have a genetic predisposition to being overweight, the way you
live is what ultimately determines whether you become fat. Genes clearly play a
role, but they certainly don't determine what you're going to have for dinner or
how often you exercise. Chances are if you're living an unhealthy lifestyle,
you'll become fat and unhealthy.
All of us can't be thin. But every single one of us can be healthy. By
focusing on what you're eating and how much you're exercising, you'll be able to
achieve optimum health and fitness, even though you may not achieve society's
ideal of thinness. Accepting yourself does not mean that you're hopeless and
that it's okay to do nothing. It means that you feel good and care about
yourself, and that you want to be the very best you can be, regardless of your
genetics, regardless of society's standards.
To achieve this level of optimum wellness, you must have a positive self
image. This means that your feelings about your body are not influenced by
events in your daily life. For many people, life's problems are projected onto
their body. "If only I were thinner--or more muscular, I would have made the
team, gotten the job, been chosen. . . . If only I were thinner--or more
muscular, I could meet more people, find the right guy/girl, be happy." This
self-defeating habit is reinforced by the images we see in advertising; your
body becomes an easy target for everything wrong in your life.
When you have a positive self-image, you value and respect your body; you are
also more likely to feel good about living a healthy lifestyle.
No matter how much genetics predetermines how you store and lose fat, the
body you've been given will still respond positively to being appreciated and
treated well. Focusing on fun physical activity and eating healthy foods will
help you feel good whatever your size. Developing a healthy, positive image of
yourself is the first critical factor in your fitness success. Having a strong
sense of self-worth provides the basis for making rational and affirming
decisions about your health. Good luck, stay positive, and enjoy all the
wonderful benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle!
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