Body Image vs. Body Ability

When I think about my lifestyle and how I’d describe it, I’d say “relatively healthy.” I say relatively because I like to indulge every now and then. I have a sweet tooth. I can’t just eat a bowl of vegetables for dinner and feel satisfied. In fact, I couldn’t tell you the last time I even ate vegetables, although I can tell you I eat at least four servings of fruit a day, because it satisfies my sweet tooth without sending me into a sugar coma. I like to run, hike, and ride my bike, but I can’t force myself to get out of bed in the morning to go do these things. I’ve recently taken up tennis as a new hobby with my boyfriend, because we are always looking for new things to do together, and tennis just so happens to keep us active and happy, even if I’m not very good. All these things should make me feel pretty good about myself, yet like most girls (and even guys!) I still struggle with body image.

We have all heard about body image. How couldn’t you? Videos and photos flood Facebook revealing how models are photo shopped and what beauty means to cultures around the world and how we should all be accepting of different body types. But rarely do these posts talk about how we should be accepting of our own bodies, something that is much easier said than done, especially when we are constantly bombarded with images of rail-thin women, showing off their long legs and flat, but undefined stomachs. These posts always attempt to tackle how bodies look, rather than what bodies can do.

The human body can be pushed, stretched, and contorted way past what our minds tell us is possible. Hell, if you had told me two years ago I’d be training to run a half-marathon, I’d have laughed in your face, saying there is no way in hell my body could ever tackle the 13.1. Yet here I am, and I have finally surpassed the 10k mark, marking a new milestone for me. I have peddled on my bike until my legs no longer feel like legs. I have hiked up mountains in 25-degree weather for three hour stretches of time. And you know what? I am still not long and lean. I’m soft, with a pooch on my stomach and wide thighs. Do I get self-conscious about these things? You betcha. But when I really sit down and think about it, my body can do so much, so why should I beat myself up over the fact that I don’t resemble an “angel?” I’ve never had stick-thin legs and I’ve never been the person who can eat everything and anything and not gain a single pound. In fact, I have to watch what I eat, because one too many indulgences will have me looking like Squidward in that one episode of Spongebob where he eats all the Krabby Patties. It’s hard not to panic a little bit when you see the scale go up, especially when you’ve already suffered the Freshman Fifteen. But I try to keep a mantra in my head, telling me that what I can do is far more important than how I look. It may be hard to believe at times, but I really do believe this simple statement to be true.

#christine #bodyimage #health #wellness #ability