Body Image

Body Image

Is the growing obsession with how we look a good or a bad thing?

From one perspective, it has made people more aware of the benefits of training and inspired them to lead a healthier lifestyle; however, from another perspective, it can be taken too far or simply dismissed as a fad or unnecessary.

Before I start, I want to clear up some misconceptions you may have.

You don’t have to have a 6 pack to be fit and healthy! Also, having a 6 pack doesn’t necessarily mean you are either… looks aren’t the only thing that matter here.

Okay, let’s start with being underweight or ‘skinny’. Between the 2 extremes, overweight and underweight, being underweight is rarely seen as unhealthy; however, it can carry just as many health risks as the other.

Being underweight:

• Malnourishment and vitamin/mineral deficiencies which can lead to things like osteoporosis anemia
• Growth issues in children and teenagers
• For women, it can cause fertility issues
• Decreased immune function meaning you will be more prone to illness and recovery will be slower

On the other end of the scale (no pun intended), is being overweight. Everyone is built differently. Some people are naturally bigger or heavier than others and that’s fine, you can still look and feel great. But, it can be a problem if you are deemed to be overweight or obese.

being overweight:

• Increased risk of illness such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes and even some types of cancer
• Asthma
• Gallstones
• Plus many others

Of course you should be proud of how you look but you should also be aware that health comes first. You only get one body in life and it should be a priority to keep it healthy and active.

If you’re ever unsure about your level of fitness, talk to us. We can test you and give you an idea of how well your body performs at certain physical tests.

If you’re unsure about your health, then speaking to your doctor should give you the answers you’re looking for.