Would you trade a year of your life for the "perfect" body? Turns out, you don't have to.
According to a survey of British women aged 18 to 65:
Almost one in three would be willing to die younger [by at least one year] in exchange for the ‘ideal’ figure of the likes of model Kelly Brook or actress Scarlett Johansson. The finding is all the more shocking because almost all of those polled were in the normal weight range - or even underweight.
The study didn’t include men - or gay men, in particular. I suspect the numbers might be similar, as gay culture is very body-conscious and many gay men feel tremendous pressure to look a certain way.
If you would trade a year of your life for the perfect body, then I have two pieces of good news.
First, in this moment, you already have the perfect body. It may not look like the models whose muscles we so eagerly worship (see above picture), but your body - right now - is exactly as it needs to be. You can change the way your body will look and feel tomorrow, in a month or in a year - but you can’t change your body now; it is exactly as it must be in this very moment. Instead of resisting the way you look today, embrace and accept it. And then use your new-found energy to work toward creating a healthier tomorrow.
Second, while many people might trade in a year of their life for a healthier and stronger physique, the exact opposite is the reality. When you live a more active lifestyle, it has a significant impact on longevity and the prevention of debilitating disease. Work out and you’ll live longer - it’s really that simple. It’s why I like to remind my clients that they don’t have time not to work out.
You need not trade in a year of your life for the perfect body. Turns out, your body is already perfect. And making it stronger and healthier will cause you to live even longer. Looks like you can have your cake and eat it, too. So to speak.
About Davey Wavey
Davey,
I just want to say THANK YOU. I have just recently come across your site through Facebook and I am thoroughly enjoying your video blogs and articles.
I have been doing the P90x exercise program (this is week 5) and I am not getting the results I had envisioned in my mind of the perfect body. I’m an instant gratification type of person, so I expect to see my six pack after a couple of workouts. On the other hand, I know in my head that’s not how it works. This “tip” has given me the added motivation and self-acceptance that I needed today. Thanks again!
Chad
Thank God, I wouldn’t!
hmmm it seems that many people are willing to trade a year if it were just taken, and they’d instantly have the body they long for. but many seem not to be willing to trade that year in terms of investing time and effort to actually work for that body.
We would trade a year of our life but still claim to not have time to work on it… (and give that year we claimed we would hour by hour)
“It may not look like the models whose muscles we so eagerly worship (see picture at right)…”
This was the picture to my right… 😛
http://i.imgur.com/muZul.png
ok hell no! LOL
Wow, good lord!
I would have thought they meant what I also had in mind when I read this.
I wouldn’t mind losing a lot of elements in my life to get a body like this - that’s what I thought they meant…
mmmm cake
When I read the title , I thought it was about giving up a year of my life to spend working out and not living one year less . To me working out for a year and not worrying about university or my job would be awesome. But alas I can’t train all day.
oh-sure i would-without a doubt.—-keep in mind-although diet-excercise-doing the right thing is essential.remember one thing-the guy pictured at the top of this blog subject-i very much well put together.why is that?from an early age-most likely made the right choices-ate the right things-educated himself-no dumb jock-loved his body-wanted to build a temple.we can all achieve this-if we dedicate ourselves totally-you know he probably is no spectator-but a doer.—we can all do too-just live that life.
I have had significant back problems that prevent me from training like I did when I was younger. I would give a year of my life to have a “perfect body. Not everyone is healthy enough to attain such goals but I certainly know I could do better.