Appearances

What does appearance mean to you? How important is it?

I am a novice blogger, new to Twitter, new to Pinterest, still debating Instagram. However, I am familiar with Facebook, though still learning some of its capabilities, and at least know the basics of Blogger. What has struck me over the few weeks of observing, trying things out, is with the new year in particular, the emphasis on appearance, weight loss, getting fit. However, the message seems to be from looks or appearance perspective.  It is not from an overall health and wellness perspective.  This annoys me.  Why? Multiple reasons. One, I am fighting to live life as fully as able, I use physical activity and nutrition not for appearance sake but for survival. Two, I have training in clinical nutrition, clinical research. Media-inspired appearance goals are not helpful; on the contrary, tend to contribute to body image or eating disorder issues.

I have not done it yet, but contemplated collecting the numerous photos I have seen telling of how to get the best abs, or toned body, or lose weight, etc. Then, put all of the photos together into a collage leaving the various empty claims associated with them. Why? Because, it is all marketing based on a society that wants to have the "perfect" or "ideal" appearance, weight, etc. I do not care if it is exercises, diets, programs, etc. All of it is marketing.  It leads to dissatisfaction with one's current state.

Why is all of this irritating to me? Again, multiple reasons.  I have seen people struggle with eating disorders, body image issues. People trying to find the perfect diet that will help them get their ideal body.  Or, find the perfect exercise routine that will get them in the shape/condition they want.  People focusing on appearance, when there are people struggling to figure out how to optimize functional ability to just get through life as normally as possible. I have also seen people striving to find the "perfect" diet, or fitness plan that will manage chronic illness. I am not yet convinced there is such a thing, or if there is, what it looks like for one person will be different than for another person.

I have maybe, just maybe, made some comments here and there in some of the groups I am in that are more weight-focused.  They claim to be health-focused, but they are weight-focused. Someone posted something about being incredibly frustrated with weight and thought that if she could just get weight lower life would be better  That of course encouraged replies in a similar vein.  I typically ignore such, scroll past, don't waste my time.  But, I was in the middle of working on a blog post for a different blog on what is truly important and how perspective influences things. So, I thoughtfully commented with the intent of offering another perspective, without judging. Since the focus was appearance, I replied in kind--something to the effect that I am at "ideal" weight, have what some may consider a "perfect body" but that I would gladly regain the 60 pounds I lost decades ago if it meant having more ability, less illness. I have learned to accept illness. This is part of my life at this stage, so not really discontented, so much as frustrated that someone would be expressing discontent over something so shallow as weight from appearance standpoint when there are people fighting to live. Many thanked me for my comment, said it helped them refocus. I am in no way saying weight does not matter. I am simply raising the perspective that it is one small piece of overall health, not the major focus, and the focus needs to be on health more than appearance.

Back to the picture collage....I more or less have the body of an athlete in spite of the fact I cannot run, I am just learning to walk again, I have numerous illnesses, multiple limitations. Do I use any of the gimmicks being marketed? No, none. I do not follow any diet, any particular exercise type. Rather, I use nutrition thoughtfully to support my body--emphasizing whole foods, protein, veggies, etc. I use a combination of types of exercise including home exercises from physical therapy for multiple issues over the years, some Pilates, walk as able, swim as able, elliptical, bike, pool exercises depending on ability level. I am strong, lean, have been mistaken for a gymnast before when at the pool....I was barely off crutches at the time, could not walk much at all. No, not a gymnast. Just a very determined person who refuses to consider herself disabled in any way. I may have some challenges with functional ability, but I am very capable of adapting and finding ways to work around most issues. I am striving to support my body the best I can with nutrition and physical activity, not for appearance, but for ability to live as fully as possible in spite of challenges.

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