Can't Change It? Embrace It!

Once again, the wise Crabby McSlacker has provided me with serious food for thought with this recent post about the role of genetics versus lifestyle in determining how our bodies look. The comments her post generated are also worthy of a look; they reflect a wide range of ways that people feel about themselves and the "prizes" they've won in the genetic lottery.

Here's what I think: You can do everything "right" in terms of diet and exercise and still end up with a body that looks nothing like what you might consider to be ideal. That, my friends, is genetics at work. At five feet tall and with a body that tends toward the muscular (think Mary Lou Retton-ish), I will simply never look like the models that grace the pages of many magazines -- or even like many of my friends who are significantly taller than I am. And that's OK.

I want you to know that it took 40 years for me to say that.

Yesterday, I came across this lovely article from a Wisconsin newspaper and boy, did it make me smile -- especially this line: "She was comfortable with what she could not change."

But then there was this: A study that found that adolescents who feel fat or think that they're fat have a lower quality of life, no matter what their actual weight is. But those who think their weight is "just right" have a quality of life the same as if they were a normal weight -- even if they're not.

There's that "you are what you think" idea again.

While researching and writing my upcoming book, I spent the last year and much of this one talking to women and girls about their bodies, and exploring my feelings about my own body and how they affect my daughter. It's a huge topic. But when I think about what I want most for my girl, it's this: I want her to believe that she's worth the time and effort it takes to look after the health of her physical body. But I'm adding a new goal, too. I want her to be comfortable with what she can't change.

If I can instill those two things in her, I'll consider myself very lucky.

Comments

[Crabby McSlacker]

Thanks Dara! And what a great sentiment.

Interesting study--and that Wisconsin article was hilarious and uplifting! (Loved the "attacked by a cougar" line).

[Strong One]

Great thoughts. I find the mental attitude to be the most difficult portion of being healthy.
"The mind is a terrible thing to waste".... especially if we follow the philosophy of Descartes: "I think therefore I am".
:)

[MizFit]

lots of food for thought here

thank you

I have been focusing so much on her being comfy in her own skin that the EMBRACING may have fallen by the wayside!

Miz.

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks, everybody. Strong One, I hear you on the mental attitude thing!

[Therapeutic Ramblings]

Psychology Today has written a few articles on how women view their bodies. I believe they did some of their own research and referenced other people's research....worth a read if you have access to some online databases.