You're So Vain
December 18th 2006 11:30
I have always thought that for most of the people who work out the chief motive, admitted or not, is that they wish to look more attractive. There is a lot of talk about other motives,but I am convinced that how they think they will look when they are in shape is the primary reason we see them lifting, cycling, and walking. This consideration lies at the root of all of the diet books which dot the best seller lists and all the infomercials where miracle machines make their outrageous claims. The fact that these diet books and Rube Goldberg contraptions are ever in the public eye demonstrates that will to be more attractive never recedes from the consciousness. I don't think this is a bad thing,however.
There is, I suggest, a kind of equation that links vanity to fitness and fitness to health. Somewhere between low self-esteem and arrogant conviction of one's own gorgeousness is pride in one's appearance. I say anyone who doesn't have much of that is probably not very concerned about personal health issues. The more obsessed we become with pride in our appearance the more likely we are to live salutary lives without the habits that sabotage our fitness.
As far as I am concerned,therefore,taking up fitness activities out of simple vanity is not so bad. We know that the activities that burn fat and shape the body are activities which promote health right along with beauty. We know that the fitness lifestyle promotes a youthful look and that extending youth is vital for successful aging. We are all familiar with the ascetic eating habits of the beautiful people of Hollywood and the fashion industry. Maybe they go a little too far in their pursuit of thin, but many of us would benefit from a little more obsession with how we look, if it means a diet that doesn't make us fat. We do, after all, know that obesity and morbidity are related.
How much more crowded would the gym be if its members got a steady diet of compliments instead of starchy foods? The fact is that lack of vanity seems to have some bad consequences. Vanity is self-centered and arrogant, but its opposite is slovenly and headed for premature aging. We know that depressed and lonely people tend to neglect themselves- often to their detriment. This cannot be said of the vain who are examining themselves in the mirror as they do a set of curls.
So, go ahead, pursue the ascetic glory of youthful contours and overall fitness as much as you want. But do the Nomythfitness guy a favor. Don't fall for the baloney that someone can sell you a magic elixir or a one body part machine that will make you beautiful. Your servant, as always.
There is, I suggest, a kind of equation that links vanity to fitness and fitness to health. Somewhere between low self-esteem and arrogant conviction of one's own gorgeousness is pride in one's appearance. I say anyone who doesn't have much of that is probably not very concerned about personal health issues. The more obsessed we become with pride in our appearance the more likely we are to live salutary lives without the habits that sabotage our fitness.
As far as I am concerned,therefore,taking up fitness activities out of simple vanity is not so bad. We know that the activities that burn fat and shape the body are activities which promote health right along with beauty. We know that the fitness lifestyle promotes a youthful look and that extending youth is vital for successful aging. We are all familiar with the ascetic eating habits of the beautiful people of Hollywood and the fashion industry. Maybe they go a little too far in their pursuit of thin, but many of us would benefit from a little more obsession with how we look, if it means a diet that doesn't make us fat. We do, after all, know that obesity and morbidity are related.
How much more crowded would the gym be if its members got a steady diet of compliments instead of starchy foods? The fact is that lack of vanity seems to have some bad consequences. Vanity is self-centered and arrogant, but its opposite is slovenly and headed for premature aging. We know that depressed and lonely people tend to neglect themselves- often to their detriment. This cannot be said of the vain who are examining themselves in the mirror as they do a set of curls.
So, go ahead, pursue the ascetic glory of youthful contours and overall fitness as much as you want. But do the Nomythfitness guy a favor. Don't fall for the baloney that someone can sell you a magic elixir or a one body part machine that will make you beautiful. Your servant, as always.
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